EP4710684A1

EP4710684A1 - System and apparatus for selecting resources in a network and a method in association thereto

Info

Publication number: EP4710684A1
Application number: EP24724507.9A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Reuben GEORGE STEPHEN; Rikin SHAH; David GONZALEZ GONZALEZ
Original assignee: Aumovio Germany GmbH
Current assignee: Aumovio Germany GmbH
Priority date: 2023-05-08
Filing date: 2024-05-07
Publication date: 2026-03-18
Also published as: WO2024231382A1; CN121080102A

Abstract

System (100), device (104) and a method (300) for selecting resources in a network are disclosed. The method (300) includes obtaining information relating to sidelink (SL) positioning; determining at least one resource pool category for a user device based on the information; generating a mapping between the information and the at least one resource pool category; generating a control signal based on the at least one resource pool category and the mapping; and communicating the control signal to the user device for selecting resources.

Description

SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR SELECTING RESOURCES IN A NETWORK AND A METHOD IN ASSOCIATION THERETO

Field Of Invention

[001] The present disclosure generally relates to one or both of a system and a device for selecting resources in a network and in association with, for example, a base station and/or a User Equipment (UE), usable for communication. The present disclosure further relates a method which can be associated with the system and/or the device.

Background of Invention

[002] Generally, wireless networks provide network connectivity through radio interfaces to mobile communication devices or user equipment (UE), such as smart phones. Managing congestion and avoiding conflicting transmissions when selecting resources can be helpful in communication networks, for example, a 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) 5G (fifth generation) New Radio (NR) standard-based telecommunications network.

[003] Current techniques may not address the issue of selecting resources by a User Equipment (UE) in a communication network. In particular, when a UE is assigned more than one dedicated and/or shared resource pools (RPs) for sidelink (SL) positioning, the UE may not be efficiently selecting which RP to use for a particular SL positioning transmission or operation. Thus, the current techniques may not manage congestion and avoid conflicting transmissions effectively in an optimal manner.

[004] The present disclosure contemplates that it would be helpful to address or at least mitigate one or more issues in relation to conventional techniques for managing congestion and avoiding conflicting transmissions when selecting resources by a user device (or UE). Summary of the Invention

[005] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for selecting resources in a network, the method comprising: obtaining information relating to sidelink (SL) positioning; determining at least one resource pool category for a user device based on the information; generating a mapping between the information and the at least one resource pool category; generating a control signal based on the at least one resource pool category and the mapping; and communicating the control signal to the user device for selecting resources.

[006] Advantageously, the method as described herein can provide methods for selection between more than one dedicated and/or shared resource pools (RPs) in SL positioning. It may also mitigate congestion because if left to the user device (or user Equipment UE) for implementation, the UE would always prioritize using a dedicated resource pool (RP).

[007] In an embodiment, information relating to SL positioning comprises at least one of: a priority, at least one geographical zone identification and/or a quality of service (QoS).

[008] In an embodiment, the at least one resource pool category comprises a shared resource pool and a dedicated resource pool.

[009] In an embodiment, communicating the control signal to the user device comprises communicating via at least one of: radio resource control (RRC) configuration, RRC preconfiguration and/or system information.

[0010] In an embodiment, the method further comprises generating a mapping between the priority and/or QoS and a resource pool identification; generating a mapping between at least one geographical identification and a resource pool identification; and/or generating a mapping between the priority and/or QoS, the at least one geographical identification and a resource pool identification, wherein the resource pool identification is associated with a resource pool in each of the at least one resource pool category.

[0011] In an embodiment, the method further comprises determining a preference order including at least one resource pool identification, the at least one resource pool identification identifying at least one resource pool in each of the at least one resource pool category; and communicating the preference order to the user device that is inside a coverage area and at least one other user device that is outside the coverage area.

[0012] In an embodiment, communicating the preference order comprises communicating via at least one of: radio resource control (RRC) configuration, RRC preconfiguration and/or system information.

[0013] In an embodiment, determining a preference order comprises: determining a threshold indicative of congestion of a resource pool; generating a congestion metric associated with the resource pool; and analyzing the congestion metric with the threshold to select a resource pool for selecting resources based on the comparison.

[0014] In an embodiment, comparing the metric with the threshold comprises: determining if the congestion metric is more than the threshold; and selecting a subsequent resource pool indicated in the preference order if the congestion metric is more than the threshold.

[0015] In an embodiment, there is provided a computer program comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out the method of the first aspect.

[0016] In an embodiment, there is provided a computer readable storage medium having data stored therein representing software executable by a computer, the software including instructions, when executed by the computer, to carry out the method of the first aspect.

[0017] In an embodiment, there is provided a device for selecting resources in a network comprising: a first module configured to obtain information relating to sidelink (SL) positioning; a second module configured to at least one of process and facilitate the method of the first aspect to generate at least one output signal; and a third module configured to communicate at least one output signal, wherein the output signal corresponds to a control signal for selecting resources by a user device.

[0018] In an embodiment, the device corresponds to a base station communicable with an apparatus corresponding to a User Equipment (UE), and wherein the base station corresponds to a Next generation Node B (gNB) configured to communicate the at least one output signal to the UE.

[0019] In an embodiment, there is provided a system comprising: at least one apparatus(es); and at least one device(s), wherein the apparatus(es) and the device(s) are capable of being coupled via at least one of wired coupling and wireless coupling.

[0020] Advantageously, the system as disclosed herein can manage congestion and avoid conflicting transmissions in a network through effective selection of resources. For example, the system can define when and which resource pool to use for SL positioning when both dedicated and shared resource pools (RPs) are assigned to user devices (or UEs).

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0021] Embodiments of the disclosure are described hereinafter with reference to the following drawings, in which: [0022] Fig. 1 shows a schematic diagram illustrating a system for selecting resources in a network which can include at least one device, according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0023] Fig. 2 shows a schematic diagram illustrating the apparatus of Fig. 1 in further detail, according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0024] Fig. 3 shows a method in association with the system of Fig. 1 , according to an embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description

[0025] The present specification discloses device and apparatus for performing the operations of the methods. Such apparatus may be specially constructed for the required purposes, or may comprise a computer or other device selectively activated or reconfigured by a computer program stored in the computer. The algorithms and displays presented herein are not inherently related to any particular computer or other apparatus. Various machines may be used with programs in accordance with the teachings herein. Alternatively, the construction of more specialized apparatus and device to perform the required method steps may be appropriate. The structure of a computer will appear from the description below.

[0026] In addition, the present specification also implicitly discloses a computer program, in that it would be apparent to the person skilled in the art that the individual steps of the method described herein may be put into effect by computer code. The computer program is not intended to be limited to any particular programming language and implementation thereof. It will be appreciated that a variety of programming languages and coding thereof may be used to implement the teachings of the disclosure contained herein. Moreover, the computer program is not intended to be limited to any particular control flow. There are many other variants of the computer program, which can use different control flows without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure. [0027] Furthermore, one or more of the steps of the computer program may be performed in parallel rather than sequentially. Such a computer program may be stored on any computer readable medium. The computer readable medium may include storage devices such as magnetic or optical disks, memory chips, or other storage devices suitable for interfacing with a computer. The computer readable medium may also include a hard-wired medium such as exemplified in the Internet system, or wireless medium such as exemplified in the mobile telephone system. The computer program when loaded and executed on such a computer effectively results in an apparatus that implements the steps of the preferred method.

[0028] In some embodiments, the non-limiting term user equipment (UE) or wireless device or user device may be used and may refer to any type of wireless device communicating with a network node and/or with another UE in a cellular or mobile communication system. Examples of UE are target device, device to device (D2D) UE, machine type UE or UE capable of machine to machine (M2M) communication, PDA, PAD, Tablet, mobile terminals, smart phone, laptop embedded equipped (LEE), laptop mounted equipment (LME), USB dongles, UE category Ml, UE category M2, ProSe UE, V2V UE, V2X UE, etc.

[0029] In some embodiments, a more general term “network node” may be used and may correspond to any type of radio network node or any network node, which communicates with a user equipment (directly or via another node) and/or with another network node. Examples of network nodes are NodeB, MeNB, ENB, a network node belonging to MCG or SCG, base station (BS), multi-standard radio (MSR) radio node such as MSR BS, eNodeB, gNodeB, network controller, radio network controller (RNC), base station controller (BSC), relay, donor node controlling relay, base transceiver station (BTS), access point (AP), transmission points, transmission nodes, RRU, RRH, nodes in distributed antenna system (DAS), core network node (e.g. Mobile Switching Center (MSC), Mobility Management Entity (MME), etc), Operations & Maintenance (O&M), Operations Support System (OSS), Self Optimized Network (SON), positioning node (e.g. Evolved- Serving Mobile Location Centre (E-SMLC)), Minimization of Drive Tests (MDT), test equipment (physical node or software), etc.

[0030] Additionally, terminologies such as base station/gNodeB and UE should be considered non-limiting and do in particular not imply a certain hierarchical relation between the two; in general, “gNodeB” could be considered as device 1 and “UE” could be considered as device 2 and these two devices communicate with each other over some radio channel. And in the following the transmitter or receiver could be either gNodeB (gNB), or UE.

[0031] As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of the embodiments may be embodied as a system, apparatus, method, or program product. Accordingly, embodiments may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects.

[0032] For example, the disclosed embodiments may be implemented as a hardware circuit comprising custom very-large-scale integration (“VLSI”) circuits or gate arrays, off-the-shelf semiconductors such as logic chips, transistors, or other discrete components. The disclosed embodiments may also be implemented in programmable hardware devices such as field programmable gate arrays, programmable array logic, programmable logic devices, or the like. As another example, the disclosed embodiments may include one or more physical or logical blocks of executable code which may, for instance, be organized as an object, procedure, or function.

[0033] The present disclosure contemplates that sidelink (SL) communication is a communication scheme in which a direct link is established between User Equipments (UEs) and the UEs exchange voice and data directly with each other without intervention of an evolved Node B (eNB). The present disclosure thus contemplates the possibility of SL communication as a solution to the overhead of an eNB caused by rapidly increasing data traffic. [0034] The present disclosure contemplates that Vehicle-to-everything (V2X) can refer to a communication technology through which a vehicle exchanges information with another vehicle, a pedestrian, an object having an infrastructure (or infra) established therein, and so on. The V2X may be divided into 4 types, such as vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V), vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I), vehicle-to-network (V2N), and vehicle-to-pedestrian (V2P). The V2X communication may be provided via a PC5 interface and/or llu interface.

[0035] The present disclosure contemplates that as a wider range of communication devices require larger communication capacities, the need for mobile broadband communication that is more enhanced than the existing Radio Access Technology (RAT) is rising. Accordingly, services and user equipment (UE) that are sensitive to reliability and latency can be considered. The present disclosure further contemplates a next generation radio access technology that is based on the enhanced mobile broadband communication, massive Machine Type Communication (MTC), Ultra-Reliable and Low Latency Communication (URLLC) etc. may be referred to as a new radio access technology (RAT) or new radio (NR). Herein, the NR may also support vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication.

[0036] The present disclosure contemplates the need for physical layer procedures related to sidelink (SL) positioning. In SL positioning, both dedicated and shared resource pools (RPs) may be used. A dedicated resource pool can be a resource pool used only for carrying and/or transmitting sidelink positioning signals or data while a shared resource pool can be a resource pool used for carrying and/or transmitting both sidelink communication signals or data and sidelink positioning signals or data. However, when a user equipment (UE) is assigned more than one dedicated and/or shared RPs for SL positioning, a method can be provided to select which one to use for a particular SL positioning transmission/service. Otherwise, there would be increased congestion in a few RPs, causing performance degradation in SL positioning. [0037] The present disclosure contemplates the possibility of having methods by which a network can set some criteria for a UE to select a suitable RP for positioning, and methods for the network to inform a UE of these criteria. The network may use priority/quality of service (QoS) of each positioning operation as a criteria to aid the UE to decide which RP is to be used. It may also provide certain thresholds for certain congestion metrics to aid the UE to choose between multiple RPs available for a particular priority/ QoS value. In addition, the network may also use the geographical zone ID of the UE and/or other suitable parameters, or a combination of the parameters.

[0038] I The present disclosure contemplates that it may be possible that both dedicated and/or shared RP(s) are assigned to a UE. If the decision of which RP should be used by the UE is left to its implementation, a UE would always choose dedicated RP(s), which can cause severe congestion in the dedicated RP(s), while the shared RP(s) will be unused. Particularly, if it is left to the UE implementation, each UE which has more than one dedicated and/or shared RPs assigned to it would prefer to use dedicated RP(s) rather than shared RP(s), as more bandwidth would be available, and they are not shared with SL communication. A method may thus be required to enable a UE to select between multiple dedicated and/or shared RP(s), which can mitigate congestion. When both dedicated and shared RPs are assigned to UEs, it can be necessary to define when and which ones to use for SL positioning.

[0039] The present disclosure contemplates that in a SL positioning resource allocation, either dedicated resource pool(s) and/or a shared resource pool(s) can be (pre-)configured for SL positioning reference signal (PRS). The design may not be identical for both types of resource pools and the shared resource pool(s) can be supported with backward compatibility.

[0040] In addition, for a dedicated resource pool for SL positioning, the present disclosure contemplates various alternatives for subsequent down-selection. A first alternative can include the bandwidth of SL PRS be the same or smaller than that of the resource pool. The second alternative can include the bandwidth of SL PRS be the same as that of the resource pool and the bandwidth of SL PRS transmission for a shared resource pool can be considered during normative work.

[0041] The present disclosure contemplates that on expanded and improved NR positioning (Release 18), specifically scheme 2 SL PRS resource allocation, the following can be considered: a resource selection mechanism for SL PRS, inter-UE coordination and congestion control mechanisms for SL PRS.

[0042] In the above manner, a method can be provided on resource selection for a UE to select between more than one dedicated and/or shared RPs for SL positioning, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In addition, methods can be provided for the network to indicate which RP(s) are to be used for SL positioning services based on their QoS/ priority. Managing congestion and avoiding conflicting transmissions can therefore possibly be facilitated in the network, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0043] The foregoing will be discussed in further detail with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 3 hereinafter.

[0044] Referring to Fig. 1 , a schematic diagram illustrating a system 100 for selecting resources in a network is shown, according to an embodiment of the invention. The system 100 can, for example, be suitable for managing congestion and avoiding conflicting transmissions, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0045] As shown, the system 100 can include one or more apparatuses 102, at least one device 104 and, optionally, a communication network 106, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0046] The apparatus(es) 102 can be coupled to the device(s) 104. Specifically, the apparatus(es) 102 can, for example, be coupled to the device(s) 104 via the communication network 106, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. [0047] In one embodiment, the apparatus(es) 102 can be coupled to the communication network 106 and the device(s) 104 can be coupled to the communication network 106. Coupling can be by manner of one or both of wired coupling and wireless coupling. The apparatus(es) 102 can, in general, be configured to communicate with the device(s) 104 via the communication network 106, according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0048] The apparatus(es) 102 can, for example, be associated with or correspond to or include one or more user equipment (UE) which can carry one or more computers, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. For example, an apparatus 102 can correspond to a UE carrying at least one computer (e.g. an electronic device or module having computing capabilities such as an electronic mobile device which can be carried into a vehicle or an electronic module which can be installed in a vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention) which can be configured to perform one or more processing tasks in association with adaptive/dynamic/gradual control, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0049] The device(s) 104 can, for example, be associated with/correspond to at least one base station, where the at least one base station can be a Next Generation Node B (gNB). Moreover, the device(s) 104 can, for example, be configured to carry/be associated with/include one or more computers (e.g., an electronic device/module having computing capabilities) which can, for example, be configured to perform one or more processing tasks in association with the base station. The device(s) 104 can be configured to receive one or more input signals which can be communicated from the apparatus(es) 102, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The device(s) 104 can, for example, perform one or more processing tasks in association with dynamic/adaptive/gradual control on the input signal(s) in a manner so as to generate at least one output signal. This will be discussed later in further detail in the context of an example scenario, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. [0050] In an embodiment, the device(s) 104 can, for example, be configured to receive one or more input signals and perform at least one processing task based on the input signal(s) in a manner to generate one or more output signals. The input signal(s) can, for example, be communicated from the apparatus(es) 102 and received by the device(s) 104, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0051] The input signal can be associated with information related to sidelink (SL) positioning. Specifically, the information may include a priority, at least one geographical zone identification and/or a quality of service (QoS). As a possible option, the output signal(s) can, for example, be communicated from the device(s) 104, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The output signal may correspond to a control signal for selecting resources in a resource pool of a network. The apparatus(es) 102 and device(s) 104 will be discussed later in further detail with reference to Fig. 2, according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0052] The communication network 106 can, for example, correspond to an Internet communication network, a cellular-based communication network, a wired-based communication network, a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) based communication network, a wireless-based communication network, or any combination thereof. Communication (e.g., between the apparatuses 102 and/or between the apparatus(es) 102 and the device(s) 104) via the communication network 106 can be by manner of one or both of wired communication and wireless communication.

[0053] The above-described aspect(s) of the system 100 of the present invention can also apply analogously (all) the aspect(s) of a below described apparatus 102 and device 104 of the present invention. Likewise, all below described aspect(s) of the apparatus 102 and device 104 of the invention can also apply analogously (all) the aspect(s) of above-described system 100 of the invention.

[0054] The aforementioned device(s) 104 or base station (e.g. gNB) will be discussed in further detail with reference to Fig. 2 hereinafter. [0055] Referring to Fig. 2, a schematic diagram illustrating a device 104 is shown in further detail in the context of an example implementation 200, according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0056] In the example implementation 200, the device 104 can correspond to an electronic module 200a. The electronic module 200a can, in one example, correspond to a base station or a cell, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In another example, the electronic module 200a can correspond to an electronic device which can be installed/mounted in the base station or the cell, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention

[0057] It is contemplated that the electronic module 200a can be capable of performing one or more processing tasks in association with adaptive/dynamic/gradual control related processing, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0058] The electronic module 200a can, for example, include a casing 200b. Moreover, the electronic module 200a can, for example, carry any one of a first module 202, a second module 204, a third module 206, or any combination thereof.

[0059] In one embodiment, the electronic module 200a can carry a first module 202, a second module 204 and/or a third module 206. In a specific example, the electronic module 200a can carry a first module 202, a second module 204 and a third module 206, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0060] In this regard, it is appreciable that, in one embodiment, the casing 200b can be shaped and dimensioned to carry any one of the first module 202, the second module 204 and the third module 206, or any combination thereof.

[0061] The first module 202 can be coupled to one or both of the second module 204 and the third module 206. The second module 204 can be coupled to one or both of the first module 202 and the third module 206. The third module 206 can be coupled to one or both of the first module 202 and the second module 204. In one example, the first module 202 can be coupled to the second module 204 and the second module 204 can be coupled to the third module 206, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Coupling between the first module 202, the second module 204 and/or the third module 206 can, for example, be by manner of one or both of wired coupling and wireless coupling. Each of the first module 202, the second module 204 and the third module 206 can correspond to one or both of a hardware-based module and a software-based module, according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0062] In one example, the first module 202 can correspond to a hardware-based receiver which can be configured to receive one or more input signals. The input signal(s) can, for example, be communicated from the apparatus(es) 102 (or user device or user equipment UE), in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0063] The second module 204 can, for example, correspond to a hardware-based processor which can be configured to perform one or more processing tasks (e.g., in a manner so as to generate one or more output signals) as will be discussed later in further detail with reference to Fig. 3, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0064] The third module 206 can correspond to a hardware-based transmitter which can be configured to communicate one or more output signals from the electronic module 200a. The output signal(s) can, for example, include one or more instructions/commands/control signals in association with the aforementioned dynamic/adaptive/gradual control configuration/determination strategy so as to manage congestion and avoid conflicting transmissions, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. For example, the output signal(s) can be a control signal(s) to select resources by the user device (or UE).

[0065] The present disclosure contemplates the possibility that the first and second modules 202, 204 can be an integrated software-hardware based module, for example, an electronic part which can carry a software program or algorithm in association with receiving and processing functions or an electronic module programmed to perform the functions of receiving and processing. The present disclosure further contemplates the possibility that the first and third modules 202, 206 can be an integrated software-hardware based module, for example an electronic part which can carry a software program or algorithm in association with receiving and transmitting functions or an electronic module programmed to perform the functions of receiving and transmitting. The present disclosure yet further contemplates the possibility that the first and third modules 202, 206 can be an integrated hardware module, for example a hardware-based transceiver, capable of performing the functions of receiving and transmitting.

[0066] The device 104 (or base station or gNB) can, for example, be further configured to process the input signal(s), as will be discussed later in further detail with reference to Fig. 3, in a manner so as to generate one or more output signals in a manner so as to manage congestion and avoid conflicting transmissions, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In one specific example, the output signal(s) can include one or more control signals to facilitate some form of dynamic/adaptive/gradual control configuration/determination strategy so as to manage congestion and avoid conflicting transmissions, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. For example, the output signal(s) can be a control signal(s) for selecting resources by a user device (or UE).

[0067] In an alternative embodiment, the schematic diagram of Fig. 2 may illustrate an apparatus 102 in the context of the example implementation 200, according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0068] In particular, the example implementation 200 together with its modules 200a, 200b, 202, 204 and 206 as described above may correspond to an apparatus 102 such as a user equipment (UE) or user device. For example, the electronic module 200a having the casing 200b, the first module 202, the second module 204 and the third module 206 may correspond to a mobile device (or UE) which can, for example, be carried into the vehicle by a user, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In another example, the electronic module 200a can correspond to an electronic device which can be installed/mounted in the vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In this regard, the electronic module 200a can be considered to be carried by the vehicle (e.g., either carried into the vehicle by a user or installed/mounted in the vehicle). In an example, the first module 202 can correspond to a hardware-based receiver which can be configured to receive one or more input signals which can, for example, be communicated from the device 104 (or base station or gNB), in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0069] The apparatus 102 (or user device or UE) can, for example, be further configured to process the input signal(s), as will be discussed later in further detail with reference to Fig. 3, in a manner so as to generate one or more output signals in a manner so as to manage congestion and avoid conflicting transmissions in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In one specific example, the output signal(s) can include one or more control signals to facilitate some form of dynamic/adaptive/gradual control configuration/determination strategy so as to manage congestion and avoid conflicting transmissions, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. For example, the output signal(s) can be a control signal(s) for selecting resources by a user device (or UE).

[0070] The above-described aspect(s) of the apparatus 102 and device 104 of the present invention can also apply analogously (all) the aspect(s) of a below described processing/communication method of the present invention. Likewise, all below described aspect(s) of the method of the invention can also apply analogously (all) the aspect(s) of above described apparatus 102 and device 104 of the invention. It is to be appreciated that these remarks apply analogously to the earlier discussed system 100 of the present disclosure.

[0071] Referring to Fig. 3, a method 300 (or a communication method) for selecting resources in association with the system 100 is shown, according to an embodiment of the invention. [0072] The method 300 can, for example, be suitable for managing congestion and avoiding conflicting transmissions in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0073] The method 300 can include any one of an input step 302, a processing step 304 and an output step 306, or any combination thereof, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0074] In an embodiment, the processing method 300 can include the input step 302. In another embodiment, the processing method 300 can include the input step 302 and the processing step 304. In another embodiment, the processing method 300 can include the input step 302, the processing step 304 and the output step 306. In yet another embodiment, the processing method 300 can include the processing step 304 and one or both of the input step 302 and the output step 306. In yet a further embodiment, the processing method 300 can include the input step 302, the processing step 304 and the output step 306. In yet a further additional embodiment, the processing method 300 can include the processing step 304. In yet another further additional embodiment, the processing method 300 can include any one of or any combination of the input step 302, the processing step 304 and the output step 306 (i.e. , the input step 302, the processing step 304 and/or the output step 306).

[0075] With regard to the input step 302, one or more input signal(s) can be received. For example, the input signal(s) can be communicated from the apparatus 102 and can be received by the device 104, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In an alternative embodiment, the input signal(s) can be received by the apparatus 102.

[0076] The input step 302 can include receiving at least one input signal associated with information relating to sidelink (SL) positioning. Specifically, the information may include a priority, at least one geographical zone identification and/or a quality of service (QoS). In an embodiment, the input signal(s) may be generated by the apparatus 102 and transmitted from the apparatus 102 to the device 104. Alternatively, the input signal(s) may be generated and received by the apparatus 102 to advance to the processing step 304. For example, the input signal(s) may be generated by a transmitting UE (or user device) and received by a receiving UE (or user device).

[0077] With regard to the processing step 304, at least a processing task can be performed in association with the received input signal(s) in a manner so as to generate one or more output signals, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0078] The processing step 304 may include at least one of: determining at least one resource pool category for a user device based on the information; generating a mapping between the information and the at least one resource pool category; generating a control signal based on the at least one resource pool category and the mapping; and communicating the control signal to the user device for selecting resources. The at least one resource pool category may include a shared resource pool and a dedicated resource pool and communicating the control signal to the user device may include communicating via at least one of: radio resource control (RRC) configuration, RRC preconfiguration and/or system information. The dedicated resource pool can be a resource pool used only for carrying and/or transmitting sidelink positioning signals or data while the shared resource pool can be a resource pool used for carrying and/or transmitting both sidelink communication signals or data and sidelink positioning signals or data.

[0079] In an example embodiment, a UE (or user device) may be provided an indication to use dedicated and/or shared resource pool(s) (RP(s)) for SL positioning from the network (or base station or gNB), where the network determines the indication based on the priority or QoS of SL positioning services. In addition to the priority or QoS or separately, the network (or base station or gNB) may also use other parameters (e.g., geographical zone identifications) to indicate which RPs a UE (or user device) may use. The network (or base station or gNB) may also use a combination of these parameters, for example the priority or QoS and geographical zone identifications for the indication. [0080] The processing step 304 may also include mapping the information to a physical layer of the control signal; generating a mapping between the priority and/or QoS and a resource pool identification; generating a mapping between at least one geographical identification and a resource pool identification; and/or generating a mapping between the priority and/or QoS, the at least one geographical identification and a resource pool identification, wherein the resource pool identification is associated with a resource pool in each of the at least one resource pool category. For example, the resource pool identification may identify a first resource pool in the shared resource pool or may identify a second resource pool in the dedicated resource pool. In other words, there can be multiple resource pools in each of the resource pool category (shared resource pool and dedicated resource pool), and the resource pool identification may uniquely identify one of the multiple resource pools.

[0081] In an example embodiment, the priority or QoS of an SL positioning service may be mapped to a physical layer priority or QoS indication and the physical layer priority or QoS indication for SL positioning can be transmitted to the user device (or UE) as part of the control information in dedicated and/or shared RP(s).

[0082] In a further embodiment, the UE may be provided a mapping between the physical layer priority or QoS value and the type and identification of the RP(s) to be used for the SL positioning transmission corresponding to this priority or QoS value by the network (or base station or gNB). Such information can be provided via system information or RRC (pre-)configuration. In addition to priority or QoS or separately, parameters such as geographical zone identifications may also be used for the mapping. In this case, for each one or more than one zone identification(s), there would be a corresponding priority or QoS-to-RP identification number (ID) mapping. For example, the network (or base station or gNB) may provide any one of the following mappings to aid in the RP selection by the UE. A first option includes mapping between priority or QoS and RP ID, a second option includes mapping between geographical zone ID and RP ID and a third option may include a combination of the first and second options, i.e. mapping between the priority and/or QoS, the at least one geographical identification and a resource pool identification. The resource pool identification can be associated with a resource pool in each of the resource pool category. As an example, the resource pool identification may identify a first resource pool in the shared resource pool or may identify a second resource pool in the shared resource pool or may identify a third resource pool in the dedicated resource pool.

[0083] The processing step 304 may further include determining a preference order including at least one resource pool identification, the at least one resource pool identification identifying at least one resource pool in each of the at least one resource pool category and communicating the preference order to the user device that is inside a coverage area and at least one other user device that is outside the coverage area. Communicating the preference order may include communicating via at least one of: radio resource control (RRC) configuration, RRC preconfiguration and/or system information. In an example embodiment, the at least one resource pool identification can identify a first resource pool in the shared resource pool, a second resource pool in the shared resource pool or a third resource pool in the dedicated resource pool. Accordingly, there can be multiple resource pools in each of the resource pool category (shared resource pool and dedicated resource pool), and the preference order may include multiple resource pool identifications identifying multiple resource pools in the shared resource pool and/or the dedicated resource pool.

[0084] In an example embodiment, in the situation where a UE (or user device) is allowed to use multiple dedicated and/or shared RP(s) for the same priority or QoS level, the UE (or user device) may be provided a preference order among the RP(s). The preference order may simply be based on the RP identification or be indicated separately to the UE by the network via system information or RRC (preconfiguration. In the case of indication by the network, in-coverage UE(s) (or user devices) can broadcast or relay the preference order information to out of coverage UEs (or user devices). [0085] The processing step 304 may also include determining a threshold indicative of congestion of a resource pool; generating a congestion metric associated with the resource pool; analyzing the congestion metric with the threshold to select a resource pool for selecting resources based on the comparison; determining if the congestion metric is more than the threshold; and selecting a subsequent resource pool indicated in the preference order if the congestion metric is more than the threshold.

[0086] In an example embodiment, the UE (or user device) may use the next RP in the preference order only if a suitable congestion metric in the current RP is above a threshold configured by the network (or base station or gNB). The threshold for each RP maybe predefined or indicated by the network to the UE via system information or RRC (pre-)configuration. In the case of indication by the network (or base station or gNB), in-coverage UEs (or user devices) may broadcast or relay the thresholds to out-of-coverage UEs (or user devices).

[0087] For example, if a UE (or user device) is handling four positioning services or transmissions at a time with SCI priorities 1-4, the mapping may be provided in table 1 as shown below (assuming 1 is highest priority). If an additional parameter (e.g., geographical zone) is also used, the mapping can be further defined for each geographical zone or group of zones.

Table 1 [0088] With regards to the output step 306, the output signal(s) can, for example, be communicated, as an option, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. For example, the output signal(s) can optionally be communicated from the device 104. In a more specific example, the output signal(s) can optionally be communicated from the device 104 to one or both of at least apparatus 102, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The apparatus 102 (or UE or user device) may also perform the input step 302, the processing step 304 and the output step 306, in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention.

[0089] The present disclosure further contemplates a computer program (not shown) which can include instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer (not shown), cause the computer to carry out the input step 302, the processing step 304 and/or the output step 306 as discussed with reference to the method 300. For example, the computer program can include instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out the input step 302 and/or the processing step 304, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0090] The present disclosure yet further contemplates a computer readable storage medium (not shown) having data stored therein representing software executable by a computer (not shown), the software including instructions, when executed by the computer, to carry out the input step 302, the processing step 304 and/or the output step 306 as discussed with reference to the method 300. For example, the computer readable storage medium can have data stored therein representing software executable by a computer, the software including instructions, when executed by the computer, cause the computer to carry out the input step 302 and/or the processing step 304, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0091] Further in view of the foregoing, it is appreciable that the present disclosure generally contemplates an apparatus 102 and/or a device 104 for allocating resources in a network which can include a first module 202, a second module 204 and/or a third module 206. [0092] The first module 202 can be configured to receive one or more input signals. The input signal(s) can, for example, be associated with information relating to sidelink (SL) positioning.

[0093] The second module 204 can be configured to process and/or facilitate processing of the input signal(s) according to the method 300 as discussed earlier to generate one or more output signals.

[0094] The third module 206 can be configured to communicate one or more output signals. The output signal(s) can, for example, correspond to one or more control signals for selecting resources by the user device.

[0095] In one embodiment, the apparatus 102 can correspond to a User Equipment (UE) which can communicate with a device 104 corresponding to a base station. The base station can, for example, correspond to a Next generation Node B (gNB) which can be configured to communicate one or more signals (e.g., input signal(s)) to the UE.

[0096] Yet further in view of the foregoing, it is appreciable that the present disclosure generally contemplates a system 100 which can include one or more apparatuses 102 and one or more devices 104. The apparatus(es) 102 and the device(s) 104 can, for example, be capable of being coupled via wired coupling and/or wireless coupling.

[0097] It should be appreciated that the embodiments described above can be combined in any manner as appropriate (e.g., one or more embodiments as discussed in the “Detailed Description” section can be combined with one or more embodiments as described in the “Summary of the Invention” section).

[0098] It should be further appreciated by the person skilled in the art that variations and combinations of embodiments described above, not being alternatives or substitutes, may be combined to form yet further embodiments. [0099] In one example, the possibility of the output signal(s) being communicated from the apparatus(es) 102 was discussed. It is appreciable that the output signal(s) need not necessarily be communicated from the apparatus(es) 102. Specifically, the possibility that the output signal(s) need not necessarily be communicated outside of the apparatus(es) 102 is contemplated, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. More specifically, the output signal(s) can, for example, correspond to internal command(s)/instruction(s) (e.g., communicated only within an apparatus 102) for adaptively controlling operational configuration of an apparatus 102, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[00100] If it is left to the UE (or user device) for implementation, each UE, which has more than one dedicated and/or shared RPs assigned to it, would prefer to use dedicated RP(s) rather than shared RP(s). This is because more bandwidth would be available and they are not shared with SL communication. This would result in all UEs using dedicated RP(s) for SL positioning transmissions and may cause severe congestion in the dedicated RP(s), while the shared RP(s) will be unused. Advantageously, the method and system as described herein can allow the UE (or user device) to select resources efficiently and avoid congestion to resource pool(s).

[00101] In the foregoing manner, various embodiments of the disclosure are described for addressing at least one of the foregoing disadvantages. Such embodiments are intended to be encompassed by the following claims and are not to be limited to specific forms or arrangements of parts so described and it will be apparent to one skilled in the art in view of this disclosure that numerous changes and/or modification can be made, which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims. Abbreviations:

ACK: acknowledgement

AGC: automatic gain control

BSR: buffer status report

BWP: bandwidth part

CBG: Code block group

CLI: Cross Link Interference

CP: Cyclic prefix

CQI: Channel quality indicator

CPU: CSI processing unit

CRB: Common resource block

CRC: Cyclic redundancy check

CRI: CSI-RS Resource Indicator

CSI: Channel state information

CSI-RS: Channel state information reference signal

CSI-RSRP: CSI reference signal received power

CSI-RSRQ: CSI reference signal received quality

CSI-SINR: CSI signal-to-noise and interference ratio

CW: Codeword

CG: configured grant

CS-RNTI: configured scheduling radio network temporary identifier

DCI: downlink control information

GP: guard period

HARQ: hybrid automatic repeat request

NACK: negative acknowledgement

NDI: new data indicator

NR: new radio

OFDM: orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing

PRB: physical resource block

PRS: positioning reference signal

PSBCH: physical SL broadcast channel

PSCCH: physical SL control channel PSFCH: physical SL feedback channel

PSSCH: physical SL shared channel

RAN: radio access network

RB: resource block

RP: resource pool

RRC: radio resource control

SCI: sidelink control information

SL: sidelink

SPCI: SL positioning Control Information

S-PSS: SL primary synchronization signal

SR: scheduling request

S-SS: SL synchronization signals

S-SSB: SL synchronization signal block

S-SSS: SL secondary synchronization signal

SL-RNTI: sidelink radio network temporary identifier

TB: transmission block

UE: user equipment

UL: uplink

WID: work item description

Claims

Claim(s)

1 . A method (300) for selecting resources in a network, the method comprising: obtaining information relating to sidelink (SL) positioning; determining at least one resource pool category for a user device based on the information; generating a mapping between the information and the at least one resource pool category; generating a control signal based on the at least one resource pool category and the mapping; and communicating the control signal to the user device for selecting resources.

2. The method (300) according to claim 1 , wherein information relating to SL positioning comprises at least one of: a priority, at least one geographical zone identification and/or a quality of service (QoS).

3. The method (300) according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one resource pool category comprises a shared resource pool and a dedicated resource pool.

4. The method (300) according to claim 1 , wherein communicating the control signal to the user device comprises communicating via at least one of: radio resource control (RRC) configuration, RRC preconfiguration and/or system information.

5. The method (300) according to claim 2, further comprising: generating a mapping between the priority and/or QoS and a resource pool identification; generating a mapping between at least one geographical identification and a resource pool identification; and/or generating a mapping between the priority and/or QoS, the at least one geographical identification and a resource pool identification, wherein the resource pool identification is associated with a resource pool in each of the at least one resource pool category.

6. The method (300) according to claim 1 , further comprising: determining a preference order including at least one resource pool identification, the at least one resource pool identification identifying at least one resource pool in each of the at least one resource pool category; and communicating the preference order to the user device that is inside a coverage area and at least one other user device that is outside the coverage area.

7. The method (300) according to claim 6, wherein communicating the preference order comprises communicating via at least one of: radio resource control (RRC) configuration, RRC preconfiguration and/or system information.

8. The method (300) according to claim 6, wherein determining a preference order comprises: determining a threshold indicative of congestion of a resource pool; generating a congestion metric associated with the resource pool; and analyzing the congestion metric with the threshold to select a resource pool for selecting resources based on the comparison.

9. The method (300) according to claim 8, wherein comparing the metric with the threshold comprises: determining if the congestion metric is more than the threshold; and selecting a subsequent resource pool indicated in the preference order if the congestion metric is more than the threshold.

10. A computer program comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out the method (300) according to any of the preceding claims.

11. A computer readable storage medium having data stored therein representing software executable by a computer, the software including instructions, when executed by the computer, to carry out the method (300) according to any one of claims 1-9.

12. A device (104) for selecting resources in a network comprising: a first module (202) configured to obtain information relating to sidelink (SL) positioning; a second module (204) configured to at least one of process and facilitate the method (300) of claim 1 to claim 9 to generate at least one output signal; and a third module (206) configured to communicate at least one output signal, wherein the output signal corresponds to a control signal for selecting resources by a user device.

13. The device (104) according to claim 12, wherein the device (104) corresponds to a base station communicable with an apparatus (102) corresponding to a User Equipment (UE), and wherein the base station corresponds to a Next generation Node B (gNB) configured to communicate the at least one output signal to the UE.

14. A system (100) comprising: at least one device (104) according to any of claims 12 and 13; and at least one apparatus (102) according to claim 13, wherein the apparatus (102) and the device (104) are capable of being coupled via at least one of wired coupling and wireless coupling.