WO2022232989A1

WO2022232989A1 - Apparatus, method, and computer program

Info

Publication number: WO2022232989A1
Application number: PCT/CN2021/091900
Authority: WO
Inventors: Vinh Van Phan; Ling Yu; Lianghai JI; Torsten WILDSCHEK; Berthold PANZNER; Yong Liu; Daniel Medina
Original assignee: Nokia Shanghai Bell Co., Ltd.; Nokia Solutions And Networks Oy; Nokia Technologies Oy
Priority date: 2021-05-06
Filing date: 2021-05-06
Publication date: 2022-11-10
Also published as: EP4335212A1; CN117296421A

Abstract

The disclosure relates to an apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory including computer code for one or more programs, the at least one memory and the computer code configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus at least to: monitor (800) a resource pool among a plurality of sequentially ordered resource pools for reception of a service; determine (802) that least one condition associated with the resource pool is met; and monitor (804) the subsequent resource pool among the plurality of sequentially ordered resource pools for reception of the service.

Description

APPARATUS, METHOD, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM

Field of the disclosure

The present disclosure relates to an apparatus, a method, and a computer program for monitoring a plurality of sequentially ordered resource pools for reception of a service.

Background

A communication system can be seen as a facility that enables communication sessions between two or more entities such as communication devices, base stations and/or other nodes by providing carriers between the various entities involved in the communications path.

The communication system may be a wireless communication system. Examples of wireless systems comprise public land mobile networks (PLMN) operating based on radio standards such as those provided by 3GPP, satellite based communication systems and different wireless local networks, for example wireless local area networks (WLAN) . The wireless systems can typically be divided into cells, and are therefore often referred to as cellular systems.

The communication system and associated devices typically operate in accordance with a given standard or specification which sets out what the various entities associated with the system are permitted to do and how that should be achieved. Communication protocols and/or parameters which shall be used for the connection are also typically defined. Examples of standard are the so-called 5G standards.

Summary

According to an aspect there is provided an apparatus comprising means for: monitoring a resource pool among a plurality of sequentially ordered resource pools for reception of a service; determining that least one condition associated with the resource pool is met; and monitoring the subsequent resource pool among the plurality of sequentially ordered resource pools for reception of the service.

The at least one condition may comprise: a load on the resource pool is above a first load threshold; a number of transmissions received via the resource pool over a time window is above a number of transmissions threshold; or an indication received via the resource pool indicates usage of a subsequent resource pool for transmission of the service.

The first load threshold may be for assessing the resource pool by a reception apparatus and may be different from a second load threshold configured for assessing the resource pool by a transmission apparatus.

The first load threshold may be determined based on the second load threshold.

The first load threshold may be further determined based on a quality of service requirement.

The quality of service requirement may comprise at least one of: a priority, packet error rate or traffic periodicity.

The second load threshold and/or the quality of service requirement may be received from a serving network and/or are preconfigured.

The second load threshold and/or the quality of service requirement may be received from the serving network via common and/or dedicated signalling.

The second load threshold and/or the quality of service requirement may be preconfigured by an operator and/or an application.

The apparatus may comprise means for: determining that there is a one to one relationship between the plurality of sequentially ordered resource pools for reception of the service and a plurality of sequentially ordered resource pools for transmission of the service, prior to monitoring the resource pool, determining the at least one condition and monitoring the subsequent resource pool.

The apparatus may comprise means for: determining that the service is a specific service or belongs to a specific service group, prior to monitoring the resource pool, determining the at least one condition and monitoring the subsequent resource pool.

The apparatus may comprise means for: determining that the apparatus is located in a specific area or belongs to a specific apparatus group, prior to monitoring the resource pool, determining the at least one condition and monitoring the subsequent resource pool.

Monitoring the subsequent resource pool among the plurality of sequentially ordered resource pools for reception of the service may comprise continuously or periodically monitoring the subsequent resource pool among the plurality of sequentially ordered resource pools for reception of the service.

The load on the resource pool may be measured by the apparatus.

The load on the resource pool may be measured by another apparatus and received by the apparatus.

The plurality of sequentially ordered resource pools may comprise three or more resource pools.

Monitoring a resource pool among a plurality of sequentially ordered resource pools for reception of a service may comprise: monitoring a lowest resource pool and/or a second lowest resource pool among the plurality of sequentially ordered resource pools for reception of the service.

The plurality of sequentially ordered resource pools may be for side link reception of the service.

The apparatus may comprise means for: determining that the at least one condition associated with the resource pool is no longer met; and no longer monitor the subsequent resource pool among the plurality of sequentially ordered resource pools for reception of the service.

According to an aspect there is provided an apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory including computer code for one or more programs, the at least one memory and the computer code configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus at least to: monitor a resource pool among a plurality of sequentially ordered resource pools for reception of a service; determine that least one condition associated with the resource pool is met; and monitor the subsequent resource pool among the plurality of sequentially ordered resource pools for reception of the service.

The first load threshold may be determined based on the second load threshold.

The at least one memory and the computer code may be configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus at least to: determine that there is a one to one relationship between the plurality of sequentially ordered resource pools for reception of the service and a plurality of sequentially ordered resource pools for transmission of the service, prior to monitoring the resource pool, determining the at least one condition and monitoring the subsequent resource pool.

The at least one memory and the computer code may be configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus at least to: determine that the service is a specific service or belongs to a specific service group, prior to monitoring the resource pool, determining the at least one condition and monitoring the subsequent resource pool.

The at least one memory and the computer code may be configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus at least to: determine that the apparatus is located in a specific area or belongs to a specific apparatus group, prior to monitoring the resource pool, determining the at least one condition and monitoring the subsequent resource pool.

The load on the resource pool may be measured by the apparatus.

The at least one memory and the computer code may be configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus at least to: determine that the at least one condition associated with the resource pool is no longer met; and no longer monitor the subsequent resource pool among the plurality of sequentially ordered resource pools for reception of the service.

According to an aspect there is provided an apparatus comprising circuitry configured to: monitor a resource pool among a plurality of sequentially ordered resource pools for reception of a service; determine that least one condition associated with the resource pool is met; and monitor the subsequent resource pool among the plurality of sequentially ordered resource pools for reception of the service.

The first load threshold may be determined based on the second load threshold.

The apparatus may comprise circuitry configured to: determine that there is a one to one relationship between the plurality of sequentially ordered resource pools for reception of the service and a plurality of sequentially ordered resource pools for transmission of the service, prior to monitoring the resource pool, determining the at least one condition and monitoring the subsequent resource pool.

The apparatus may comprise circuitry configured to: determine that the service is a specific service or belongs to a specific service group, prior to monitoring the resource pool, determining the at least one condition and monitoring the subsequent resource pool.

The apparatus may comprise circuitry configured to: determine that the apparatus is located in a specific area or belongs to a specific apparatus group, prior to monitoring the resource pool, determining the at least one condition and monitoring the subsequent resource pool.

The load on the resource pool may be measured by the apparatus.

The apparatus may comprise circuitry configured to: determine that the at least one condition associated with the resource pool is no longer met; and no longer monitor the subsequent resource pool among the plurality of sequentially ordered resource pools for reception of the service.

According to an aspect there is provided a method comprising: monitoring a resource pool among a plurality of sequentially ordered resource pools for reception of a service; determining that least one condition associated with the resource pool is met; and monitoring the subsequent resource pool among the plurality of sequentially ordered resource pools for reception of the service.

The first load threshold may be determined based on the second load threshold.

The method may comprise: determining that there is a one to one relationship between the plurality of sequentially ordered resource pools for reception of the service and a plurality of sequentially ordered resource pools for transmission of the service, prior to monitoring the resource pool, determining the at least one condition and monitoring the subsequent resource pool.

The method may comprise: determining that the service is a specific service or belongs to a specific service group, prior to monitoring the resource pool, determining the at least one condition and monitoring the subsequent resource pool.

The method may comprise: determining that the apparatus is located in a specific area or belongs to a specific apparatus group, prior to monitoring the resource pool, determining the at least one condition and monitoring the subsequent resource pool.

The load on the resource pool may be measured by the apparatus implementing the method.

The load on the resource pool may be measured by another apparatus and received by the apparatus implementing the method.

The method may comprise: determining that the at least one condition associated with the resource pool is no longer met; and no longer monitor the subsequent resource pool among the plurality of sequentially ordered resource pools for reception of the service.

According to an aspect there is provided a computer program comprising computer executable code which when run on at least one processor is configured to: monitor a resource pool among a plurality of sequentially ordered resource pools for reception of a service; determine that least one condition associated with the resource pool is met; and monitor the subsequent resource pool among the plurality of sequentially ordered resource pools for reception of the service.

The first load threshold may be determined based on the second load threshold.

The computer program may comprise computer executable code which when run on at least one processor is configured to: determine that there is a one to one relationship between the plurality of sequentially ordered resource pools for reception of the service and a plurality of sequentially ordered resource pools for transmission of the service, prior to monitoring the resource pool, determining the at least one condition and monitoring the subsequent resource pool.

The computer program may comprise computer executable code which when run on at least one processor is configured to: determine that the service is a specific service or belongs to a specific service group, prior to monitoring the resource pool, determining the at least one condition and monitoring the subsequent resource pool.

The computer program may comprise computer executable code which when run on at least one processor is configured to: determine that the apparatus is located in a specific area or belongs to a specific apparatus group, prior to monitoring the resource pool, determining the at least one condition and monitoring the subsequent resource pool.

The load on the resource pool may be measured by an apparatus integrated the at least one processor.

The load on the resource pool may be measured by another apparatus and received by an apparatus integrated the at least one processor.

The computer program may comprise computer executable code which when run on at least one processor is configured to: determine that the at least one condition associated with the resource pool is no longer met; and no longer monitor the subsequent resource pool among the plurality of sequentially ordered resource pools for reception of the service.

According to an aspect there is provided an apparatus comprising means for: using a resource pool among a plurality of sequentially ordered resource pools for transmission of a service; transmitting an indication via one or more resource pools configured for transmitting the indication indicating usage of a subsequent resource pool for transmission of the service; and using the subsequent resource pool for transmission of the service.

The indication may indicate a highest resource pool among the plurality of sequentially ordered resource pools used by the apparatus for transmission of the service.

The one or more resource pools configured for transmitting the indication may be part of the plurality of sequentially ordered resource pools.

The one or more resource pools configured for transmitting the indication may comprise a lowest resource pool or second lowest resource pool among the plurality of sequentially ordered resource pools used by the apparatus for transmission of the service.

The one or more resource pools configured for transmitting the indication may not be part of the plurality of sequentially ordered resource pools.

According to an aspect there is provided an apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory including computer code for one or more programs, the at least one memory and the computer code configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus at least to: use a resource pool among a plurality of sequentially ordered resource pools for transmission of a service; transmit an indication via one or more resource pools configured for transmitting the indication indicating usage of a subsequent resource pool for transmission of the service; and use the subsequent resource pool for transmission of the service.

According to an aspect there is provided an apparatus comprising circuitry configured to: use a resource pool among a plurality of sequentially ordered resource pools for transmission of a service; transmit an indication via one or more resource pools configured for transmitting the indication indicating usage of a subsequent resource pool for transmission of the service; and use the subsequent resource pool for transmission of the service.

According to an aspect there is provided a method comprising: using a resource pool among a plurality of sequentially ordered resource pools for transmission of a service; transmitting an indication via one or more resource pools configured for transmitting the indication indicating usage of a subsequent resource pool for transmission of the service; and using the subsequent resource pool for transmission of the service.

According to an aspect there is provided a computer program comprising computer executable code which when run on at least one processor is configured to: use a resource pool among a plurality of sequentially ordered resource pools for transmission of a service; transmit an indication via one or more resource pools configured for transmitting the indication indicating usage of a subsequent resource pool for transmission of the service; and use the subsequent resource pool for transmission of the service.

According to an aspect, there is provided a computer readable medium comprising program instructions stored thereon for performing at least one of the above methods.

According to an aspect, there is provided a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions stored thereon for performing at least one of the above methods.

According to an aspect, there is provided a non-volatile tangible memory medium comprising program instructions stored thereon for performing at least one of the above methods.

In the above, many different aspects have been described. It should be appreciated that further aspects may be provided by the combination of any two or more of the aspects described above.

Various other aspects are also described in the following detailed description and in the attached claims.

List of abbreviations

AF: Application Function

AMF: Access and Mobility Management Function

API: Application Protocol Interface

BS: Base Station

CU: Centralized Unit

DL: Downlink

DU: Distributed Unit

gNB: gNodeB

GSM: Global System for Mobile communication

HSS: Home Subscriber Server

IoT: Internet of Things

LTE: Long Term Evolution

MAC: Medium Access Control

MCO : Multi Channel Operation

MS: Mobile Station

MTC: Machine Type Communication

NEF: Network Exposure Function

NF: Network Function

NR: New radio

NRF: Network function Repository Function

PDU: Packet Data Unit

PER: Packet Error Rate

PLMN: Public Land Mobile Network

RAM: Random Access Memory

(R) AN: (Radio) Access Network

ROM: Read Only Memory

RX: Receiving/Reception

SIB: System Information Block

SL: Side Link

SMF: Session Management Function

TR: Technical Report

TS: Technical Specification

TX: Transmitting/Transmission

UE: User Equipment

UMTS: Universal Mobile Telecommunication System

3GPP: 3 ^rd Generation Partnership Project

5G: 5 ^th Generation

5GC: 5G Core network

5GS: 5G System

Brief Description of the Figures

Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying Figures in which:

Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a 5G system;

Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of a control apparatus;

Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of a terminal;

Figure 4 shows an example of a sequential-filling scheme, a load balancing scheme and an elastic scheme;

Figure 5 shows another example of a sequential-filling scheme, a load balancing scheme and an elastic scheme;

Figure 6 shows a plurality of sequentially ordered resource pools for side link reception and/or transmission of a service;

Figure 7 shows a block diagram of a method for monitoring a plurality of sequentially ordered resource pools for side link reception of a service, performed for example by a side link receiving user equipment;

Figure 8 shows a block diagram of a method for monitoring a plurality of sequentially ordered resource pools for side link reception of a service, performed for example by a side link receiving user equipment;

Figure 9 shows a block diagram of a method for using a plurality of sequentially ordered resource pools for side link transmission of a service, performed for example by a side link transmitting user equipment; and

Figure 10 shows a schematic representation of a non-volatile memory medium storing instructions which when executed by a processor allow a processor to perform one or more of the steps of the methods of Figures 8 and 9.

Detailed Description of the Figures

In the following certain embodiments are explained with reference to mobile communication devices capable of communication via a wireless cellular system and mobile communication systems serving such mobile communication devices. Before explaining in detail the exemplifying embodiments, certain general principles of a wireless communication system, access systems thereof, and mobile communication devices are briefly explained with reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3 to assist in understanding the technology underlying the described examples.

Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a 5G system (5GS) . The 5GS may comprises a terminal, a (radio) access network ( (R) AN) , a 5G core network (5GC) , one or more application functions (AF) and one or more data networks (DN) .

The 5G (R) AN may comprise one or more gNodeB (gNB) distributed unit functions connected to one or more gNodeB (gNB) centralized unit functions.

The 5GC may comprise an access and mobility management function (AMF) , a session management function (SMF) , an authentication server function (AUSF) , a user data management (UDM) , a user plane function (UPF) and/or a network exposure function (NEF) .

Figure 2 illustrates an example of a control apparatus 200 for controlling a function of the (R) AN or the 5GC as illustrated on Figure 1. The control apparatus may comprise at least one random access memory (RAM) 211a, at least on read only memory (ROM) 211b, at least one

processor

212, 213 and an input/output interface 214. The at least one

processor

212, 213 may be coupled to the RAM 211a and the ROM 211b. The at least one

processor

212, 213 may be configured to execute an appropriate software code 215. The software code 215 may for example allow to perform one or more steps to perform one or more of the present aspects. The software code 215 may be stored in the ROM 211b. The control apparatus 200 may be interconnected with another control apparatus 200 controlling another function of the 5G (R) AN or the 5GC. In some embodiments, each function of the (R) AN or the 5GC comprises a control apparatus 200. In alternative embodiments, two or more functions of the (R) AN or the 5GC may share a control apparatus.

Figure 3 illustrates an example of a terminal 300, such as the terminal illustrated on Figure 1. The terminal 300 may be provided by any device capable of sending and receiving radio signals. Non-limiting examples comprise a user equipment, a mobile station (MS) or mobile device such as a mobile phone or what is known as a ’smart phone’ , a computer provided with a wireless interface card or other wireless interface facility (e.g., USB dongle) , a personal data assistant (PDA) or a tablet provided with wireless communication capabilities, a machine-type communications (MTC) device, a Cellular Internet of things (CIoT) device or any combinations of these or the like. The terminal 300 may provide, for example, communication of data for carrying communications. The communications may be one or more of voice, electronic mail (email) , text message, multimedia, data, machine data and so on.

The terminal 300 may receive signals over an air or radio interface 307 via appropriate apparatus for receiving and may transmit signals via appropriate apparatus for transmitting radio signals. In Figure 3 transceiver apparatus is designated schematically by block 306. The transceiver apparatus 306 may be provided for example by means of a radio part and associated antenna arrangement. The antenna arrangement may be arranged internally or externally to the mobile device.

The terminal 300 may be provided with at least one processor 301, at least one memory ROM 302a, at least one RAM 302b and other possible components 303 for use in software and hardware aided execution of tasks it is designed to perform, including control of access to and communications with access systems and other communication devices. The at least one processor 301 is coupled to the RAM 302b and the ROM 302a. The at least one processor 301 may be configured to execute an appropriate software code 308. The software code 308 may for example allow to perform one or more of the present aspects. The software code 308 may be stored in the ROM 302a.

The processor, storage and other relevant control apparatus can be provided on an appropriate circuit board and/or in chipsets. This feature is denoted by reference 304. The device may optionally have a user interface such as keypad 305, touch sensitive screen or pad, combinations thereof or the like. Optionally one or more of a display, a speaker and a microphone may be provided depending on the type of the device.

One or more aspects of this disclosure relate to 3GPP Release 17 (Rel-17) and beyond.

One or more aspects of this disclosure relate to the agenda item: resource allocation for power saving under Rel-17 NR side link (SL) enhancements work item [RP-202846] .

Release 16 (Rel-16) NR SL TX/RX UE may be configured with up to eight side link transmission resource pools (SL TX RPs) and 16 side link reception resource pools (SL RX RPs) . For example, a SL RX RP and/or a SL TX RP may be a channel. A channel may comprise a pool of resources (e.g. resource blocks and/or resource elements) .

Constant monitoring across all SL RX RPs may be rather power consuming for a SL RX UE. Thus, reducing the need for monitoring SL RX RPs may be helpful to reduce power consumption.

ETSI TR 103 439 ITS Multi-Channel Operation (MCO) study addresses different channel usage mechanisms by a TX UE which are classified into three categories: sequential-filling, load balancing and elastic. These are illustrated in Figure 4, copied from ETSI TR 103 439. It will be understood that each vertical bar may represent a channel.

Considering that channel resources can be used for different applications and/or services, the above MCO mechanisms are illustrated in Figure 5, copied from ETSI TR 103 439. It will be understood that each shaded area may represent a set of resource elements allocated to an application and/or a service.

The sequential-filling usage mechanism may organize channels in a sequential order and a subsequent channel is not used until a channel is not loaded enough. A TX UE may be able to determine whether to use a channel for TX of a service, based on whether a channel load is under a load threshold. The load threshold may be configured of the service.

Likewise, a RX UE may be able to determine whether to monitor a channel for RX of a service, based on whether a channel load is under the load threshold. This may allow the RX UE to avoid unnecessary monitoring of a channel not used by the TX UE for TX of the service.

However, as the TX UE and the RX UE may be in different locations, the TX UE and the RX UE may see different channel load for a same channel. As a result, misalignment between the TX UE and the RX UE may happen. Such misalignment may cause data losses at the RX UE. There may be a need to reduce or avoid such misalignment while enabling the sequential-filling usage mechanism at the RX UE for power saving.

It is noted that RX UE and power saving aspects are not considered in ETSI TR 103 439. The channel in ETSI TR 103 439RP may be mapped to a RP in this disclosure. The channel load in ETSI TR 103 439RP may be mapped to a channel busy ration (CBR) in this disclosure.

One or more aspects of this disclosure aim at reducing the monitoring of SL RX RPs for SL RX of a service by a SL RX UE when a sequential-filling usage mechanism is used by a SL TX UE for TX a service over SL TX RPs. One or more aspects of this disclosure aims at saving power at the SL RX UE while minimizing data losses at the SL RX UE.

Figure 6 shows a plurality of sequentially ordered resource pools for SL RX and/or SL TX of a service.

A SL Tx UE may be configured with n SL TX RPs {RP1, ..., RPn} and corresponding CBR thresholds {CBR1, ..., CBRn} for the sequential-filling usage mechanism. The configuration may be provided to the SL TX UE via a broadcast system information block (SIB) , dedicated signalling or pre-configuration. The pre-configuration may include operator-provided pre-configuration or application-provided pre-configuration. According to the sequential-filling usage mechanism, the SL TX UE may perform SL TX of a service in RP (i+1) if CBR in RPi is greater than or equal to CBRi and CBR in RP (i+1) is lower than CBR (i+1) , 1 <= i < n. It is noted that CBRn for the last RPn may not be needed or can be set to 100%.

The following may be proposed for implementing a sequential-filling monitoring mechanism by a SL RX UE for power saving while minimizing data losses at the SL RX UE.

It will be understood that in this disclosure the sequential-filling monitoring mechanism refers to the RX side whereas the sequential-filling usage mechanism refers to the TX side.

The SL RX UE may determine to activate the sequential-filling monitoring mechanism when the SL RX UE detects a one to one mapping relationship between the n SL TX RPs and n SL RX RPs (i.e. each RP among {RP1, ..., RPn} is both a SL TX RP and a SL RX RP) and/or when the sequential-filling usage mechanism is implemented by the SL TX UE for TX of a service. This can be expected in a service area provided by one or more coordinated public land mobile networks (PLMNs) .

Alternatively, the SL RX UE may determine to deactivate the sequential-filling monitoring mechanism when the SL RX UE does not detect a one to one mapping relationship between the n SL TX RPs and N SL RX RPs (i.e. at least one RP among {RP1, ..., RPn} is not a SL TX RP or a SL RX RP) and/or when the sequential-filling usage mechanism is not implemented by the SL TX UE for TX of a service. It will be understood that when the sequential-filling monitoring mechanism is deactivated the n SL RX RPs may all be monitored.

The SL TX UE may be configured with CBR thresholds {CBR1, ..., CBRn} for using the n SL TX RPs {RP1, ...., RPn} .

The SL RX UE may be configured with CBR thresholds {CBR1’, ..., CBRn’} for monitoring the n SL RX RPs {RP1, ...., RPn} .

The SL RX UE may derive the CBR thresholds {CBR1’, ..., CBRn’} based on the CBR thresholds {CBR1, ..., CBRn} and/or a QoS requirement. The QoS requirement may comprise a required priority, a required packet error rate (PER) and/or a traffic periodicity. To minimize packet losses at the SL RX UE, the CBR thresholds {CBR1’, ..., CBRn’} may be smaller than or equal to the CBR thresholds {CBR1, ..., CBRn} .

In an example option, the SL RX UE may be configured with CBR threshold offsets {cbr1, ..., cbrn} to derive the CBR thresholds {CBR1’, ..., CBRn’} based on the CBR thresholds {CBR1, ..., CBRn} and the CBR threshold offsets {cbr1, ..., cbrn} (e.g. CBRi’= (CBRi –cbri) ) . The CBR threshold offsets {cbr1, ..., cbrn} may be based on the QoS requirement.

Initially, the SL RX UE may monitor RP1 and RP2. The SL RX UE may monitor RP3 in addition to RP1 and RP2 only if at least one of the following conditions is met:

(i) the CBR in RP2 is greater than or equal to CBR2’.

(ii) the number of SL TXs of the service that are received by the SL RX UE in RP2 within a last monitoring time window exceeds a number of SL TXs threshold N2. The time window may be pre-configured. The number of SL TXs threshold N2 may be pre-configured.

(iii) one or more indications are received by the SL RX UE from one or more SL TX UE in RP1 or RP2 indicating that the one or more SL TX UE use RP3 for SL TX of the service. The one or more indications may be received by the SL RX UE in RP1 and/or RP2. This means that the SL TX UE may be configured to send the indication in RP1 and/or RP2 even when the CBRs in RP1 and RP2, as measured by the SL TX UE, is above the CBR thresholds CBR1 and CBR2. It is noted that SL TX UE and SL RX UE may be configured with one or more exceptional or exclusive RP (s) , in addition to or instead of RP1 and RP2, for SL TX and RX of data in exceptional situation and/or control information including such the indication.

More generally, the SL RX UE may monitor RP (i+1) (i>=2) in addition to RP1, ..., RPi only if at least one of the following conditions is met:

(i) the CBR in RP2 is greater than or equal to CBR2’, the CBR in RP3 is greater than or equal to CBR3’, …, and the CBR in RPi is greater than or equal to CBRi’.

(ii) the number of SL TXs of the service that are received by the SL RX UE in RP2 within a last monitoring time window exceeds a number of SL TXs threshold N2, the number of SL TXs of the service that are received by the SL RX UE in RP3 within a last monitoring time window exceeds a number of SL TXs threshold N3, …., and the number of SL TXs of the service that are received by the SL RX UE in RPi within a last monitoring time window exceeds a number of SL TXs threshold Ni.

(iii) one or more indications is received by the SL RX UE from one or more SL TX UE in RP1 or RP2 indicating that the one or more SL TX UE use RP(i+1) for SL TX of the service. This means that the SL TX UE may be configured to send the indication in RP1 and/or RP2 even when the CBRs in RP1 and RP2, as measured by the SL TX UE, is above the CBR thresholds CBR1 and CBR2. It is noted that SL TX UE and SL RX UE may be configured with one or more exceptional or exclusive RP (s) , in addition to or instead of RP1 and RP2, for SL TX and RX of data in exceptional situation and/or control information including such the indication. Furthermore, the SL TX UE may be configured to send the indication if i is above a minimum index. The minimum index can be set to a number in {2, ..., (n-1) } .

It will be understood that the conditions (i) , (ii) and (iii) may be used in isolation or in combination. The order of combination may vary. In an example, condition (i) may be assessed before condition (ii) . In another example, condition (ii) may be assessed before condition (i) .

The SL RX UE, while monitoring {RP1, ..., RPi} , may detect that the conditions (i) , (ii) and/or (iii) associated with RPk (2<k<i) is no longer valid. The SL RX UE may then no longer monitor {RPk, ..., RPi} .

Figure 7 shows a block diagram of a method for monitoring a plurality of sequentially ordered RPs for SL RX of a service, performed for example by a SL RX UE.

In step 1 the SL RX UE may activate the sequential-filling monitoring mechanism on {RP1, ..., RPn} .

In step 2 the SL RX UE may derive the CBR thresholds {CBR1’, ..., CBRn’} based on the CBR thresholds {CBR1, ..., CBRn} .

In step 3 the SL RX UE may monitor {RP1, ..., RPi} (i<n) . The initial value of i may be set to 2.

In step 4 the SL RX UE may determine whether at least one of conditions (i) , (ii) or (iii) is met. If none of the conditions (i) , (ii) or (iii) is met the method may loop back to step 3. If at least one of the conditions (i) , (ii) or (iii) is met the method may go to step 5.

In step 5, the SL RX UE may monitor {RP1, ..., RPi, RP (i+1) } . The SL RX UE may set the value of i to i+1. The method may loop back to step 3.

The sequential-filling monitoring mechanism may be configured for a specific service, a specific service group, or a specific UE group.

The configurations for the sequential-filling monitoring mechanism may be provided to the SL RX UE by a serving network. The configurations for the sequential-filling monitoring mechanism may be provided to the SL RX UE via common or dedicated signalling or pre-configuration as for the SL TX UE. The pre-configuration may include operator-provided pre-configuration or application-provided pre-configuration. The configurations for the sequential-filling monitoring mechanism may comprise the CBR thresholds {CBR1, ..., CBRn} , the CBR thresholds {CBR1’, ..., CBRn’} and/or CBR threshold offsets {cbr1, ..., cbrn} and/or the thresholds {N1, ..., Nn} . It is noted that the CBRn threshold, CBRn’ threshold, cbrn threshold offset and/or Nn for the last RPn may not be needed or can be set to 100%, 0%or no limit, respectively.

In the event that the SL RX UE monitors RP (i+1) due to condition (ii) being met but condition (i) not being met, that is the number of SL TXs of the service that are received by the SL RX UE in RPi within a last monitoring time window exceeds a number of SL TXs threshold Ni but the CBR in RPi is smaller than CBRi’, the SL RX UE may fully (continuously) or partially (periodically) monitor RP (i+1) depending on QoS requirements (PER, Priority, and/or Traffic Periodicity) of the service and/or the CBR in RPi.

The full (continuous) monitoring means monitoring without interruptions. The partial (periodical) monitoring means monitoring with interruptions, for example with a duty cycle (e.g. 20ms every 80ms) . The duty cycle may be adapted based on whether SL TXs of the service are received or not and to what extent (i.e. the number of SL TXs of the service that are received by the SL RX UE) .

In case Ni is equal to 1 the monitoring time window may be ignored, meaning that as soon as the SL RX UE receives a SL TX of the service in RPi, the SL RX UE may start monitoring RP (i+1) . Then, the SL RX UE may determine which of the monitoring option for RP (i+1) to use (i.e. full (continuous) monitoring or partial (periodical) monitoring) . For example, if the CBR in RPi is lower than a threshold which is well under CBRi’ and/or the required PER is larger than a threshold, the SL RX UE may adopt the partial (periodical) monitoring.

The CBR in RP (i+1) as seen by Rx UE may be based on CBR measurements by the SL RX UE in RP (i+1) and/or CBR measurements by other UEs in proximity of the SL RX UE in RP (i+1) . The CBR measurements by other UEs in proximity of the SL RX UE may be received in SL messages by the SL RX UE.

The CBR measurements by the SL RX UE in RP (i+1) may be reduced based on whether the full (continuous) monitoring or the partial (periodical) monitoring is used by the SL RX UE in RP (i+1) . For example, the SL RX UE may use the partial monitoring in RP (i+1) . The CBR measurements by the SL RX UE may skip every Nth slot (e.g. 2 ^nd slot) or may use a reduced averaging window (e.g. 50 slots instead of a regular 100 slots) . The CBR measurements by the SL RX UE in RP (i+1) may then be reduced.

The CBR measurements by the SL RX UE in RP (i+1) may be reduced based on CBR measurements in RPi. For example, if a CBR measurement in RPi is below a threshold which is under CBRi’, the partial monitoring may be used. Otherwise, the full monitoring may be used. It is noted that more than one threshold under CBRi’ may be configured to SL RX UE for different levels or resolutions of the partial monitoring.

The indication received by the SL RX UE from a SL TX UE in RP1 or RP2 indicating that the SL TX UE uses RP (i+1) for SL TX of the service may indicate the index of the highest RP in {RP1, ..., RPi, RPn} that the SL TX UE uses for SL TX of the service.

The sequential-filling monitoring mechanism may be used by the SL RX UE for a specific UE group. Specific members of the UE group may agree beforehand to use a set of RPs or sub-RPs for SL TX/RX within the UE group. This may be based on distributed or centralized coordination. SL TX UE may use SL groupcast to indicate the use of RP (i+1) in RP1 or RP2 within the UE group.

Figure 8 shows a block diagram of a method for monitoring a plurality of sequentially ordered resource pools for reception of a service, performed for example by a SL RX UE.

In step 800, a SL RX UE may monitor a RP among a plurality of sequentially ordered RPs for RX of a service.

In step 802, the SL RX UE may determine that least one condition associated with the RP is met.

In step 804, the SL RX UE may monitor the subsequent RP among the plurality of sequentially ordered RPs for RX of the service.

The least one condition may comprise: a load on the RP is above a first load threshold; a number of TXs received via the RP over a time window is above a number of TXs threshold; or an indication received via the RP indicates usage of a subsequent RP for transmission of the service.

The first load threshold may be for assessing the RP by a SL RX UE and may be different from a second load threshold configured for assessing the RP by a SL TX UE.

The first load threshold may be determined based on the second load threshold.

The first load threshold may be further determined based on a QoS requirement.

The QoS requirement may comprise at least one of: a priority, packet error rate or traffic periodicity.

The second load threshold and/or the QoS requirement may be received from a serving network and/or may be preconfigured.

The second load threshold and/or the QoS requirement may be received from the serving network via common and/or dedicated signalling.

The second load threshold and/or the QoS requirement may be preconfigured by an operator and/or an application.

The SL RX UE may determine that there is a one to one relationship between the plurality of sequentially ordered RPs for RX of the service and a plurality of sequentially ordered RPs for TX of the service, prior to step 800, step 802 and step 804.

The SL RX UE may determine that the service is a specific service or belongs to a specific service group, prior to step 800, step 802 and step 804.

The SL RX UE may determine that the SL RX UE is located in a specific area or belongs to a specific UE group, prior to step 800, step 802 and step 804.

Monitoring the subsequent RP among the plurality of sequentially ordered RPs for

RX of the service may comprise continuously or periodically monitoring the subsequent RP among the plurality of sequentially ordered RPs for RX of the service.

The load on the RP may be measured by the SL RX UE.

The load on the RP may be measured by another UE and received by the SL RX UE.

The plurality of sequentially ordered RPs may comprise three or RPs.

Monitoring a RP among a plurality of sequentially ordered RPs for RX of a service may comprise: monitoring a lowest RP and/or a second lowest RP among the plurality of sequentially ordered RPs for RX of the service.

The plurality of sequentially ordered RPs may for SL RX of the service and/or SL TX of the service.

The SL RX UE may determine that the at least one condition associated with the resource pool is no longer met. The SL RX UE may no longer monitor the subsequent RP among the plurality of sequentially ordered RPs for RX of the service.

Figure 9 shows a block diagram of a method for using a plurality of sequentially ordered resource pools for transmission of a service, performed for example by a SL TX UE.

In step 900 a SL TX UE may use a RP among a plurality of sequentially ordered Rps for TX of a service.

In step 902 the SL TX UE may transmit an indication via one or more RPs configured for transmitting the indication indicating usage of a subsequent RP for TX of the service.

In step 904 the SL TX UE may use the subsequent RP for TX of the service.

The indication may indicate a highest RP among the plurality of sequentially ordered RP used by the SL TX UE for TX of the service.

The one or more RPs configured for transmitting the indication may be part of the plurality of sequentially ordered RPs.

The one or more RPs configured for transmitting the indication may comprise a lowest RP or second lowest RP among the plurality of sequentially ordered RPs used by the SL TX UE for TX of the service.

The one or more RPs configured for transmitting the indication may not be part of the plurality of sequentially ordered RPs.

Figure 10 shows a schematic representation of non-volatile memory media 1000a (e.g. computer disc (CD) or digital versatile disc (DVD) ) and 1000b (e.g. universal serial bus (USB) memory stick) storing instructions and/or parameters 1002 which when executed by a processor allow the processor to perform one or more of the steps of the methods of Figures 8 and 9.

It is noted that while the above describes example embodiments, there are several variations and modifications which may be made to the disclosed solution without departing from the scope of the present invention.

It will be understood that although the above concepts have been discussed in the context of a 5GS, one or more of these concepts may be applied to other cellular systems.

The embodiments may thus vary within the scope of the attached claims. In general, some embodiments may be implemented in hardware or special purpose circuits, software, logic or any combination thereof. For example, some aspects may be implemented in hardware, while other aspects may be implemented in firmware or software which may be executed by a controller, microprocessor or other computing device, although embodiments are not limited thereto. While various embodiments may be illustrated and described as block diagrams, flow charts, or using some other pictorial representation, it is well understood that these blocks, apparatus, systems, techniques or methods described herein may be implemented in, as non-limiting examples, hardware, software, firmware, special purpose circuits or logic, general purpose hardware or controller or other computing devices, or some combination thereof.

The embodiments may be implemented by computer software stored in a memory and executable by at least one data processor of the involved entities or by hardware, or by a combination of software and hardware. Further in this regard it should be noted that any procedures, e.g., as in Figures 8 and 9, may represent program steps, or interconnected logic circuits, blocks and functions, or a combination of program steps and logic circuits, blocks and functions. The software may be stored on such physical media as memory chips, or memory blocks implemented within the processor, magnetic media such as hard disk or floppy disks, and optical media such as for example DVD and the data variants thereof, CD.

The memory may be of any type suitable to the local technical environment and may be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as semiconductor-based memory devices, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory and removable memory. The data processors may be of any type suitable to the local technical environment, and may include one or more of general purpose computers, special purpose computers, microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs) , application specific integrated circuits (ASIC) , gate level circuits and processors based on multi-core processor architecture, as non-limiting examples.

Alternatively or additionally some embodiments may be implemented using circuitry. The circuitry may be configured to perform one or more of the functions and/or method steps previously described. That circuitry may be provided in the base station and/or in the communications device.

As used in this application, the term “circuitry” may refer to one or more or all of the following:

(a) hardware-only circuit implementations (such as implementations in only analogue and/or digital circuitry) ;

(b) combinations of hardware circuits and software, such as:

(i) a combination of analogue and/or digital hardware circuit (s) with software/firmware and

(ii) any portions of hardware processor (s) with software (including digital signal processor (s) ) , software, and memory (ies) that work together to cause an apparatus, such as the communications device or base station to perform the various functions previously described; and

(c) hardware circuit (s) and or processor (s) , such as a microprocessor (s) or a portion of a microprocessor (s) , that requires software (e.g., firmware) for operation, but the software may not be present when it is not needed for operation.

This definition of circuitry applies to all uses of this term in this application, including in any claims. As a further example, as used in this application, the term circuitry also covers an implementation of merely a hardware circuit or processor (or multiple processors) or portion of a hardware circuit or processor and its (or their) accompanying software and/or firmware. The term circuitry also covers, for example integrated device.

The foregoing description has provided by way of exemplary and non-limiting examples a full and informative description of some embodiments However, various modifications and adaptations may become apparent to those skilled in the relevant arts in view of the foregoing description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims. However, all such and similar modifications of the teachings will still fall within the scope as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

An apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory including computer code for one or more programs, the at least one memory and the computer code configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus at least to:

monitor a resource pool among a plurality of sequentially ordered resource pools for reception of a service;

determine that at least one condition associated with the resource pool is met; and

monitor the subsequent resource pool among the plurality of sequentially ordered resource pools for reception of the service.
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one condition comprises:

a load on the resource pool is above a first load threshold;

a number of transmissions received via the resource pool over a time window is above a number of transmissions threshold; or

an indication received via the resource pool indicates usage of a subsequent resource pool for transmission of the service.
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first load threshold is for assessing the resource pool by a reception apparatus and is different from a second load threshold configured for assessing the resource pool by a transmission apparatus.
The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the first load threshold is determined based on the second load threshold.
The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the first load threshold is further determined based on a quality of service requirement.
The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the quality of service requirement comprises at least one of: a priority, packet error rate or traffic periodicity.
The apparatus of any of claims 3 to 6, wherein the second load threshold and/or the quality of service requirement are received from a serving network and/or are preconfigured.
The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the second load threshold and/or the quality of service requirement are received from the serving network via common and/or dedicated signalling.
The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the second load threshold and/or the quality of service requirement are preconfigured by an operator and/or an application.
The apparatus of any of claims 1 to 9, wherein the at least one memory and the computer code are configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus at least to:

determine that there is a one to one relationship between the plurality of sequentially ordered resource pools for reception of the service and a plurality of sequentially ordered resource pools for transmission of the service, prior to monitoring the resource pool, determining the at least one condition and monitoring the subsequent resource pool.
The apparatus of any of claims 1 to 10, wherein the at least one memory and the computer code are configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus at least to:

determine that the service is a specific service or belongs to a specific service group, prior to monitoring the resource pool, determining the at least one condition and monitoring the subsequent resource pool.
The apparatus of any of claims 1 to 11, wherein the at least one memory and the computer code are configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus at least to:

determine that the apparatus is located in a specific area or belongs to a specific apparatus group, prior to monitoring the resource pool, determining the at least one condition and monitoring the subsequent resource pool.
The apparatus of any of claims 1 to 12, wherein monitoring the subsequent resource pool among the plurality of sequentially ordered resource pools for reception of the service comprises continuously or periodically monitoring the subsequent resource pool among the plurality of sequentially ordered resource pools for reception of the service.
The apparatus of any of claims 1 to 13, wherein the load on the resource pool is measured by the apparatus.
The apparatus of any of claims 1 to 13, wherein the load on the resource pool is measured by another apparatus and received by the apparatus.
The apparatus of any of claims 1 to 15, wherein the plurality of sequentially ordered resource pools comprises three or more resource pools.
The apparatus of claim 16, wherein monitoring a resource pool among a plurality of sequentially ordered resource pools for reception of a service comprises:

monitoring a lowest resource pool and/or a second lowest resource pool among the plurality of sequentially ordered resource pools for reception of the service.
The apparatus of any of claims 1 to 17, wherein the plurality of sequentially ordered resource pools is for side link reception of the service.
The apparatus of any of claims 1 to 18, wherein the at least one memory and the computer code are configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus at least to:

determine that the at least one condition associated with the resource pool is no longer met; and

no longer monitor the subsequent resource pool among the plurality of sequentially ordered resource pools for reception of the service.
An apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory including computer code for one or more programs, the at least one memory and the computer code configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus at least to:

use a resource pool among a plurality of sequentially ordered resource pools for transmission of a service;

transmit an indication via one or more resource pools configured for transmitting the indication indicating usage of a subsequent resource pool for transmission of the service; and

use the subsequent resource pool for transmission of the service.
The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the indication indicates a highest resource pool among the plurality of sequentially ordered resource pools used by the apparatus for transmission of the service.
The apparatus of claim 20 or claim 21, wherein the one or more resource pools configured for transmitting the indication are part of the plurality of sequentially ordered resource pools.
The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the one or more resource pools configured for transmitting the indication comprise a lowest resource pool or second lowest resource pool among the plurality of sequentially ordered resource pools used by the apparatus for transmission of the service.
The apparatus of claim 20 or claim 21, wherein the one or more resource pools configured for transmitting the indication are not part of the plurality of sequentially ordered resource pools.
A method comprising:

monitoring a resource pool among a plurality of sequentially ordered resource pools for reception of a service;

determining that least one condition associated with the resource pool is met; and

monitoring the subsequent resource pool among the plurality of sequentially ordered resource pools for reception of the service.
A method comprising:

using a resource pool among a plurality of sequentially ordered resource pools for transmission of a service;

transmitting an indication via one or more resource pools configured for transmitting the indication indicating usage of a subsequent resource pool for transmission of the service; and

using the subsequent resource pool for transmission of the service.
A computer program comprising computer executable instructions which when run on one or more processors perform the steps of the method of claim 25 or claim 26.