PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-12108312-B2
Application Number: US-202318241475-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Sidelink communication under control of LTE UU interface or NR interface

Abstract:
Embodiments of a User Equipment (UE), Next Generation Node-B (gNB), Evolved Node-B (eNB) and methods of communication are generally described herein. The UE may detect one or more LTE synchronization signals from an eNB over an LTE Uu interface between the UE and the eNB. The LTE synchronization signals may be detected in resources allocated for LTE communication. The LTE synchronization signals may be detected in accordance with an LTE protocol. The UE may determine, based on the LTE synchronization signals, a reference timing and a reference frequency for NR vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication over an NR PC5 interface with another UE.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An apparatus, comprising:
 a memory; and 
 a processor in communication with the memory and configured to cause a user equipment device (UE) to:
 detect one or more synchronization signals from a base station operating according to a first radio access technology (RAT) over a Uu interface between the UE and the base station, wherein the synchronization signals are detected in resources allocated for communication according to the first RAT; 
 determine, based on the synchronization signals, a reference timing or a reference frequency for sidelink communication over a PC5 interface with another UE according to a second RAT; and 
 encode physical channels for transmission to the other UE over the PC5 interface in accordance with the second RAT. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The apparatus of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the synchronization signals are detected in accordance with the first RAT. 
 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the physical channels are encoded in resources allocated for sidelink transmission according to the second RAT. 
 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the first RAT comprises Long Term Evolution, and wherein the second RAT comprises New Radio. 
 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the physical channels comprise a physical sidelink control channel (PSCCH) and a physical sidelink shared channel (PSSCH). 
 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the one or more synchronization signals include one or more of:
 a primary synchronization signal (PSS); 
 a secondary synchronization signal (SSS); or 
 a physical broadcast channel (PBCH). 
 
 
     
     
       7. The apparatus of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the one or more synchronization signals include a cell-specific reference signal (CRS). 
 
     
     
       8. A method for determining physical channel resources for sidelink communication, comprising
 detecting one or more synchronization signals from a base station operating according to a first radio access technology (RAT) over a Uu interface between a user equipment device (UE) and the base station, wherein the synchronization signals are detected in accordance with the first RAT; 
 determining, based on the synchronization signals, a reference timing or a reference frequency for sidelink communication over a PC5 interface with another UE according to a second RAT; and 
 encoding physical channels for transmission to the other UE over the PC5 interface in resources allocated for sidelink transmission according to the second RAT. 
 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 8 ,
 wherein the synchronization signals are detected in resources allocated for communication according to the first RAT. 
 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 8 ,
 wherein the physical channels are encoded in accordance with the second RAT. 
 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 8 ,
 wherein the first RAT comprises Long Term Evolution, and wherein the second RAT comprises New Radio. 
 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 8 ,
 wherein the physical channels comprise a physical sidelink control channel (PSCCH) and a physical sidelink shared channel (PSSCH). 
 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 8 ,
 wherein the one or more synchronization signals include one or more of:
 a primary synchronization signal (PSS); 
 a secondary synchronization signal (SSS); or 
 a physical broadcast channel (PBCH). 
 
 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 8 ,
 wherein the one or more synchronization signals include a cell-specific reference signal (CRS). 
 
     
     
       15. A user equipment device (UE), comprising:
 at least one antenna; 
 at least one radio in communication with the at least one antenna; and 
 at least one processor in communication with the at least one radio, wherein the at least one processor is configured to cause the UE to:
 detect one or more synchronization signals from a base station operating according to a first radio access technology (RAT) over a Uu interface between the UE and the base station, wherein the synchronization signals are detected in resources allocated for communication according to the first RAT; 
 determine, based on the synchronization signals, a reference timing or a reference frequency for sidelink communication over a PC5 interface with another UE according to a second RAT; and 
 encode physical channels for transmission to the other UE over the PC5 interface in resources allocated for sidelink transmission according to the second RAT. 
 
 
     
     
       16. The UE of  claim 15 ,
 wherein the synchronization signals are detected in accordance with the first RAT. 
 
     
     
       17. The UE of  claim 15 ,
 wherein the physical channels are encoded in accordance with the second RAT. 
 
     
     
       18. The UE of  claim 15 ,
 wherein the physical channels comprise a physical sidelink control channel (PSCCH) and a physical sidelink shared channel (PSSCH). 
 
     
     
       19. The UE of  claim 15 ,
 wherein the one or more synchronization signals include one or more of:
 a primary synchronization signal (PSS); 
 a secondary synchronization signal (SSS); or 
 a physical broadcast channel (PBCH). 
 
 
     
     
       20. The UE of  claim 15 ,
 wherein the one or more synchronization signals include a cell-specific reference signal (CRS).

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/258,903, filed Jan. 9, 2021, which is the National Stage of International Application No. PCT/US2019/045785, filed Aug. 8, 2019 and which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/717,316, filed Aug. 10, 2018, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     The claims in the instant application are different than those of the parent application and/or other related applications. The Applicant therefore rescinds any disclaimer of claim scope made in the parent application and/or any predecessor application in relation to the instant application. Any such previous disclaimer and the cited references that it was made to avoid, may need to be revisited. Further, any disclaimer made in the instant application should not be read into or against the parent application and/or other related applications. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     Embodiments pertain to wireless communications. Some embodiments relate to wireless networks including 3GPP (Third Generation Partnership Project) networks, and 3GPP LTE (Long Term Evolution) networks, Fifth Generation (5G) networks, and/or New Radio (NR) networks. Some embodiments relate to sidelink communication, vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication and/or vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication. Some embodiments relate to methods of sidelink communication and sidelink synchronization over an LTE Uu interface or an NR Uu interface. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Efficient use of the resources of a wireless network is important to provide bandwidth and acceptable response times to the users of the wireless network. However, often there are many devices trying to share the same resources and some devices may be limited by the communication protocol they 30 use or by their hardware bandwidth. Moreover, wireless devices may need to operate with both newer protocols and with legacy device protocols. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1 A  is a functional diagram of an example network in accordance with some embodiments; 
         FIG.  1 B  is a functional diagram of another example network in accordance with some embodiments; 
         FIG.  2    illustrates a block diagram of an example machine in accordance with some embodiments; 
         FIG.  3    illustrates an exemplary communication circuitry according to some aspects; 
         FIG.  4    illustrates the operation of a method of communication in accordance with some embodiments; and 
         FIG.  5    illustrates the operation of another method of communication in accordance with some embodiments. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following description and the drawings sufficiently illustrate specific embodiments to enable those skilled in the art to practice them. Other embodiments may incorporate structural, logical, electrical, process, and other changes. Portions and features of some embodiments may be included in, or substituted for, those of other embodiments. Embodiments set forth in the claims encompass all available equivalents of those claims. 
       FIG.  1 A  is a functional diagram of an example network in accordance with some embodiments.  FIG.  1 B  is a functional diagram of another example network in accordance with some embodiments. In references herein, “ FIG.  1   ” may include  FIG.  1 A  and  FIG.  1 B . In some embodiments, the network  100  may be a Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) network. In some embodiments, the network  150  may be a 3GPP network, a new radio (NR) network and/or Fifth Generation (5G) network. Other networks may be used in some embodiments. In some embodiments, a network may include one or more of: one or more components shown in  FIG.  1 A ; one or more components shown in  FIG.  1 B ; and one or more additional components. Some embodiments may not necessarily include all components shown in  FIG.  1 A  and  FIG.  1 B . 
     The network  100  may comprise a radio access network (RAN)  101  and the core network  120  (e.g., shown as an evolved packet core (EPC)) coupled together through an S 1  interface  115 . For convenience and brevity sake, only a portion of the core network  120 , as well as the RAN  101 , is shown. In some embodiments, the RAN  101  may include one or more of: one or more components of an evolved universal terrestrial radio access network (E-UTRAN), one or more components of an NR network, and/or one or more other components. 
     The core network  120  may include a mobility management entity (MME)  122 , a serving gateway (serving GW)  124 , and packet data network gateway (PDN GW)  126 . In some embodiments, the networks  100 ,  150  may include (and/or support) one or more Evolved Node-B&#39;s (eNBs)  104  and/or one or more Next Generation Node-B&#39;s (gNBs)  105 . The eNBs  104  and/or gNBs  105  may operate as base stations for communicating with User Equipment (UE)  102 . In some embodiments, one or more eNBs  104  may be configured to operate as gNBs  105 . Embodiments are not limited to the number of eNBs  104  shown in  FIG.  1 A  or to the number of gNBs  105  shown in  FIG.  1 B . Embodiments are also not limited to the connectivity of components shown in  FIG.  1 A . 
     It should be noted that references herein to an eNB  104  or to a gNB  105  are not limiting. In some embodiments, one or more operations, methods and/or techniques (such as those described herein) may be practiced by a base station component (and/or other component), including but not limited to a gNB  105 , an eNB  104 , a serving cell, a transmit receive point (TRP) and/or other. In some embodiments, the base station component may be configured to operate in accordance with one or more of: a 3GPP LTE protocol/standard, an NR protocol/standard, a Fifth Generation (5G) protocol/standard; and/or other protocol/standard, although the scope of embodiments is not limited in this respect. 
     Descriptions herein of one or more operations, techniques and/or methods practiced by a component (such as the UE  102 , eNB  104 , gNB  105  and/or other) are not limiting. In some embodiments, one or more of those operations, techniques and/or methods may be practiced by another component. 
     The MME  122  manages mobility aspects in access such as gateway selection and tracking area list management. The serving GW  124  terminates the interface toward the RAN  101 , and routes data packets between the RAN  101  and the core network  120 . In addition, it may be a local mobility anchor point for inter-eNB handovers and also may provide an anchor for inter-3GPP mobility. The serving GW  124  and the MME  122  may be implemented in one physical node or separate physical nodes. 
     In some embodiments, UEs  102 , the eNB  104  and/or gNB  105  may be configured to communicate Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) communication signals over a multicarrier communication channel in accordance with an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) communication technique. 
     In some embodiments, the network  150  may include one or more components configured to operate in accordance with one or more 3GPP standards, including but not limited to an NR standard. The network  150  shown in  FIG.  1 B  may include a next generation RAN (NG-RAN)  155 , which may include one or more gNBs  105 . In some embodiments, the network  150  may include the E-UTRAN  160 , which may include one or more eNBs. The E-UTRAN  160  may be similar to the RAN  101  described herein, although the scope of embodiments is not limited in this respect. 
     In some embodiments, the network  150  may include the MME  165 , which may be similar to the MME  122  described herein, although the scope of embodiments is not limited in this respect. In some embodiments, the network  150  may include the SGW  170 , which may be similar to the SGW  124  described herein, although the scope of embodiments is not limited in this respect. 
     Embodiments are not limited to the number or type of components shown in  FIG.  1 B . Embodiments are also not limited to the connectivity of components shown in  FIG.  1 B . 
     As used herein, the term “circuitry” may refer to, be part of, or include an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), an electronic circuit, a processor (shared, dedicated, or group), and/or memory (shared, dedicated, or group) that execute one or more software or firmware programs, a combinational logic circuit, and/or other suitable hardware components that provide the described functionality. In some embodiments, the circuitry may be implemented in, or functions associated with the circuitry may be implemented by, one or more software or firmware modules. In some embodiments, circuitry may include logic, at least partially operable in hardware. Embodiments described herein may be implemented into a system using any suitably configured hardware and/or software. 
       FIG.  2    illustrates a block diagram of an example machine in accordance with some embodiments. The machine  200  is an example machine upon which any one or more of the techniques and/or methodologies discussed herein may be performed. In alternative embodiments, the machine  200  may operate as a standalone device or may be connected (e.g., networked) to other machines. The machine  200  may be a UE  102 , eNB  104 , gNB  105 , access point (AP), station (STA), user, device, mobile device, base station, another device, or any machine capable of executing instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine. Further, while only a single machine is illustrated, the term “machine” shall also be taken to include any collection of machines that individually or jointly execute a set (or multiple sets) of instructions to perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed herein, such as cloud computing, software as a service (SaaS), other computer cluster configurations. 
     Examples as described herein, may include, or may operate on, logic or a number of components, modules, or mechanisms. 
     The machine (e.g., computer system)  200  may include a hardware processor  202  (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a hardware processor core, or any combination thereof), a main memory  204  and a static memory  206 , some or all of which may communicate with each other via an interlink (e.g., bus)  208 . The machine  200  may further include one or more of  210 - 228 . 
     The storage device  216  may include a machine readable medium  222  on which is stored one or more sets of data structures or instructions  224  (e.g., software) embodying or utilized by any one or more of the techniques or functions described herein. The instructions  224  may also reside, completely or at least partially, within the main memory  204 , within static memory  206 , or within the hardware processor  202  during execution thereof by the machine  200 . In an example, one or any combination of the hardware processor  202 , the main memory  204 , the static memory  206 , or the storage device  216  may constitute machine readable media. In some embodiments, the machine readable medium may be or may include a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. In some embodiments, the machine readable medium may be or may include a computer-readable storage medium. 
     While the machine readable medium  222  is illustrated as a single medium, the term “machine readable medium” may include a single medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized or distributed database, and/or associated caches and servers) configured to store the one or more instructions  224 . The term “machine readable medium” may include any medium that is capable of storing, encoding, or carrying instructions for execution by the machine  200  and that cause the machine  200  to perform any one or more of the techniques of the present disclosure, or that is capable of storing, encoding or carrying data structures used by or associated with such instructions. Non-limiting machine readable medium examples may include solid-state memories, and optical and magnetic media. Specific examples of machine readable media may include: non-volatile memory, such as semiconductor memory devices (e.g., Electrically Programmable Read-Only Memory (EPROM), Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM)) and flash memory devices; magnetic disks, such as internal hard disks and removable disks; magneto-optical disks; Random Access Memory (RAM); and CD-ROM and DVD-ROM disks. In some examples, machine readable media may include non-transitory machine readable media. In some examples, machine readable media may include machine readable media that is not a transitory propagating signal. 
     The instructions  224  may further be transmitted or received over a communications network  226  using a transmission medium via the network interface device  220  utilizing any one of a number of transfer protocols. In an example, the network interface device  220  may include a plurality of antennas to wirelessly communicate using at least one of single-input multiple-output (SIMO), multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO), or multiple-input single-output (MISO) techniques. In some examples, the network interface device  220  may wirelessly communicate using Multiple User MIMO techniques. The term “transmission medium” shall be taken to include any intangible medium that is capable of storing, encoding or carrying instructions for execution by the machine  200 , and includes digital or analog communications signals or other intangible medium to facilitate communication of such software. 
       FIG.  3    illustrates an exemplary communication circuitry according to some aspects. It should be noted that a device, such as a UE  102 , eNB  104 , gNB  105 , the machine  200  and/or other device may include one or more components of the communication circuitry  300 , in some aspects. The communication circuitry  300  may include protocol processing circuitry  305 , which may implement one or more of: medium access control (MAC), radio link control (RLC), packet data convergence protocol (PDCP), radio resource control (RRC) and non-access stratum (NAS) functions. The communication circuitry  300  may further include digital baseband circuitry  310 , which may implement one or more physical layer (PHY) functions. The communication circuitry  300  may further include transmit circuitry  315 , receive circuitry  320  and/or antenna array circuitry  330 . The communication circuitry  300  may further include radio frequency (RF) circuitry  325 . In an aspect of the disclosure, RF circuitry  325  may include multiple parallel RF chains for one or more of transmit or receive functions, each connected to one or more antennas of the antenna array circuitry  330 . 
     In some embodiments, processing circuitry may perform one or more operations described herein and/or other operation(s). In a non-limiting example, the processing circuitry may include one or more components such as the processor  202 , protocol processing circuitry  305 , digital baseband circuitry  310 , similar component(s) and/or other component(s). 
     In some embodiments, a transceiver may transmit one or more elements (including but not limited to those described herein) and/or receive one or more elements (including but not limited to those described herein). In a non-limiting example, the transceiver may include one or more components such as transmit circuitry  315 , receive circuitry  320 , radio frequency circuitry  325 , similar component(s) and/or other component(s). 
     Although the UE  102 , eNB  104 , gNB  105 , machine  200  and/or other device described herein may each be illustrated as having several separate functional elements, one or more of the functional elements may be combined and may be implemented by combinations of software-configured elements, such as processing elements including digital signal processors (DSPs), one or more microprocessors, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), radio-frequency integrated circuits (RFICs) and combinations of various hardware and logic circuitry for performing at least the functions described herein. In some embodiments, the functional elements may refer to one or more processes operating on one or more processing elements. 
     Embodiments may be implemented in one or a combination of hardware, firmware and software. Embodiments may also be implemented as instructions stored on a computer-readable storage device, which may be read and executed by at least one processor to perform the operations described herein. A computer-readable storage device may include any non-transitory mechanism for storing information in a form readable by a machine (e.g., a computer). For example, a computer-readable storage device may include read-only memory (ROM), random-access memory (RAM), magnetic disk storage media, optical storage media, flash-memory devices, and other storage devices and media. Some embodiments may include one or more processors and may be configured with instructions stored on a computer-readable storage device. 
     It should be noted that in some embodiments, an apparatus of the UE  102 , eNB  104 , gNB  105 , machine  200 , and/or other device may include various components shown in  FIGS.  2 - 3    and/or other components. Accordingly, techniques and operations described herein that are performed by a device may be performed by an apparatus of the device, in some embodiments. 
     In accordance with some embodiments, the UE  102  may detect one or more LTE synchronization signals from an eNB  104  over an LTE Uu interface between the UE  102  and the eNB  104 . The LTE synchronization signals may be detected in resources allocated for LTE communication. The LTE synchronization signals may be detected in accordance with an LTE protocol. The UE  102  may determine, based on the LTE synchronization signals, a reference timing and a reference frequency for NR vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication over an NR PC5 interface with another UE  102 . The UE  102  may transmit a physical sidelink control (PSCCH) and a physical sidelink shared channel (PSSCH) in accordance with an NR protocol. The PSCCH and the PSSCH may be transmitted to the other UE  102  over the NR PC5 interface in resources allocated for NR V2X communication. These embodiments are described in more detail below. 
       FIG.  4    illustrates the operation of a method of communication in accordance with some embodiments.  FIG.  5    illustrates the operation of another method of communication in accordance with some embodiments. Embodiments of the methods  400 ,  500  may include additional or even fewer operations or processes in comparison to what is illustrated in  FIGS.  4 - 5   . Embodiments of the methods  400 ,  500  are not necessarily limited to the chronological order that is shown in  FIGS.  4 - 5   . 
     In some embodiments, a UE  102  may perform one or more operations of the method  400 , but embodiments are not limited to performance of the method  400  and/or operations of it by the UE  102 . In some embodiments, a device and/or component (including but not limited to the UE  102 , gNB  105  and/or eNB  104 ) may perform one or more operations that may be the same as, similar to, reciprocal to and/or related to an operation of the method  400 . In some embodiments, an eNB  104  or gNB  105  may perform one or more operations of the method  500 , but embodiments are not limited to performance of the method  500  and/or operations of it by the eNB  104  or gNB  105 . In some embodiments, a device and/or component (including but not limited to the UE  102 , gNB  105  and/or eNB  104 ) may perform one or more operations that may be the same as, similar to, reciprocal to and/or related to an operation of the method  500 . 
     Discussion of various operations, techniques and/or concepts regarding one method described herein (such as one of the methods  400 ,  500  and/or other) may be applicable to another method described herein (such as one of the methods  400 ,  500  and/or other). One or more of the techniques, operations and/or methods described herein may be performed by a device other than an eNB  104 , gNB  105 , and UE  102 , including but not limited to a Wi-Fi access point (AP), station (STA) and/or other. 
     In some embodiments, an apparatus of a device (including but not limited to the UE  102 , eNB  104 , gNB  105  and/or other) may comprise memory that is configurable to store one or more elements, and the apparatus may use them for performance of one or more operations. The apparatus may include processing circuitry, which may perform one or more operations (including but not limited to operation(s) of the methods  400 ,  500  and/or other methods described herein). The processing circuitry may include a baseband processor. The baseband circuitry and/or the processing circuitry may perform one or more operations described herein. The apparatus may include a transceiver to transmit and/or receive one or more blocks, messages and/or other elements. 
     Embodiments are not limited by references herein to transmission, reception and/or exchanging of elements such as frames, messages, requests, indicators, signals or other elements. In some embodiments, such an element may be generated, encoded or otherwise processed by processing circuitry for transmission by a transceiver or other component cases. In some embodiments, such an element may be received by a transceiver or other component, and may be decoded, detected or otherwise processed by processing circuitry. In some embodiments, the processing circuitry and the transceiver may be included in a same apparatus. In some embodiments, the transceiver may be separate from the apparatus that comprises the processing circuitry, in some embodiments. 
     One or more of the elements (such as messages, operations and/or other) described herein may be included in a 3GPP protocol, 3GPP LTE protocol, 4G protocol, 5G protocol, NR protocol and/or other protocol, but embodiments are not limited to usage of those elements. In some embodiments, other elements may be used, including other element(s) in a same standard/protocol, other element(s) in another standard/protocol and/or other. In addition, the scope of embodiments is not limited to usage of elements that are included in standards. 
     In some embodiments, the UE  102 , eNB  104  and/or gNB  105  may be arranged to operate in accordance with a 3GPP protocol, NR protocol, and/or other protocol. 
     At operation  405 , the UE  102  may detect one or more synchronization signals for sidelink synchronization and/or sidelink communication. At operation  410 , the UE  102  may determine a reference timing and/or a reference frequency based on the synchronization signals. At operation  415 , the UE  102  may receive one or more downlink control information (DCI) and/or sidelink control information (SCI) and/or control signaling. At operation  420 , the UE  102  may transmit a physical sidelink control (PSCCH), a physical sidelink shared channel (PSSCH) and/or a PSFCH. 
     In some embodiments, the UE  102  may detect one or more LTE synchronization signals from an eNB  104  over an LTE Uu interface between the UE  102  and the eNB  104 . The LTE synchronization signals may be detected in resources allocated for LTE communication. The LTE synchronization signals may be detected in accordance with an LTE protocol. The UE  102  may determine, based on the LTE synchronization signals, a reference timing and/or a reference frequency for NR vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication over an NR PC5 interface with another UE  102 . The UE  102  may transmit a physical sidelink control (PSCCH) and a physical sidelink shared channel (PSSCH) in accordance with an NR protocol. The PSCCH and the PSSCH may be transmitted to the other UE  102  over the NR PC5 interface in resources allocated for NR V2X communication. 
     In some embodiments, the LTE synchronization signals may include one or more of: a primary synchronization signal (PSS), a secondary synchronization signal (SSS), and a physical broadcast channel (PBCH). In some embodiments, the LTE synchronization signals may include a cell-specific reference signal (CRS) or other reference signals. 
     In some embodiments, the UE  102  may detect the LTE synchronization signals and determine the reference timing and/or a reference frequency based on the LTE synchronization signals if: the UE  102  is configured for communication with the eNB  104  over the LTE Uu interface and the UE  102  is configured for communication with another UE  102  over an LTE PC5 interface (for instance, the UE  102  may be configured for LTE Uu and LTE PC5); or the UE  102  is configured for communication with the eNB  104  over the LTE Uu interface and the UE  102  is not configured for communication with another UE  102  over an LTE PC5 interface (for instance, the UE  102  may be configured for LTE Uu only); or the UE  102  is configured for communication with the eNB  104  over the LTE Uu interface and the UE  102  is configured for communication with another UE  102  over an NR PC5 interface. 
     In some embodiments, if the UE  102  is not configured for LTE communication over an LTE Uu interface, and the UE  102  is configured for NR communication over an NR Uu interface, the UE  102  may perform one or more of: detect one or more NR synchronization signals; determine, based on the NR synchronization signals, the reference timing and the reference frequency for the NR V2X communication over the NR PC5 interface with the other UE  102 ; and/or other. In some embodiments, the NR synchronization signals may be received from a gNB  105  that supports transmission of both LTE synchronization signals and NR synchronization signals or LTE synchronization signals received from an eNB  104 . 
     In some embodiments, the V2X communication may be a mode-1 sidelink communication, wherein the V2X communication with the other UE  102  is at least partly managed by the eNB  104 . In some embodiments, the V2X communication may be an LTE PC5 mode-3 sidelink communication, wherein the V2X communication with the other UE  102  is at least partly managed by the gNB  105 . 
     In some embodiments, the UE  102  may receive, from the eNB  104  over the LTE Uu interface, downlink control information (DCI) or RRC signaling that includes a grant for the NR V2X communication with the other UE  102  using NR PC5 air-interface. In some embodiments, the UE  102  may receive, from the gNB  105  over the NR Uu interface, DCI or RRC signaling that includes a grant for LTE V2X communication with the other UE  102 . In some embodiments, the UE  102  may receive, from the gNB  105  over the NR Uu interface, DCI or RRC signaling that includes a grant for the NR V2X communication with the other UE  102 . In some embodiments, the UE  102  may receive, from the eNB  104  over the LTE Uu interface, RRC signaling and system information blocks with the configuration settings for NR PC5 communication including NR V2X sidelink communication. In some embodiments, the UE  102  may receive, from the gNB  105  over the NR Uu interface, RRC signaling and system information blocks with the configuration settings for LTE PC5 communication including LTE V2X sidelink communication. 
     In some embodiments, the DCI may be based on one or more LTE DCI formats, including: DCI format 7-0A, DCI format 8, and DCI format 5B. In some embodiments, the DCI may be received in accordance with a short transmission time interval (TTI) that is less than one millisecond. 
     In some embodiments, the UE  102  may transmit a sidelink synchronization signal (SLSS) that indicates the reference timing and/or the reference frequency to enable NR V2X communication with out-of-coverage UEs  102 . 
     In some embodiments, the UE  102  may detect one or more NR synchronization signals from a gNB  105  over an NR Uu interface between the UE  102  and the gNB  105 . The NR synchronization signals may be detected in resources allocated for NR communication, wherein the NR synchronization signals are detected in accordance with an NR protocol. The UE  102  may determine, based on the NR synchronization signals, a reference timing and a reference frequency for NR V2X communication over the NR PC5 interface with another UE  102  and/or LTE V2X communication over the LTE PC5 interface with another UE  102 . 
     In some embodiments, the UE  102  may detect the NR synchronization signals to determine the reference timing and the reference frequency for the NR V2X communication and/or LTE V2X communication based on the NR synchronization signals if: the UE  102  is configured for communication with the gNB  105  over the NR Uu interface and the UE  102  is configured for communication with another UE  102  over an NR PC5 interface; or the UE  102  is configured for communication with the gNB  105  over the NR Uu interface and the UE  102  is configured for communication with another UE  102  over an LTE PC5 interface. 
     At operation  505 , the eNB  104  and/or gNB  105  may transmit one or more synchronization signals. At operation  510 , the eNB  104  and/or gNB  105  may receive measurement reports and/or other signaling. At operation  515 , the eNB  104  and/or gNB  105  may configure and/or schedule one or more V2X transmissions and/or sidelink transmissions. At operation  520 , the eNB  104  and/or gNB  105  may transmit one or more DCI and/or control signaling to trigger sidelink transmissions. 
     In some embodiments, the gNB  105  may transmit, to a UE  102  over an NR Uu interface, one or more NR synchronization signals to synchronize the UE  102  for V2X transmissions to another UE  102  over an NR PC5 interface or an LTE PC5 interface. The gNB  105  may receive, from the UE  102 , a measurement report that includes one or more of: location information of the UE  102 ; and other information. The gNB  105  may determine, based on the location information of the UE  102 , time resources and frequency resources for V2X transmissions by the UE  102  on the NR PC5 interface or the LTE PC5 interface. The gNB  105  may transmit, to the UE  102  over the NR Uu interface, DCI that includes a grant that schedules the V2X transmissions by the UE  102  on the NR PC5 interface or the LTE PC5 interface. 
     In some embodiments, the grant schedules the V2X transmissions dynamically or in accordance with semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) configurations. In some embodiments, the DCI may be based on one or more NR DCI formats, including DCI format 3_0, DCI format 3_1, DCI format 3_2, or another DCI format. 
     In some embodiments, the gNB  105  may receive multiple measurement reports that include location information of multiple UEs  102  configured for V2X transmissions to other UEs  102  over NR PC5 interfaces. 
     The gNB  105  may schedule a plurality of V2X transmissions by two or more of the UEs  102  based on the location information in the multiple measurement reports. The gNB  105  may transmit one or more DCI. Each DCI may include a grant to schedule at least one V2X transmission. 
     In some embodiments, the gNB  105  may schedule multiple V2X transmissions by two or more UEs  102 . Each V2X transmission may be on an NR PC5 interface. The gNB  105  may transmit, in accordance with a broadcast transmission, a group DCI configurable to include scheduling information for the multiple V2X transmissions. 
     In some embodiments, the gNB  105  may transmit system information block or other RRC signaling to configure parameters of NR V2X sidelink communication. In some embodiments, the gNB  105  may transmit content of an LTE system information block (SIB-21) or other RRC signaling to configure parameters of LTE V2X sidelink communication. 
     In some embodiments, the measurement report may further include one or more of: a channel busy ratio (CBR); information related to occupied or available candidate NR V2X resources; and other information. 
     In some embodiments, an eNB  104  may transmit one or more LTE synchronization signals. In some embodiments, the eNB  104  may transmit the one or more LTE synchronization signals to be used for LTE PC5 or NR PC5 synchronization, although the scope of embodiments is not limited in this respect. The eNB  104  may transmit, to a first UE  102  configured for LTE V2X communication, first DCI to schedule an LTE V2X transmission by the first UE  102  in accordance with a first reference timing based on the one or more LTE synchronization signals. In some embodiments, the eNB  104  may transmit one or more NR synchronization signals. The eNB  104  may transmit, to a second UE  102  configured for NR V2X communication, second DCI to schedule an NR V2X transmission by the second UE  102  in accordance with a second reference timing based on the one or more NR synchronization signals. 
     In some embodiments, the eNB  104  may provide LTE synchronization signals to UEs  102  that support: an LTE Uu interface, and an LTE PC5 interface; or an LTE Uu interface, but not an LTE PC5 interface. The eNB  104  may provide NR synchronization signals to UEs  102  that do not support an LTE Uu interface. In some embodiments, the eNB  104  may transmit system information block or other RRC signaling to configure parameters of LTE V2X sidelink communication. 
     The Abstract is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. Section 1.72(b) requiring an abstract that will allow the reader to ascertain the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to limit or interpret the scope or meaning of the claims. The following claims are hereby incorporated into the detailed description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20230901
Publication Date: 20241001
Grant Date: 20241001
Priority Date: 20180810
Inventors: KHORYAEV, ALEXEY
CHERVYAKOV, ANDREY
Shilov, Mikhail
PANTELEEV, Sergey
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H04W72/25", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04L5/0053", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04W4/02", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04W4/40", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04W56/002", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04W56/0015", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04W56/001", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04W72/23", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04W92/18", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04W56/001", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04W24/10", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04J11/0079", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04W4/02", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04W88/04", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04W84/047", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04W56/002", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04W56/0015", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04W4/40", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04W92/18", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04W4/40", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04W4/00", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04W92/18", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04W72/23", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04W56/001", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04W24/10", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04W4/40", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 69415143