Patent Description:
Examples of such multiple-access systems include code-division multiple access (CDMA) systems, time-division multiple access (TDMA) systems, frequency-division multiple access (FDMA) systems, and orthogonal frequency-division multiple access (OFDMA) systems.

Generally, a wireless multiple-access communications system may include a number of base stations, each simultaneously supporting communication for multiple mobile devices or other user equipment (UE) devices. Base stations may communicate with UEs on downstream and upstream links. Each base station has a coverage range, which may be referred to as the coverage area of the cell. Device-to-device (D2D) communications include direct wireless communications between UEs either within or beyond the coverage area of a base station. D2D communications may be facilitated by scheduling transmissions from a base station if the devices are within a coverage area. In some cases, D2D communications are utilized by public safety officers such as police, fire and rescue teams, for example.

When a UE is in a certain communications mode, it may be required to receive grants from a base station before transmitting data via D2D communications. For example, a UE may be required to receive grants from the base station when the UE is in mode <NUM>. These grants may indicate which resources the UE should use for various transmissions in D2D communications.

Ericsson, "Configuration of resource pools for various coverage scenarios", 3GPP, R2-<NUM>, XP050791935, discloses the concept of the resource pool. There are pools for scheduling assignment resources and data transmission resources. The document investigates how the resource pools are configured depending on the level of coverage of the UE.

<NPL>, presents detailed ideas on the D2D resource allocation procedure when in coverage. The document argues that the UE needs to get a grant by the eNB before making the transmission. The document also presents a detailed proposal on how the legacy request/grant procedure can be adapted for the D2D use case.

<NPL>, provides an overview of the proposed RAN solution for the D2D SI and suggests a standardization way forward in case a corresponding WI is agreed.

<NPL>, tries to clarify a fully scheduled approach by taking a look at a network based allocation procedure.

There is still a need to improve the efficiency of D2D communication procedures.

The present invention provides a solution as defined in the independent claims, Optional variants are defined in the dependent claims.

The described features generally relate to one or more improved computer programs, methods, and/or apparatuses for transmitting or receiving grants for device-to-device (D2D) communications. According to various examples, at least one grant may be transmitted to a device. The at least one grant may identify one or more scheduling assignment (SA) resources on which an SA is to be transmitted by the device for D2D communications. The at least one grant may also identify one or more data resources on which data is to be transmitted by the device for D2D communications. In certain examples, the at least one grant may be scrambled according to a scrambling type. The scrambling type may indicate that the one or more SA resources and the one or more data resources are allocated for D2D communications. The device may receive the at least one grant, descramble the at least one grant according to the scrambling type, which indicates that the resources of the at least one grant are for D2D communications. The device may then use the resources for D2D communications.

A method is described for wireless communications, as defined in claim <NUM>.

In some examples, the scrambling type may include a D2D radio network temporary identifier (RNTI). Further, the scrambling type may include a semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) D2D RNTI.

In some examples, the one or more data resources may be identified by the device based at least in part on the one or more SA resources.

In some examples, the grant may include or identify an SA transmit power, an SA modulation and coding scheme (MCS), an SA redundancy version, or a combination thereof. Alternatively or additionally, the grant may include or identify a data transmit power, a data MCS, a data redundancy version, or a combination thereof. Alternatively or additionally, the grant may include or identify a target identification (ID) for a destination device of the SA, wherein the target ID is a groupcast ID, a broadcast ID, or a unicast ID. In such examples, the target ID may be compressed or index-based. Alternatively or additionally, the grant may include or identify a time hopping pattern of the one or more data resources, a frequency hopping pattern of the one or more data resources, or a combination thereof. In some examples, the grant may include one or more transmit power control (TPC) bits. The TPC bits may indicate an SA transmit power or a data transmit power.

In some examples, the rant may be transmitted via a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) or a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH), or a combination thereof, in Long Term Evolution (LTE). In such examples, the grant may be included in downlink control information (DCI). In some examples, the PDSCH may include information regarding both the one or more SA resources and the one or more data resources for D2D communications. In some examples, the method may also include scrambling the at least one grant transmitted via the PDCCH with a D2D RNTI to indicate that the at least one grant is related to D2D communications. Alternatively or additionally, the method may include scrambling the grant transmitted via the PDCCH with a target ID.

An apparatus is described for wireless communications, as defined in claim <NUM>.

A computer program also is described, as defined in claim <NUM>.

Another method is described for wireless communications, as defined in claim <NUM>.

Additionally, the method may include determining that the one or more SA resources and the one or more data resources are semi-persistently allocated for D2D communications based at least in part on the descrambling technique.

The method may include identifying, from the single grant, the one or more SA resources to use to transmit the SA. The method may also include identifying the one or more data resources to use to transmit the data, based at least in part on the one or more SA resources.

In some examples, the grant may be received via a PDCCH or a PDSCH, or a combination thereof, in LTE. In such examples, the PDSCH may include information regarding both the one or more SA resources and the one or more data resources for D2D communications. In some examples, the method may include descrambling the at least one grant transmitted via the PDCCH with a D2D RNTI to indicate that the grant is related to D2D communications. Alternatively or additionally, the method may include descrambling the grant transmitted via the PDCCH with a target ID. In some examples, the grant may be included in DCI.

Another apparatus is described for wireless communications, as defined in claim <NUM>.

Further scope of the applicability of the described methods and apparatuses will become apparent from the following detailed description, claims, and drawings. The detailed description and specific examples are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the scope of the description will become apparent to those skilled in the art.

A further understanding of the nature and advantages of the present invention may be realized by reference to the following drawings.

Features generally relating to one or more improved systems, methods, and/or apparatuses for transmitting or receiving grants for device-to-device (D2D) communications are described. One or more grants transmitted from a base station to a device may identify one or more scheduling assignment (SA) resources on which an SA is to be transmitted by the device for D2D communications. The one or more grants may also identify one or more data resources on which data is to be transmitted by the device for D2D communications.

The SA resource(s) and the data resource(s) are identified in a single grant. The data resource(s) may be identified explicitly, or implicitly based at least in part on the SA resource(s). In addition, the grant may be scrambled to allow the device to determine whether the grant is for resources relating to D2D communications or whether the grant is for resources relating to wide area network (WAN) communications.

Techniques described herein may be used for various wireless communications systems such as CDMA, TDMA, FDMA, OFDMA, SC-FDMA, and other systems. The terms "system" and "network" are often used interchangeably. IS-<NUM> Releases <NUM> and A are commonly referred to as CDMA2000 1X, 1X, etc. IS-<NUM> (TIA-<NUM>) is commonly referred to as CDMA2000 1xEV-DO, High Rate Packet Data (HRPD), etc. UTRA includes Wideband CDMA (WCDMA) and other variants of CDMA. An OFDMA system may implement a radio technology such as Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), Evolved UTRA (E-UTRA), IEEE <NUM> (Wi-Fi), IEEE <NUM> (WiMAX), IEEE <NUM>, Flash-OFDM, etc. UTRA and E-UTRA are part of Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS). 3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE) and LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) are new releases of UMTS that use E-UTRA. UTRA, E-UTRA, UMTS, LTE, LTE-A, and GSM are described in documents from an organization named "3rd Generation Partnership Project" (3GPP). The description below, however, describes an LTE system for purposes of example, and LTE terminology is used in much of the description below, although the techniques are applicable beyond LTE applications.

Thus, the following description provides examples, and is not limiting of the scope, applicability, or configuration set forth in the claims. Also, features described with respect to certain examples may be combined in other examples.

<FIG> shows a block diagram of a wireless communications system <NUM>, in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. The wireless communications system <NUM> includes base stations <NUM>, communication devices, also known as a user equipment (UE) <NUM>, and a core network <NUM>. The base stations <NUM> may communicate with the UEs <NUM> under the control of a base station controller (not shown), which may be part of the core network <NUM> or the base stations <NUM> in various examples. Base stations <NUM> may communicate control information and/or user data with the core network <NUM> through backhaul links <NUM>. In examples, the base stations <NUM> may communicate, either directly or indirectly, with each other over backhaul links <NUM>, which may be wired or wireless communication links. The wireless communications system <NUM> may support operation on multiple carriers (waveform signals of different frequencies). Wireless communication links <NUM> may be modulated according to various radio technologies. Each modulated signal may carry control information (e.g., reference signals, control channels, etc.), overhead information, data, etc. Wireless communication links <NUM> may also be established between UEs <NUM> in a configuration known as D2D communication.

The base stations <NUM> may wirelessly communicate with the UEs <NUM> via one or more base station antennas. Each of the base station <NUM> sites may provide communication coverage for a respective geographic area <NUM>. In some examples, base stations <NUM> may be referred to as a base transceiver station, a radio base station, an access point, a radio transceiver, a basic service set (BSS), an extended service set (ESS), a NodeB, eNodeB (eNB), Home NodeB, a Home eNodeB, or some other suitable terminology. The coverage area <NUM> for a base station may be divided into sectors making up only a portion of the coverage area. The wireless communications system <NUM> may include base stations <NUM> of different types (e.g., macro, micro, and/or pico base stations). There may be overlapping coverage areas for different technologies.

The wireless communications system <NUM> may be a Heterogeneous LTE/LTE-A network in which different types of base stations provide coverage for various geographical regions. For example, each base station <NUM> may provide communication coverage for a macro cell, a pico cell, a femto cell, and/or other types of cell. A pico cell would generally cover a relatively smaller geographic area and may allow unrestricted access by UEs with service subscriptions with the network provider. A femto cell would also generally cover a relatively small geographic area (e.g., a home) and, in addition to unrestricted access, may also provide restricted access by UEs having an association with the femto cell.

The core network <NUM> may communicate with the base stations <NUM> via a backhaul <NUM> (e.g., S1, etc.). The base stations <NUM> may also communicate with one another, e.g., directly or indirectly via backhaul links <NUM> (e.g., X2, etc.) and/or via backhaul links <NUM> (e.g., through core network <NUM>). The wireless communications system <NUM> may support synchronous or asynchronous operation.

The UEs <NUM> are dispersed throughout the wireless communications system <NUM>, and each UE may be stationary or mobile. A UE <NUM> may communicate with other UEs <NUM> using D2D communications. One or more of a group of UEs (for example, a first UE <NUM>-a-a-<NUM>) utilizing D2D communications may be within a coverage area <NUM>-a of a cell. Other UEs (for example, a second UE <NUM>-a-<NUM> and a third UE <NUM>-a-<NUM>) in such a group may be outside the coverage area <NUM>-a of the cell, or otherwise unable to receive transmissions from a base station <NUM>. Groups of UEs <NUM>-a communicating via D2D communications may utilize a one-to-many (<NUM>:M) system in which each UE <NUM>-a transmits to every other UE <NUM>-a in the group. In some cases, UEs <NUM>-a engaged in D2D communications may be located relatively closely. In other circumstances, the UEs <NUM>-a may communicate with each other over long distances. As mentioned above, in some examples a base station <NUM> may transmit a single grant to the UE <NUM>-a-<NUM> that indicates resources for the UE <NUM>-a-<NUM> to use for its D2D communications. The base station <NUM> may scramble the grants in order to enable the UE to differentiate the grants relating to D2D communications from the grants associated with WAN communications.

A UE <NUM> may also be referred to by those skilled in the art as a mobile station, a subscriber station, a mobile unit, a subscriber unit, a wireless unit, a remote unit, a mobile device, a wireless device, a wireless communications device, a remote device, a mobile subscriber station, an access terminal, a mobile terminal, a wireless terminal, a remote terminal, a handset, a user agent, a mobile client, a client, or some other suitable terminology. A UE <NUM> may be a cellular phone, a smart phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a wireless modem, a wireless communication device, a handheld device, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, a cordless phone, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, or the like. A UE may be able to communicate with macro eNBs, pico eNBs, femto eNBs, relays, and the like.

The wireless communication links <NUM> shown in wireless communications system <NUM> may include uplink (UL) transmissions from a UE <NUM> to a base station <NUM>, and/or downlink (DL) transmissions, from a base station <NUM> to a UE <NUM> over DL carriers. They may also represent D2D communication links. The downlink transmissions may also be called forward link transmissions while the uplink transmissions may also be called reverse link transmissions.

<FIG> shows a block diagram illustrating an example <NUM> of SA resource pools and data resource pools for transmissions of SAs and data, in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. Specifically, <FIG> illustrates a first SA resource pool <NUM>-a and a first data resource pool <NUM>-a, and a second SA resource pool <NUM>-b and a second data resource pool <NUM>-b. The resource pools <NUM> and <NUM> may be used to transmit SAs and data between UEs, such as UEs <NUM> in <FIG>, in D2D communications, for example. In some examples, a transmitting UE may transmit a first SA to one or more receiving UEs using resources SA1 <NUM> from within SA resource pool <NUM>-a. The first SA may indicate resources (e.g., different time and/or frequency resources) for subsequent transmissions of data to the one or more receiving UEs or devices. In the example of <FIG>, the first SA may indicate resources D1 <NUM>, D2 <NUM>, and D3 <NUM> from within data resource pool <NUM>-a that may be used to transmit data to a receiving UE. The content of the first SA may indicate one or more items of information related to data transmissions, as will be described in more detail below. According to certain examples, the first SA may be retransmitted one or more times using other resources within resources SA1 <NUM>. The retransmissions of the first SA may be performed according to a predetermined retransmission pattern, such as retransmissions at certain times and/or frequencies.

Following the data resource pool <NUM>-a, in this example, is a second SA resource pool <NUM>-b, that may be used to transmit a second SA using resources SA2 <NUM>. Similarly as with the first SA, the second SA may be retransmitted one or more times using other resources of SA2 <NUM>, and may indicate resources D4 <NUM>, D5 <NUM>, and D6 <NUM> from within data resource pool <NUM>-b that may be used to transmit data to a receiving UE. The D2D transmissions from a transmitting UE may be transmitted as broadcast transmissions to one or more receiving UEs. According to some examples, a receiving UE may monitor the SA resource pool <NUM>-a and receive the first SA. If the first SA indicates that the receiving UE is to receive data in a subsequent data transmission, the receiving UE may monitor the data resource pool <NUM>-a only during time(s) indicated by the first SA, and may thus save power by only monitoring data pool resources D1 <NUM>, D2 <NUM>, and D3 <NUM>. Similarly, if a receiving UE determines that the first SA, or any other SA transmitted in the SA resource pool <NUM>-a, does not indicate that the receiving UE is scheduled to receive data in data resource pool <NUM>-a, the receiving UE may discontinue monitoring D2D transmissions until the second SA resource pool <NUM>-b.

<FIG> shows a block diagram <NUM> of a UE <NUM>-b for use in D2D communications, in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. The UE <NUM>-b may be an example of one or more aspects of a UE <NUM> described with reference to <FIG>. The UE <NUM>-b may include a receiver <NUM>, a D2D management module <NUM>, and/or a transmitter <NUM>. The UE <NUM>-b may also include a processor. Each of these components may be in communication with each other.

The components of the UE <NUM>-b may, individually or collectively, be implemented with one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) adapted to perform some or all of the applicable functions in hardware. Alternatively, the functions may be performed by one or more other processing units (or cores), on one or more integrated circuits. In other examples, other types of integrated circuits may be used (e.g., Structured/Platform ASICs, Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), and other Semi-Custom ICs), which may be programmed in any manner known in the art. The functions of each unit may also be implemented, in whole or in part, with instructions embodied in a memory, formatted to be executed by one or more general or application-specific processors.

The receiver <NUM> may receive information such as packets, user data, and/or control information associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, etc.). For example, the receiver <NUM> may receive a message from a base station <NUM> indicating one or more resources to be used for SA and data transmissions. The message may be received via a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) and/or a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH). The message from the base station <NUM> may be received as a single grant, identifying one or more SA resources on which an SA is to be transmitted by the UE <NUM>-b for D2D communications, and identifying one or more data resources on which data is to be transmitted by the UE <NUM>-b for D2D communications. In some examples, the grant(s) may be included in downlink control information (DCI), such as DCI format <NUM>. The receiver <NUM>, either alone or in combination with the D2D management module <NUM>, may be means for receiving one or more grants.

The D2D management module <NUM> may identify or otherwise determine the SA resource(s) and the data resource(s) to use for D2D communications from the grant(s) received from the base station <NUM>. In some examples, the received grant(s) may include or otherwise indicate an SA transmit power, an SA modulation and coding scheme (MCS), and/or an SA redundancy version (RV). Alternatively or additionally, the received grant(s) may include or otherwise indicate a data transmit power, a data MCS, and/or a data RV. Further, the received grant(s) may include or otherwise indicate a target identification (ID) for a destination device of the SA. The target ID may be a groupcast ID, a broadcast ID, or a unicast ID. The target ID may be compressed or may be index-based. The received grant(s) may also include or otherwise indicate a time hopping pattern of the one or more data resources and/or a frequency hopping pattern of the one or more data resources. In some examples, the received grant(s) may include one or more transmit power control (TPC) bits, which may indicate an SA transmit power and/or a data transmit power. The D2D management module <NUM> may be configured to determine such information from the received grant(s). For example, the size of delta indicated by the TPC bits for the SA transmit power and the data transmit power may be signaled to the UE <NUM>-b via a radio resource control (RRC) message, for example, to allow the UE <NUM>-b to interpret the TPC bits. The D2D management module <NUM> may be the means for identifying resources for D2D communications.

The D2D management module <NUM> further may be configured to carry out D2D communications using the receiver <NUM> and/or the transmitter <NUM>. The D2D management module <NUM> may implement the D2D communications in accordance with the information provided by the received grant(s).

The transmitter <NUM> may transmit one or more signals received from other components of the UE <NUM>-b. For example, the transmitter <NUM> may transmit SA and data transmissions to one or more receiving UEs in D2D transmissions. In some examples, the transmitter <NUM> may be collocated with the receiver <NUM> in a transceiver module. The transmitter <NUM> may include a single antenna, or it may include a plurality of antennas.

<FIG> shows a block diagram <NUM> of a UE <NUM>-c for use in D2D communications, in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. The UE <NUM>-c may be an example of one or more aspects of a UE <NUM> described with reference to <FIG> and/or <NUM>. The UE <NUM>-c may include a receiver <NUM>-a, a D2D management module <NUM>-a, and/or a transmitter <NUM>-a. The UE <NUM>-c may also include a processor. Each of these components may be in communication with each other. The D2D management module <NUM>-a may also include an SA transmission module <NUM> and a data transmission module <NUM>.

The components of the UE <NUM>-c may, individually or collectively, be implemented with one or more ASICs adapted to perform some or all of the applicable functions in hardware. Alternatively, the functions may be performed by one or more other processing units (or cores), on one or more integrated circuits. In other examples, other types of integrated circuits may be used (e.g., Structured/Platform ASICs, FPGAs, and other Semi-Custom ICs), which may be programmed in any manner known in the art. The functions of each unit may also be implemented, in whole or in part, with instructions embodied in a memory, formatted to be executed by one or more general or application-specific processors.

The receiver <NUM>-a may receive information which may be passed on to the D2D management module <NUM>-a, and to other components of the UE <NUM>-c as described above with reference to <FIG>. The D2D management module <NUM>-a may be configured to perform the operations described above with reference to <FIG>. The transmitter <NUM>-a may transmit one or more signals received from other components of the UE <NUM>-c. For example, in cases where UE <NUM>-c is a D2D transmitting device, it may transmit SA and data transmissions using D2D communications to one or more receiving UEs.

The SA transmission module <NUM> may be configured to determine SAs and resources from an SA resource pool for use in SA transmissions, in a similar manner as discussed above with respect to <FIG>, based on the information provided in the grant(s) from a base station <NUM> (of <FIG>). The SA transmission module <NUM> may also be configured to determine SA retransmission patterns, in a similar manner as discussed above with respect to <FIG>. Similarly, the data transmission module <NUM> may be configured to determine and use data resources for D2D data transmissions. The SA transmission module <NUM> and the data transmission module <NUM>, either alone or in combination with the D2D management module <NUM>-a, may be means for transmitting an SA via D2D communications and means for transmitting data via D2D communications, respectively.

<FIG> shows a block diagram <NUM> of a UE <NUM>-d for use in D2D communications, in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. The UE <NUM>-d may be an example of one or more aspects of a UE <NUM> described with reference to <FIG>, <FIG>, and/or <NUM>. The UE <NUM>-d may include a receiver <NUM>-b, a D2D management module <NUM>-b, and/or a transmitter <NUM>-b. The UE <NUM>-d may also include a processor. Each of these components may be in communication with each other. The D2D management module <NUM>-b may also include a descrambling module <NUM> and a grant determination module <NUM>.

The components of the UE <NUM>-d may, individually or collectively, be implemented with one or more ASICs adapted to perform some or all of the applicable functions in hardware. Alternatively, the functions may be performed by one or more other processing units (or cores), on one or more integrated circuits. In other examples, other types of integrated circuits may be used (e.g., Structured/Platform ASICs, FPGAs, and other Semi-Custom ICs), which may be programmed in any manner known in the art. The functions of each unit may also be implemented, in whole or in part, with instructions embodied in a memory, formatted to be executed by one or more general or application-specific processors.

The receiver <NUM>-b, in this example, may receive information from a base station that indicates an SA resource pool which may be passed on to the D2D management module <NUM>-b, and to other components of the UE <NUM>-d. The D2D management module <NUM>-b may also be configured to perform the operations described above with reference to <FIG> and/or <NUM>. The transmitter <NUM>-b may transmit one or more signals received from other components of the UE <NUM>-d. For example, in cases where UE <NUM>-d is a D2D transmitting device, it may transmit SA and data transmissions using D2D communications to one or more receiving UEs.

The descrambling module <NUM> may be configured to descramble the grant(s) that may have been scrambled by the base station. The UE <NUM>-d may descramble the grant(s) according to a scrambling/descrambling type or technique. The scrambling/descrambling type may indicate that a particular grant (e.g., SA and/or data resources) is allocated for D2D communications. The scrambling/descrambling type may be, for example, a D2D radio network temporary identifier (RNTI). The scrambling/descrambling type may also be a semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) D2D RNTI, to indicate that the resources are semi-persistently allocated for D2D communications (e.g., for multiple or periodic use). The descrambling may include descrambling a cyclic redundancy check (CRC), instead of descrambling the entire grant(s). The descrambling module <NUM> may have one or more codes for descrambling the grant(s) intended for the UE <NUM>-d. The descrambling module <NUM>, either alone or in combination with the D2D management module <NUM>-b, may be means for descrambling at least one grant according to a scrambling type, as well as means for determining that at least one grant is for D2D communications.

The grant determination module <NUM> may be configured to determine the various information included in the grant(s) descrambled by the descrambling module <NUM>. For example, the grant determination module <NUM> may determine the SA resource(s) from the descrambled grant(s) and then determine the data resource(s) based at least in part on the determined SA resource(s). The grant determination module <NUM>, either alone or in combination with the D2D management module <NUM>-b, may be means for identifying resources for D2D communications, means for analyzing an indicator, and/or means for determining other information for D2D communications.

<FIG> shows a block diagram <NUM> of a UE <NUM>-e for transmitting and/or receiving SA and data transmissions in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. The UE <NUM>-e may be an example of one or more aspects of a UE <NUM> described with reference to <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and/or <NUM>. The UE <NUM>-e may include a receiver <NUM>-c, a D2D management module <NUM>-c, and/or a transmitter <NUM>-c. The UE <NUM>-e may also include a processor. Each of these components may be in communication with each other. The D2D management module <NUM>-c may also include a MCS/RV determination module <NUM>, a frequency hopping determination module <NUM>, an offset and timing determination module <NUM>, a target ID module <NUM>, and a transmit power determination module <NUM>.

The components of the UE <NUM>-e may, individually or collectively, be implemented with one or more ASICs adapted to perform some or all of the applicable functions in hardware. Alternatively, the functions may be performed by one or more other processing units (or cores), on one or more integrated circuits. In other examples, other types of integrated circuits may be used (e.g., Structured/Platform ASICs, FPGAs, and other Semi-Custom ICs), which may be programmed in any manner known in the art. The functions of each unit may also be implemented, in whole or in part, with instructions embodied in a memory, formatted to be executed by one or more general or application-specific processors.

The receiver <NUM>-c may receive information which may be passed on to the D2D management module <NUM>-c, and to other components of the UE <NUM>-e as described above with reference to <FIG>, <FIG>, and/or <NUM>. The D2D management module <NUM>-c may be configured to perform the operations described above with reference to <FIG>, <FIG>, and/or <NUM>. The transmitter <NUM>-c may transmit one or more signals received from other components of the UE <NUM>-e. For example, in cases where UE <NUM>-e is a D2D transmitting device, it may transmit SA and data transmissions using D2D communications to one or more receiving UEs.

The MCS/RV determination module <NUM> may be configured to determine an MCS and/or RV for transmission of the SA and/or data in accordance with the grant(s). The frequency hopping determination module <NUM> may be configured to determine SA retransmission frequency hopping patterns in accordance with the grant(s), in a similar manner as discussed above with respect to <FIG>, for example. The offset and timing determination module <NUM> may be configured to determine SA transmission, SA retransmission, and data transmission timing in accordance with the grant(s), in a similar manner as discussed above with respect to <FIG>, for example. The target ID module <NUM> may be configured to determine a target ID, compress the target ID if needed, and scramble data transmissions based on the target ID in accordance with the grant(s), in a similar manner as discussed above with respect to <FIG>, for example. The target ID module <NUM> may also be configured to decode scrambled data transmissions received at the UE <NUM>-e based on information received in an SA. The transmit power determination module <NUM> may be configured to determine an SA transmit power and/or a data transmit power for D2D communications in accordance with the grant(s), such as based on the TPC bit(s) as discussed above. The foregoing modules <NUM>-<NUM>, either alone or in combination with the D2D management module <NUM>-c, may be means for determining the respective types of information from the grant(s) received from a base station <NUM> of <FIG>.

<FIG> shows a block diagram of a system <NUM> configured for use in D2D communications, in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. System <NUM> may include a UE <NUM>-f, which may be an example of a UE <NUM> with reference to <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and/or <NUM>. The UE <NUM>-f may generally include components for bi-directional voice and data communications including components for transmitting communications and components for receiving communications.

The UE <NUM>-f may include antenna(s) <NUM>, a transceiver module <NUM>, a processor module <NUM>, and memory <NUM> (including software (SW) <NUM>), which each may communicate, directly or indirectly, with each other (e.g., via one or more buses <NUM>). The transceiver module <NUM> may be configured to communicate bi-directionally, via the antenna(s) <NUM> and/or one or more wired or wireless links, with one or more networks, as described above. For example, the transceiver module <NUM> may be configured to communicate bi-directionally with a base station <NUM>-a. The transceiver module <NUM> may include a modem configured to modulate packets and provide the modulated packets to the antenna(s) <NUM> for transmission, and to demodulate packets received from the antenna(s) <NUM>. While the UE <NUM>-f may include a single antenna <NUM>, the UE <NUM>-f may also have multiple antennas <NUM> capable of concurrently transmitting and/or receiving multiple wireless transmissions. The transceiver module <NUM> may also be capable of concurrently communicating with one or more base stations <NUM>. The base station communications module <NUM> may perform operations related to such communications with one or more base stations.

The memory <NUM> may include random access memory (RAM) and read-only memory (ROM). The memory <NUM> may store computer-readable, computer-executable software/firmware code <NUM> containing instructions that are configured to, when executed, cause the processor module <NUM> to perform various functions described herein (e.g., call processing, database management, processing of carrier mode indicators, module management, etc.). Alternatively, the software/firmware code <NUM> may not be directly executable by the processor module <NUM> but be configured to cause a computer (e.g., when compiled and executed) to perform functions described herein. The processor module <NUM> may include an intelligent hardware device, e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a microcontroller, an ASIC, etc..

The UE <NUM>-f may also include a UE D2D management module <NUM>. The UE D2D management module <NUM> may be configured to determine SAs, determine one or more data transmissions and perform operations related to SA and data transmissions as discussed above with respect to <FIG>. If UE <NUM>-f is a D2D transmitting device, for example, the SA(s) may be determined for receiving UEs <NUM>-g, and resources from an SA resource pool may be determined for transmission of the SA(s). Furthermore, the UE D2D management module <NUM> may determine a retransmission pattern for retransmissions of the SA(s), which may include one or both of a timing pattern and frequency hopping pattern for SA retransmissions. If UE <NUM>-f is a D2D receiving device, the UE D2D management module <NUM> may monitor SA resources and determine if an SA transmission and/or retransmission are received. Based on the resources from the SA resource pool used for the SA transmissions(s), the UE D2D management module <NUM> may determine an SA retransmission pattern and resources that are to be used for data transmissions, which may include one or both of a timing pattern and frequency hopping pattern. Further, the UE D2D management module <NUM> may be configured to perform operations related to the grant(s) received from the base station <NUM>-a, for example. Thus, the UE D2D management module <NUM> may be configured to perform operations to carry out the various functions described above with respect to <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and/or <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a block diagram of a communications system <NUM> that may be configured for use in receiving and transmitting D2D communications, including the transmission of grants, in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. The system <NUM> may be an example of aspects of the systems <NUM> and/or <NUM> described in <FIG> and/or <NUM>, respectively. System <NUM> may include a base station <NUM>-b. The base station <NUM>-b may include base station antenna(s) <NUM>, a base station transceiver module <NUM>, base station memory <NUM>, and a base station processor module <NUM>, which each may be in communication, directly or indirectly, with each other (e.g., over one or more buses). The base station transceiver module <NUM> may be configured to communicate bi-directionally, via the base station antenna(s) <NUM>, with a UE <NUM>-h, which may be an example of a UE <NUM> of <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and/or <NUM>. The base station transceiver module <NUM> (and/or other components of the base station <NUM>-b) may also be configured to communicate bi-directionally with one or more networks. In some cases, the base station <NUM>-b may communicate with the core network <NUM>-a and/or controller <NUM> through network communications module <NUM>. Base station <NUM>-b may be an example of the base stations <NUM> of <FIG>. Controller <NUM> may be integrated into base station <NUM>-b in some cases, such as with an eNodeB base station.

Base station <NUM>-b may also communicate with other base stations <NUM>, such as base station <NUM>-m and base station <NUM>-n. Each of the base stations <NUM> may communicate with the UE <NUM>-h using different wireless communications technologies, such as different radio access technologies. In some cases, base station <NUM>-b may communicate with other base stations such as <NUM>-m and/or <NUM>-n utilizing base station communication module <NUM>. In some examples, base station communication module <NUM> may provide an X2 interface within an LTE wireless communication technology to provide communication between some of the base stations <NUM>. In some examples, base station <NUM>-b may communicate with other base stations through controller <NUM> and/or core network <NUM>-a.

The base station memory <NUM> may include RAM and ROM. The base station memory <NUM> may also store computer-readable, computer-executable software code <NUM> containing instructions that are configured to, when executed, cause the base station processor module <NUM> to perform various functions described herein (e.g., receiving and transmitting D2D communications, and providing resource grants, timing information, and other information for D2D communications). Alternatively, the software code <NUM> may not be directly executable by the base station processor module <NUM> but be configured to cause the computer, e.g., when compiled and executed, to perform functions described herein. The base station processor module <NUM> may include an intelligent hardware device, e.g., a CPU, a microcontroller, an ASIC, etc..

The base station transceiver module <NUM> may include a modem configured to modulate packets and provide the modulated packets to the base station antenna(s) <NUM> for transmission, and to demodulate packets received from the base station antenna(s) <NUM>. While some examples of the base station <NUM>-b may include a single base station antenna <NUM>, the base station <NUM>-b may include multiple base station antennas <NUM> for multiple links which may support carrier aggregation. For example, one or more links may be used to support macro communications with the UE <NUM>-h.

According to the architecture of <FIG>, the base station <NUM>-b may further include a communications management module <NUM>. The communications management module <NUM> may manage communications with other base stations <NUM>. As an example, the communications management module <NUM> may facilitate the transmittal of a D2D information, such as grants to D2D transmitting devices, etc., as discussed above. By way of example, the communications management module <NUM> may be a component of the base station <NUM>-b in communication with some or all of the other components of the base station <NUM>-b via a bus. Alternatively, functionality of the communications management module <NUM> may be implemented as a component of the base station transceiver module <NUM>, as a computer program product, and/or as one or more controller elements of the base station processor module <NUM>.

The components for base station <NUM>-b may be configured to implement aspects discussed above with respect to <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and/or <NUM>, which are not be repeated here for the sake of brevity. For example, the base station <NUM>-b may include a base station D2D management module <NUM>. Base station D2D management module <NUM> may include a D2D SA resource module <NUM>, a D2D data resource module <NUM>, and a scrambling module <NUM>, each of which may be configured to perform or control some or all of the base station related features or functions described with reference to <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and/or <NUM>. The base station D2D management module <NUM>, or portions of it, may include a processor, or some or all of the functions of the base station D2D management module <NUM> may be performed by the base station processor module <NUM> or in connection with the base station processor module <NUM>. Additionally, the base station D2D management module <NUM>, or portions of it, may include a memory, or some or all of the functions of the base station D2D management module <NUM> may use the base station memory <NUM> or be used in connection with the base station memory <NUM>. Further, the base station D2D management module <NUM> may operate in conjunction with or under control of the communications management module <NUM> to facilitate the transmittal of a D2D information, such as grants to D2D transmitting devices, etc., as discussed above.

<FIG> shows a flowchart illustrating a method <NUM> for wireless communications, such as D2D communications, in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. The functions of method <NUM> may be implemented by a system device, such as a base station <NUM> or its components as described with reference to <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and/or <NUM>. In some examples, a system device, such as one of the base stations <NUM>, may execute one or more sets of codes to control the functional elements of the device to perform the functions described below.

At block <NUM>, a grant is transmitted to one or more devices, such as one or more of the UEs <NUM>. The grant may identify one or more SA resources on which an SA is to be transmitted by the device for D2D communications and one or more data resources on which data is to be transmitted by the device for D2D communications. For example, the at least one grant may be transmitted via a PDCCH or a PDSCH, or a combination thereof. The grant may be included in a DCI, for example, using DCI format <NUM>. The operation(s) at block <NUM> may be performed using the base station D2D management module <NUM> and base station transceiver module <NUM> described with reference to <FIG>.

It should be noted that the method <NUM> is just one implementation and that the operations of the method may be rearranged or otherwise modified such that other implementations are possible.

<FIG> shows a flowchart illustrating another method <NUM> for wireless communications, such as D2D communications, in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. The functions of method <NUM> may be implemented by a system device, such as a base station <NUM> or its components as described with reference to <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and/or <NUM>. In some examples, a system device, such as one of the base stations <NUM>, may execute one or more sets of codes to control the functional elements of the device to perform the functions described below.

At block <NUM>, a single grant is scrambled. The single grant may be scrambled according to a scrambling type, such as discussed above, so that an intended UE <NUM> may descramble the single grant and identify the grant as being for D2D communications. The single grant identifies one or more SA resources and one or more data resources. As discussed above, the data resource(s) may be implicitly identified by the single grant based on the identified SA resource(s), for example. At block <NUM>, the single grant is transmitted to one or more devices, e.g., UEs <NUM>. The operation(s) at block <NUM> may be performed using the scrambling module <NUM> described with reference to <FIG>, and the operations(s) at block <NUM> may be performed using the transmitter <NUM> and the base station transceiver module <NUM> described with reference to <FIG>.

It should be noted that the method <NUM> is just one implementation and that the operations of the method, and the steps may be rearranged or otherwise modified such that other implementations are possible.

<FIG> shows a flowchart illustrating another method <NUM> for wireless communications, which is not in accordance with the claimed invention, such as D2D communications, in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. The functions of method <NUM> may be implemented by a system device, such as a base station <NUM> or its components as described with reference to <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and/or <NUM>. In some examples, a system device, such as one of the base stations <NUM>, may execute one or more sets of codes to control the functional elements of the device to perform the functions described below.

At block <NUM>, an indicator for a first grant may be set. The indicator may indicate that the first grant is a grant of one or more SA resources for D2D communications. Next, at block <NUM>, the first grant may be scrambled. Then, at block <NUM>, the first grant may be transmitted to one or more devices, e.g., UEs <NUM>. The operation(s) at block <NUM> may be performed using the SA resource module <NUM> described with reference with <FIG>, the operation(s) at block <NUM> may be performed using the scrambling module <NUM> described with reference to <FIG>, and the operations(s) at block <NUM> may be performed using the base station transceiver module <NUM> described with reference to <FIG>.

At block <NUM>, an indicator for a second grant, different from the indicator set for the first grant, may be set. The indicator may indicate that the second grant is a grant of one or more data resources for D2D communications. Next, at block <NUM>, the second grant may be scrambled. Then, at block <NUM>, the second grant may be transmitted to one or more devices, e.g., UEs <NUM>. As described above, the second grant may be transmitted at a time period different from the time period at which the first grant is transmitted. Further, the second grant may be transmitted at a time period that is based at least in part on the time period at which the first grant is transmitted. This may allow the receiving UE <NUM> to identify that the second grant is related to the first grant, and associate the first and second grants so as to use the SA resource(s) and the data resource(s) for D2D communications. The operation(s) at block <NUM> may be performed using the SA resource module <NUM> described with reference with <FIG>, the operation(s) at block <NUM> may be performed using the scrambling module <NUM> described with reference to <FIG>, and the operations(s) at block <NUM> may be performed using the base station transceiver module <NUM> described with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> shows a flowchart illustrating a method <NUM> for wireless communications, such as D2D communications, in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. The functions of method <NUM> may be implemented by a device, such as a UE <NUM> or its components as described with reference to <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and/or <NUM>. In some examples, a device, such as one of the UEs <NUM>, may execute one or more sets of codes to control the functional elements of the device to perform the functions described below.

At block <NUM>, a grant is received from a base station <NUM>. The grant may identify one or more SA resources on which an SA is to be transmitted by the device for D2D communications and one or more data resources on which data is to be transmitted by the device for D2D communications. For example, the grant may be received via a PDCCH or a PDSCH, or a combination thereof. The grant may be included in DCI, for example, using DCI format <NUM>. The operation(s) at block <NUM> may be performed using the receiver <NUM> described with reference to <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and/or <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a flowchart illustrating another method <NUM> for wireless communications, such as D2D communications, in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. The functions of method <NUM> may be implemented by a device, such as a UE <NUM> or its components as described with reference to <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and/or <NUM>. In some examples, a device, such as one of the UEs <NUM>, may execute one or more sets of codes to control the functional elements of the device to perform the functions described below.

At block <NUM>, a single grant is received. The single grant may be scrambled according to a scrambling type, such as discussed above with reference to <FIG>. If the single grant is intended for the UE <NUM>, the UE <NUM> may descramble the single grant at block <NUM>. The single grant may identify one or more SA resources, and may identify one or more data resources. As discussed above, the data resource(s) may be implicitly identified by the single grant based on the identified SA resource(s), for example. The operation(s) at block <NUM> may be performed using the receiver <NUM> described with reference to <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and/or <NUM>, and the operation(s) at block <NUM> may be performed using the descrambling module <NUM> described with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> shows a flowchart illustrating another method <NUM> for wireless communications, which is not in accordance with the claimed invention, such as D2D communications, in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. The functions of method <NUM> may be implemented by a device, such as a UE <NUM> or its components as described with reference to <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and/or <NUM>. In some examples, a device, such as one of the UEs <NUM>, may execute one or more sets of codes to control the functional elements of the device to perform the functions described below.

At block <NUM>, a first grant may be received for SA resource(s) for D2D communications. If the first grant is intended for the UE <NUM>, the UE <NUM> may descramble the first grant at block <NUM>. The operation(s) at block <NUM> may be performed using the receiver <NUM> described with reference to <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and/or <NUM>, and the operation(s) at block <NUM> may be performed using descrambling module <NUM> described with reference to <FIG>. The UE <NUM> may then analyze an indicator included with the first grant to determine whether the first grant is a grant of one or more SA resources or a grant of one or more data resources for D2D communications at block <NUM>, in this example being for SA resource(s). The operation(s) at block <NUM> may be performed using the grant determination module <NUM> described with reference to <FIG>.

At block <NUM>, a second grant may be received for data resource(s) for D2D. If the second grant is intended for the UE <NUM>, the UE <NUM> may descramble the second grant at block <NUM>. The operation(s) at block <NUM> may be performed using the receiver <NUM> described with reference to <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and/or <NUM>, and the operation(s) at block <NUM> may be performed using descrambling module <NUM> described with reference to <FIG>. The UE <NUM> may then analyze an indicator included with the second grant to determine whether the second grant is a grant of one or more SA resources or a grant of one or more data resources for D2D communications at block <NUM>, in this example being for data resource(s). As described above, the first and second grants may be identified as being related based on the time period at which the first and second grants were transmitted. The operation(s) at block <NUM> may be performed using the grant determination module <NUM> described with reference to <FIG>.

The detailed description set forth above in connection with the appended drawings describes examples and does not represent the only examples that may be implemented or that are within the scope of the claims. The term "example" and "exemplary," when used in this description mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration," and not "preferred" or "advantageous over other examples.

As used herein, the terms "device" and "apparatus" are interchangeable.

The various illustrative blocks and modules described in connection with the disclosure herein may be implemented or performed with a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an ASIC, a FPGA or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration.

Also, as used herein, including in the claims, "or" as used in a list of items (for example, a list of items prefaced by a phrase such as "at least one of" or "one or more of") indicates a disjunctive list such that, for example, a list of "at least one of A, B, or C" means A or B or C or AB or AC or BC or ABC (i.e., A and B and C).

Claim 1:
A method (<NUM>) of wireless communications, comprising:
transmitting (<NUM>) a single grant to a first device (<NUM>-a-<NUM>), the grant identifying one or more scheduling assignment, SA, resources on which an SA is to be transmitted by the first device (<NUM>-a-<NUM>) for device-to-device, D2D, communications between the first device (<NUM>-a-<NUM>) and a second device (<NUM>-<NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>-<NUM>), and the grant identifying one or more data resources on which data is to be transmitted by the first device (<NUM>-a-<NUM>) for the D2D communications between the first device (<NUM>-a-<NUM>) and the second device (<NUM>-a-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>-<NUM>);
wherein the SA indicates to the second device (<NUM>-a-<NUM>, <NUM>-a-<NUM>) the data resources on which the data is to be transmitted by the first device (<NUM>-a-<NUM>) for the D2D communications; and
wherein the method further comprises scrambling a cyclic redundancy check, CRC, of the grant according to a scrambling type, the scrambling type indicating that the one or more SA resources and the one or more data resources are allocated for D2D communications.