WO2022203563A1

WO2022203563A1 - Method and devices for aligning drx configurations with partial sensing operations

Info

Publication number: WO2022203563A1
Application number: PCT/SE2022/050230
Authority: WO
Inventors: Min Wang; Antonino ORSINO; Shehzad Ali ASHRAF; Zhang Zhang
Original assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson (Publ)
Priority date: 2021-03-22
Filing date: 2022-03-09
Publication date: 2022-09-29

Abstract

A method performed by a first User Equipment, UE, which first UE is configured to perform partial sensing operation when selecting resources for a transmission in a direct communication, between the first UE and a second UE in a wireless communications network is provided. The first UE obtains (601) an option out of any one or more out of: Option 1, Option 2, and Option 3, to apply for deciding which one or more DRX configurations to be aligned with the partial sensing operation. Option 1 comprises aligning the partial sensing operation with one or multiple RX DRX configurations which are configured to the first UE. Option 2 comprises aligning the partial sensing operation with one or multiple TX DRX configurations which are configured to the first UE. Option 3comprises aligning the partial sensing operation with one or multiple DRX configurations which are configured to the first UE regardless of whether they are TX DRX configurations or RX DRX configurations. The first UE aligns (603) the partial sensing operation by applying the obtained option.

Description

METHOD AND DEVICES FOR ALIGNING DRX CONFIGURATIONS WITH PARTIAL SENSING OPERATIONS

TECHNICAL FIELD Embodiments herein relate to a first User Equipment (UE), a network node and methods therein. In some aspects, they relate to configuring the first UE to align a partial sensing operation with one or multiple DRX configurations.

BACKGROUND In a typical wireless communication network, wireless devices, also known as wireless communication devices, mobile stations, stations (STA) and/or User Equipments (UE), communicate via a Wide Area Network or a Local Area Network such as a W-Fi network or a cellular network comprising a Radio Access Network (RAN) part and a Core Network (CN) part. The RAN covers a geographical area which is divided into service areas or cell areas, which may also be referred to as a beam or a beam group, with each service area or cell area being served by a radio network node such as a radio access node e.g., a W-Fi access point or a radio base station (RBS), which in some networks may also be denoted, for example, a NodeB, eNodeB (eNB), or gNB as denoted in Fifth Generation (5G) telecommunications. A service area or cell area is a geographical area where radio coverage is provided by the radio network node. The radio network node communicates over an air interface operating on radio frequencies with the wireless device within range of the radio network node.

3GPP is the standardization body for specify the standards for the cellular system evolution, e.g., including 3G, 4G, 5G and the future evolutions. Specifications for the Evolved Packet System (EPS), also called a Fourth Generation (4G) network, have been completed within the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). As a continued network evolution, the new releases (Rel) of 3GPP specifies a 5G network also referred to as 5G New Radio (NR). Frequency bands for 5G NR are being separated into two different frequency ranges, Frequency Range 1 (FR1) and Frequency Range 2 (FR2). FR1 comprises sub-6 GHz frequency bands. Some of these bands are bands traditionally used by legacy standards but have been extended to cover potential new spectrum offerings from 410 MHz to 7125 MHz. FR2 comprises frequency bands from 24.25 GHz to 52.6 GHz. Bands in this millimeter wave range have shorter range but higher available bandwidth than bands in the FR1.

Multi-antenna techniques may significantly increase the data rates and reliability of a wireless communication system. For a wireless connection between a single user, such as UE, and a base station, the performance is in particular improved if both the transmitter and the receiver are equipped with multiple antennas, which results in a Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) communication channel. This may be referred to as Single-User (SU)-MIMO. In the scenario where MIMO techniques is used for the wireless connection between multiple users and the base station, MIMO enables the users to communicate with the base station simultaneously using the same time-frequency resources by spatially separating the users, which increases further the cell capacity. This may be referred to as Multi-User (MU)-MIMO. Note that MU-MIMO may benefit when each UE only has one antenna. Such systems and/or related techniques are commonly referred to as MIMO.

NR frame structure

Similar to LTE, NR uses Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) in the Downlink (DL), i.e. from a network node, gNB, eNB, or base station, to a user equipment or UE. The basic NR physical resource over an antenna port can thus be seen as a time- frequency grid as illustrated in Figure 1, where a Resource Block (RB) in a 14-symbol slot is illustrated. An RB corresponds to 12 contiguous subcarriers in the frequency domain. Resource blocks are numbered in the frequency domain, starting with 0 from one end of the system bandwidth. Each resource element corresponds to one OFDM subcarrier during one OFDM symbol interval.

Different subcarrier spacing values are supported in NR. The supported subcarrier spacing values, also referred to as different numerologies, are given by Dί=(15*2^Lm) kHz where m e (0,1, 2, 3, 4). Af=15 kHz is the basic, or reference, subcarrier spacing that is also used in LTE.

In the time domain, downlink and uplink transmissions in NR will be organized into equally-sized subframes of 1ms each similar to LTE. A subframe is further divided into multiple slots of equal duration. The slot length for subcarrier spacing Dί=(15*2^L m) kHz is 1/2^L m Milliseconds (ms). There is only one slot per subframe forAf=15kHz and a slot consists of 14 OFDM symbols.

Downlink transmissions are dynamically scheduled, i.e., in each slot the gNB transmits Downlink Control Information (DCI) about which UE data is to be transmitted to and which resource blocks in the current downlink slot the data is transmitted on. This control information is typically transmitted in the first one or two OFDM symbols in each slot in NR. The control information is carried on the Physical Control Channel (PDCCH) and data is carried on the Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH). A UE first detects and decodes PDCCH and if a PDCCH is decoded successfully, it then decodes the corresponding PDSCH based on the downlink assignment provided by decoded control information in the PDCCH.

In addition to PDCCH and PDSCH, there are also other channels and reference signals transmitted in the downlink, including Synchronization Signal Block (SSB),

Channel State Information Reference Signal (CSI-RS), etc.

Uplink data transmissions, carried on Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH), can also be dynamically scheduled by the gNB by transmitting a DCI. The DCI, which is transmitted in the DL region, always indicates a scheduling time offset so that the PUSCH is transmitted in a slot in the UL region.

Sidelink transmissions in NR

Sidelink (SL) transmissions over NR are specified for 3GPP Release 16. These are enhancements of Proximity-based Services (ProSe) specified for LTE. Four new enhancements are particularly introduced to NR sidelink transmissions as follows:

• Support for unicast and groupcast transmissions are added in NR sidelink. For unicast and groupcast, the Physical Sidelink Feedback Channel (PSFCH) is introduced for a receiver UE to reply the decoding status to a transmitter UE.

• Grant-free transmissions, which are adopted in NR uplink transmissions, are also provided in NR sidelink transmissions, to improve the latency performance.

• To alleviate resource collisions among different sidelink transmissions launched by different UEs, it enhances channel sensing and resource selection procedures, which also lead to a new design of Physical Sidelink Common Control Channel (PSCCH).

• To achieve a high connection density, congestion control and thus the CoS management is supported in NR sidelink transmissions.

To enable the above enhancements, new physical channels and reference signals are introduced in NR (available in LTE before.):

• Physical Sidelink Shared Channel (PSSCH), SL version of PDSCH,: The PSSCH is transmitted by a sidelink transmitter UE, which conveys sidelink transmission data, system information blocks (SIBs) for radio resource control (RRC) configuration, and a part of the sidelink control information (SCI).

• PSFCH, Physical Sidelink, SL version of Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH): The PSFCH is transmitted by a sidelink receiver UE for unicast and groupcast, which conveys 1 bit information over 1 RB for the HARQ acknowledgement (ACK) and the negative ACK (NACK). In addition, Channel State Information (CSI) is carried in the Medium Access Control (MAC) control element (CE) over the PSSCH instead of the PSFCH.

• PSCCH, SL version of PDCCH: When the traffic to be sent to a receiver UE arrives at a transmitter UE, a transmitter UE should first send the PSCCH, which conveys a part of Sidelink Control Information (SCI), SL version of DCI, to be decoded by any UE for the channel sensing purpose, including the reserved time-frequency resources for transmissions, Demodulation Reference Signal (DMRS) pattern and antenna port, etc.

• Sidelink Primary Synchronization Signal (S-PSS) and Sidelink Secondary Synchronization Signal (S-SSS): Similar to downlink transmissions in NR, in sidelink transmissions, S-PSS and S-SSS are supported. Through detecting the S-PSS and S- SSS, a UE is able to identify a Sidelink Synchronization Identity (SSID) from the UE sending the S-PSS/S-SSS. Through detecting the S-PSS/S-SSS, a UE is therefore able to know the characteristics of the UE transmitter the S-PSS/S-SSS. A series of process of acquiring timing and frequency synchronization together with SSIDs of UEs is called initial cell search. Note that the UE sending the S-PSS/S-SSS may not be necessarily involved in sidelink transmissions, and a node , e.g. UE, eNB or gNB, sending the S-PSS/S-SSS is called a synchronization source. There are 2 S-PSS sequences and 336 S-SSS sequences forming a total of 672 SSIDs in a cell.

• Physical Sidelink Broadcast Channel (PSBCH): The PSBCH is transmitted along with the S-PSS/S-SSS as a synchronization signal/PSBCH block, SSB. The SSB has the same numerology as PSCCH/PSSCH on that carrier, and an SSB should be transmitted within the bandwidth of the configured Bandwidth Part (BWP). The PSBCH conveys information related to synchronization, such as the Direct Frame Number (DFN), indication of the slot and symbol level time resources for sidelink transmissions, in coverage indicator, etc. The SSB is transmitted periodically at every 160 ms.

• DMRS, Phase Tracking Reference Signal (PT-RS), CSI-RS: These physical reference signals supported by NR downlink/uplink transmissions are also adopted by sidelink transmissions. Similarly, the PT-RS is only applicable for FR2 transmission. Another new feature is the two-stage SCI. This a version of the DCI for SL. Unlike the DCI, only part, i.e. the first stage, of the SCI is sent on the PSCCH. This part is used for channel sensing purposes, including the reserved time-frequency resources for transmissions, DMRS pattern and antenna port, etc., and can be read by all UEs while the remaining, second stage, scheduling and control information such as a 8-bits source Identity (ID) and a 16-bits destination ID, New Data Indicator (NDI), Redundancy Version (RV) and Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) process ID is sent on the PSSCH to be decoded by the receiver UE.

Similar as for PRoSE in LTE, NR sidelink transmissions have the following two modes of resource allocations:

• Mode 1: Sidelink resources are scheduled by a gNB.

• Mode 2: The UE autonomously selects sidelink resources from a (pre-)configured sidelink resource pool(s) based on the channel sensing mechanism.

For the in-coverage UE, a gNB can be configured to adopt Mode 1 or Mode 2. For the out-of-coverage UE, only Mode 2 can be adopted.

As in LTE, scheduling over the sidelink in NR is done in different ways for Mode 1 and Mode 2.

Mode 1 supports the following two kinds of grants:

Dynamic grant: When the traffic to be sent over sidelink arrives at a transmitter UE, this UE should launch the four-message exchange procedure to request sidelink resources from a gNB, Scheduling Request (SR) on UL, grant, Buffer Status Report (BSR) on UL, grant for data on SL sent to UE. During the resource request procedure, a gNB may allocate a Sidelink Radio Network Temporary Identifier (SL-RNTI) to the transmitter UE. If this sidelink resource request is granted by a gNB, then a gNB indicates the resource allocation for the PSCCH and the PSSCH in the DCI conveyed by PDCCH with Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC) scrambled with the SL-RNTI. When a transmitter UE receives such a DCI, a transmitter UE can obtain the grant only if the scrambled CRC of DCI can be successfully solved by the assigned SL-RNTI. A transmitter UE then indicates the time-frequency resources and the transmission scheme of the allocated PSSCH in the PSCCH, and launches the PSCCH and the PSSCH on the allocated resources for sidelink transmissions. When a grant is obtained from a gNB, a transmitter UE can only transmit a single Transport Block (TB). As a result, this kind of grant is suitable for traffic with a loose latency requirement. Configured grant: For the traffic with a strict latency requirement, performing the four-message exchange procedure to request sidelink resources may induce unacceptable latency. In this case, prior to the traffic arrival, a transmitter UE may perform the four-message exchange procedure and request a set of resources. If a grant can be obtained from a gNB, then the requested resources are reserved in a periodic manner. Upon traffic arriving at a transmitter UE, this UE can launch the PSCCH and the PSSCH on the upcoming resource occasion. In fact, this kind of grant is also known as grant-free transmissions.

In both dynamic grant and configured grant, a sidelink receiver UE cannot receive the DCI, i.e. since it is addressed to the transmitter UE, and therefore a receiver UE should perform blind decoding to identify the presence of PSCCH and find the resources for the PSSCH through the SCI.

When a transmitter UE launches the PSCCH, CRC is also inserted in the SCI without any scrambling.

Mode 2 Resource allocation

In the Mode 2 resource allocation, when traffic arrives at a transmitter UE, this transmitter UE should autonomously select resources for the PSCCH and the PSSCH. To further minimize the latency of the feedback HARQ ACK/NACK transmissions and subsequently retransmissions, a transmitter UE may also reserve resources for PSCCH/PSSCH for retransmissions. To further enhance the probability of successful TB decoding at one shot and thus suppress the probability to perform retransmissions, a transmitter UE may repeat the TB transmission along with the initial TB transmission. This mechanism is also known as blind retransmission. As a result, when traffic arrives at a transmitter UE, then this transmitter UE should select resources for the following transmissions:

1) The PSSCH associated with the PSCCH for initial transmission and blind retransmissions.

2) The PSSCH associated with the PSCCH for retransmissions.

Since each transmitter UE in sidelink transmissions should autonomously select resources for above transmissions, how to prevent different transmitter UEs from selecting the same resources turns out to be a critical issue in Mode 2. A particular resource selection procedure is therefore imposed to Mode 2 based on channel sensing. The channel sensing algorithm involves measuring Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP) on different subchannels and requires knowledge of the different UEs power levels of DMRS on the PSSCH or the DMRS on the PSCCH depending on the configuration. This information is known only after receiver SCI launched by all other UEs. The sensing and selection algorithm is rather complex.

As described in clause 6.3.2.2 in 3GPP TR 37.985 v16.0.0, and illustrated by Figure 2, Mode 2 is for UE autonomous resource selection. Its basic structure is of a UE sensing, within a (pre-) configured resource pool, which resources are not in use by other UEs with higher priority traffic and choosing an appropriate amount of such resources for its own transmissions. Having selected such resources, the UE can transmit and re transmit in them a certain number of times, or until a cause of resource reselection is triggered.

The mode 2 sensing procedure can select and then reserve resources for a variety of purposes reflecting that NR Vehicle to Everything (V2X) introduces sidelink HARQ in support of unicast and groupcast in the physical layer. It may reserve resources to be used for a number of blind (re-)transmissions or HARQ-feedback-based (re-)transmissions of a transport block, in which case the resources are indicated in the SCI(s) scheduling the transport block. Alternatively, it may select resources to be used for the initial transmission of a later transport block, in which case the resources are indicated in an SCI scheduling a current transport block, in a manner similar to the LTE-V2X scheme, clause 5.2.2.2 in 3GPP TR 37.985 v16.0.0. Finally, an initial transmission of a transport block can be performed after sensing and resource selection, but without a reservation.

The first-stage SCIs transmitted by UEs on PSCCH indicate the time-frequency resources in which the UE will transmit a PSSCH. These SCI transmissions are used by sensing UEs to maintain a record of which resources have been reserved by other UEs in the recent past. When a resource selection is triggered, e.g. by traffic arrival or a re selection trigger, the UE considers a sensing window which starts a (pre-)configured time in the past and finishes shortly before the trigger time. The window can be either 1100 milliseconds (ms) or 100 ms wide, with the intention that the 100 ms option is particularly useful for aperiodic traffic, and 1100 ms particularly for periodic traffic. A sensing UE also measures the SL-RSRP in the slots of the sensing window, which implies the level of interference which would be caused and experienced if the sensing UE were to transmit in them. In NR-V2X, SL-RSRP is a (pre-)configurable measurement of either PSSCH-RSRP or PSCCH-RSRP. The sensing UE then selects resources for its (re-)transmission(s) from within a resource selection window. The window starts shortly after the trigger for (re-)selection of resources, and cannot be longer than the remaining latency budget of the packet due to be transmitted. Reserved resources in the selection window with SL-RSRP above a threshold are excluded from being candidates by the sensing UE, with the threshold set according to the priorities of the traffic of the sensing and transmitting UEs. Thus, a higher priority transmission from a sensing UE can occupy resources which are reserved by a transmitting UE with sufficiently low SL-RSRP and sufficiently lower-priority traffic. If the set of resources in the selection window which have not been excluded is less than a certain proportion of the available resources within the window, the SL-RSRP exclusion threshold is relaxed in 3 dB steps. The proportion is set by (pre-)configuration to 20%, 35%, or 50% for each traffic priority. The UE selects an appropriate amount of resources randomly from this non-excluded set. The resources selected are not in general periodic. Up to three resources can be indicated in each SCI transmission, which can each be independently located in time and frequency. When the indicated resources are for semi- persistent transmission of another transport block, the range of supported periodicities is expanded compared to LTE-V2X, in order to cover the broader set of envisioned use cases in NR-V2X.

Shortly before transmitting in a reserved resource, a sensing UE re-evaluates the set of resources from which it can select, to check whether its intended transmission is still suitable, taking account of late-arriving SCIs due, typically, to an aperiodic higher- priority service starting to transmit after the end of the original sensing window. If the reserved resources would not be part of the set for selection at this time, also referred to asT3, then new resources are selected from the updated resource selection window. The cut-off time T3 is long enough before transmission to allow the UE to perform the calculations relating to resource re-selection.

The timeline of the sensing and resource (re-)selection windows with respect to the time of trigger n, are shown in Figure 6.3.2.2-2(a) in 3GPP TR 37.985 V 16.0.0, and illustrated in Figure 3. Figure 3 depicts the timeline of sensing, see the sensing window, and resource (re-)selection, see the selecting window, procedure triggered at time n, without re-evaluation before m-T3. m-T3 means that re-evaluation occurring at m-T3 determines whether the resources are still selectable. Its first reserved resource is at time m in TR 37.985 V 16.0.0. In Figure 3, TO is the time period from the start of sensing window until the time when resource (re)selection is triggered, T1 is the time offset of the time position when selection window is started to the time when resource (re)selection is triggered, Suppose the UE has preserved a set of resources for initial transmission and retrans ission(s) of a TB, the UE needs to perform re-evaluation T3 ahead to the first preserved resource to determine whether the preserved set of resources are still selectable, i.e. , whether the resource is occupied by transmission from other UE ... T_pr0c,o accounts for the time required to complete SCIs decoding and possibly perform measurements on DMRS for the sensing procedure. T2 is the time offset of the time position when selection window is ended to the time when resource (re)selection is triggered, T2 should be set within [T2_min, remaining Data Radio Bearer (DRB)], T2_min is a (pre)configured RRC parameter, and having T2 higher bounded by remaining PDB is to guarantee that the selected resources can meet the PDB requirement of the traffic being transmitted and/or to be transmitted.

The effect of the possibility of re-evaluation before first use of the reservation in Figure 6.3.2.2-2(b) in 3GPP TR 37.985 V 16.0.0 and illustrated in Figure 4. Figure 4 depicts the timeline of sensing, see the sensing window, and resource (re-)selection, see the selecting window, procedure originally triggered at time n, which has a first reserved resource at time m, when re-evaluation occurring at m-T3 determines the resources are no longer selectable. The new re-evaluation cut-off becomes (m'-T3) in 3GPP TR 37.985 V 16.0.0.

There are a number of triggers for resource re-selection, several of which are similar to LTE-V2X in Clause 5.2.2.2 in 3GPP TR 37.985 V 16.0.0. In addition, there is the possibility to configure a resource pool with a pre-emption function designed to help accommodate aperiodic sidelink traffic, so that a UE reselects all the resources it has already reserved in a particular slot if another nearby UE with higher priority indicates it will transmit in any of them, implying a high-priority aperiodic traffic arrival at the other UE, and the SL-RSRP is above the exclusion threshold. The application of pre-emption can apply between all priorities of data traffic, or only when the priority of the pre-empting traffic is higher than a threshold and higher than that of the pre-empted traffic. A UE does not need to consider the possibility of pre-emption later than time 73 before the particular slot containing the reserved resources.

Pedestrian UE in V2X

V2X includes communications between Pedestrian UEs (P-UE) and Vehicular UEs (V-UE), i.e. Vehicle to Pedestrian (V2P). Whereas a vehicular UE is assumed to be attached the vehicle's power supply, and thus to have no particular battery life concerns, the situation is different for a P-UE. A P-UE could be, e.g. a conventional smartphone running suitable applications, or a specialised device attached to a pedestrians clothing, etc. In either case, battery life has to be considered so that the device will provide the V2P services for a reasonable length of time without need of re-charging, and without imposing such battery drain that V2P applications could become unattractive.

As described above, a V2X UE performs sensing continuously in a 1000 ms historical window, implying an amount of ongoing power consumption due to the sensing procedure. It is allowed for a P-UE to not support sidelink reception, so that it is only broadcasting packets relating to its own location and direction. This type of P-UE is allowed to select transmission resources randomly, with no sensing procedure. For a P- UE which does support sidelink reception, it can be (pre-)configured to perform partial sensing. In partial sensing, only a subset of the subframes in the typically 1000 ms sensing window have to be monitored. The UE implementation can choose how few subframes it wishes to monitor, by trading off the reliability of its transmissions with the power saving, subject to monitoring a (pre-)configured minimum number. (Pre- )configuration can also set how far into the past the sensing window extends, and can require that the UE performs partial sensing in a number of these truncated sensing windows.

Resource pool in V2X

As described in clause 6.3.1.2 in 3GPP TR 37.985 V 16.0.0, PSCCH and PSSCH resources are defined within resource pools for the respective channels. This concept is used because in general PSCCH/PSSCH cannot be transmitted, and thus are not expected to be received, in all RBs and slots in the NR system bandwidth, nor within the frequency span configured for V2X sidelink. The notion of a resource pool also reflects, in resource allocation mode 2, that a UE will make its resource selections based on sensing within the pool.

A resource pool is divided into sub-channels in the frequency domain, which are consecutively non-overlapping sets of ³10 Physical Resource Blocks (PRBs) in a slot, the size depending on (pre-)configuration. Resource allocation, sensing, and resource selection are performed in units of a sub-channel. The UE's PSCCH occupies a (pre- )configurable number of PRBs within one sub-channel, starting from the lowest PRB of the PSSCH it schedules.

Within the slots that can be used for PSSCH transmission, there can be a number, e.g. from 7 to 14, of the symbols reserved for sidelink operation, of which PSSCH can be transmitted in a number, e.g.,5 to 12, of symbols. The remaining sidelink symbols transmit some or all of PSCCH, PSFCH, and other symbol(s) such as guard symbol(s).

Resource pools are (pre-)configured to a UE separately from the transmission perspective, Transmit (TX) pools, and the reception perspective, Receive (RX) pools. This allows a UE to monitor for PSCCH, and hence receive PSSCH transmissions, in resource pools other than those in which it transmits, so that it can attempt to receive transmissions made by other UEs in those RX pools.

In addition, there are exceptional resource pools configured to a UE, in its serving cell's broadcast or in dedicated signalling. These can be used e.g. during Radio Link Failure (RLF) in some cases, handover, transition from Radio Recource Control (RRC) states, RRC IDLE to RRC CONNECTED, or during change of dedicated V2X sidelink resource pools within a cell. In these cases, a UE may not have a stable configuration of TX resource pools but nevertheless should not be removed from the V2X system, and so it can randomly select resources in the exceptional pool, and use them temporarily. Likewise, UEs need to monitor the exceptional TX pools for PSCCH transmissions.

SL congestion control

As described in clause 5.3 in TR 37.985 V 16.0.0, for LTE V2X feature, a physical measurement of Channel Busy Ratio (CBR) is also defined in each subframe in clause 5.1.30 of TS 36.214 V16.1.0, which measures the portion of the resource in a resource pool which has a high received signal energy, e.g. Sidelink Received Signal Strength Indicator (S-RSSI), in the most recent 100 subframes. CBR is a measurement of the congestion present recently in the resource pool. Another measurement of Channel Occupancy Ratio (CR) defined in clause 5.1.31 of 3GPP TS 36.214 V16.1.0, counts the total number of subchannels a UE has and will transmit in during a window of up to 1000 ms including the current subframe. CR is thus a measurement of how much resource a UE has recently, and will soon, claim.

A UE may be (pre-)configured with a set of CBR ranges to each of which is linked a CR-limit. When a UE finds its CR exceeds the CR-limit for the CBR range it currently measures, it must reduce its CR to not exceed the limit. How this is done is up to UE implementation, and can include increasing MCS to reduce resource occupation, dropping (re-)transmissions, etc. PPPP can also be (pre-)configured with a mapping to the UE's maximum permitted transmit power, the limitation on which acts to reduce the CBR measured by sufficiently distant UEs. ProSe Per-Packet Priority (PPPP) is used as described in Clause 5.2.2 to aid distributed sidelink congestion control based on the relative priorities of traffic from UEs that consider occupying a given resource. PPPP and CBR can each also be (pre- jconfigured with mappings to ranges of values of transmission parameters, e.g. a range of MCS values, and/or a range of numbers of subchannels, etc. In this case, the UE has to choose its transmission parameters from within the range corresponding to the prevailing PPPP and/or CBR.

Congestion control for NR-V2X is similar to LTE-V2X, and it likewise is used in resource allocation mode 2 in NR. The main differences are that each packet is associated with a single 'priority' value, passed down to the physical layer from upper layers, which is comparable to PPPP in LTE-V2X. The priority value is transmitted in the first-stage SCI associated with each transport block. Broadly equivalent measurements of CBR and CR, together with CR-limits are defined, which can be used similarly to constrain the ranges of transmission parameters. NR V2X sets a shorter time of 1 ms or 2 ms in which the UE must calculate the CR and CBR than LTE-V2X's 4 ms, with the aim of adapting to faster fluctuations in congestion due to aperiodic traffic.

SUMMARY As a part of developing embodiments herein the inventors identified a problem which first will be discussed.

The Release 17 NR sidelink enhancement Work Item Description (WID) RP- 202846, “WID revision: NR sidelink enhancement”, LG Electronics, 3GPP TSG RAN Meeting #90e, Electronic Meeting, December 7 - 11, 2020 has defined objectives to specify solutions which can enhance NR sidelink for the V2X, public safety and commercial use cases. The WID comprises the following objectives on partial sensing and sidelink Discontinuous Reception (DRX).

In LTE, partial sensing was introduced for pedestrian UEs. For the basic V2X safety services considered at the time, the assumption was that pedestrian UEs would act only as transmitters. 3GPP did not specify any mechanisms for aligning TX and RX behaviour for partial sensing. The alignment issue was solved with the implicit assumption that RX UEs would perform full sensing and monitor the channel continuously. Thus, the issue of TX and RX alignment must be considered when designing partial sensing feature. On the other hand, TX/RX alignment consists of defining coordinated Active/Inactive times of the UEs. That is, defining assumptions on the times when the UE is (not) expected to monitor the channel, as well as the corresponding mechanism for configuring the UEs. DRX needs to be aligned. Moreover, it is desirable not to duplicate functionalities in different layers. Since how to achieve TX/RX alignment will be anyway considered in DRX design, it would be beneficial to design mechanism to achieve alignment between partial sensing and SL DRX, to have unified solution on how to achieve power saving while avoiding overlapping design efforts. In addition, RAN2 has the following agreement regarding SL DRX operation in RAN2#113-e,

Given the above agreement in mind, the above issues and the solutions will be studied assuming SL DRX is configured per direction. In other words, for the SL between a UE pair (e.g., UE1 and UE2), there will be at least two SL DRX configurations configured to both UEs wherein, one DRX configuration is configured for the direction from UE1 to UE2, while another DRX configuration is configured for the direction from UE2 to UE1.

An object of embodiments herein is to improve the performance of a wireless communications network using sidelink communication. According to an aspect of embodiments herein, the object is achieved by a method performed by a first User Equipment, UE. The first UE is configured to perform partial sensing operation when selecting resources for a transmission in a direct communication between the first UE and a second UE in a wireless communications network.

The first UE obtains an option out of any one or more out of: Option 1, Option 2, and Option 3. The obtained option is to be applied for deciding which one or more DRX configurations to be aligned with the partial sensing operation.

Option 1 comprises aligning the partial sensing operation with one or multiple RX DRX configurations which are configured to the first UE.

Option 2 comprises aligning the partial sensing operation with one or multiple TX DRX configurations which are configured to the first UE. Option 3 comprises aligning the partial sensing operation with one or multiple DRX configurations which are configured to the first UE regardless of whether they are TX DRX configurations or RX DRX configurations.

The first UE aligns the partial sensing operation by applying the obtained option.

According to an aspect of embodiments herein, the object is achieved by a method performed by a network node for configuring a first User Equipment, UE, to align a partial sensing operation with one or multiple DRX configurations. The first UE is configured to perform partial sensing operation when selecting resources for a transmission in a direct communication between the first UE and a second UE in a wireless communications network.

The network node configures the first UE to, or performs selection and sends a selected option to the first UE to: Select an option out of any one or more out of: Option 1, Option 2, and Option 3, to apply for deciding which one or more DRX configurations to be aligned with the partial sensing operation.

Option 1 comprises aligning the partial sensing operation with one or multiple RX DRX configurations which are configured to the first UE,

Option 2 comprises aligning the partial sensing operation with one or multiple TX DRX configurations which are configured to the first UE 121 ,

Option 3 comprises aligning the partial sensing operation with one or multiple DRX configurations which are configured to the first UE regardless of whether they are TX DRX configurations or RX DRX configurations, and

The network node further configures the first UE to align the partial sensing operation by applying the obtained option.

According to an aspect of embodiments herein, the object is achieved by a first User Equipment, UE. The first UE is configured to perform partial sensing operation when selecting resources for a transmission in a direct communication between the first UE and a second UE in a wireless communications network. The first UE is further configured to:

- Obtain an option out of any one or more out of: Option 1 , Option 2, and Option 3, to apply for deciding which one or more DRX configurations are adapted to be aligned with the partial sensing operation, wherein

Option 1 is adapted to comprise aligning the partial sensing operation with one or multiple RX DRX configurations which are configured to the first UE, Option 2 is adapted to comprise aligning, the partial sensing operation with one or multiple TX DRX configurations which are configured to the first UE,

Option 3 is adapted to comprise aligning, the partial sensing operation with one or multiple DRX configurations which are configured to the first UE regardless of whether they are TX DRX configurations or RX DRX configurations,

- align the partial sensing operation by applying the obtained option.

According to an aspect of embodiments herein, the object is achieved by a network node configured to configure a first User Equipment, UE. The first UE is arranged to be configured to perform partial sensing operation when selecting resources for a transmission in a direct communication between the first UE and a second UE in a wireless communications network. The network node is further configured to:

- configure the first UE to: or - perform selecting and sending of a selected option to the first UE by being configured to: select an option out of any one or more out of: Option 1 , Option 2, and Option 3, to apply for deciding which one or more DRX configurations to be aligned with the partial sensing operation, wherein

Option 1 is adapted to comprise aligning the partial sensing operation with one or multiple RX DRX configurations which are configured to the first UE,

Option 2 is adapted to comprise aligning the partial sensing operation with one or multiple TX DRX configurations which are configured to the first UE,

Option 3 is adapted to comprise aligning the partial sensing operation with one or multiple DRX configurations which are configured to the first UE regardless of whether they are TX DRX configurations or RX DRX configurations, and

- configure the first UE to, align the partial sensing operation by applying the obtained option.

Advantages of embodiments herein e.g. comprises the following:

Embodiments herein make it possible to adapt partial sensing operations to fit QoS requirements of subsequent transmissions.

Embodiments herein make it possible to make it feasible for a UE to sense sufficient slots ahead of data transmission requiring critical QoS requirements.

Embodiments herein make it possible to achieve a best balance between power saving and service QoS satisfaction. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Examples of embodiments herein are described in more detail with reference to attached drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram depicting prior art. Figure 2 is a flow chart depicting prior art. Figure 3 is a schematic diagram depicting prior art. Figure 4 is a schematic diagram depicting prior art. Figure 5 is a schematic block diagram illustrating embodiments of a wireless communications network.

Figure 6 is a flowchart depicting an embodiment of a method in a first UE. Figure 7 is a flowchart depicting an embodiment of a method in a network node Figures 8 a and b are schematic block diagrams illustrating embodiments of a UE. Figures 9 a and b are schematic block diagrams illustrating embodiments of a network node.

Figure 10 schematically illustrates a telecommunication network connected via an intermediate network to a host computer.

Figure 11 is a generalized block diagram of a host computer communicating via a base station with a user equipment over a partially wireless connection

Figures 12-15 are flowcharts illustrating methods implemented in a communication system including a host computer, a base station and a user equipment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments herein e.g. relate to methods of aligning a DRX configuration and partial sensing operation. Figure 5 is a schematic overview depicting a wireless communications network 100 wherein embodiments herein may be implemented. The wireless communications network 100 comprises one or more RANs and one or more CNs. The wireless communications network 100 may use 5G NR but may further use a number of other different technologies, such as, Wi-Fi, (LTE), LTE-Advanced, Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), Global System for Mobile communications/enhanced Data rate for GSM Evolution (GSM/EDGE), or Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), just to mention a few possible implementations.

Network nodes such as a network node 110 operate in the wireless communications network 100. The network node 110 e.g. provides a number of cells and may use these cells for communicating with e.g. UEs such as a first UE 121 and/or a second UE 122. The network node 110 may be a transmission and reception point e.g. a radio access network node such as a base station, e.g. a radio base station such as a NodeB, an evolved Node B (eNB, eNode B), an NR Node B (gNB), a base transceiver station, a radio remote unit, an Access Point Base Station, a base station router, a transmission arrangement of a radio base station, a stand-alone access point, a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) access point, an Access Point Station (AP STA), an access controller, a UE acting as an access point or a peer in a Device to Device (D2D) communication, or any other network unit capable of communicating with a UE within any of cell served by the network node 110 depending e.g. on the radio access technology and terminology used.

User Equipments operate in the wireless communications network 100, such as a first UE 121 and a second UE 122. The first and second UE 121, 122 may e.g. communicate with each other directly as peers in D2D communication or may communicate via the network node 110. Each respective UE of the first and second UE 121 , 122 may e.g. be an NR device, a P-UE, a V-UE, a V2P UE, a V2X UE, a mobile station, a wireless terminal, an NB-loT device, an eMTC device, an NR RedCap device, a CAT-M device, a WiFi device, an LTE device and an a non-access point (non-AP) STA, a STA. Each of the respective UE of the first and second UE 121, 122 may e.g. communicate via a base station such as e.g. the network node 110, one or more Access Networks (AN), e.g. RAN, to one or more core networks (CN). It should be understood by the skilled in the art that the UE relates to a non-limiting term which means any UE, terminal, wireless communication terminal, user equipment, D2D terminal, or node e.g. smart phone, laptop, mobile phone, sensor, relay, mobile tablets or even a small base station communicating within a cell.

CN nodes such as a CN node 130 may e.g. operate in the wireless communications network 100. The CN node 130 may e.g. be an AMF node or an SMF node.

Methods herein may in one aspect be performed by the network node 110, in another aspect by the first UE 121. As an alternative, a Distributed Node (DN) and functionality, e.g. comprised in a cloud 140 as shown in Figure 5, may be used for performing or partly performing the methods.

According to some example embodiments herein, for either UE of a UE pair, e.g., the first UE121 and the second UE 122, if the UE, e.g., the first UE121, is configured to perform partial sensing when selecting resources e.g. using resource allocation Mode 2 for transmissions towards the second UE 122, the first UE121 may apply one of the following options to determine, also referred to as decide, which DRX configurations to be aligned with the partial sensing operation, may be performed according to one specific partial sensing configuration. To perform partial sensing operation, when used herein, e.g. means performing sensing only in a subset of the slots in the sensing window, where the slots are determined based on the DRX configurations.

Option 1: The first UE 121 aligns the partial sensing operation with one or multiple RX DRX configurations which are configured and/or preconfigured to the first UE 121. In this option, the first UE121 may mainly perform sensing during the slots when the first UE 121 is active according to the one or multiple RX DRX configurations.

Option 2: The first UE 121 aligns the partial sensing operation with one or multiple TX DRX configurations which are configured and/or preconfigured to the first UE121. In this option, the first UE 121 may mainly perform sensing during the slots when the first UE 121 is active according to the one or multiple TX DRX configurations.

Option 3: The first UE 121 aligns the partial sensing operation with one or multiple DRX configurations which are configured and/or preconfigured to the first UE121 regardless of whether they are TX DRX configurations or RX DRX configurations.

In an example, all these DRX configurations serve the same UE pair (i.e. , the first UE121 and the second UE 122). In another example, one of the these DRX configurations serves a different UE pair (e.g., UE1 and UE2). In this option, UE1 can perform sensing during the slots when UE1 is active according to any one of these DRX configurations.

Advantages of embodiments herein.

E.g. the below benefits may be achieved with the provided embodiments herein.

• Adapting partial sensing operations to fit QoS requirements of subsequent transmissions

• To make it feasible for the UE to sense sufficient slots ahead of data transmission requiring critical QoS requirements

• Achieve best balance between power saving and service QoS satisfaction. Some first, second, third, fourth and fifth embodiments will be described more in detail below the description of Figures 6 and 7.

Figure 6 shows an example method performed by the first UE 121, e.g. for deciding one or more DRX configurations. The first UE 121 is configured to perform partial sensing operation when selecting resources for a transmission in a direct communication. The direct communication is between the first UE 121 and the second UE 122 in the wireless communications network 100. The direct communication may e.g. be sidelink, WiFi, Bluetooth, or D2D.

The method comprises any one or more out of the following actions, which actions may be taken in any suitable order. Optional actions are referred to as dashed boxes in Figure 6.

Action 601

The first UE 121 obtains an option out of any one or more out of: Option 1, Option 2, and Option 3, to apply for deciding which one or more DRX configurations to be aligned with the partial sensing operation. This e.g., means that the first UE 121 will obtain one of the options Option 1, Option 2, and Option 3. The obtained one of the options will then be applied by the first UE 121 when deciding which one or more DRX configurations that shall be aligned with the partial sensing operation. To be aligned with e.g., means the first UE 121 is in DRX active state in most of the slots in which partial sensing is performed according to the one or more DRX configurations that shall be aligned. Option 1 comprises aligning the partial sensing operation with one or multiple RX DRX configurations which are configured to the first UE 121.

Option 2 comprises aligning the partial sensing operation with one or multiple TX DRX configurations which are configured to the first UE121.

Option 3 comprises aligning the partial sensing operation with one or multiple DRX configurations which are configured to the first UE1 121 regardless whether they are TX DRX configurations or RX DRX configurations.

In some embodiments, e.g. related to a second embodiment, the first UE 121 obtains the option by any one out of: selecting the option out of any one or more out of: Option 1 , Option 2, and Option 3, or receiving the option from the network node 110 or another UE.

In some embodiments, e.g. related to a third embodiment, option 1 is obtained when one or more first conditions are met, which one or more first conditions e.g. comprises any one or more out of:

- Any one or more of services, traffic types, and applications have similar or same Quality of Service, (QoS), requirements and/or priority,

- the first UE 121 and the second UE122 have similar or same power classes or used transmission power, e.g. during recent slots,

- full or partial aligned DRX configurations are configured at both directions, e.g., RX DRX and TX DRX,

- only RX DRX configuration is configured to the first or second UE 121, 122, wherein the first or second UE 121 , 122 has no data with critical requirements, e.g., latency requirement, for transmission to another UE 121, 122,

- both UEs 121, 122 are located in the same geographical areas and wherein the geographical area allows only one or very few types of any one or more out of traffic, application, and service, e.g., that has the same requirements, and/or

- both UEs 121, 122 are configured with a band associated, e.g. bundled, with a particular application. One example is band 14 that is reserved to only public safety applications.

In some further embodiments, e.g. related to the third embodiment, option 2 or option 3 is obtained when one or more second conditions are met. The one or more second conditions e.g., comprises any one or more out of:

- any one or more of services, traffic types, and applications have different QoS requirements and/or priority,

- the first UE 121 and the second UE122 have different power classes or used transmission power, e.g. during recent slots,

- multiple DRX configurations are configured at both directions, wherein any two or more out of the multiple DRX configurations are misaligned with each other, and

- both UEs 121, 122 are configured with at least one differing band associated and/or with a differing service.

Action 602 In some embodiments, e.g. related to a fourth embodiment, the first UE 121 checks the one or more second conditions to see if it is needed to apply a different option than the obtained Option 1, Option 2, or Option 3.

In some further embodiments, e.g. related to the fourth embodiment, the first UE 121 checks the one or more second conditions when triggered by an event e.g. comprising any one or more out of:

SL data, for a logical channel becomes available, at least one of a Logical Channel (LCH), or a Logical Group (LOG), comprises available SL data, e.g., wherein the first or second UE 121, 122 has not been able to obtain a grant during for a configured time period, at least one LCH comprises available SL data with a higher priority than a configured priority threshold, e.g., which has not been scheduled with any grant for a configured time period, a queueing time of the oldest packet, e.g. in the head of the queue, in a LCH or a LOG exceeds a configured time period, arrival of new SL data since a last check exceeds a configured threshold, a measured radio link quality value, e.g. relating to any one or more out of path loss, Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP), Reference Signal Received Quality (RSRQ), Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI), Signal-to-lnterference-plus-Noise Ratio (SINR), Signal-to-lnterference Ratio (SIR), and/or recent transmission power, has changed more than a configured threshold, a configuration or reconfiguration of partial sensing functionality by upper layers, e.g. which configuration or reconfiguration is not used to disable the partial sensing, a configuration or reconfiguration of one or more TX DRX configurations and/or one or more RX DRX configurations, and the check is requested by the network, e.g., the network node 110, or by another UE, e.g., the first or second UE 121, 122.

Action 603

The first UE 121 aligns the partial sensing operation by applying the determined, also referred to as obtained, option e.g., in any one out of the first UE 121 and the second UE 122. I.e., the first UE 121 e.g., applies the option obtained in Action 601, when aligning the partial sensing operation. Thus, the DRX configuration is aligned with the partial sensing operation. In this way the time where the partial sensing is performed when the first UE 121 is in DRX inactive state is minimized thus the power saving gain from applying DRX is retained to a large extent.

In some embodiments, e.g., related to fifth embodiment, the partial sensing operation comprises an aperiodic partial sensing operation and/or a periodic partial sensing operation and wherein any one or more out of:

- Aperiodic partial sensing operation is aligned with one or multiple TX DRX configurations configured to the first UE 121, and

- the periodic partial sensing operation is aligned with one or multiple RX DRX configurations configured to the first UE 121.

When the partial sensing operation is aligned by applying the obtained option according to embodiments herein, the first UE 121 may select resources for the transmission in the direct communication. In this way, aperiodic partial sensing for aperiodic transmission can be performed whenever there is aperiodic traffic to be transmitted, thus the resource can be selected more timely meanwhile the power consumption increase due to aperiodic partial sensing is limited as aperiodic transmission does not occur frequently. On other hand, periodic partial sensing is more power costing and performing it when the UE is active for reception according to the RX DRX configurations is more energy saving.

Figure 7 shows an example method performed by the network node 110 for configuring a first UE 121, e.g. to align a partial sensing operation with one or multiple DRX configurations. The first UE 121 is configured to perform partial sensing operation when selecting resources for a transmission in a direct communication, such as e.g. sidelink, WiFi, Bluetooth, D2D, between the first UE 121 and the second UE 122 in the wireless communications network 100.

The method comprises any one or more out of the following actions, which actions may be taken in any suitable order. Optional actions are referred to as dashed boxes in Figure 7.

Actions 701

In some embodiments, the network node 110 configures the first UE 121 to: Select an option out of any one or more out of: Option 1, Option 2, and Option 3, to apply for deciding which one or more DRX configurations to be aligned with the partial sensing operation. Wherein:

Option 1 comprises aligning the partial sensing operation with one or multiple RX DRX configurations which are configured to the first UE 121,

Option 2 comprises aligning the partial sensing operation with one or multiple TX DRX configurations which are configured to the first UE121 ,

Option 3 comprises aligning the partial sensing operation with one or multiple DRX configurations which are configured to the first UE1 121 regardless whether they are TX DRX configurations or RX DRX configurations, and configuring 703 the first UE 121 to, align the partial sensing operation by applying the determined option e.g. in any one out of the first UE 121 and the second UE 122.

Actions 702

In some alternative embodiments, the network node 110 performs selection of an option and sends a selected option to the first UE 121. The network node 110 selects an option out of any one or more out of: Option 1 , Option 2, and Option 3. The selected option is to be applied for deciding which one or more DRX configurations to be aligned with the partial sensing operation. Wherein:

Option 1 comprises aligning the partial sensing operation with one or multiple RX DRX configurations which are configured to the first UE 121.

Option 3 comprises aligning the partial sensing operation with one or multiple DRX configurations which are configured to the first UE1 121 regardless of whether they are TX DRX configurations or RX DRX configurations.

The following relates to any of Action 701 and 702:

In some embodiments, e.g. related to the third embodiment, option 1 is selected when one or more first conditions are met. The one or more first conditions e.g. comprises any one or more out of:

- Any one or more of services, traffic types, and applications have similar or same Quality of Service, QoS, requirements and/or priority,

- the first UE 121 and the second UE122 have similar or same power classes or used transmission power, e.g., during recent slots, - full or partial aligned DRX configurations are configured at both directions, e.g., RX DRX and TX DRX.

- both UEs 121, 122 are located in the same geographical areas and wherein the geographical area allows only one or very few types of any one or more out of traffic, application, and service, e.g. that has the same requirements, and

In some further embodiments, e.g., related to the third embodiment, option 2 or option 3 is selected when one or more second conditions are met, which one or more second conditions e.g. comprises any one or more out of:

- Any one or more of: services, traffic types, and applications have different QoS requirements and/or priority,

- the first UE 121 and the second UE122 have different power classes or used transmission power, e.g., during recent slots,

In some embodiments, e.g. related to the fourth embodiment, the network node 110 configures the first UE 121 by, configuring the first UE 121 to check the one or more second conditions to see if it is needed to apply a different option than the obtained Option 1 , Option 2, or Option 3.

In some embodiments, e.g., related to the fourth embodiment, wherein the first UE 121 is configured to check the one or more second conditions when triggered by an event e.g. comprising any one or more out of:

- SL data, for a logical channel becomes available, and - at least one of an LCH, or an LCG, comprises available SL data, e.g., wherein the first or second UE 121 , 122 has not been able to obtain a grant during for a configured time period,

- at least one LCH comprises available SL data with a higher priority than a configured priority threshold, e.g., which has not been scheduled with any grant for a configured time period,

- a queueing time of the oldest packet, e.g., in the head of the queue, in a LCH or a LCG exceeds a configured time period,

- arrival of new SL data since a last check exceeds a configured threshold, a measured radio link quality value, e.g., relating to any one or more out of path loss, RSRP, RSRQ, RSSI, SINR, SIR, and/or recent transmission power, has changed more than a configured threshold, a configuration or reconfiguration of partial sensing functionality by upper layers, e.g., which configuration or reconfiguration is not used to disable the partial sensing, a configuration or reconfiguration of one or more TX DRX configurations and/or one or more RX DRX configurations, and the check is requested by the network, e.g., the network node 110, or by another UE, e.g., the first or second UE 121, 122.

Action 703

The network node 110 configures the first UE 121 to align the partial sensing operation by applying the determined option, e.g. in any one out of the first UE (121) and the second UE (122).

In some embodiments, e.g., related to the fifth embodiment, the partial sensing operation comprises an aperiodic partial sensing operation and/or a periodic partial sensing operation.

In some embodiments, e.g., related to the fifth embodiment, the network node 110 configures the first UE 121 to, align the partial sensing operation comprises: configuring the first UE 121 to, any one or more out of:

-Aperiodic partial sensing operation is aligned with one or multiple TX DRX configurations configured to the first UE 121, and

- the periodic partial sensing operation is aligned with one or multiple RX DRX configurations configured to the first UE 121. The method will now be further explained and exemplified in below embodiments. These below embodiments may be combined with any suitable embodiment as described above.

Examples of embodiments herein may relate to methods of aligning DRX configuration and partial sensing operation.

Embodiments herein are described in the context of NR Sidelink, but not limited to this. Similar embodiments are also applicable to LTE Sidelink or any other technology what allows the direct communication between two nearby devices, e.g., WiFi or Bluetooth.

The below example embodiments are applicable for SL transmissions, including unicast, groupcast and broadcast, e.g. with SL resource allocation Mode 2.

The below example embodiments are applicable to a UE pair, such as e.g., the first UE 121 and the second UE 122, involved in SL communications. The UEs are configured with DRX configurations. For a UE, a term “RX DRX configuration” is used to stand for a DRX configuration which is configured to the UE for the direction that the UE operates as the RX UE, meanwhile, a term “TX DRX configuration” is used to stand for a DRX configuration which is configured to the UE for the direction that the UE operates as the TX UE towards its peer UE. For example, in a UE-pair, if the first UE 121 transmits to the second UE 122, the second UE 122 perceives RX DRX configuration as a DRX configuration of the second UE 122 and TX DRX configuration as a DRX configuration of its own self.

For a UE pair containing the first UE 121 and the second UE 122 involved in SL communications, at least one of the UEs, e.g. the first UE 121 , supports partial sensing operation configured via e.g. at least one of the below parameters:

• Duration of the sensing window,

• parameters indicating sensing slots, e.g., a bitmap indicating sensing slot during the sensing window,

• maximum number of sensing slots during the sensing window,

• minimum number of sensing slots during the sensing window, and/or

• periodicity which defines how often the (periodical) partial sensing should be performed. It should be noted that in the text below the letter numberings such as first embodiment, second embodiment, third embodiment is not correlated to the corresponding figure numbered embodiments such Embodiment 1, Embodiment 2, Embodiment 3. I.e., e.g. the third embodiment is not correlated to Embodiment 3.

In some first embodiments, for either UE of the UE pair, e.g., the first UE 121 and the second UE 122, if the UE, e.g., the first UE 121, is configured to perform partial sensing when selecting resources using resource allocation Mode 2 for transmissions towards the second UE 122, the first UE 121 may apply one of the following options to determine which DRX configurations to be aligned with the partial sensing operation, may be performed according to one, or at least on, specific partial sensing configuration.

Option 1: The first UE 121 aligns the partial sensing operation with one or multiple RX DRX configurations which are configured and/or preconfigured to the first UE 121. In this option, the first UE 121 may mainly perform sensing during the slots when the first UE 121 is active according to the one or multiple RX DRX configurations.

Option 2: The first UE 121 aligns the partial sensing operation with one or multiple TX DRX configurations which are configured and/or preconfigured to the UE such as the first UE 121. In this option, the first UE 121 may mainly perform sensing during the slots when the first UE 121 is active according to the one or multiple TX DRX configurations.

Option 3: The first UE 121 aligns the partial sensing operation with one or multiple DRX configurations which are configured and/or preconfigured to the first UE 121 regardless whether they are TX DRX configurations or RX DRX configurations. In an example, all these DRX configurations serve the same UE pair, i.e., the first UE 121 and the second UE 122. In another example, one of the these DRX configurations serves a different UE pair (e.g., UE1 and UE2). In this option, UE1 may perform sensing during the slots when UE1 is active according to any one of these DRX configurations.

As some second embodiments, on top of the first embodiments, which option the first UE 121 shall apply may be configured by the network node 110, or by another controlling UE. In case the first UE 121 is connecting to the network node 110, e.g., a serving gNB, the network node 110 may signal the option to the first UE 121 via at least one of the below signaling alternatives:

• System information, it may provide a cell or system specific configuration on partial sensing. • Paging message, it may provide a partial sensing configuration to paged UEs.

•Control PDU of a protocol layer such as SDAP, PDCP, RLC or an adaptation layer, e.g., in a relay scenario.

• DCI or other L1 signaling, or MAC CE, it gives UE specific dynamic configuration on partial sensing.

• Dedicated RRC signaling or handover command, it also gives UE specific partial sensing configuration.

In addition, the selected option may be signaled by a controlling UE, e.g., a coordinator UE) to the first UE 121 via at least one of the below signaling alternatives,

• PC5-RRC,

• Control PDU of a protocol layer such as SDAP, PDCP, RLC or an adaptation layer, e.g., in a relay scenario.

MAC CE

• SCI or other L1 signaling

In case the first UE 121 is not connecting to any (SL capable) the network node 110 such as a gNB, the option may be preconfigured to the first UE 121.

As some third embodiments, on top of the first embodiments, the first UE 121 may select Option 1 if at least one of the below first conditions is met:

• Services/traffic types/applications employed on the two directions have similar or same QoS requirements and/or priority. In an example, services/traffic/applications served on the both directions have exact same types.

• Both UEs in the UE pair may have similar or same power classes or used transmission power during recent slots.

• Full or partial aligned DRX configurations, i.e. , giving full or partial overlapped active time, are configured at both directions. A threshold Y% may be defined to the first UE 121, the two DRX configurations are determined as being partial aligned only when they give at least Y% overlapped active time among all active time according to the two DRX configurations. In an example, for two DRX configurations including DRX config 1 and DRX config 2, DRX config 1 gives M active slots in total, while DRX config 2 gives N active slots in total, both configurations give m overlapped active slots. Both configurations may be determined as being partial aligned if 2*m / (M+N) >= Y%, otherwise, both configurations may be determined as being misaligned. In this example, only slots while either a DRX - on Duration Timer (drx-onDurationTimer) or DRX -Inactivity Timer (drx-lnactivityTimer) is running are considered as active slots. • Only RX DRX configuration may be configured to the first UE 121 , and the first UE 121 has no data with critical requirements, e.g., latency requirement, under transmissions towards its peer UE, the second UE 122.

• If both UEs, the first UE 121 and the second UE 122, are located in the same geographical areas and if this geographical area allows only one, or very few, type of traffic and/or application and/or service that has the same requirements. One example may be e.g., airports or catastrophic areas where only the same type of application is allowed.

• If both UEs, the first UE 121 and the second UE 122, are configured with a band that is bundled with a particular application. One example is band 14 that is reserved to only public safety applications.

As some alternative third embodiments, on top of the first embodiments, the first UE 121 may select Option 2 or Option 3 if at least one of the below second conditions is met:

• Services and/or traffic types, and/or applications employed on the two directions have different QoS requirements and, and/or or priority.

• Both UEs the first UE 121 and the second UE 122, in the UE pair may have different power classes or used transmission power during recent slots. In order to determine that transmission power of both UEs are different, a power threshold is configured to both UEs. The transmission power of both UEs are determined as different only when the difference between transmission power of both UEs is above the threshold, otherwise, both UEs have similar transmission power.

• DRX configurations configured at both directions may be misaligned between each other.

• The first UE 121 and the second UE 122, may be configured with different bands that are bundled to different services. One example is if the first UE 121 is configured with band 14, that is exclusively for public services, and the second UE 122 is configured with the ITS band, i.e. , 5.9 GHz, that may only be used for V2X services.

As some fourth embodiments, for any one of the above embodiments, the first UE 121 checks the first and/or second conditions as defined in the third embodiment to see if the first UE 121 needs to apply a different option. The check may be performed periodically or based on certain events. For the former option, i.e., timer based, a timer may be configured to the first UE 121 end e.g. the second UE 122 by the network node 11, e.g., gNB, or by another UE, e.g., the peer UE or a controlling UE. In case the UE, such as the first UE 121 has no coverage, the timer may be preconfigured to the first UE 121. For the latter option, i.e. , event based, the check may be triggered when one of the below events occurs:

• SL data, for a logical channel of a Destination, becomes available to the MAC entity; and either: o This SL data may belong to a logical channel with higher priority than the priorities of the logical channels containing available SL data which belong to any LCG belonging to the same Destination; or o this SL data may belong to a logical channel with higher priority than a configured priority threshold belonging to the same Destination; or o none of the logical channels which belong to an LCG belonging to the same Destination contains any available SL data.

• There is at least one LCH or LCG containing available SL data, however, the first UE 121 has not been able to obtain any grant over a configured time period (e.g., X ms). This configured time period may be different for different LCHs or LCGs and may be a function of the priority of the LCH.

• There is a LCH containing available SL data with higher priority than a configured priority threshold, however, which has not been scheduled with any grant over a configured time period, e.g., Y ms.

• The queueing time of the oldest packet (head of the queue) in a LCH or LCG is above a configured time period, e.g. Z ms. This configured time period may be different for different LCHs or LCGs and may be a function of the priority of the LCH. · Arrival of new SL data since last check has been over a configured threshold this new data are the summarized new data belonging to any LCH or LCG; or o this SL data belongs to a logical channel with higher priority than a configured priority threshold • The measured radio link quality in terms of metrics (e.g., path loss or RSRP, RSRQ, RSSI, SINR, SIR or recent transmission power) has changed more than a configured threshold.

• Upon configuration or reconfiguration of the partial sensing functionality by upper layers, which is not used to disable the function.

• Upon configuration or reconfiguration of TX and/or RX DRX configurations.

• The check is requested by the network, e.g., the network node 110, such as the gNB, or by another UE, e.g., the peer UE or a controlling UE.

The first UE 121 may decide to apply a different option. In typical cases, the first UE 121 changes from Option 1 to either Option 2 or Option 3.

Based on the above events and options as described in any one of the above embodiments, the following merits may be achievable.

• Partial sensing operations are adapted to fit QoS requirements of subsequent transmissions.

• Alignment is achieved between partial sensing operation and the DRX configuration(s) that are currently in use.

• It is made feasible for the UE, e.g. the first UE 121, to sense sufficient slots ahead of data transmission requiring critical QoS requirements.

• A best balance between power saving and service QoS satisfaction is achieved.

As some fifth embodiments, the aperiodic partial sensing operation may be aligned with one or multiple TX DRX configurations configured to the first UE 121 while the periodic partial sensing operation is aligned with one or multiple RX DRX configurations configured to the first UE 121.

In an example the first UE 121 is transmitting, and/or receiving to and/or from multiple Layer 2 (L2) Destination IDs, the aperiodic partial sensing operation may be aligned with the TX DRX configuration(s) associated to L2 ID to which the the first UE 121 will transmit, while the periodic partial sensing operation may be aligned with all RX DRX configurations configured to the first UE 121. E.g., the periodic partial sensing may be performed if the first UE 121 is active according to any one of the configured RX DRX configurations. Figure 8a and 8b shows an example of arrangement in the First UE 121.

The First UE 121 may comprise an input and output interface configured to communicate with each other. The input and output interface may comprise a wireless receiver (not shown) and a wireless transmitter (not shown). The First UE 121 may further comprise an obtaining unit, a checking unit, a selecting unit, receiving unit, an aligning unit, and a performing unit to perform the method actions as described herein.

The embodiments herein may be implemented through a respective processor or one or more processors, such as the processor of a processing circuitry in the First UE 121 depicted in Figure 8a, together with computer program code for performing the functions and actions of the embodiments herein. The program code mentioned above may also be provided as a computer program product, for instance in the form of a data carrier carrying computer program code for performing the embodiments herein when being loaded into the First UE 121. One such carrier may be in the form of a CD ROM disc. It is however feasible with other data carriers such as a memory stick. The computer program code may furthermore be provided as pure program code on a server and downloaded to the First UE 121.

The First UE 121 may further comprise respective a memory comprising one or more memory units. The memory comprises instructions executable by the processor in the First UE 121. The memory is arranged to be used to store instructions, data, configurations, and applications to perform the methods herein when being executed in the First UE 121.

In some embodiments, a computer program comprises instructions, which when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor of the First UE 121 to perform the actions above.

In some embodiments, a respective carrier comprises the respective computer program, wherein the carrier is one of an electronic signal, an optical signal, an electromagnetic signal, a magnetic signal, an electric signal, a radio signal, a microwave signal, or a computer-readable storage medium. Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that the functional modules in the First UE 121, described below may refer to a combination of analog and digital circuits, and/or one or more processors configured with software and/or firmware, e.g. stored in the First UE 121 , that when executed by the respective one or more processors such as the processors described above cause the respective at least one processor to perform actions according to any of the actions above. One or more of these processors, as well as the other digital hardware, may be included in a single Application-Specific Integrated Circuitry (ASIC), or several processors and various digital hardware may be distributed among several separate components, whether individually packaged or assembled into a system-on-a-chip (SoC).

Figure 9a and 9b shows an example of arrangements in the network node 110.

The network node 110 may comprise an input and output interface configured to communicate with each other. The input and output interface may comprise a wireless receiver (not shown) and a wireless transmitter (not shown).

The network node 110 may further comprise a selecting unit, a configuring unit, a performing unit, and an applying unit configured to perform the method actions as described herein.

The embodiments herein may be implemented through a respective processor or one or more processors, such as the processor of a processing circuitry in the network node 110 depicted in Figure 9a, together with respective computer program code for performing the functions and actions of the embodiments herein. The program code mentioned above may also be provided as a computer program product, for instance in the form of a data carrier carrying computer program code for performing the embodiments herein when being loaded into the network node 110. One such carrier may be in the form of a CD ROM disc. It is however feasible with other data carriers such as a memory stick. The computer program code may furthermore be provided as pure program code on a server and downloaded to the network node 110.

The network node 110 may further comprise respective a memory comprising one or more memory units. The memory comprises instructions executable by the processor in the network node 110. The memory is arranged to be used to store instructions, data, configurations, and applications to perform the methods herein when being executed in the network node 110. In some embodiments, a computer program comprises instructions, which when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor of the network node 110 to perform the actions above.

In some embodiments, a respective carrier comprises the respective computer program, wherein the carrier is one of an electronic signal, an optical signal, an electromagnetic signal, a magnetic signal, an electric signal, a radio signal, a microwave signal, or a computer-readable storage medium.

Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that the functional modules in the network node 110, described below may refer to a combination of analog and digital circuits, and/or one or more processors configured with software and/or firmware, e.g. stored in the network node 110, that when executed by the respective one or more processors such as the processors described above cause the respective at least one processor to perform actions according to any of the actions above. One or more of these processors, as well as the other digital hardware, may be included in a single Application- Specific Integrated Circuitry (ASIC), or several processors and various digital hardware may be distributed among several separate components, whether individually packaged or assembled into a system-on-a-chip (SoC). When using the word "comprise" or “comprising” it shall be interpreted as non limiting, i.e. meaning "consist at least of".

The embodiments herein are not limited to the above described preferred embodiments. Various alternatives, modifications and equivalents may be used. Below, some example embodiments 1-30 are shortly described. See e.g. Figures 6, 7, 8a, 8b, 9a and 9b.

Embodiment 1. E.g. related to first embodiment. A method performed by a first User Equipment, UE, 121, e.g. for deciding one or more DRX configurations, which first UE 121 is configured to perform partial sensing operation when selecting resources for a transmission in a direct communication, such as e.g. sidelink, WiFi, Bluetoth, D2D, between the first UE 121 and a second UE 122 in a wireless communications network 100, the method comprising any one or more out of: obtaining 601 an option out of any one or more out of: Option 1, Option 2, and Option 3, to apply for deciding which one or more DRX configurations to be aligned with the partial sensing operation, wherein

Option 3 comprises aligning the partial sensing operation with one or multiple DRX configurations which are configured to the first UE1 121 regardless whether they are TX DRX configurations or RX DRX configurations, aligning 603 the partial sensing operation by applying the determined option e.g. in any one out of the first UE 121 and the second UE 122.

Embodiment 2. E.g. related to second embodiment. The method according to Embodiment 1 , wherein the obtaining 601 of the option is performed by any one out of: , selecting the option out of any one or more out of: Option 1 , Option 2, and Option 3, and receiving the option from the network node 110 or another UE.

Embodiment 3. E.g. related to third embodiment. The method according to any of the Embodiments 1-2, wherein option 1 is obtained when one or more first conditions are met, which one or more first conditions e.g. comprises: any one or more of services, traffic types, and applications have similar or same Quality of Service, QoS, requirements and/or priority, the first UE 121 and the second UE122 have similar or same power classes or used transmission power, e.g. during recent slots, full or partial aligned DRX configurations are configured at both directions, e.g., RX DRX and TX DRX, only RX DRX configuration is configured to the first or second UE 121, 122, wherein the first or second UE 121, 122 has no data with critical requirements, e.g., latency requirement, for transmission to another UE 121, 122, both UEs 121, 122 are located in the same geographical areas and wherein the geographical area allows only one or very few types of any one or more out of traffic, application, and service, e.g. that has the same requirements, and both UEs 121, 122 are configured with a band associated, e.g. bundled, with a particular application. One example is band 14 that is reserved to only public safety applications.

Embodiment 4. E.g. related to third embodiment. The method according to any of the Embodiments 1-2, wherein option 2 or option 3 is obtained when one or more second conditions are met, which one or more second conditions e.g. comprises: any one or more of services, traffic types, and applications have different Quality of Service, QoS, requirements and/or priority, the first UE 121 and the second UE122 have different power classes or used transmission power, e.g. during recent slots, multiple DRX configurations are configured at both directions, wherein any two or more out of the multiple DRX configurations are misaligned with each other, and both UEs 121, 122 are configured with at least one differing band associated and/or with a differing service.

Embodiment 5. E.g. related to fourth embodiment. The method according to any of the Embodiments 1-4, further comprising: checking 602 the one or more second conditions to see if it is needed to apply a different option than the obtained Option 1 , Option 2, or Option 3.

Embodiment 6. E.g. related to fourth embodiment. The method according to Embodiment 5, wherein the checking 602 of the one or more second conditions are triggered by an event e.g. comprising any one or more out of:

Sidelink, SL, data, for a logical channel becomes available, at least one of a Logical Channel, LCH, or a Logical Group, LCG, comprises available SL data, e.g., wherein the first or second UE 121, 122 has not been able to obtain a grant during for a configured time period, at least one LCH comprises available SL data with a higher priority than a configured priority threshold, e.g., which has not been scheduled with any grant for a configured time period, a queueing time of the oldest packet, e.g. in the head of the queue, in a LCH or a LCG exceeds a configured time period, arrival of new SL data since a last check exceeds a configured threshold, a measured radio link quality value, e.g. relating to any one or more out of path loss, Reference Signal Received Power, RSRP, Reference Signal Received Quality, RSRQ, Received Signal Strength Indicator, RSSI, Signal-to-lnterference-plus-Noise Ratio, SINR, Signal-to-lnterference Ratio, SIR, and/or recent transmission power, has changed more than a configured threshold, a configuration or reconfiguration of partial sensing functionality by upper layers, e.g. which configuration or reconfiguration is not used to disable the partial sensing, a configuration or reconfiguration of one or more TX DRX configurations and/or one or more RX DRX configurations, and the check is requested by the network, e.g., the network node 110, or by another UE, e.g. the first or second UE 121, 122

Embodiment 7. E.g. related to fifth embodiment. The method according to any of the Embodiments 1-2, wherein partial sensing operation comprises an aperiodic partial sensing operation and/or a periodic partial sensing operation and wherein any one or more out of: aperiodic partial sensing operation is aligned with one or multiple TX DRX configurations configured to the first UE 121, and the periodic partial sensing operation is aligned with one or multiple RX DRX configurations configured to the first UE 121.

Embodiment 8. A computer program comprising instructions, which when executed by a processor, causes the processor to perform actions according to any of the Embodiments 1-7.

Embodiment 9. A carrier comprising the computer program of Embodiment 8, wherein the carrier is one of an electronic signal, an optical signal, an electromagnetic signal, a magnetic signal, an electric signal, a radio signal, a microwave signal, or a computer-readable storage medium.

Embodiment 10. A method performed by a network node 110 for configuring a first User Equipment, UE, 121, e.g. to align a partial sensing operation with one or multiple DRX configurations, which first UE 121 is configured to perform partial sensing operation when selecting resources for a transmission in a direct communication, such as e.g. sidelink, WiFi, Bluetoth, D2D, between the first UE 121 and a second UE 122 in a wireless communications network 100, the method comprising: configuring 701 the first UE 121 according to: or performing 702 selection and sending a selected option to the first UE 121 according to: selecting an option out of any one or more out of: Option 1, Option 2, and Option 3, to apply for deciding which one or more DRX configurations to be aligned with the partial sensing operation, wherein

Option 3 comprises aligning the partial sensing operation with one or multiple DRX configurations which are configured to the first UE 121 regardless whether they are TX DRX configurations or RX DRX configurations, and configuring 703 the first UE 121 to, align the partial sensing operation by applying the determined option e.g. in any one out of the first UE 121 and the second UE 122.

Embodiment 11. E.g. related to third embodiment. The method according to Embodiments 10, wherein option 1 is selected when one or more first conditions are met, which one or more first conditions e.g. comprises, any one or more of services, traffic types, and applications have similar or same Quality of Service, QoS, requirements and/or priority, the first UE 121 and the second UE122 have similar or same power classes or used transmission power, e.g. during recent slots, full or partial aligned DRX configurations are configured at both directions, e.g., RX DRX and TX DRX, only RX DRX configuration is configured to the first or second UE 121, 122, wherein the first or second UE 121, 122 has no data with critical requirements, e.g., latency requirement, for transmission to another UE 121, 122, both UEs 121, 122 are located in the same geographical areas and wherein the geographical area allows only one or very few types of any one or more out of traffic, application, and service, e.g. that has the same requirements, and both UEs 121, 122 are configured with a band associated, e.g. bundled, with a particular application. One example is band 14 that is reserved to only public safety applications. Embodiment 12. E.g. related to third embodiment. The method according to Embodiment 10 wherein option 2 or option 3 is selected when one or more second conditions are met, which one or more second conditions e.g. comprises, any one or more of services, traffic types, and applications have different Quality of Service, QoS, requirements and/or priority, the first UE 121 and the second UE122 have different power classes or used transmission power, e.g. during recent slots, multiple DRX configurations are configured at both directions, wherein any two or more out of the multiple DRX configurations are misaligned with each other, and both UEs 121, 122 are configured with at least one differing band associated and/or with a differing service.

Embodiment 13. E.g. related to fourth embodiment. The method according to any of Embodiments 10-12, configuring 601 the first UE 121 further comprises, configuring the first UE 121 to: check the one or more second conditions to see if it is needed to apply a different option than the obtained Option 1, Option 2, or Option 3.

Embodiment 14. E.g. related to fourth embodiment. The method according to Embodiment 13, wherein the first UE 121 is configured to check the one or more second conditions when triggered by an event e.g. comprising any one or more out of:

Sidelink, SL, data, for a logical channel becomes available, at least one of a Logical Channel, LCH, or a Logical Group, LCG, comprises available SL data, e.g., wherein the first or second UE 121, 122 has not been able to obtain a grant during for a configured time period, at least one LCH comprises available SL data with a higher priority than a configured priority threshold, e.g., which has not been scheduled with any grant for a configured time period, a queueing time of the oldest packet, e.g. in the head of the queue, in a LCH or a LCG exceeds a configured time period, arrival of new SL data since a last check exceeds a configured threshold, a measured radio link quality value, e.g. relating to any one or more out of path loss, Reference Signal Received Power, RSRP, Reference Signal Received Quality, RSRQ, Received Signal Strength Indicator, RSSI, Signal-to-lnterference-plus-Noise Ratio, SINR, Signal-to-lnterference Ratio, SIR, and/or recent transmission power, has changed more than a configured threshold, a configuration or reconfiguration of partial sensing functionality by upper layers, e.g. which configuration or reconfiguration is not used to disable the partial sensing, a configuration or reconfiguration of one or more TX DRX configurations and/or one or more RX DRX configurations, and the check is requested by the network, e.g., the network node 110, or by another UE, e.g. the first or second UE 121, 122.

Embodiment 15. E.g. related to fifth embodiment. The method according to any of the Embodiments 10-14, wherein partial sensing operation comprises an aperiodic partial sensing operation and/or a periodic partial sensing operation and wherein configuring 603 the first UE 121 to, align the partial sensing operation comprises: configuring the first UE 121 to, any one or more out of: aperiodic partial sensing operation is aligned with one or multiple TX DRX configurations configured to the first UE 121, and the periodic partial sensing operation is aligned with one or multiple RX DRX configurations configured to the first UE 121.

Embodiment 16. A computer program comprising instructions, which when executed by a processor, causes the processor to perform actions according to any of the Embodiments 10-15.

Embodiment 17. A carrier comprising the computer program of Embodiment 16, wherein the carrier is one of an electronic signal, an optical signal, an electromagnetic signal, a magnetic signal, an electric signal, a radio signal, a microwave signal, or a computer-readable storage medium.

Embodiment 18. E.g. related to first embodiment. A first User Equipment, UE, 121, e.g. configured to decide one or more DRX configurations, wherein first UE 121 is configured to perform, e.g. by means of a performing unit, partial sensing operation when selecting resources for a transmission in a direct communication, such as e.g. sidelink, WiFi, Bluetoth, D2D, between the first UE 121 and a second UE 122 in a wireless communications network 100, first UE 121 further being configured to any one or more out of: obtain, e.g. by means of an obtaining unit, an option out of any one or more out of: Option 1, Option 2, and Option 3, to apply for deciding which one or more DRX configurations are adapted to be aligned with the partial sensing operation, wherein Option 1 is adapted to comprise aligning, e.g. by means of an aligning unit, the partial sensing operation with one or multiple RX DRX configurations which are configured to the first UE 121,

Option 2 is adapted to comprise aligning, e.g. by means of the aligning unit, the partial sensing operation with one or multiple TX DRX configurations which are configured to the first UE121,

Option 3 is adapted to comprise aligning, e.g. by means of the aligning unit, the partial sensing operation with one or multiple DRX configurations which are configured to the first UE 121 regardless whether they are TX DRX configurations or RX DRX configurations, align, e.g. by means of the aligning unit, the partial sensing operation by applying the determined option e.g. in any one out of the first UE 121 and the second UE 122.

Embodiment 19. E.g. related to second embodiment. The first UE 121 according to Embodiment 18 further being configured to obtain, e.g. by means of the obtaining unit, the option by any one out of: selecting, e.g. by means of a selecting unit, the option out of any one or more out of: Option 1, Option 2, and Option 3, and receiving, e.g. by means of a receiving unit, the option from the network node 110 or another UE.

Embodiment 20. E.g. related to third embodiment. The first UE 121 according to any of Embodiments 18-19, wherein option 1 is arranged to be obtained, e.g. by means of the obtaining unit, when one or more first conditions are met, which one or more first conditions are adapted to e.g. comprise: any one or more of services, traffic types, and applications have similar or same Quality of Service, QoS, requirements and/or priority, the first UE 121 and the second UE122 have similar or same power classes or used transmission power, e.g. during recent slots, full or partial aligned DRX configurations are configured at both directions, e.g., RX DRX and TX DRX, only RX DRX configuration is configured to the first or second UE 121, 122, wherein the first or second UE 121, 122 has no data with critical requirements, e.g., latency requirement, for transmission to another UE 121, 122, both UEs 121, 122 are located in the same geographical areas and wherein the geographical area allows only one or very few types of any one or more out of traffic, application, and service, e.g. that has the same requirements, and both UEs 121, 122 are configured with a band associated, e.g. bundled, with a particular application. One example is band 14 that is reserved to only public safety applications.

Embodiment 21. E.g. related to third embodiment. The first UE 121 according to any of Embodiments 18-19, wherein option 2 or option 3 is adapted to be obtained, e.g. by means of the obtaining unit, when one or more second conditions are met, which one or more second conditions are adapted e.g. comprise: any one or more of services, traffic types, and applications have different Quality of Service, QoS, requirements and/or priority, the first UE 121 and the second UE122 have different power classes or used transmission power, e.g. during recent slots, multiple DRX configurations are configured at both directions, wherein any two or more out of the multiple DRX configurations are misaligned with each other, and both UEs 121, 122 are configured with at least one differing band associated and/or with a differing service.

Embodiment 22. E.g. related to fourth embodiment. The first UE 121 according to any of Embodiments 18-21, further configured to: check, e.g. by means of a checking unit, the one or more second conditions to see if it is needed to apply a different option than the obtained Option 1, Option 2, or Option 3.

Embodiment 23. E.g. related to fourth embodiment. The first UE 121 according to Embodiment 22 wherein the first UE 121 is configured to check, e.g. by means of the checking unit, the one or more second conditions are to see if it is needed to apply a different option than the obtained Option 1 , Option 2, or Option 3 by being arranged to be triggered by an event e.g. adapted to comprise any one or more out of: ,

Embodiment 24. E.g. related to fifth embodiment. The first UE 121 according to any of the Embodiments 18-23, wherein partial sensing operation is adapted to comprise an aperiodic partial sensing operation and/or a periodic partial sensing operation and wherein any one or more out of: aperiodic partial sensing operation is adapted to be aligned, e.g. by means of the aligning unit, with one or multiple TX DRX configurations configured to the first UE 121, and the periodic partial sensing operation is adapted to be aligned e.g. by means of the aligning unit, with one or multiple RX DRX configurations configured to the first UE 121.

Embodiment 25. A network node 110 configured to configure a first User Equipment, UE, 121, e.g. to align a partial sensing operation with one or multiple DRX configurations, which first UE 121 is arranged to be configured to perform partial sensing operation when selecting resources for a transmission in a direct communication, such as e.g. sidelink, WiFi, Bluetoth, D2D, between the first UE 121 and a second UE 122 in a wireless communications network 100, the network node 110 further being configured to: configure, e.g. by means of a configuring unit, the first UE 121 to: or perform, e.g. by means of a performing unit, selecting and sending of a selected option to the first UE 121 by being configured to: select, e.g. by means of a selecting unit, an option out of any one or more out of: Option 1, Option 2, and Option 3, to apply, e.g. by means of an applying unit, for deciding which one or more DRX configurations to be aligned with the partial sensing operation, wherein

Option 1 is adapted to comprise aligning the partial sensing operation with one or multiple RX DRX configurations which are configured to the first UE 121,

Option 2 is adapted to comprise aligning the partial sensing operation with one or multiple TX DRX configurations which are configured to the first UE121,

Option 3 is adapted to comprise aligning the partial sensing operation with one or multiple DRX configurations which are configured to the first UE 121 regardless whether they are TX DRX configurations or RX DRX configurations, and configure, e.g. by means of the configuring unit, the first UE 121 to, align the partial sensing operation by applying the determined option e.g. in any one out of the first UE 121 and the second UE 122.

Embodiment 26. E.g. related to third embodiment. The network node 110 according to Embodiment 25, wherein option 1 is adapted to be selected when one or more first conditions are met, which one or more first conditions e.g. are adapted to comprise: any one or more of services, traffic types, and applications have similar or same Quality of Service, QoS, requirements and/or priority, the first UE 121 and the second UE122 have similar or same power classes or used transmission power, e.g. during recent slots, full or partial aligned DRX configurations are configured at both directions, e.g., RX DRX and TX DRX. only RX DRX configuration is configured to the first or second UE 121, 122, wherein the first or second UE 121, 122 has no data with critical requirements, e.g., latency requirement, for transmission to another UE 121, 122, both UEs 121, 122 are located in the same geographical areas and wherein the geographical area allows only one or very few types of any one or more out of traffic, application, and service, e.g. that has the same requirements, and both UEs 121, 122 are configured with a band associated, e.g. bundled, with a particular application. One example is band 14 that is reserved to only public safety applications.

Embodiment 27. E.g. related to third embodiment. The network node 110 according to Embodiment 25 wherein option 2 or option 3 is arranged to be selected when one or more second conditions are met, which one or more second conditions e.g. are adapted to comprise: any one or more of services, traffic types, and applications have different Quality of Service, QoS, requirements and/or priority, the first UE 121 and the second UE122 have different power classes or used transmission power, e.g. during recent slots, multiple DRX configurations are configured at both directions, wherein any two or more out of the multiple DRX configurations are misaligned with each other, and both UEs 121, 122 are configured with at least one differing band associated and/or with a differing service.

Embodiment 28. E.g. related to fourth embodiment. The network node 110 according to any of Embodiments 25-29, further being configured to configure, e.g. by means of the configuring unit, the first UE 121 to check the one or more second conditions to see if it is needed to apply a different option than the obtained Option 1, Option 2, or Option 3.

Embodiment 29. E.g. related to fourth embodiment. The network node 110 according to Embodiment 28 further configured to configure, e.g. by means of the configuring unit, the first UE 121 to check the one or more second conditions when triggered by an event e.g. adapted to comprise any one or more out of:

Embodiment 30. E.g. related to fifth embodiment. The network node 110 according to any of the Embodiments 25-29, wherein partial sensing operation is adapted to comprise an aperiodic partial sensing operation and/or a periodic partial sensing operation, further configured to configure, e.g. by means of a configuring unit, the first UE 121 to align the partial sensing operation by: configuring, e.g. by means of a configuring unit, the first UE 121 to, any one or more out of: aperiodic partial sensing operation is to be aligned with one or multiple TX DRX configurations configured to the first UE 121, and the periodic partial sensing operation is to be aligned with one or multiple RX DRX configurations configured to the first UE 121.

Further Extensions and Variations

With reference to Figure 10, in accordance with an embodiment, a communication system includes a telecommunication network 3210 such as the wireless communications network 100, e.g. an loT network, or a WLAN, such as a 3GPP-type cellular network, which comprises an access network 3211, such as a radio access network, and a core network 3214. The access network 3211 comprises a plurality of base stations 3212a, 3212b, 3212c, such as the network node 110, 130, access nodes, AP STAs NBs, eNBs, gNBs or other types of wireless access points, each defining a corresponding coverage area 3213a, 3213b, 3213c. Each base station 3212a, 3212b, 3212c is connectable to the core network 3214 over a wired or wireless connection 3215. A first user equipment (UE) e.g. the first or second UE 121, 122 such as a Non-AP STA 3291 located in coverage area 3213c is configured to wirelessly connect to, or be paged by, the corresponding base station 3212c. A second UE 3292 e.g. the wireless device 122 such as a Non-AP STA in coverage area 3213a is wirelessly connectable to the corresponding base station 3212a. While a plurality of UEs 3291, 3292 are illustrated in this example, the disclosed embodiments are equally applicable to a situation where a sole UE is in the coverage area or where a sole UE is connecting to the corresponding base station 3212.

The telecommunication network 3210 is itself connected to a host computer 3230, which may be embodied in the hardware and/or software of a standalone server, a cloud- implemented server, a distributed server or as processing resources in a server farm. The host computer 3230 may be under the ownership or control of a service provider, or may be operated by the service provider or on behalf of the service provider. The connections 3221, 3222 between the telecommunication network 3210 and the host computer 3230 may extend directly from the core network 3214 to the host computer 3230 or may go via an optional intermediate network 3220. The intermediate network 3220 may be one of, or a combination of more than one of, a public, private or hosted network; the intermediate network 3220, if any, may be a backbone network or the Internet; in particular, the intermediate network 3220 may comprise two or more sub-networks (not shown).

The communication system of Figure 10 as a whole enables connectivity between one of the connected UEs 3291, 3292 and the host computer 3230. The connectivity may be described as an over-the-top (OTT) connection 3250. The host computer 3230 and the connected UEs 3291, 3292 are configured to communicate data and/or signaling via the OTT connection 3250, using the access network 3211, the core network 3214, any intermediate network 3220 and possible further infrastructure (not shown) as intermediaries. The OTT connection 3250 may be transparent in the sense that the participating communication devices through which the OTT connection 3250 passes are unaware of routing of uplink and downlink communications. For example, a base station 3212 may not or need not be informed about the past routing of an incoming downlink communication with data originating from a host computer 3230 to be forwarded (e.g., handed over) to a connected UE 3291. Similarly, the base station 3212 need not be aware of the future routing of an outgoing uplink communication originating from the UE 3291 towards the host computer 3230.

Example implementations, in accordance with an embodiment, of the UE, base station and host computer discussed in the preceding paragraphs will now be described with reference to Figure 11. In a communication system 3300, a host computer 3310 comprises hardware 3315 including a communication interface 3316 configured to set up and maintain a wired or wireless connection with an interface of a different communication device of the communication system 3300. The host computer 3310 further comprises processing circuitry 3318, which may have storage and/or processing capabilities. In particular, the processing circuitry 3318 may comprise one or more programmable processors, application-specific integrated circuits, field programmable gate arrays or combinations of these (not shown) adapted to execute instructions. The host computer 3310 further comprises software 3311 , which is stored in or accessible by the host computer 3310 and executable by the processing circuitry 3318. The software 3311 includes a host application 3312. The host application 3312 may be operable to provide a service to a remote user, such as a UE 3330 connecting via an OTT connection 3350 terminating at the UE 3330 and the host computer 3310. In providing the service to the remote user, the host application 3312 may provide user data which is transmitted using the OTT connection 3350.

The communication system 3300 further includes a base station 3320 provided in a telecommunication system and comprising hardware 3325 enabling it to communicate with the host computer 3310 and with the UE 3330. The hardware 3325 may include a communication interface 3326 for setting up and maintaining a wired or wireless connection with an interface of a different communication device of the communication system 3300, as well as a radio interface 3327 for setting up and maintaining at least a wireless connection 3370 with a UE 3330 located in a coverage area (not shown) served by the base station 3320. The communication interface 3326 may be configured to facilitate a connection 3360 to the host computer 3310. The connection 3360 may be direct or it may pass through a core network (not shown in Figure 11) of the telecommunication system and/or through one or more intermediate networks outside the telecommunication system. In the embodiment shown, the hardware 3325 of the base station 3320 further includes processing circuitry 3328, which may comprise one or more programmable processors, application-specific integrated circuits, field programmable gate arrays or combinations of these (not shown) adapted to execute instructions. The base station 3320 further has software 3321 stored internally or accessible via an external connection.

The communication system 3300 further includes the UE 3330 already referred to.

Its hardware 3335 may include a radio interface 3337 configured to set up and maintain a wireless connection 3370 with a base station serving a coverage area in which the UE 3330 is currently located. The hardware 3335 of the UE 3330 further includes processing circuitry 3338, which may comprise one or more programmable processors, application- specific integrated circuits, field programmable gate arrays or combinations of these (not shown) adapted to execute instructions. The UE 3330 further comprises software 3331, which is stored in or accessible by the UE 3330 and executable by the processing circuitry 3338. The software 3331 includes a client application 3332. The client application 3332 may be operable to provide a service to a human or non-human user via the UE 3330, with the support of the host computer 3310. In the host computer 3310, an executing host application 3312 may communicate with the executing client application 3332 via the OTT connection 3350 terminating at the UE 3330 and the host computer 3310. In providing the service to the user, the client application 3332 may receive request data from the host application 3312 and provide user data in response to the request data. The OTT connection 3350 may transfer both the request data and the user data. The client application 3332 may interact with the user to generate the user data that it provides.

It is noted that the host computer 3310, base station 3320 and UE 3330 illustrated in Figure 11 may be identical to the host computer 3230, one of the base stations 3212a, 3212b, 3212c and one of the UEs 3291, 3292 of Figure 10, respectively. This is to say, the inner workings of these entities may be as shown in Figure 11 and independently, the surrounding network topology may be that of Figure 10.

In Figure 11, the OTT connection 3350 has been drawn abstractly to illustrate the communication between the host computer 3310 and the use equipment 3330 via the base station 3320, without explicit reference to any intermediary devices and the precise routing of messages via these devices. Network infrastructure may determine the routing, which it may be configured to hide from the UE 3330 or from the service provider operating the host computer 3310, or both. While the OTT connection 3350 is active, the network infrastructure may further take decisions by which it dynamically changes the routing (e.g., on the basis of load balancing consideration or reconfiguration of the network).

The wireless connection 3370 between the UE 3330 and the base station 3320 is in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure. One or more of the various embodiments improve the performance of OTT services provided to the UE 3330 using the OTT connection 3350, in which the wireless connection 3370 forms the last segment. More precisely, the teachings of these embodiments may improve the applicable RAN effect: data rate, latency, power consumption, and thereby provide benefits such as corresponding effect on the OTT service: e.g. reduced user waiting time, relaxed restriction on file size, better responsiveness, extended battery lifetime.

A measurement procedure may be provided for the purpose of monitoring data rate, latency and other factors on which the one or more embodiments improve. There may further be an optional network functionality for reconfiguring the OTT connection 3350 between the host computer 3310 and UE 3330, in response to variations in the measurement results. The measurement procedure and/or the network functionality for reconfiguring the OTT connection 3350 may be implemented in the software 3311 of the host computer 3310 or in the software 3331 of the UE 3330, or both. In embodiments, sensors (not shown) may be deployed in or in association with communication devices through which the OTT connection 3350 passes; the sensors may participate in the measurement procedure by supplying values of the monitored quantities exemplified above, or supplying values of other physical quantities from which software 3311, 3331 may compute or estimate the monitored quantities. The reconfiguring of the OTT connection 3350 may include message format, retransmission settings, preferred routing etc.; the reconfiguring need not affect the base station 3320, and it may be unknown or imperceptible to the base station 3320. Such procedures and functionalities may be known and practiced in the art. In certain embodiments, measurements may involve proprietary UE signaling facilitating the host computer’s 3310 measurements of throughput, propagation times, latency and the like. The measurements may be implemented in that the software 3311, 3331 causes messages to be transmitted, in particular empty or ‘dummy’ messages, using the OTT connection 3350 while it monitors propagation times, errors etc.

Figure 12 is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system, in accordance with one embodiment. The communication system includes a host computer, a base station such as the network node 110, and a UE such as the first or second UE 121, 122, which may be those described with reference to Figure 11 and Figure 10. For simplicity of the present disclosure, only drawing references to Figure 12 will be included in this section. In a first action 3410 of the method, the host computer provides user data. In an optional subaction 3411 of the first action 3410, the host computer provides the user data by executing a host application. In a second action 3420, the host computer initiates a transmission carrying the user data to the UE. In an optional third action 3430, the base station transmits to the UE the user data which was carried in the transmission that the host computer initiated, in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure. In an optional fourth action 3440, the UE executes a client application associated with the host application executed by the host computer.

Figure 13 is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system, in accordance with one embodiment. The communication system includes a host computer, a base station such as a AP STA, and a UE such as a Non-AP STA which may be those described with reference to Figure 11 and Figure 10. For simplicity of the present disclosure, only drawing references to Figure 13 will be included in this section. In a first action 3510 of the method, the host computer provides user data. In an optional subaction (not shown) the host computer provides the user data by executing a host application. In a second action 3520, the host computer initiates a transmission carrying the user data to the UE. The transmission may pass via the base station, in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure. In an optional third action 3530, the UE receives the user data carried in the transmission.

Figure 14 is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system, in accordance with one embodiment. The communication system includes a host computer, a base station such as a AP STA, and a UE such as a Non-AP STA which may be those described with reference to Figure 11 and Figure 10. For simplicity of the present disclosure, only drawing references to Figure 14 will be included in this section. In an optional first action 3610 of the method, the UE receives input data provided by the host computer. Additionally or alternatively, in an optional second action 3620, the UE provides user data. In an optional subaction 3621 of the second action 3620, the UE provides the user data by executing a client application. In a further optional subaction 3611 of the first action 3610, the UE executes a client application which provides the user data in reaction to the received input data provided by the host computer. In providing the user data, the executed client application may further consider user input received from the user. Regardless of the specific manner in which the user data was provided, the UE initiates, in an optional third subaction 3630, transmission of the user data to the host computer. In a fourth action 3640 of the method, the host computer receives the user data transmitted from the UE, in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure. Figure 15 is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system, in accordance with one embodiment. The communication system includes a host computer, a base station such as a AP STA, and a UE such as a Non-AP STA which may be those described with reference to Figure 11 and Figure 10. For simplicity of the present disclosure, only drawing references to Figure 15 will be included in this section. In an optional first action 3710 of the method, in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure, the base station receives user data from the UE. In an optional second action 3720, the base station initiates transmission of the received user data to the host computer. In a third action 3730, the host computer receives the user data carried in the transmission initiated by the base station.

Abbreviations

Abbreviation Explanation 5G Fifth Generation ACK Acknowledgment AMF Access and Mobility Management Function

BWP Bandwidth Part CE Control element CP Cyclic Prefix

CSI-RS Channel State Information Reference Signal DCI Downlink Control Information

DFN Direct Frame Number DMRS Demodulation Reference Signal gNB gNodeB HARQ Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request IE Information Element

LTE Long Term Evolution MAC Media Access Control MCS Modulation and Coding Scheme NACK Negative Acknowledgement NDI New Data Indicator NR New Radio

OFDM Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiplexing

PDCCH Physical Downlink Control Channel

PDCP Packet Data Convergence Protocol PDSCH Physical Downlink Shared Channel ProSe Proximity-based Services PSBCH Physical Sidelink Broadcast Channel PSCCH Physical Sidelink Common Control Channel PSFCH Physical Sidelink Feedback Channel PT-RS Tracking Reference Signal

PUCCH Physical Uplink Control Channel PUSCH Physical Uplink Shared Channel CoS Guality of Service RAN Radio Access Network RB Resource Block

RLC Radio Link Control RLF Radio Link Failure RLM Radio Link Monitoring RNTI Radio Network Temporary Identifier RRC Radio Resource Control

RSRP Reference Signal Received Power RSRC Reference Signal Received Guality RSSI Received Signal Strength Indicator RV Redundancy Version SCI Sidelink Control Information

SCS Sub-Carrier Spacing SI System Information SL SideLink SMF Session Management Function S-PSS Sidelink Primary Synchronization Signal

SSB Synchronization Signal Block SSID Sidelink Synchronization Identity S-SSS Sidelink Secondary Synchronization Signal UCI Uplink Control Information UE User Equipment UPF User Plane Function

V2P Vehicle-to-pedestrian

V2V Vehicle-to-vehicle

V2X Vehicle-to-everything

Claims

1. A method performed by a first User Equipment, UE, (121), which first UE (121) is configured to perform partial sensing operation when selecting resources for a transmission in a direct communication, between the first UE (121) and a second UE (122) in a wireless communications network (100), the method comprising any one or more out of: obtaining (601) an option out of any one or more out of: Option 1 , Option 2, and Option 3, to apply for deciding which one or more DRX configurations to be aligned with the partial sensing operation, wherein

Option 1 comprises aligning the partial sensing operation with one or multiple RX DRX configurations which are configured to the first UE (121),

Option 2 comprises aligning the partial sensing operation with one or multiple TX DRX configurations which are configured to the first UE (121),

Option 3 comprises aligning the partial sensing operation with one or multiple DRX configurations which are configured to the first UE (121) regardless of whether they are TX DRX configurations or RX DRX configurations, aligning (603) the partial sensing operation by applying the obtained option.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the obtaining (601) of the option is performed by any one out of: selecting the option out of any one or more out of: Option 1, Option 2, and Option 3, and receiving the option from the network node (110) or another UE.

3. The method according to any of the claims 1-2, wherein option 1 is obtained when one or more first conditions are met, which one or more first conditions comprises any one or more out of: any one or more of services, traffic types, and applications have similar or same Quality of Service, QoS, requirements and/or priority, the first UE (121) and the second UE (122) have similar or same power classes or used transmission power, full or partial aligned DRX configurations are configured at both directions, only RX DRX configuration is configured to the first or second UE (121, 122), wherein the first or second UE (121, 122) has no data with critical requirements, for transmission to another UE (121, 122), both UEs (121, 122) are located in the same geographical areas and wherein the geographical area allows only one or very few types of any one or more out of traffic, application, and service, and both UEs (121, 122) are configured with a band associated with a particular application.

4. The method according to any of the claims 1-2, wherein option 2 or option 3 is obtained when one or more second conditions are met, which one or more second conditions comprise any one or more out of: any one or more of services, traffic types, and applications have different Quality of Service, QoS, requirements and/or priority, the first UE (121) and the second UE (122) have different power classes or used transmission power, multiple DRX configurations are configured at both directions, wherein any two or more out of the multiple DRX configurations are misaligned with each other, and both UEs (121, 122) are configured with at least one differing band associated and/or with a differing service.

5. The method according to any of the claims 1-4, further comprising: checking (602) the one or more second conditions to see if it is needed to apply a different option than the obtained Option 1, Option 2, or Option 3.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the checking (602) of the one or more second conditions are triggered by an event comprising any one or more out of:

Sidelink, SL, data, for a logical channel becomes available, at least one of a Logical Channel, LCH, or a Logical Group, LCG, comprises available SL data, at least one LCH comprises available SL data with a higher priority than a configured priority threshold, a queueing time of the oldest packet, in a LCH or a LCG exceeds a configured time period, arrival of new SL data since a last check exceeds a configured threshold, a measured radio link quality value has changed more than a configured threshold, a configuration or reconfiguration of partial sensing functionality by upper layers, a configuration or reconfiguration of one or more TX DRX configurations and/or one or more RX DRX configurations, and the check is requested by the network or by another UE.

7. The method according to any of the claims 1-6, wherein partial sensing operation comprises an aperiodic partial sensing operation and/or a periodic partial sensing operation and wherein any one or more out of: aperiodic partial sensing operation is aligned with one or multiple TX DRX configurations configured to the first UE (121), and the periodic partial sensing operation is aligned with one or multiple RX DRX configurations configured to the first UE (121).

8. A computer program comprising instructions, which when executed by a processor, causes the processor to perform actions according to any of the claims 1-7.

9. A carrier comprising the computer program of claim 8, wherein the carrier is one of an electronic signal, an optical signal, an electromagnetic signal, a magnetic signal, an electric signal, a radio signal, a microwave signal, or a computer-readable storage medium.

10. A method performed by a network node (110) for configuring a first User Equipment, UE, (121) to align a partial sensing operation with one or multiple DRX configurations, which first UE (121) is configured to perform partial sensing operation when selecting resources for a transmission in a direct communication between the first UE (121) and a second UE (122) in a wireless communications network (100), the method comprising: configuring (701) the first UE (121) according to: or performing (702) selection and sending a selected option to the first UE (121) according to: selecting an option out of any one or more out of: Option 1, Option 2, and Option 3, to apply for deciding which one or more DRX configurations to be aligned with the partial sensing operation, wherein Option 1 comprises aligning the partial sensing operation with one or multiple RX DRX configurations which are configured to the first UE (121),

Option 2 comprises aligning the partial sensing operation with one or multiple TX DRX configurations which are configured to the first UE (121 ,

Option 3 comprises aligning the partial sensing operation with one or multiple DRX configurations which are configured to the first UE (121) regardless whether they are TX DRX configurations or RX DRX configurations, and configuring (703) the first UE (121) to align the partial sensing operation by applying the obtained option.

11. The method according to claims 10, wherein option 1 is selected when one or more first conditions are met, which one or more first conditions comprises, any one or more of services, traffic types, and applications have similar or same Quality of Service, QoS, requirements and/or priority, the first UE (121) and the second UE (122) have similar or same power classes or used transmission power, full or partial aligned DRX configurations are configured at both directions, only RX DRX configuration is configured to the first or second UE (121, 122), wherein the first or second UE (121 , 122) has no data with critical requirements for transmission to another UE (121, 122), both UEs (121, 122) are located in the same geographical areas and wherein the geographical area allows only one or very few types of any one or more out of traffic, application, and service, and both UEs (121, 122) are configured with a band associated with a particular application.

12. The method according to claim 10 wherein option 2 or option 3 is selected when one or more second conditions are met, which one or more second conditions comprise: any one or more of services, traffic types, and applications have different Quality of Service, QoS, requirements and/or priority, the first UE (121) and the second UE (122) have different power classes or used transmission power, multiple DRX configurations are configured at both directions, wherein any two or more out of the multiple DRX configurations are misaligned with each other, and both UEs (121, 122) are configured with at least one differing band associated and/or with a differing service.

13. The method according to any of claims 10-12, configuring (701) the first UE (121) further comprises, configuring the first UE (121) to: check the one or more second conditions to see if it is needed to apply a different option than the obtained Option 1, Option 2, or Option 3.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the first UE (121) is configured to check the one or more second conditions when triggered by an event comprising any one or more out of:

Sidelink, SL, data, for a logical channel becomes available, at least one of a Logical Channel, LCH, or a Logical Group, LOG, comprises available SL data, at least one LCH comprises available SL data with a higher priority than a configured priority threshold, a queueing time of the oldest packet in a LCH or a LOG exceeds a configured time period, arrival of new SL data since a last check exceeds a configured threshold, a measured radio link quality value has changed more than a configured threshold, a configuration or reconfiguration of partial sensing functionality by upper layers, a configuration or reconfiguration of one or more TX DRX configurations and/or one or more RX DRX configurations, and the check is requested by the network or by another UE.

15. The method according to any of the claims 10-14, wherein partial sensing operation comprises an aperiodic partial sensing operation and/or a periodic partial sensing operation and wherein configuring (703) the first UE (121) to align the partial sensing operation comprises: configuring the first UE (121) to, any one or more out of: aperiodic partial sensing operation is aligned with one or multiple TX DRX configurations configured to the first UE (121), and the periodic partial sensing operation is aligned with one or multiple RX DRX configurations configured to the first UE (121).

16. A computer program comprising instructions, which when executed by a processor, causes the processor to perform actions according to any of the claims 10-15.

17. A carrier comprising the computer program of claim 16, wherein the carrier is one of an electronic signal, an optical signal, an electromagnetic signal, a magnetic signal, an electric signal, a radio signal, a microwave signal, or a computer-readable storage medium.

18. A first User Equipment, UE, (121) configured to perform partial sensing operation when selecting resources for a transmission in a direct communication between the first UE (121) and a second UE (122) in a wireless communications network (100), first UE (121) further being configured to: obtain an option out of any one or more out of: Option 1, Option 2, and Option 3, to apply for deciding which one or more DRX configurations are adapted to be aligned with the partial sensing operation, wherein

Option 1 is adapted to comprise aligning the partial sensing operation with one or multiple RX DRX configurations which are configured to the first UE (121),

Option 2 is adapted to comprise aligning, the partial sensing operation with one or multiple TX DRX configurations which are configured to the first UE (121), Option 3 is adapted to comprise aligning, the partial sensing operation with one or multiple DRX configurations which are configured to the first UE (121) regardless of whether they are TX DRX configurations or RX DRX configurations, align, the partial sensing operation by applying the obtained option.

19. The first UE (121) according to claim 18 further being configured to obtain the option by any one out of: selecting, the option out of any one or more out of: Option 1, Option 2, and Option 3, and receiving the option from the network node (110) or another UE.

20. The first UE (121) according to any of claims 18-19, wherein option 1 is arranged to be obtained when one or more first conditions are met, which one or more first conditions are adapted to comprise any one or more out of: any one or more of services, traffic types, and applications have similar or same Quality of Service, QoS, requirements and/or priority, the first UE (121) and the second UE (122) have similar or same power classes or used transmission power, full or partial aligned DRX configurations are configured at both directions, only RX DRX configuration is configured to the first or second UE (121, 122), wherein the first or second UE (121 , 122) has no data with critical requirements for transmission to another UE (121, 122), both UEs (121, 122) are located in the same geographical areas and wherein the geographical area allows only one or very few types of any one or more out of traffic, application, and service, and both UEs (121, 122) are configured with a band associated with a particular application.

21. The first UE (121) according to any of claims 18-19, wherein option 2 or option 3 is adapted to be obtained when one or more second conditions are met, which one or more second conditions are adapted to comprise any one or more out of: any one or more of services, traffic types, and applications have different Quality of Service, QoS, requirements and/or priority, the first UE (121) and the second UE (122) have different power classes or used transmission power, multiple DRX configurations are configured at both directions, wherein any two or more out of the multiple DRX configurations are misaligned with each other, and both UEs (121, 122) are configured with at least one differing band associated and/or with a differing service.

22. The first UE (121) according to any of claims 18-21, further configured to:

Check the one or more second conditions to see if it is needed to apply a different option than the obtained Option 1, Option 2, or Option 3.

23. The first UE (121) according to claim 22 wherein the first UE (121) is configured to check the one or more second conditions are to see if it is needed to apply a different option than the obtained Option 1 , Option 2, or Option 3 by being arranged to be triggered by an event adapted to comprise any one or more out of: ,

Sidelink, SL, data, for a logical channel becomes available, at least one of a Logical Channel, LCH, or a Logical Group, LCG, comprises available SL data, at least one LCH comprises available SL data with a higher priority than a configured priority threshold, a queueing time of the oldest packet in a LCH or a LCG exceeds a configured time period, arrival of new SL data since a last check exceeds a configured threshold, a measured radio link quality value has changed more than a configured threshold, a configuration or reconfiguration of partial sensing functionality by upper layers, a configuration or reconfiguration of one or more TX DRX configurations and/or one or more RX DRX configurations, and the check is requested by the network or by another UE.

24. The first UE (121) according to any of the claims 18-23, wherein partial sensing operation is adapted to comprise an aperiodic partial sensing operation and/or a periodic partial sensing operation and wherein any one or more out of: aperiodic partial sensing operation is adapted to be aligned with one or multiple TX DRX configurations configured to the first UE (121), and the periodic partial sensing operation is adapted to be aligned with one or multiple RX DRX configurations configured to the first UE (121).

25. A network node (110) configured to configure a first User Equipment, UE, (121) which first UE (121) is arranged to be configured to perform partial sensing operation when selecting resources for a transmission in a direct communication between the first UE (121) and a second UE (122) in a wireless communications network (100), the network node (110) further being configured to: configure the first UE (121) to: or perform selecting and sending of a selected option to the first UE (121) by being configured to: select an option out of any one or more out of: Option 1, Option 2, and Option 3, to apply for deciding which one or more DRX configurations to be aligned with the partial sensing operation, wherein

Option 1 is adapted to comprise aligning the partial sensing operation with one or multiple RX DRX configurations which are configured to the first UE (121), Option 2 is adapted to comprise aligning the partial sensing operation with one or multiple TX DRX configurations which are configured to the first UE (121),

Option 3 is adapted to comprise aligning the partial sensing operation with one or multiple DRX configurations which are configured to the first UE (121) regardless of whether they are TX DRX configurations or RX DRX configurations, and configure the first UE (121) to align the partial sensing operation by applying the obtained option.

26. The network node (110) according to claim 25, wherein option 1 is adapted to be selected when one or more first conditions are met, which one or more first conditions are adapted to comprise: any one or more of services, traffic types, and applications have similar or same Quality of Service, QoS, requirements and/or priority, the first UE (121) and the second UE (122) have similar or same power classes or used transmission power, full or partial aligned DRX configurations are configured at both directions, only RX DRX configuration is configured to the first or second UE (121, 122), wherein the first or second UE (121 , 122) has no data with critical requirements, for transmission to another UE (121, 122), both UEs (121, 122) are located in the same geographical areas and wherein the geographical area allows only one or very few types of any one or more out of traffic, application, and service, and both UEs (121, 122) are configured with a band associated with a particular application.

27. The network node (110) according to claim 25 wherein option 2 or option 3 is arranged to be selected when one or more second conditions are met, which one or more second conditions are adapted to comprise: any one or more of services, traffic types, and applications have different Quality of Service, QoS, requirements and/or priority, the first UE (121) and the second UE (122) have different power classes or used transmission power, multiple DRX configurations are configured at both directions, wherein any two or more out of the multiple DRX configurations are misaligned with each other, and both UEs (121, 122) are configured with at least one differing band associated and/or with a differing service.

28. The network node (110) according to any of claims 25-29, further being configured to configure the first UE (121) to check the one or more second conditions to see if it is needed to apply a different option than the obtained Option 1, Option 2, or Option 3.

29. The network node (110) according to claim 28 further configured to configure the first UE (121) to check the one or more second conditions when triggered by an event adapted to comprise any one or more out of:

30. The network node (110) according to any of the claims 25-29, wherein partial sensing operation is adapted to comprise an aperiodic partial sensing operation and/or a periodic partial sensing operation, further configured to configure the first UE (121) to align the partial sensing operation by: configuring the first UE (121) to, any one or more out of: aperiodic partial sensing operation is to be aligned with one or multiple TX DRX configurations configured to the first UE (121), and the periodic partial sensing operation is to be aligned with one or multiple RX DRX configurations configured to the first UE (121).