CN118413890A

CN118413890A - Communication method and device

Info

Publication number: CN118413890A
Application number: CN202310090935.2A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 齐鸿; 苏宏家; 卢磊
Original assignee: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Current assignee: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Priority date: 2023-01-30
Filing date: 2023-01-30
Publication date: 2024-07-30

Abstract

The application provides a communication method and a communication device, which are suitable for the fields of V2X, intelligent driving, auxiliary driving, internet of vehicles and the like, and are used for improving the utilization rate of unauthorized resources in a frame-based equipment mode and reducing resource waste. The method comprises the following steps: the method comprises the steps that a first terminal device obtains a first symbol number N, wherein N is determined according to an idle time length in a fixed frame period, the idle time length comprises a time length for executing a channel access process, and N is a positive integer; the first terminal device may also transmit side-link information to the second terminal device through consecutive N symbols in a first slot, wherein the first slot is a last slot in the fixed frame period, the consecutive N symbols including a first symbol in the first slot.

Description

Communication method and device

Technical Field

The present application relates to the field of mobile communications technologies, and in particular, to a communication method and apparatus.

Background

As the demand for communication increases, device-to-device (D2D) technology has rapidly progressed in recent years because of the advantage of being able to communicate directly with or without network infrastructure. The application of the D2D technology can reduce the burden of a cellular network, reduce the battery power consumption of user equipment, improve the data rate and well meet the requirement of the proximity service.

Taking as an example the scenario where D2D communication is performed between User Equipments (UEs), resource usage for unlicensed resources is achieved by currently supporting UEs through two modes of a load-based device (load based equipment, LBE) and a frame-based device (frame based equipment, FBE). In which the UE needs to contend for the channel by listen before talk (listen before talk, LBT) before using the unlicensed resources to obtain a transmission opportunity, both in the LBE mode and in the FBE mode. The length of time that the information can be continuously transmitted corresponding to the transmission opportunity is called channel occupation time (channel occupancy time, COT).

For FBE, the last slot of FFP cannot be used for transmission of side-link information, and there is a large resource waste.

Disclosure of Invention

The application provides a communication method and a communication device, which are used for improving the utilization rate of unauthorized resources in an FBE mode and reducing resource waste.

In a first aspect, a communication method is provided. The method may be implemented by a first terminal device, which may also be referred to as a first communication device. The first terminal device may be a terminal device or a component of a terminal device. The component in the present application may include, for example, at least one of a chip, a chip system, a processor, a transceiver, a processing unit, or a transceiver unit. Taking the example that the execution subject is the first terminal device, the method can be realized by the following steps: the first terminal device can acquire a first symbol number N, wherein the N is determined according to an idle time length in a fixed frame period, the idle time length comprises a time length for executing a channel access process, and N is a positive integer; the first terminal device may also transmit side uplink information to the second terminal device through consecutive N symbols in a first slot, wherein the first slot is a last slot in the fixed frame period, and the consecutive N symbols include a first symbol in the first slot.

Based on the method shown in the first aspect, the first terminal device can send the side uplink information on the first N symbols of the last time slot in the fixed frame period, so that resource waste caused by the unavailability of the whole time slot can be avoided, the utilization rate of unlicensed resources in the FBE mode can be improved, and the resource waste is reduced. N is determined according to the idle time length in the fixed frame period, so that LBT is not influenced in the idle time length, and the regulation requirement is met.

In one possible implementation, the first terminal device may determine the first symbol number N according to the idle duration and subcarrier spacing. In this manner of obtaining the first symbol number N, no signaling participation of the network device is required, so signaling overhead may be reduced.

In one possible implementation, the first terminal device may further receive first information from a network device, the first information being used to indicate the first number of symbols N; or the first terminal device may also determine the first number of symbols N according to predefined first information. Or the first terminal device may further determine the first symbol number N according to preconfigured first information.

Based on this implementation, the first terminal device may receive the indication information of N from the network device, or obtain N according to preconfigured or predefined information, to improve the efficiency of obtaining the first symbol number N.

In one possible implementation, the first information is carried on DCI.

In one possible implementation, the first terminal device may further send second information to the second terminal device, where the second information is used to indicate the first number of symbols N.

According to the implementation mode, after the first terminal device obtains the first symbol number N, the first terminal device indicates the value of N to the second terminal device, so that the first terminal device and the second terminal device agree on the value of N, and the communication reliability is improved. And the second terminal device can be prevented from receiving symbols (such as the latter 14-N symbols) of the non-transmitting side uplink information in the first time slot, and the corresponding blind detection can be avoided, so that the complexity of the implementation of the receiving end can be reduced.

In one possible implementation, the second information is carried on the SCI.

Alternatively, the idle duration in the present application may be replaced with an idle period (idle period). Furthermore, alternatively, the fixed frame period may be replaced with a period under semi-static channel occupancy, the period parameter being indicated by a higher layer. Further, alternatively, the channel occupancy time may be replaced with a channel occupancy (channel occupancy, CO).

In a second aspect, a communication method is provided. The method may be implemented by a second terminal device, which may also be referred to as a second communication device. The second terminal device may be a terminal device or a component of a terminal device. The component in the present application may include, for example, at least one of a chip, a chip system, a processor, a transceiver, a processing unit, or a transceiver unit. Taking the example that the execution subject is the second terminal device, the method can be realized by the following steps: the second terminal device can acquire a first symbol number N, wherein the N is determined according to an idle time length in a fixed frame period, the idle time length comprises a time length for executing a channel access process, and N is a positive integer; the second terminal device may also receive side-uplink information from the first terminal device in consecutive N symbols in a first slot, wherein the first slot is a last slot in the fixed frame period, the consecutive N symbols including a first symbol in the first slot.

In one possible implementation, the second terminal device may further receive third information from the network device, the third information being used to indicate the first number of symbols N; or the second terminal device may also determine the first number of symbols N according to predefined third information. Or the first terminal device may further determine the first symbol number N according to preconfigured third information.

Based on this implementation, the second terminal device may receive the indication information of N from the network device, or obtain N according to preconfigured or predefined information, to improve the efficiency of obtaining the first number of symbols N.

In one possible implementation, the third information is carried on DCI.

In a possible implementation manner, the second terminal device may further receive second information from the first terminal device, where the second information is used to indicate the first number of symbols N.

In a possible implementation, the second information is carried in the side-uplink control information SCI.

The advantages of the second aspect and the possible implementations thereof may refer to the effects of the corresponding method in the first aspect and the possible implementations thereof, and are not described in detail.

In a third aspect, a communication method is provided. The method may be implemented by a first terminal device, which may also be referred to as a first communication device. The first terminal device may be a terminal device or a component of a terminal device. The component in the present application may include, for example, at least one of a chip, a chip system, a processor, a transceiver, a processing unit, or a transceiver unit. Taking the example that the execution subject is the first terminal device, the method can be realized by the following steps: the first terminal device may send fourth information in the first M symbols of a second slot, where the second slot is the first slot in the channel occupation time, and M is a positive integer; first symbol transmission side uplink information of the first terminal apparatus in the channel occupation time; wherein the first symbol is a candidate start symbol in the second slot, a symbol index of the candidate start symbol is not 0, and/or the first symbol is a start symbol in a third slot, and the second slot is different from the three slots.

Based on the method shown in the third aspect, the first terminal device may send the fourth information in the first time slot in the channel occupation time to initiate the channel occupation time, so as to avoid the unavailability of the channel occupation time caused by the unavailability of the channel occupation time, thereby improving the resource utilization rate and avoiding the resource waste. In addition, the first terminal apparatus may also transmit side-link information from a candidate start position with an index other than 0 in the first slot, or transmit side-link information from a start symbol of another slot (i.e., the third slot) to achieve transmission of side-link information.

In one possible implementation, the first symbol is a candidate start symbol in the first slot, a symbol index of the candidate start symbol is not 0, and the first terminal device may further transmit side uplink information from a next symbol of the first symbol to an end symbol of the first slot.

Based on the implementation, the first terminal device may transmit from the candidate start symbol in the first slot to the last symbol of the first slot to improve the resource utilization and communication efficiency.

In one possible implementation, the first symbol is a start symbol in the third slot, and the first terminal device may further transmit side uplink information from a next symbol of the first symbol to an end symbol of the third slot.

Based on the implementation, the first terminal device may transmit in the third slot to improve the resource utilization and communication efficiency.

In one possible implementation, the first terminal device may further send resource reservation information before the second time slot, where the resource reservation information is used to reserve the first time slot of the channel occupation time.

In one possible implementation manner, the first terminal device may further obtain a first number of symbols N, where N is determined according to an idle duration in a fixed frame period, where the idle duration includes a duration for performing a channel access procedure, and where the fixed frame period includes the channel occupation time, and N is a positive integer; the first terminal device transmits side uplink information to the second terminal device through consecutive N symbols in a first slot, wherein the first slot is a last slot in the fixed frame period, and the consecutive N symbols include a first symbol in the first slot.

In one possible implementation, the first terminal device may determine the first symbol number N according to the idle duration and subcarrier spacing.

In one possible implementation manner, the first terminal device may further receive first information from a network device, where the first information is used to indicate the first number of symbols N; or the first terminal device determines the first symbol number N according to predefined first information; or the first terminal device determines the first symbol number N according to preconfigured first information.

In one possible implementation, the first information is carried on DCI.

In one possible implementation, the first terminal device sends second information to the second terminal device, where the second information is used to indicate the first number of symbols N.

In one possible implementation, the second information is carried on the SCI.

The advantages of the respective possible implementations of the above third aspect may be seen from the advantages of the respective possible implementations of the first aspect.

In a fourth aspect, a communication method is provided. The method may be implemented by a second terminal device, which may also be referred to as a second communication device. The second terminal device may be a terminal device or a component of a terminal device. The component in the present application may include, for example, at least one of a chip, a chip system, a processor, a transceiver, a processing unit, or a transceiver unit. Taking the example that the execution subject is the second terminal device, the method can be realized by the following steps: the second terminal device may determine a channel occupation time; the second terminal apparatus may also receive side uplink information for a first symbol within a channel occupation time; wherein the first symbol is a candidate start symbol in the second slot, a symbol index of the candidate start symbol is not 0, and/or the first symbol is a start symbol in a third slot, and the second slot is different from the three slots.

In one possible implementation, the first symbol is a candidate start symbol in the first slot, a symbol index of the candidate start symbol is not 0, and the second terminal device may further receive side uplink information from a next symbol of the first symbol to an end symbol of the first slot.

In one possible implementation, the first symbol is a start symbol in the third slot, and the second terminal device may further receive side uplink information from a next symbol of the first symbol to an end symbol of the third slot.

In one possible implementation, the second terminal device may further receive resource reservation information before the second time slot, where the resource reservation information is used to reserve the first time slot of the channel occupation time.

In one possible implementation manner, the second terminal device may further acquire a first symbol number N, where N is determined according to an idle duration in a fixed frame period, where the idle duration includes a duration for performing a channel access procedure, and where the fixed frame period includes the channel occupation time, and N is a positive integer; the second terminal device receives side-link information from a first terminal device in a consecutive N symbols in a first slot, wherein the first slot is a last slot in the fixed frame period, and the consecutive N symbols include a first symbol in the first slot.

In one possible implementation, the second terminal device may receive third information from a network device, the third information being used to indicate the first number of symbols N; or the first terminal device may determine the first number of symbols N according to predefined first information; or the first terminal device may determine the first symbol number N according to preconfigured first information.

In one possible implementation, the third information is carried on DCI.

In one possible implementation, the second terminal device may receive second information from the first terminal device, where the second information is used to indicate the first number of symbols N.

In one possible implementation, the second information is carried on the SCI.

The advantages of the respective possible implementations of the fourth aspect above may be seen from the advantages of the respective possible implementations of the first and third aspects.

In a fifth aspect, a communication device is provided. The apparatus may implement the method of any of the possible designs of the first aspect or the third aspect. The device has the function of the first terminal device.

In an alternative implementation manner, the apparatus may include modules corresponding to each other in performing the methods/operations/steps/actions described in the first aspect or the third aspect, where the modules may be hardware circuits, or software, or implemented by using hardware circuits in combination with software. In an alternative implementation, the apparatus includes a processing unit (sometimes also referred to as a processing module) and a communication unit (sometimes also referred to as a transceiver module, a communication module, etc.). The transceiver unit can realize a transmission function and a reception function, and may be referred to as a transmission unit (sometimes referred to as a transmission module) when the transceiver unit realizes the transmission function, and may be referred to as a reception unit (sometimes referred to as a reception module) when the transceiver unit realizes the reception function. The transmitting unit and the receiving unit may be the same functional module, which is called a transceiver unit, and which can implement a transmitting function and a receiving function; or the transmitting unit and the receiving unit may be different functional modules, and the transceiver unit is a generic term for these functional modules.

For example, when the apparatus is used to perform the method described in the first or third aspect, the apparatus may comprise a communication unit and a processing unit.

When the method in the first aspect is executed, the processing unit may acquire a first number of symbols N, where N is determined according to an idle duration in a fixed frame period, where the idle duration includes a duration for executing a channel access procedure, and N is a positive integer; the communication unit may transmit the side uplink information to the second terminal apparatus through consecutive N symbols in a first slot, which is a last slot in the fixed frame period, the consecutive N symbols including a first symbol in the first slot.

In one possible implementation, the communication unit may receive first information from the network device, the first information being used to indicate the first number of symbols N; or the processing unit may determine said first number of symbols N based on predefined first information. Or the processing unit may determine said first number of symbols N based on the preconfigured first information.

In one possible implementation, the first information is carried on DCI.

In one possible implementation, the communication unit may further send second information to the second terminal device, where the second information is used to indicate the first number of symbols N.

In one possible implementation, the second information is carried on the SCI.

When the method shown in the third aspect is executed, the communication unit may send fourth information in the first M symbols of a second time slot, where the second time slot is the first time slot in the channel occupation time, and M is a positive integer; the communication unit may also transmit side uplink information for a first symbol within the channel occupancy time; wherein the first symbol is a candidate start symbol in the second slot, a symbol index of the candidate start symbol is not 0, and/or the first symbol is a start symbol in a third slot, and the second slot is different from the three slots.

In one possible implementation, the first symbol is a candidate start symbol in the first slot, a symbol index of the candidate start symbol is not 0, and the communication unit may further send the side uplink information from a next symbol of the first symbol to an end symbol of the first slot.

In one possible implementation, the first symbol is a start symbol in the third slot, and the communication unit may further send the side uplink information from a symbol next to the first symbol to an end symbol of the third slot.

In one possible implementation, the communication unit may further send resource reservation information before the second time slot, where the resource reservation information is used to reserve a first time slot of the channel occupation time.

In one possible implementation manner, the processing unit may further obtain a first number of symbols N, where N is determined according to an idle duration in a fixed frame period, where the idle duration includes a duration for performing a channel access procedure, and where the fixed frame period includes the channel occupation time, and N is a positive integer; the communication unit may also transmit side-link information to the second terminal device through consecutive N symbols in a first slot, wherein the first slot is a last slot in the fixed frame period, the consecutive N symbols including a first symbol in the first slot.

In one possible implementation, the processing unit may determine the first number of symbols N according to the idle duration and the subcarrier spacing.

In one possible implementation, the communication unit may further receive first information from the network device, the first information being used to indicate the first number of symbols N; or the first terminal device determines the first symbol number N according to predefined first information; or the first terminal device determines the first symbol number N according to preconfigured first information.

In one possible implementation, the first information is carried on DCI.

In one possible implementation, the second information is carried on the SCI.

In a sixth aspect, a communication device is provided. The apparatus may implement the method of any possible design of the second or fourth aspect above. The device has the function of the second terminal device.

In an alternative implementation manner, the apparatus may include modules corresponding to the methods/operations/steps/actions described in the second aspect or the fourth aspect, where the modules may be hardware circuits, or may be software, or may be implemented by using hardware circuits in combination with software. In an alternative implementation, the apparatus includes a processing unit (sometimes also referred to as a processing module) and a communication unit (sometimes also referred to as a transceiver module, a communication module, etc.). The transceiver unit can realize a transmission function and a reception function, and may be referred to as a transmission unit (sometimes referred to as a transmission module) when the transceiver unit realizes the transmission function, and may be referred to as a reception unit (sometimes referred to as a reception module) when the transceiver unit realizes the reception function. The transmitting unit and the receiving unit may be the same functional module, which is called a transceiver unit, and which can implement a transmitting function and a receiving function; or the transmitting unit and the receiving unit may be different functional modules, and the transceiver unit is a generic term for these functional modules.

For example, when the apparatus is used to perform the method described in the second or fourth aspect, the apparatus may comprise a communication unit and a processing unit.

When the method shown in the second aspect is executed, the processing unit can acquire a first symbol number N, where N is determined according to an idle duration in a fixed frame period, where the idle duration includes a duration for executing a channel access procedure, and N is a positive integer; the communication unit may receive side-link information from a first terminal device in a succession of N symbols in a first slot, wherein the first slot is a last slot in the fixed frame period, the succession of N symbols including a first symbol in the first slot.

In one possible implementation, the communication unit may receive third information from the network device, the third information being used to indicate the first number of symbols N; or the processing unit may further determine said first number of symbols N based on predefined third information. Or the processing unit may further determine the first number of symbols N according to the preconfigured third information.

In one possible implementation, the third information is carried on DCI.

In one possible implementation, the communication unit may further receive second information from the first terminal device, the second information being used to indicate the first number of symbols N.

In performing the method of the fourth aspect, the processing unit may determine a channel occupation time; the communication unit may receive side uplink information for a first symbol within a channel occupancy time; wherein the first symbol is a candidate start symbol in the second slot, a symbol index of the candidate start symbol is not 0, and/or the first symbol is a start symbol in a third slot, and the second slot is different from the three slots.

In one possible implementation, the first symbol is a candidate start symbol in the first slot, a symbol index of the candidate start symbol is not 0, and the communication unit may further receive side uplink information from a next symbol of the first symbol to an end symbol of the first slot.

In one possible implementation, the first symbol is a start symbol in the third slot, and the communication unit may further receive side uplink information from a next symbol of the first symbol to an end symbol of the third slot.

In one possible implementation, the communication unit may further receive resource reservation information before the second time slot, the resource reservation information being used to reserve a first time slot of the channel occupation time.

In one possible implementation manner, the processing unit may acquire a first number of symbols N, where N is determined according to an idle duration in a fixed frame period, where the idle duration includes a duration for performing a channel access procedure, and where the fixed frame period includes the channel occupation time, and N is a positive integer; the communication unit may also receive side-link information from a first terminal device in a succession of N symbols in a first slot, wherein the first slot is a last slot in the fixed frame period, the succession of N symbols including a first symbol in the first slot.

In one possible implementation, the communication unit may further receive third information from the network device, the third information being used to indicate the first number of symbols N; or the processing unit may determine the first number of symbols N according to predefined first information; or the processing unit may determine said first number of symbols N based on the preconfigured first information.

In one possible implementation, the third information is carried on DCI.

In one possible implementation, the second information is carried on the SCI.

In a seventh aspect, embodiments of the present application also provide a communications apparatus comprising a processor for executing a computer program (or computer executable instructions) stored in a memory, which when executed causes the apparatus to perform a method as in at least one of the first to fourth aspects and any possible implementation thereof.

In one possible implementation, the processor and memory are integrated together;

In another possible implementation, the memory is located outside the communication device.

The communication device also includes a communication interface for the communication device to communicate with other devices, such as the transmission or reception of data and/or signals. By way of example, the communication interface may be a transceiver, circuit, bus, module, or other type of communication interface.

In an eighth aspect, there is provided a computer readable storage medium storing a computer program or instructions which, when executed, cause the method shown in at least one of the first to fourth aspects and any possible implementation thereof to be carried out.

A ninth aspect provides a computer program product comprising instructions which, when run on a computer, cause the method shown in at least one of the first to fourth aspects and any possible implementation thereof to be carried out.

In a tenth aspect, embodiments of the present application further provide a communication device configured to perform the method in at least one of the first to fourth aspects and various possible implementations thereof.

In an eleventh aspect, a chip system is provided, which includes logic (or is understood that the chip system includes a processor, which may include logic, etc.), and may also include an input-output interface. The input-output interface may be used for inputting messages as well as for outputting messages. The input/output interfaces may be the same interface, i.e., the same interface can implement both a transmitting function and a receiving function; or the input/output interface comprises an input interface and an output interface, wherein the input interface is used for realizing a receiving function, namely, receiving a message; the output interface is used for implementing the sending function, i.e. for sending messages. Logic circuitry is operative to perform operations other than the transceiving functionality in the method illustrated by at least one of the first aspect to the fourth aspect and any possible implementation thereof; the logic may also be used to transmit messages to the input-output interface or to receive messages from other communication devices from the input-output interface. The chip system may be adapted to implement the method as shown in at least one of the above first to fourth aspects and any possible implementation thereof. The chip system may be formed of a chip or may include a chip and other discrete devices.

Optionally, the system on a chip may further include a memory, the memory being operable to store instructions, the logic circuit being operable to invoke the instructions stored in the memory to implement the corresponding functionality.

A twelfth aspect provides a communication system which may comprise a first terminal device operable to perform a method as described in the first or third aspect and any possible implementation thereof, and a second terminal device operable to perform a method as described in the second or fourth aspect and any possible implementation thereof.

Technical effects brought about by the fifth to twelfth aspects may be referred to the descriptions of the first to fourth aspects, and are not repeated here.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a wireless communication system according to the present application;

Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of another architecture of a wireless communication system according to the present application;

fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of a time slot according to an embodiment of the present application;

Fig. 4 is a schematic structural diagram of an FFP according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 5 is a schematic flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram of resource utilization in a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 7 is a schematic flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 8 is a schematic diagram of resource utilization in another communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 9 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application;

Fig. 10 is a schematic structural diagram of another communication device according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 11 is a schematic structural diagram of another communication device according to an embodiment of the present application.

Detailed Description

The embodiment of the application provides a communication method and device. The method and the device are based on the same inventive concept, and because the principles of solving the problems by the method and the device are similar, the implementation of the device and the method can be referred to each other, and the repetition is not repeated. In the description of the embodiment of the present application, "and/or" describing the association relationship of the association object indicates that three relationships may exist, for example, a and/or B may indicate: a exists alone, A and B exist together, and B exists alone. The character "/" generally indicates that the context-dependent object is an "or" relationship. At least one in reference to the present application means one or more; plural means two or more. In addition, it should be understood that in the description of the present application, the words "first," "second," and the like are used merely for distinguishing between the descriptions and not for indicating or implying any relative importance or order.

In the following, some terms in the embodiments of the present application are explained for easy understanding by those skilled in the art.

1) The terminal device is, for example, a terminal device or a module for implementing a function of the terminal device, for example, a chip system, which can be provided in the terminal device. The terminal device comprises a device for providing data connectivity to a user, in particular a device for providing data connectivity to a user, or a device for providing data connectivity to a user. For example, may include a handheld device having wireless connectivity, or a processing device connected to a wireless modem. The terminal device may communicate with the core network via a radio access network (radio access network, RAN), exchange data with the RAN, or interact voice and data with the core network. The terminal devices may include UEs, wireless terminal devices, mobile terminal devices, D2D terminal devices, car and anything (vehicle to everything, V2X) communication terminal devices, smart vehicles, car-to-car systems (or internet of vehicles systems) (TELEMATICS BOX, TBOX), machine-to-machine/machine-type communications, M2M/MTC) terminal devices, internet of things (internet of things, ioT) terminal devices, computers with wireless transceiving functions, virtual Reality (VR) terminal devices, augmented reality (augmented reality, AR) terminal devices, wireless terminals in industrial control (industrial control), haptic terminal devices, vehicle-mounted terminal devices, wireless terminals in unmanned vehicles, wireless terminals in remote medical (remote) systems, wireless terminals in smart grid (SMART GRID), wireless terminals in transportation security (transportation safety), wireless terminals in smart city (SMART CITY), wireless terminals in smart home (smart home), and so forth. In general, the terminal device may be a vehicle, a ship, or an aircraft, or a terminal roadside unit, or a communication module or chip built in the vehicle or the roadside unit. One type of network device in V2X technology is a Road Side Unit (RSU). The RSU may be a fixed infrastructure entity supporting V2X applications that may exchange messages with other entities supporting V2X applications over the PC5 air interface. The terminal device may further include a communication device in a future communication system such as a metauniverse.

The invention is suitable for Side Link (SL) communication scenes such as D2D and the like, and supports communication scenes with and without network coverage. Thus, the terminal devices support PC5 interface communication therebetween, i.e., support transmission through the side-link. The transmission link in the PC5 interface is defined as a side-link. Enabling SL communication in unlicensed bands in local space is an important evolution direction, and corresponding protocol technologies may be collectively referred to as sidelink-unlicensed (SL-U).

By way of example, and not limitation, in embodiments of the present application, the terminal device may also be a wearable device. The wearable device can also be called as a wearable intelligent device or an intelligent wearable device, and is a generic name for intelligently designing daily wear and developing wearable devices, such as glasses, gloves, watches, clothes, shoes, and the like, by applying wearable technology. The wearable device is a portable device that is worn directly on the body or integrated into the clothing or accessories of the user. The wearable device is not only a hardware device, but also can realize a powerful function through software support, data interaction and cloud interaction. The generalized wearable intelligent device includes full functionality, large size, and may not rely on the smart phone to implement complete or partial functionality, such as: smart watches or smart glasses, etc., and focus on only certain types of application functions, and need to be used in combination with other devices, such as smart phones, for example, various smart bracelets, smart helmets, smart jewelry, etc. for physical sign monitoring.

While the various terminal devices described above, if located on a vehicle, such as placed in a vehicle or installed in a vehicle, may be considered as in-vehicle terminal devices, such as also known as in-vehicle units (OBUs).

In the embodiment of the application, the terminal equipment can also comprise a relay. Or it is understood that all that is capable of data communication with a base station can be seen as a terminal device.

Alternatively, a Road Side Unit (RSU) may also be regarded as a terminal device.

Hereinafter, a communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application may be described by taking a terminal device as an example. For example, a party (e.g., a transmitting node) transmitting sidestream data in sidestream communication may be referred to as a transmitting end terminal device, and a party (e.g., a receiving node) receiving sidestream data may be referred to as a receiving end terminal device. For convenience of explanation, the terminal device that transmits the side-link information (i.e., the receiving node of the side-link information) will be referred to as a first communication device, and the terminal device that receives the side-link information (i.e., the transmitting node of the side-link information) will be referred to as a second terminal device, or the first communication device will be a transmitting node of the side-feedback information, and the second communication device will be a receiving node of the side-feedback information, where the side-feedback information may be used to instruct the first terminal device to receive the side-link information (including correct reception or erroneous reception). The sidelink feedback information may be used for data information (including hybrid automatic repeat request (hybrid automatic repeat request, HARQ) acknowledgement feedback information, such as Acknowledgement (ACK) or negative acknowledgement (negative acknowledge, NACK), and may further include Channel State Indication (CSI) feedback information), and may also be used for indicating at least one of energy saving information, resource assistance information (including recommended resources, not recommended resources, resource collision, resource reservation collision, half duplex collision occurring in the past or coming in the future, and the like).

In the present application, the sidelink information (SL information) may include sidelink discovery information (which may be carried in a sidelink discovery channel (PHYSICAL SIDELINK discovery channel, PSDCH) and/or a physical layer sidelink shared channel (PHYSICAL SIDELINK SHARED CHANNEL, PSSCH)), sidelink control information (sidelink control information, SCI) (which may be carried in a sidelink control channel (PHYSICAL SIDELINK control channel, PSCCH) and/or a PSSCH), sidelink data information (or referred to as data, sidelink data, etc.), sidelink feedback information (which may be carried in a PSSCH), sidelink synchronization information (which may be carried in a physical sidelink feedback channel (PHYSICAL SIDELINK feedback channel, PSFCH)), sidelink synchronization information (which may be carried in a sidelink synchronization block (S-synchronization signal block, S-SSB), or sidelink pilot information (REFERENCE SIGNALING) (including a demodulation reference signal (de-modulation REFERENCE SIGNAL, DMRS), a channel state information reference signal (CHANNEL STATE index, REFERENCE SIGNAL, phase tracking signal (CSI-RS)), a reference signal (REFERENCE SIGNAL, a positioning signal (38, a positioning signal), or at least one of a positioning signal (38, a positioning signal, or the like).

2) A network device, which is a node in a radio access network (radio access network, RAN), may also be referred to as a base station, and may also be referred to as a RAN node (or device). Currently, some access network devices are exemplified by: a micro base station, pico base station, small station, balloon station, indoor station, transmission reception point (transmission reception point, TRP), evolved Node B (eNB), radio network controller (radio network controller, RNC), node B (Node B, NB), base station controller (base station controller, BSC), base transceiver station (base transceiver station, BTS), home base station (e.g., home evolved NodeB, or home Node B, HNB), baseband unit (BBU), or radio fidelity (WIRELESS FIDELITY, WIFI) access point (access point, AP), satellite device, relay Node, donor Node, radio controller in cloud radio access network (cloud radio access network, CRAN) scenario, road side unit (road side unit, RSU) in vehicle outside link (vehicle to everything, V2X) technology, or device in an open network or access network (RAN) or system in 5G communication system, access network, or device in an access network, system, or device in an open network, access module, network, or device in a context of a gnnb/NR-NB, universal mobile communication system (universal mobile telecommunications system, UMTS) or long term evolution (long term evolution, LTE) macro base station, heterogeneous network (heterogeneous network, hetNet) or the like. The network device 101 may be another device having a network device function, for example, the network device 101 may be a device-to-device (D2D) communication, a vehicle networking communication, or a machine communication serving as a network device function. The network device 101 may also be a server, a wearable device, or an in-vehicle device, etc. The network device 101 may also be a network device in a future possible communication system, such as a gNB, a base station of a 3GPP subsequent evolution, an access node in a WIFI system, a wireless relay node or a wireless backhaul node, etc. It is understood that the plurality of access network devices in the communication system may be of the same type or of different types.

In some deployments, the gNB may include a centralized unit (centralized unit, CU) and DUs. The gNB may also include a Radio Unit (RU). The CU implements part of the functions of the gNB, the DU implements part of the functions of the gNB, for example, the CU implements the functions of a radio resource control (radio resource control, RRC), a packet data convergence layer protocol (PACKET DATA convergence protocol, PDCP) layer, and the DU implements the functions of a radio link control (radio link control, RLC), a medium access control (MEDIA ACCESS control, MAC), and a Physical (PHY) layer. Since the information of the RRC layer may be eventually changed into or converted from the information of the PHY layer, under this architecture, higher layer signaling, such as RRC layer signaling or PHCP layer signaling, may also be considered as being transmitted by the DU or by the du+ru. It is understood that the network device may be a CU node, or a DU node, or a device comprising a CU node and a DU node. In addition, the CU may be divided into network devices in the access network RAN, or may be divided into network devices in the core network CN, which is not limited herein. In ORAN systems, a CU may also be referred to as an O-CU, a DU may also be referred to as an open (O) -DU, a CU-CP may also be referred to as an O-CU-CP, a CU-UP may also be referred to as an O-CUP-UP, and a RU may also be referred to as an O-RU.

Furthermore, in some deployments, the network device may employ a distributed deployment manner, i.e., the network device includes a baseband unit (BBU) and a remote radio unit (remote radio unit, RRU).

Since the embodiments of the present application mainly relate to access network devices, in the following, unless otherwise specified, all network devices refer to access network devices. Hereinafter, the network device and/or the access network device may be represented by a base station.

In the embodiment of the present application, the means for implementing the function of the network device may be the network device, or may be a means capable of supporting the network device to implement the function, for example, a chip system, and the apparatus may be installed in the network device. In the technical solution provided in the embodiment of the present application, the device for implementing the function of the network device is exemplified by the network device, and the technical solution provided in the embodiment of the present application is described.

3) The side link communication means communication between the terminal device and the terminal device through the side link in the present application.

The following describes the side-link communication by taking V2X communication as an example.

V2X communication is a basic technology and a key technology applied to a scene with very high requirements on communication delay in the future for high-speed devices typified by vehicles. The application fields of V2X communication include intelligent automobiles, automatic driving, intelligent transportation systems and the like. As shown in fig. 1, a more typical V2X communication scenario includes a vehicle-to-vehicle communication (vehicle to vehicle, V2V), a vehicle-to-pedestrian communication (vehicle to pedestrian, V2P), a vehicle-to-infrastructure communication (vehicle to infrastructure, V2I), or a vehicle-to-network communication (vehicle to network, V2N). For V2V communication, the first terminal device and/or the second terminal device may be a vehicle or an in-vehicle terminal device located in the vehicle, or the like. For example, in the V2P communication, one of the first terminal device and the second terminal device may be a vehicle or an in-vehicle terminal device located in the vehicle, and the other may be a terminal device carried by a pedestrian such as a mobile terminal or a wearable device. For V2P communication, one of the first terminal device and the second terminal device may be a vehicle, an in-vehicle terminal device located in the vehicle, or the like, and the other may be an infrastructure such as an RSU. For V2N communication, one of the first terminal device and the second terminal device may be a vehicle, an in-vehicle terminal device located in the vehicle, or the like, and the other may be a base station.

Taking the first terminal device as a transmitting node of the side-link information as an example, the first terminal device may transmit, as side-line data, state information such as its own position and speed, travel intention information such as turning, doubling or reversing, or information triggered by a periodic or aperiodic event to surrounding terminal devices based on V2X communication. Similarly, the first terminal apparatus may receive sidestream data from other surrounding terminal apparatuses. In addition, the first terminal device may also forward the sidestream data of other terminal devices that it receives. Illustratively, sidestream data and/or sidestream feedback information is carried on the PSSCH.

V2X communications may support communication scenarios with and without network coverage. In a scenario where the first terminal apparatus has network coverage as shown by numbers a to c in fig. 2, the resource allocation method when the first terminal apparatus transmits by V2X communication may take a network device scheduling mode. For example, the resources employed by the terminal device to schedule transmissions for side-link communications by the network device may be referred to as licensed resources or licensed bands. In the case of no network coverage scenario shown by the number d in fig. 2, or in the case where there is network coverage but the first terminal apparatus does not adopt the network device scheduling mode, the first terminal apparatus may perform self-selection of resources, that is, select resources for side-uplink communication from a resource pool, which may be referred to as unlicensed resources or unlicensed frequency bands. The availability, selection of unauthorized resources is required to meet regional regulatory requirements.

It should be understood that the resources in the present application may be replaced by time-frequency resources, and/or time-frequency code resources. In the present application, the time-frequency resources include time-domain resources and/or frequency-domain resources. The time-frequency code resources include at least one of time-domain resources, frequency-domain resources, and code-domain resources.

Under network coverage, the terminal device may obtain SL resource pool (SL resource pool) configuration information and/or SL bandwidth part (BWP) configuration information by receiving a system message block (system information block, SIB) of the network equipment, radio resource control (radio resource control, RRC) signaling of a cell-specific, or UE-specific RRC signaling of the terminal device. The terminal device may also use pre-configured SL resource pool configuration information or SL BWP configuration information, e.g., when there is no network coverage. In the present application, the preconfigured information may be replaced by configured information or predefined information. That is, the preconfigured information may also be configured by the network device, preconfigured in the resource pool, or predefined in the protocol, and the application is not limited. The SL resource pool configuration information includes resource pool resource information for indicating the SL resource pool. The resource pool is a set of time-frequency resources for side-by-side communication between UEs. The resource pool may include code domain resources. The resources of the resource pool are used for resources including at least one of the following physical channels transmitted and received by the terminal device, such as PSCCH, PSSCH, PSDCH, PSFCH, or a side-link physical broadcast channel (PHYSICAL SIDELINK broadcast channel, PSBCH), etc. The traffic types carried by the PSSCH may include unicast, multicast, and/or broadcast communication types, among others. In the time domain of the SL resource pool, one or more time units are included, where a time unit may be one or several time domain symbols (or simply referred to as symbols), one or several slots (slots), one or several micro slots (mini-slots), one or several subframes, or one or several frames, etc. One or more of the time units may be continuous in time or discrete. It should be appreciated that the time domain units are logically contiguous within one resource pool. Alternatively, the time domain symbol in the present application may be an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (orthogonal frequency division multiplexing, OFDM) symbol.

As shown in fig. 3, time slots 1 to 8 are time slots that are continuous in time, and such time slots are called physical slots (physical slots). Physical slots-slot 1, slot 3, slot 5 and slot 8 are configured as slots belonging to one resource pool. Since the time slots included in the resource pool may be discontinuous in time, from the perspective of the resource pool, time slots 1, 3, 5 and 8 on the physical time slots correspond to time slots 1', 2', 3 'and 4' in the resource pool. The consecutive time slots (i.e. time slots 1', 2', 3 'and 4') contained in the resource pool are logically consecutive time slots of the resource pool, which are referred to as logical time slots (logical slots). On the frequency domain of the SL resource pool, one or more frequency domain units are included, where the frequency domain unit may be one Resource Element (RE), a number of REs, one Resource Block (RB), a number of RBs, a sub-channel (sub-channel), and a number of sub-channels. The size of a subchannel, that is, a number of RBs indicating that one subchannel includes one or more contiguous or interleaved RBs in the frequency domain, may be an integer of 10, 12, 15, 20, 25, or 50.

The interleaved RBs are one of the forms of discrete RBs. For example, a plurality of RBs included in a subchannel in a channel or a BWP in a resource pool or in a resource pool are interleaved, meaning that any adjacent two RBs included in the subchannel are separated by at least one RB not belonging to the subchannel. Specifically, an interleaved resource (interlace) is defined as: a channel or a BWP or a resource pool or a sub-channel in a resource pool may include M interleaved resources, where the mth interleaved resource (M e {0,1, …, M-1 }) includes interleaved RBs with sequence numbers { M, m+m,2m+m,3m+m, … }. Typically, one interlace resource includes at least 10 staggered RBs. The number of RBs of the interlace included in one interlace resource may be less than 10, which is not limited herein. Alternatively, the value of M may be 10 when 15 kilohertz (kHz) SCS is used and 5 when 30kHz SCS is used, for example, in relation to the subcarrier spacing (sub CARRIER SPACING, SCS).

The SL resource pool configuration information may further include configuration information of a PSCCH, where the configuration information of the PSCCH includes a number of symbols occupied by the PSCCH in one slot and a number of RBs occupied by the PSCCH in one sub-channel. The SL BWP configuration information may include SL resource pool information for configuring the number of resource pools included in the BWP. The SL BWP configuration information may include SL bandwidth information indicating a bandwidth size for SL communication, for example, indicating that the SL bandwidth is 20 megahertz (MHz).

The SL BWP configuration information may further include symbol information of SL for indicating a starting SL symbol position and the number of occupied consecutive SL symbols on one slot. The SL BWP configuration information may further include subcarrier spacing and cyclic prefix information of the SL for indicating subcarrier spacing and cyclic prefix used for SL communication. The cyclic prefix indicates an extended cyclic prefix or a normal cyclic prefix. In one possible configuration, the SL BWP configuration information may also include SL resource pool configuration information. In the present application, unless the meaning of a time unit is specifically stated, all time slots are described, but the time unit is not limited to time slots only; unless specifically stated, the meaning of the time-frequency domain unit is described by a subchannel, but is not limited to the frequency domain unit being only a subchannel.

In the new generation 5G NR system, the NR protocol technology in the unlicensed band is collectively referred to as NR unlicensed (NR unlicensed, NR-U) technology, and the 3GPP organization expects to further improve the corresponding Uu air interface communication performance through the NR-U.

In the unlicensed band, the transmitting end terminal devices access signals in a contention manner, for example, in a channel access manner defined by the european telecommunication standardization institute (european telecommunications standards institute, ETSI). The contention access mode mainly includes a load-based device (load based equipment, LBE) and a frame-based device (frame based equipment, FBE).

Under the scenes of non-network coverage and the like, the LBE and the FBE both need the terminal device to listen before talk (listen before talk, LBT) and then access the channel of the unlicensed frequency band, and corresponding resources are used. The LBT mechanism is essentially a random back-off (random back-off) based channel access rule. The UE needs to perceive (sense) whether the channel is idle or not before accessing the channel and starting to transmit data, and can occupy the channel if the channel has remained idle for a certain time, and can occupy the channel if the channel is not idle, and needs to wait for the channel to resume to idle again. The reason for the optional nature of the unlicensed band by LBT mechanisms is because of regulatory (regulation) requirements for use of unlicensed bands in various regions of the world. UEs operating in various forms of different communication protocols can use unlicensed frequency bands only if the regulations are satisfied, and thus use spectrum resources relatively fairly and efficiently.

The LBT access mode generally employs energy-based detection and signal type detection, and for NR-U, the LBT access mode employs energy-based detection. A detection threshold (energy detection threshold) needs to be set based on the detection of energy, and when the detected energy exceeds the detection threshold, the channel is judged to be busy, and the channel is not allowed to be accessed. When the detected energy is below the detection threshold, access to the channel is allowed if it continues for more than a period of time. According to the national and regional legal requirements for using an unlicensed frequency band, for example, a channel of 20MHz is accessed in the 5GHz frequency band, and the channel can be occupied only if the requirement of at least minimum occupied channel bandwidth (occupied channel bandwidth, OCB) is met. Typically the minimum OCB is at least 80% of the normal bandwidth, for example 20MHz, i.e. at least 16MHz of bandwidth is required to preempt the 20MHz channel. In application, the detected energy may be a reference signal received power (REFERENCE SIGNAL RECEIVED power, RSRP), and the corresponding detection threshold may be an RSRP threshold.

In order to meet the regulatory requirements, LBT access methods are generally classified into the following four types (category) LBT:

One type of LBT (category 1LBT, cat 1 LBT) refers to transmission immediately after a short transition interval (SWITCHING GAP). Cat 1LBT may be used for communication devices to transmit immediately after a transition interval from a receive state to a transmit state in a channel occupancy time (channel occupancy time, COT). Wherein, COT refers to the time that the communication device is allowed to occupy the channel after successfully accessing the channel; the switching interval cannot be longer than 16 microseconds (mus).

The second type of LBT (category 2LBT, cat 2 LBT) refers to LBT without random back-off. Cat 2LBT may be used for communication devices to transmit without random back-off after sensing that the channel is in an idle state for a certain period of time.

Three types of LBT (category 3LBT, cat 3 LBT) refer to random back-off LBTs with a fixed size contention window (contention window). Cat 3LBT may be used for communication devices to generate random numbers N based on a contention window of a fixed size and may transmit after sensing that the channel is in an idle state for a period of time determined from the random number N. Wherein the size of the contention window is related to the minimum and maximum values of N.

Four types of LBT (category 4LBT, cat 4 LBT) refer to random back-off LBTs with variable size contention windows. Cat 4LBT may be used for communication devices to generate random numbers N based on a contention window of variable size and may transmit after sensing that the channel is in an idle state for a period of time determined from the random numbers N. Wherein the size of the contention window is related to the minimum and maximum values of N, the communication device may change the size of the contention window.

Particularly in NR-U, a communication device (which may be referred to as an NR-U device) such as a terminal apparatus or a network device capable of different types may employ LBT of the following types (types):

(1) Type 1LBT (type 1 LBT) employs Cat 4LBT, that is, NR-U devices under type 1LBT need to perform random backoff before accessing a channel and transmitting data.

Specifically, with type 1LBT, the NR-U device may initiate transmission after a first perceived channel is idle for a perceived slot period (sensing slot duration) of extended duration (DEFER SENSING, denoted T _d) and after a counter N is zero in step 4 below. Specifically, the counter N is adjusted by sensing the channel to obtain additional sensing slot periods according to the following steps:

step 1, setting n=n _init, where N _init is a random number uniformly distributed between 0 and CW _p, performing step 4.

Step 2, if N >0, the nr-U device selects the down counter, then n=n-1 is set.

Step 3, sensing the channel to obtain an additional sensing time slot period, and if the channel of the additional sensing time slot period is idle, turning to step 4; otherwise, go to step 5.

Step 4, stopping if n=0; otherwise, step 2 is performed.

Step 5, sense channels until either the channel is sensed busy in another T _d or all sense slots in another T _d are detected as channel idle.

Step 6, if the perceived time slots in the other T _d are all detected as idle channels, executing step 4; otherwise, step 5 is performed.

In the present application, T _d comprises a duration of T _f = 16 milliseconds (ms), followed by m _p consecutive perceived slot periods (denoted as T _sl), wherein T _f comprises an idle perceived slot period T _sl at the beginning thereof.

CW _min,p≤CW_p≤CW_max,p is the contention window.

The NR-U device may select CW _min,p and CW _max,p prior to step 1 of the procedure described above.

M _p、CW_min,p and CW _max,p are based on channel access priority class p associated with NR-U device transmissions as shown in table 1.

TABLE 1

The channel occupancy time for transmissions by the NR-U device on the channel does not exceed T _mcot,p, where the channel access procedure is performed based on the channel access priority class p associated with the NR-U device transmissions.

The NR-U device may also maintain a contention window value CW _p and adjust the value of CW _p prior to step 1 according to the following steps:

Step 6, for each priority class p∈ {1,2,3,4}, CW _p＝CW_min,p is set.

Step 7, if at least 80% of feedback HARQ ACK values corresponding to data transmitted in the reference subframe k are determined to be NACK, the nr-U device increases the CW _p value corresponding to each priority class p e {1,2,3,4} to the next higher allowable value, and uses the value in step 2; otherwise, step 1 is performed. Wherein reference subframe k is the starting subframe of the most recent transmission by the NR-U device on the channel.

(2) Type2A LBT (type 2A LBT) refers to Cat 2LBT with 25 μs spacing. That is, the NR-U device under type2A LBT can access the channel and transmit data after perceiving that the channel is idle for at least 25 μs.

(3) Type2B LBT (type 2B LBT) refers to Cat 2LBT with 16 μs interval. That is, the NR-U device under type2B LBT can access the channel and transmit data after perceiving that the channel is idle for at least 16 μs.

(4) Type 2C LBT (type 2C LBT) refers to Cat 1LBT with an interval of up to 584 μs. That is, the NR-U device does not need a sense channel, and can directly access the channel and transmit data after a transition interval of at most 584 μs within the COT.

After passing through the LBT access channel, the transmitting end terminal device may determine time-frequency resources for transmitting data through resource selection.

In the application, SL-U can adopt the same channel access mode as NR-U to carry out the channel access of unauthorized frequency band; the application does not limit the SL-U to use other channel access modes allowed by laws and regulations of other countries/regions to carry out the channel access of unauthorized frequency bands.

For the FBE mode, only a single system exists in the use scene, so that only the channel access mechanism with the system is needed to be considered, that is, occupation of resources by a communication system other than D2D such as WIFI is not needed to be considered. For how the UE uses resources in FBE mode, regulations also give an explicit design, as shown in fig. 4, the fixed frame period (fixed frame period, FFP) time domain length where the COT is located is fixed, and in NR-U, the protocol supported period values are 1 millisecond (ms), 2ms, 2.5ms, 4ms, 5ms and 10ms, which are indicated to the UE by the gNB. In addition, the gNB may also indicate the starting position of the FFP. In the current NR-U, the parameter offsetUE-r17 is defined, the range of values is an INTEGER (INTEGER), denoted inter (0..559), representing the distance of the symbol from the FFP start from the even frame position (i.e. offset). The offset has different value ranges under different subcarriers, for example, the maximum values of the offset are 139, 279 and 559 for subcarrier intervals of 15, 30 and 60kHz, respectively. The unit of the offset may be the number of slots, or may be other time units according to actual needs.

Each UE needs to do a clear channel assessment (CLEAR CHANNEL ASSESSMENT, CCA) before using the COT, and the time the CCA takes to perform is in a clear period (idle period), which is always at the end of one FFP and before the next COT. Wherein, in order to determine the channel occupation time according to the semi-static channel access procedure, the duration of any transmission gap in a period excluding the corresponding idle period is counted into the channel occupation time. It is understood that the idle period is a time domain position other than the COT in the FFP. Alternatively, the fixed frame period in the present application may be replaced with a period under semi-static channel occupation, and the period parameter is indicated by a higher layer. Further, alternatively, the channel occupation time in the present application may be replaced by channel occupation (channel occupancy, CO).

In addition, the idle duration is also defined in the current protocol as T _w＝max(0.05T_u, 100 μs, where T _u represents the size of the FFP period value. That is, the idle period is at least 100 μs. When the gNB or UE performs sensing for evaluating channel availability, channel listening is performed at least during the channel listening time slot T _sl =9 μs unless a longer listening duration (e.g., requirements of regulations) is required, in which case channel listening is performed for a duration of T _sl =16 μs. When the detection is performed within a duration of T _sl =16 μs, the channel is considered to be idle if it is detected that the channel is idle for at least 5 μs in total, and the detection of at least 4 μs occurs within the last 9 μs time interval of the detection duration. That is, in the idle period T _w or the idle period that needs to be reserved, at least one listening slot needs to be listened to for 9 μs, and at least 16 μs is needed to perform CCA.

Taking fig. 4 as an example, for the FBE, since there is a idle period in the last slot of the FFP (e.g., ffp#1 or ffp#2), or LBT or CCA needs to be performed in the last slot of the FFP, and since the resources in the SL-U are currently used in the granularity of slots, this results in the last slot of the FFP not being used. For example, when the length of FFP is T _u =2 ms, the slot length is 0.5ms under the subcarrier of 30KHz, i.e. 4 symbols are included in one FFP, and if the resource of one slot is not used, there is 25% of resource waste by definition T _w＝max(0.05T_u, 100 μs) =100 μs. The resource utilization may be improved if the first terminal device is allowed to transmit the first N symbols of the last slot.

In order to improve the utilization rate of unauthorized resources in the FBE mode and reduce resource waste, the embodiment of the application provides a communication method. The communication method may be performed by a terminal device. The communication method provided by the present application will be described below exemplarily with a first terminal apparatus and a second terminal apparatus as execution subjects. Wherein the first terminal device may act as a transmitting node of the side-link information and the second terminal device may act as a receiving node of the side-link information. It is understood that the side-link information in the present application includes information, signaling, sequence, signal, or data transmitted through the side-link.

As shown in fig. 5, the communication method provided by the embodiment of the present application may further include the following steps:

s101: the first terminal device acquires a first number of symbols N.

Wherein N is determined according to an idle duration in the FFP, where the idle duration includes a duration for executing a channel access procedure, and N is a positive integer. Wherein, performing the channel access procedure refers to the terminal device performing sensing to evaluate whether the channel is available, and the minimum duration of performing sensing is T _sl =9 μs. Alternatively, performing the channel access procedure may be replaced by performing a CCA, which requires at least 16 mus.

Alternatively, the first terminal apparatus may transmit the side uplink information to the second terminal apparatus through M symbols of the consecutive N symbols, where M is smaller than N.

It will be appreciated that the first number of symbols N may be determined by the first terminal device itself, obtained by the first terminal device based on signalling from the network device, or may be obtained by the first terminal device based on predefined information. The manner in which the first terminal device determines the first number of symbols N is focused will be described below.

In embodiment 1, the first terminal apparatus determines the value of N by itself.

Specifically, the first terminal device may determine the first symbol number N according to the idle period T _w and the subcarrier spacing. Alternatively, the first terminal apparatus may determine the first symbol number N according to the subcarrier spacing and the FFP length T _u. Alternatively, the first terminal apparatus may determine the first symbol number N according to the idle period T _w and the symbol length. Alternatively, the first terminal apparatus may determine the first symbol number N based on the symbol length and the FFP length T _u. Wherein, the idle time length can be determined according to the FFP length. The symbol length may be determined from the subcarrier length. For example, when the subcarrier spacing is 15KHz, t _symbol =1 ms/14; when the subcarrier spacing is 30KHz, t _symbol =0.5 ms/14; at a subcarrier spacing of 60KHz, t _symbol = 0.25ms/14.

Illustratively, N may satisfy the following formula:

Where T _w denotes an idle duration, T _symbol denotes a symbol length, ceil () denotes a rounding up operation.

It will be appreciated that the above formula is merely an example of one of many ways to determine N, and that the above formula may be reasonably modified to achieve the same or similar effects as desired. In addition, the first terminal device may also determine the value of N by means of table lookup, etc., without performing a function operation.

By way of example shown in table 2, the possible values of N at the values of some subcarrier spacings are presented below.

TABLE 2

Alternatively, in table 2, when the value of N is smaller than 7, the number of allowed symbols in the last slot in the FFP is too small, and the transmission of the side uplink information on the first N symbols in the slot may be omitted. In addition, for the case where N is smaller than 0, the penultimate slot in the FFP cannot be used for transmitting side uplink information, except for the last slot in the FFP.

It will be appreciated that table 2 is merely an example given to show the correlation between the value of N and the subcarrier spacing (or symbol length) and the idle period (or FFP length). The value of N in table 2 can be properly adjusted according to actual needs, i.e. the application does not require that the value of N under parameters such as the interval of each subcarrier and the FFP length is completely identical to that shown in table 2.

In mode 2, the first terminal apparatus may also receive first information from the network device, where the first information is used to indicate the first symbol number N. For example, the first information may be carried in signaling or information such as RRC message, medium access control element (MEDIA ACCESS control-control element), or downlink control information (download control information, DCI), and the first terminal device may obtain the value of N through pre-configuration or other configuration procedures via the network device.

In one example of mode 2, the first information may be included in a preconfigured resource configuration. For example, the resource pool configuration information may carry first information for indicating that N symbols of the last slot are available, N may be any of 0,1, 2, … …, 13.

In mode 3, the first terminal device determines the first symbol number N according to predefined first information. For example, the first information is defined by a protocol or may be defined in configuration information such as factory configuration of the first terminal device, so that the value of N is not required to be indicated by signaling, and signaling overhead can be reduced. Wherein it may be predefined by the protocol.

It is understood that in modes 2 and 3, the value of N may be determined according to the subcarrier spacing (or symbol length) and the idle period (or FFP length). The value of the first symbol number N configured in the manner 2 and the manner 3 may be the same as or different from the result shown in table 2, and the present application is not particularly limited.

In addition, the second terminal apparatus may also obtain the first symbol number N by information from the network device, preconfigured information, predefined information, or the like, as described in mode 2 or mode 3.

S102: the first terminal apparatus transmits side uplink information to the second terminal apparatus through consecutive N symbols in the first slot.

Wherein the first slot is the last slot in the FFP, and the consecutive N symbols include the first symbol in the third slot. It can be said that the first terminal apparatus transmits side-link information on the first N symbols of the third slot, and does not transmit side-link information on the latter 14-N symbols of the third slot, which latter 14-N symbols are reserved for performing CCA.

For example, as shown in fig. 6, if the first terminal apparatus is UE1 shown in fig. 6, the first slot is slot n+3 in ffp#2, and thus UE1 can transmit side uplink information in the first N symbols of slot n+3 in S102.

By adopting the method shown in fig. 5, the first terminal device can transmit in the first N symbol positions of the last slot in the FFP, so as to avoid that the last slot is not used for side-link communication due to the existence of idle duration, and improve the resource utilization rate.

Optionally, based on the flow shown in fig. 5, the first terminal device may further send second information to the second network device, where the second information is used to indicate the first number of symbols N. Thus, the second terminal device may obtain the value of N according to the first information, so as to receive the side uplink information from the first terminal device in the first N symbols of the last slot (i.e., the first slot) of the FFP. Alternatively, the second information may be carried on the SCI.

Still taking fig. 6 as an example, assuming that the first terminal apparatus is UE1, in ffp#1, SCI transmitted by UE1 may carry resource reservation information and first information, where the resource reservation information may be used to reserve slot n+3, and the second information may be used to indicate the value of N. For example, when the subcarrier spacing is 15KHz and T _u = 4ms, N = 11, then the second information may be used to indicate N = 11.

Furthermore, the second terminal apparatus may also obtain the first symbol number N by information from the network device or predefined information, as described in mode 2 or mode 3.

Alternatively, the idle duration in the flow shown in fig. 5 may be replaced with an idle period.

It will be appreciated that, assuming that the original idle period is the first slot, based on the procedure shown in fig. 5, the first terminal device may determine the first symbol number N according to the idle period (or the original idle period), and send the side uplink information in the first N symbols of the first slot, so that the consecutive N symbols may be part of the COT, and thus, according to the definition of the idle period, that is, the time domain position except the COT in the FFP during the idle period, the idle period is adjusted to the time domain position except the consecutive N symbols in the first slot, or that is, the idle period is adjusted to the last 14-N symbols of the first slot. Therefore, compared with the original idle period, the length of the adjusted idle period is smaller, so that more resources can be used for transmitting side uplink information, the resource utilization rate can be improved, and the resource waste is reduced.

In addition, current regulations require that at least one UE transmit at a starting time domain location of a COT, and that a subsequent time domain location of the COT be available for transmission of side-link information. That is, if the start position of the COT is not transmitted, i.e., there is no device to initiate the COT, the COT cannot be used and only transmission from the start position of the next COT is possible, so there is a waste of resources.

Independent of the flow shown in fig. 5 or in combination with the flow shown in fig. 5, the embodiment of the present application further provides another communication method for the utilization of unlicensed resources in the FBE mode. As shown in fig. 7, the communication method may include the steps of:

S201: the first terminal device transmits fourth information in the first M symbols of the second slot. Wherein the second time slot is the first time slot in COT, and M is a positive integer.

The COT where the second time slot is located may be the COT in the current FFP, or referred to as the current COT. The first terminal device may be a terminal device that reserves the current COT, or may be a terminal device that does not reserve the current COT but has side-link information to be transmitted at the current COT, and the present application is not particularly limited.

According to S201, the first terminal apparatus may transmit at the start position of the COT, so that the COT may be initialized.

Alternatively, the fourth information may be any information, signaling, sequence, signal, or data. Therefore, the fourth information may not belong to the side-uplink feedback information that the first terminal apparatus needs to transmit to the second terminal apparatus. For example, the fourth information may be a predefined one or more bits, sequences, signals, or the like. Wherein the transmission of the fourth information may last for the length of one or more symbols as long as the candidate starting symbol with an index other than 0 in the second slot is not exceeded. Wherein the candidate start symbol with index other than 0 is one of a plurality of candidate start symbols of the transmitting side uplink information, wherein the plurality of candidate start symbols may include a candidate start symbol with index 0 and a candidate start symbol with index other than 0. In the present application, candidate starting symbols may be predefined or preconfigured. The predefined manner is defined in a protocol (or standard) of a 3GPP or other standardization organization, or in configuration information such as factory configuration of the terminal device, for example, so that the terminal device can obtain the position of the candidate start symbol through the predefined information such as the protocol or the factory configuration. The pre-configuration may be configured by the network device through signaling such as RRC, so that the terminal device may obtain the location of the candidate start symbol through the received information from the network device.

In addition, the transmission of the fourth information may also last less than one symbol in length. Optionally, if the transmission of the fourth information may also last less than one symbol in length, the fourth information extends (cyclic prefix extension, CPE) for the cyclic prefix. The CPE can initiate a COT, i.e. implement channel occupation, to prevent the situation that the COT cannot transmit due to the absence of the initial COT.

Alternatively, the first M symbols of the second slot are some or all symbols preceding the candidate start symbol of the second slot with an index other than 0, that is, the first terminal device may transmit some or all symbols preceding the candidate start symbol of the second slot with an index other than 0.

As shown in fig. 8, taking the COT in ffp#2 as an example, the second slot may be a slot n, and the first M symbols of the second slot include symbols shown as black rectangles in fig. 8, which are symbols with an index of 0 in the slot n. The candidate starting symbol for slot n with an index other than 0 may be one symbol in slot n with an index other than 0, e.g., its index may be 4 or another positive integer. Taking the example that the index of the candidate start symbol of the slot n is 4, in S201, the first terminal device transmits fourth information at least in the symbol with the index of 0 in the slot n, where m=1; the first terminal device may also transmit on M symbols from the time slot n, where M is less than or equal to 4, for example, when m=2, the first terminal device may transmit fourth information on two symbols with indices 0 to 1 in the time slot n, and for example, when m=4, the first terminal device may transmit fourth information on 4 symbols with indices 0 to 3 in the time slot n.

In one possible example, all UEs that have reserved resources within the COT and/or UEs that need uplink information on the transmitting side of the COT may transmit information in the first M symbols of the second slot.

For example, as shown in fig. 8, in ffp#1, UE1 reserves slot n+2 with the resource reservation information, UE2 reserves slot n and slot n+1 with the resource reservation information, and then UE1 and UE2 may perform S201, respectively, that is, UE1 and UE2 transmit in the first M symbols of slot n, respectively. Wherein the resource reservation information may be carried on the SCI.

Alternatively, the value of M may be the same or different for UE1 and UE2, e.g., m=1 for UE1 and m=2 for UE 2.

Further alternatively, the fourth information may be the same or different for UE1 and UE2, and the present application is not particularly limited to the content and/or form of the fourth information and the like transmitted by UE1 and UE2, respectively.

S202: the first terminal apparatus transmits the side uplink information of the first symbol in the COT where the second slot is located.

Wherein the first symbol comprises a candidate start symbol with an index other than 0 in the second slot and/or the first symbol comprises a start symbol in a third slot, the second slot being different from the third slot.

Accordingly, the second terminal device may receive the side-link information from the first terminal device from the start position of the first symbol in the COT. Alternatively, the second terminal device may start listening to the channel from a time domain position of a candidate start symbol with an index other than 0 in the second slot of the COT. Wherein the second terminal device does not need to listen to the channel before the time domain position of the candidate start symbol with index non-0 in the second slot of the COT to reduce overhead.

Taking fig. 8 as an example, UE1 reserves slot n+1, UE2 reserves slot n and slot n+1, and if the first terminal device is UE2 and the second slot is slot n shown in fig. 8, the first symbol includes a candidate start symbol with an index other than 0 in slot n. Further, if the first terminal device is UE2, the second slot may also be considered as slot n+1, where the first symbol comprises the start symbol of slot n+1. In addition, if the first terminal apparatus is UE1, the second slot is slot n+2 shown in fig. 8, and the first symbol may include a start symbol of slot n+2.

In addition, if the UE2 reserves only the slot n, the first symbol is the start symbol in the slot n.

Alternatively, in the example shown in fig. 8, the resources of UE2 are shared by UE1 to UE2. An alternative sharing way is that UE1 shares resources to UE2 through the sharing indication information. The shared indication information may be carried in SCI or MAC CE, and when UE2 receives the shared indication information, the UE may send information on the shared resource.

Alternatively, when the first symbol is a candidate start symbol in the second slot and the symbol index of the candidate start symbol is not 0, the first terminal device may further transmit side uplink information from the next symbol of the first symbol to the end symbol of the second slot, or the first terminal device may transmit side uplink information from the first symbol to the end symbol of the first slot.

Still taking fig. 8 as an example, if the first terminal device is UE2 and the first slot is slot n, the first symbol is a candidate start symbol with an index other than 0 in slot n shown in fig. 8, and thus UE2 may transmit the side uplink information at a time domain position between the candidate start symbol with an index other than 0 in slot n and the last symbol in slot n+1. Alternatively, UE2 may transmit side uplink information on some or all of the symbols between the candidate starting symbol with index non-0 in slot n and the last symbol of slot n+1.

Alternatively, when the first symbol is the start symbol of the third slot and the second slot is different from the third slot, the first terminal device may further transmit side downlink information in the next symbol of the first symbol to the end symbol of the third slot, or the first terminal device may transmit side downlink information in the end symbol of the first symbol to the third slot, or the first terminal device may transmit side downlink information in the third slot.

Still taking fig. 8 as an example, if the first terminal device is UE1 and the first slot is slot n+2, the first symbol is the start symbol of slot n+2 shown in fig. 8 (i.e. the symbol that is therefore 0, or referred to as symbol 0), so UE1 can transmit the side link information at the time domain position between symbol 0 of slot n+2 and the last symbol of slot n+2. Alternatively, UE1 may transmit side-uplink information on some or all of the symbols between symbol 0 of slot n+2 and the last symbol of slot n+2.

Alternatively, based on the flow shown in fig. 7, the first terminal apparatus may further acquire the first symbol number N and transmit the side uplink information to the second terminal apparatus through consecutive N symbols in the first slot. The method for obtaining the first symbol number may refer to the description of S101, and the first slot may refer to the description of S102, which is not repeated.

Alternatively, based on the flow shown in fig. 7, the first symbol number N may be determined according to an idle duration in the FFP where the COT in S201 is located. For example, ffp#2 shown in fig. 6 is the same FFP as ffp#2 shown in fig. 8, and the first symbol number N may be determined according to an idle period in the ffp#2. It can be seen that, when the first terminal apparatus is UE1, UE1 may transmit the side uplink information in the first N symbols of the slot n+3 in addition to the side uplink information in the slot n+2, or that UE1 may transmit the side uplink information in the first N symbols of the slot n+2 and the slot n+3.

Alternatively, the first terminal device may further transmit second information to the second terminal device, the second information indicating the first symbol number N. Thus, the second terminal device may obtain the value of N according to the first information, so as to receive the side uplink information from the first terminal device in the first N symbols of the last slot (i.e., the first slot) of the FFP. Alternatively, the second information may be carried on the SCI. The implementation manner of the second information may refer to the description of the second information designed in the flow of fig. 5, and will not be repeated.

Further, referring to the description of the flow shown in fig. 5, the second terminal apparatus may also obtain the first symbol number N by information from the network device, preconfigured information, predefined information, or the like, referring to the description of mode 2 or mode 3.

Alternatively, the starting position of the FFP period in the related art may be indicated by offsetUE-r17 parameters. Where the value ranges from 0 to 559, it is therefore necessary to indicate by 10 bits (bits), and signaling and bit overhead is large. The application can indicate the offset value between the starting position of FFP and the starting position of even frame by the new parameter, and the unit is time slot. For example, a offsetUE-r18 parameter may be defined to indicate the slot interval between FFP periods relative to the start position of even frames, with a range of values being inter (0..39), so only 6 bits are needed, signalling and bit overhead may be reduced.

Further alternatively, the new parameter may be indicated by the network device or may be predefined. For example, the network device may carry the new parameters in a preconfigured resource pool configuration to save signaling overhead in the preconfiguration process.

Based on the same conception, the embodiment of the application also provides a communication device. The communication device may include corresponding hardware structures and/or software modules that perform the functions shown in the above methods. Those of skill in the art will readily appreciate that the various illustrative elements and method steps described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as hardware or combinations of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is implemented as hardware or computer software driven hardware depends upon the particular application scenario and design constraints imposed on the solution.

Fig. 9 to 11 are schematic structural diagrams of a possible communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. The communication device may be configured to implement the functions of the first terminal device and/or the second terminal device in the above-described method embodiments, so that the beneficial effects of the above-described method embodiments may also be implemented. In one possible implementation, the communication means may be a terminal device or a component in a terminal device. Details and effects relating to the foregoing embodiments may be found in the description of the foregoing embodiments.

As shown in fig. 9, the communication apparatus 900 includes a processing unit 910 and a communication unit 920. The communication unit 920 may implement corresponding communication functions, and the processing unit 910 is configured to perform data processing. The communication unit 920 may also be a transceiver unit or an input/output interface. The communication device 900 may be configured to implement the functionality of the first terminal device and/or the second terminal device in the method embodiments described above with reference to fig. 5 or fig. 7.

The above actions performed by the processing unit 910 and the communication unit 920 respectively may be referred to the description of the method embodiment section, and will not be repeated. The processing unit 910 may be configured to perform processing-related actions such as S101. The communication unit 902 may be configured to perform communication-related actions such as S102, S201, and/or S202.

It should be understood that the division of the modules in the embodiments of the present application is merely illustrative, and there may be another division manner in actual implementation, and in addition, each functional module in the embodiments of the present application may be integrated in one processor, or may exist separately and physically, or two or more modules may be integrated in one module. The integrated modules may be implemented in hardware or in software functional modules.

Fig. 10 shows a communication apparatus 1000 according to an embodiment of the present application, for implementing the communication method according to the present application. The communication device 1000 may be a communication device to which the communication method is applied, may be a component in a communication device, or may be a device that can be used in cooperation with a communication device. The communication device 1000 may be the first terminal device and/or the second terminal device referred to in the method embodiment section above. The communication device 1000 may be a system-on-chip or a chip. In the embodiment of the application, the chip system can be formed by a chip, and can also comprise the chip and other discrete devices. The communication device 1000 includes at least one processor 1020 for implementing the communication method provided by the embodiment of the present application. The communications device 1000 may also include an input-output interface 1010, which may include an input interface and/or an output interface. In embodiments of the present application, input-output interface 1010 may be used to communicate with other devices via a transmission medium, the functions of which may include transmitting and/or receiving. For example, when the communication apparatus 1000 is a chip, the communication apparatus communicates with other chips or devices through the input/output interface 1010. The processor 1020 may be used to implement the methods shown in the method embodiments described above.

Illustratively, the processor 1020 may be configured to perform actions performed by the processing unit 910, and the input-output interface 1010 may be configured to perform actions performed by the communication unit 920, which are not described in detail.

Optionally, the communications device 1000 may also include at least one memory 1030 for storing program instructions and/or data. Memory 1030 is coupled to processor 1020. The coupling in the embodiments of the present application is an indirect coupling or communication connection between devices, units, or modules, which may be in electrical, mechanical, or other forms for information interaction between the devices, units, or modules. Processor 1020 may operate in conjunction with memory 1030. Processor 1020 may execute program instructions stored in memory 1030. At least one of the at least one memory may be integrated with the processor.

In an embodiment of the present application, the memory 1030 may be a nonvolatile memory, such as a hard disk (HARD DISK DRIVE, HDD) or a Solid State Disk (SSD), or may be a volatile memory (RAM). The memory is any other medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer, but is not limited to such. The memory in embodiments of the present application may also be circuitry or any other device capable of performing memory functions for storing program instructions and/or data.

In an embodiment of the present application, the processor 1020 may be a general purpose processor, a digital signal processor, an application specific integrated circuit, a field programmable gate array or other programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic device, or a discrete hardware component, where the methods, steps, and logic blocks disclosed in the embodiments of the present application may be implemented or performed. The general purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor or the like. The steps of a method disclosed in connection with the embodiments of the present application may be embodied directly in a hardware processor for execution, or in a combination of hardware and software modules in the processor for execution.

Fig. 11 shows a communication apparatus 1100 according to an embodiment of the present application, for implementing the communication method according to the present application. The communication device 1100 may be a communication device to which the communication method according to the embodiment of the present application is applied, or may be a component in a communication device, or may be a device that can be used in a matching manner with a communication device. The communication device 1100 may be the first terminal device and/or the second terminal device involved in the above method embodiment section. The communication device 1100 may be a system-on-a-chip or a chip. In the embodiment of the application, the chip system can be formed by a chip, and can also comprise the chip and other discrete devices. Some or all of the communication methods provided in the above embodiments may be implemented by hardware or software, and when implemented by hardware, the communication apparatus 1100 may include: an input interface circuit 1101, a logic circuit 1102, and an output interface circuit 1103.

Optionally, taking the function of the device for implementing the receiving end as an example, the input interface circuit 1101 may be used to perform the above-mentioned receiving action performed by the communication unit 920, the output interface circuit 1103 may be used to perform the above-mentioned sending action performed by the communication unit 920, and the logic circuit 1102 may be used to perform the above-mentioned action performed by the processing unit 910, which is not repeated.

Alternatively, the communication device 1100 may be a chip or an integrated circuit when embodied.

Some or all of the operations and functions performed by the communication device described in the above method embodiments of the present application may be implemented by a chip or an integrated circuit.

An embodiment of the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program including instructions for performing the above-described method embodiments.

Embodiments of the present application provide a computer program product comprising instructions which, when run on a computer, cause the computer to perform the above-described method embodiments.

The embodiment of the application provides a communication system which comprises a first terminal device and a second terminal device, wherein the method shown in fig. 5 or fig. 7 is realized one by one. The communication system may have the architecture shown in fig. 1 and/or fig. 2.

It is to be appreciated that the processor in embodiments of the application may be a central processing unit (central processing unit, CPU), but may also be other general purpose processors, digital signal processors (DIGITAL SIGNAL processors, DSPs), application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), field programmable gate arrays (field programmable GATE ARRAY, FPGAs), or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components, or any combination thereof. The general purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but in the alternative, it may be any conventional processor.

In the above embodiments, it may be implemented in whole or in part by software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented in software, may be implemented in whole or in part in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the processes or functions in accordance with embodiments of the present application are produced in whole or in part. The computer may be a general purpose computer, a special purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable apparatus. The computer instructions may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium, for example, the computer instructions may be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center by a wired (e.g., coaxial cable, fiber optic, digital subscriber line (digital subscriber line, DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.). Computer readable storage media can be any available media that can be accessed by a computer or data storage devices, such as servers, data centers, etc., that contain an integration of one or more available media. The usable medium may be a magnetic medium (e.g., floppy disk, hard disk, magnetic tape), an optical medium (e.g., high-density digital video disc (digital video disc, DVD)), or a semiconductor medium (e.g., SSD), etc.

It is noted that a portion of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has reserved copyright rights, except for making copies of patent documents or recorded patent document content of the patent office.

The network device in the above-described respective apparatus embodiments corresponds to the terminal device and the network device or the terminal device in the method embodiments, the respective steps are performed by respective modules or units, for example, the communication unit (transceiver) performs the steps of receiving or transmitting in the method embodiments, and other steps than transmitting and receiving may be performed by the processing unit (processor). Reference may be made to corresponding method embodiments for the function of a specific unit. Wherein the processor may be one or more.

As used in this specification, the terms "component," "module," "system," and the like are intended to refer to a computer-related entity, either hardware, firmware, a combination of hardware and software, or software in execution. For example, a component may be, but is not limited to being, a process running on a processor, an object, an executable, a thread of execution, a program, and/or a computer. By way of illustration, both an application running on a computing device and the computing device can be a component. One or more components may reside within a process and/or thread of execution and a component may be localized on one computer and/or distributed between two or more computers. Furthermore, these components can execute from various computer readable media having various data structures stored thereon. The components may communicate by way of local and/or remote processes such as in accordance with a signal having one or more data packets (e.g., data from two components interacting with one another in a local system, distributed system, and/or across a network such as the internet with other systems by way of the signal).

Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the various illustrative logical blocks (illustrative logical block) and steps (steps) described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented as electronic hardware, or combinations of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the solution. Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the present application.

It will be clear to those skilled in the art that, for convenience and brevity of description, specific working procedures of the above-described systems, apparatuses and units may refer to corresponding procedures in the foregoing method embodiments, and are not repeated herein.

In the several embodiments provided by the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, devices, and methods may be implemented in other manners. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative, e.g., the division of elements is merely a logical functional division, and there may be additional divisions of actual implementation, e.g., multiple elements or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be omitted, or not performed. Alternatively, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed with each other may be an indirect coupling or communication connection via some interfaces, devices or units, which may be in electrical, mechanical or other form.

The units described as separate units may or may not be physically separate, and units shown as units may or may not be physical units, may be located in one place, or may be distributed over a plurality of network units. Some or all of the units may be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the solution of this embodiment.

In addition, each functional unit in the embodiments of the present application may be integrated in one processing unit, or each unit may exist alone physically, or two or more units may be integrated in one unit. The functions, if implemented in the form of software functional units and sold or used as a stand-alone product, may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium.

The foregoing is merely illustrative embodiments of the present application, but the scope of the present application is not limited thereto, and any person skilled in the art can easily think about variations or substitutions within the technical scope of the present application, and the application should be covered. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application shall be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A method of communication, comprising:

The method comprises the steps that a first terminal device obtains a first symbol number N, wherein the N is determined according to an idle time length in a fixed frame period, the idle time length comprises a time length for executing a channel access process, and N is a positive integer;

The first terminal device transmits side uplink information to the second terminal device through consecutive N symbols in a first slot, wherein the first slot is a last slot in the fixed frame period, and the consecutive N symbols include a first symbol in the first slot.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first terminal device obtaining the first number of symbols N comprises:

the first terminal device determines the first symbol number N according to the idle duration and the subcarrier interval.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first terminal device obtaining a first number of symbols N comprises:

the first terminal device receives first information from a network device, the first information being used to indicate the first number of symbols N; or alternatively

The first terminal device determines the first symbol number N according to predefined first information; or alternatively

The first terminal device determines the first symbol number N according to preconfigured first information.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the first information is carried in downlink control information, DCI.

5. The method of any one of claims 1-4, wherein the method further comprises:

The first terminal device transmits second information to the second terminal device, the second information indicating the first symbol number N.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the second information is carried in side-uplink control information SCI.

7. A method of communication, comprising:

the second terminal device obtains a first symbol number N, wherein the N is determined according to an idle time length in a fixed frame period, the idle time length comprises a time length for executing a channel access process, and N is a positive integer;

The second terminal device receives side-link information from a first terminal device in a consecutive N symbols in a first slot, wherein the first slot is a last slot in the fixed frame period, and the consecutive N symbols include a first symbol in the first slot.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the second terminal device obtaining the first number of symbols N comprises:

The second terminal device receives third information from the network device, the third information indicating the first number of symbols N; or alternatively

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the third information is carried in downlink control information, DCI.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein the second terminal device obtaining the first number of symbols N comprises:

The second terminal device receives second information from the first terminal device, the second information indicating the first symbol number N.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the second information is carried in side-uplink control information SCI.

12. A method of communication, comprising:

the first terminal device sends fourth information in the first M symbols of a second time slot, wherein the second time slot is the first time slot in the channel occupation time, and M is a positive integer;

First symbol transmission side uplink information of the first terminal apparatus in the channel occupation time;

wherein the first symbol is a candidate start symbol in the second slot, the symbol index of the candidate start symbol is not 0, and/or,

The first symbol is a starting symbol in a third slot, and the second slot is different from the three slots.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the first symbol is a candidate start symbol in the first slot, the symbol index of the candidate start symbol being other than 0, the method further comprising:

the first terminal apparatus transmits side uplink information from a symbol next to the first symbol to an end symbol of the first slot.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the first symbol is a starting symbol in the third slot, the method further comprising:

The first terminal apparatus transmits side uplink information from a symbol next to the first symbol to an end symbol of the third slot.

15. The method of any one of claims 12-14, wherein the method further comprises:

The first terminal device sends resource reservation information before the second time slot, wherein the resource reservation information is used for reserving the first time slot of the channel occupation time.

16. The method of any one of claims 12-15, wherein the method further comprises:

The first terminal device obtains a first symbol number N, wherein the N is determined according to an idle time length in a fixed frame period, the idle time length comprises a time length for executing a channel access process, the fixed frame period comprises the channel occupation time, and N is a positive integer;

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the first terminal device obtaining the first number of symbols N comprises:

18. The method according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the first terminal device obtaining a first number of symbols N, comprises:

the first terminal device receives first information from a network device, wherein the first information is used for indicating the first symbol number N; or alternatively

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the first information is carried in downlink control information, DCI.

20. The method of any one of claims 16-19, wherein the method further comprises:

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the second information is carried in side-uplink control information SCI.

22. A method of communication, comprising:

The second terminal device determines the channel occupation time;

A first symbol receiving side uplink information of the second terminal apparatus in a channel occupation time;

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the first symbol is a candidate start symbol in the first slot, the symbol index of the candidate start symbol being other than 0, the method further comprising:

the second terminal apparatus receives side uplink information from a symbol next to the first symbol to an end symbol of the first slot.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein the first symbol is a starting symbol in the third slot, the method further comprising:

the second terminal apparatus receives side uplink information from a symbol next to the first symbol to an end symbol of the third slot.

25. The method of any one of claims 22-24, wherein the method further comprises:

the second terminal device receives resource reservation information before the second time slot, wherein the resource reservation information is used for reserving the first time slot of the channel occupation time.

26. The method of any one of claims 22-25, wherein the method further comprises:

The second terminal device obtains a first symbol number N, wherein the N is determined according to an idle time length in a fixed frame period, the idle time length comprises a time length for executing a channel access process, the fixed frame period comprises the channel occupation time, and N is a positive integer;

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the second terminal device obtaining the first number of symbols N comprises:

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the third information is carried in downlink control information, DCI.

29. The method of claim 26, wherein the second terminal device obtaining the first number of symbols N comprises:

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the second information is carried in side-uplink control information SCI.

31. A communication device comprising a processor for executing computer program instructions stored in a memory to implement the method of any one of claims 1-6, or to implement the method of any one of claims 7-11, or to implement the method of any one of claims 12-21, or to implement the method of any one of claims 22-30.

32. A computer readable storage medium comprising computer program instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out the method of any one of claims 1 to 6 or cause the computer to carry out the method of any one of claims 7 to 11 or cause the computer to carry out the method of any one of claims 12 to 21 or cause the computer to carry out the method of any one of claims 22 to 30.