WO2024017475A1

WO2024017475A1 - Sidelink data collection

Info

Publication number: WO2024017475A1
Application number: PCT/EP2022/070509
Authority: WO
Inventors: Taylan SAHIN; Anil KIRMAZ; Athul Prasad; Dick CARRILLO MELGAREJO; Muhammad Ikram ASHRAF; Mikko SÄILY; Diomidis Michalopoulos
Original assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy
Priority date: 2022-07-21
Filing date: 2022-07-21
Publication date: 2024-01-25

Abstract

A first device receives a measurement request from a second device and performs a measurement based on the measurement request. The first device forwards the measurement request with first measurement data to one or more third device via a sidelink between the first device and the one or more third device. The one or more third device performs second measurements on the received first measurement data respectively, based on the request and transmits third or fourth measurement data as the collected second part of the measurement data including an update on completeness of collected data through a third or a fourth message respectively, to the second device. Unnecessary steps of collecting capability information or requesting measurements are avoided, thereby saving overhead and reducing signaling.

Description

SIDELINK DATA COLLECTION

FIELD

[0001] Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to communication techniques, and more particularly, to methods, devices and computer readable medium for sidelink data collection.

BACKGROUND

[0002] With developments of communication systems, new technologies have been proposed. For example, it has been proposed that artificial intelligence (AI)/machine learning (ML) can be applied to cellular networks. Data collection is essential to ML solutions to be implemented in the cellular networks for training, validating and testing purposes. For example, for AI/ML-based solutions dealing with positioning in 5G new radio (NR) system, the network needs to collect positioning related measurements conducted by user equipments (UEs). Such measurements can be conducted over a Uu interface between the network and UEs, i.e., uplink and downlink, as well as over a PC5 interface, i.e., sidelink, e.g., for ranging between two UEs. Thus, it is worthy studying on the mechanisms for data collection.

SUMMARY

[0003] Generally, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a method for sidelink data collection and corresponding devices.

[0004] In a first aspect, there is provided a terminal device. The terminal device comprises at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processer, cause the terminal device at least to: receive a first message from a network device, the first message comprising: a first request for data collection and an indication of an amount of data requested to be collected for the network device; and perform, based at least on the requested amount of data, the data collection by using a sidelink between the terminal device and one or more other terminal devices.

[0005] In a second aspect, there is provided a network device. The network device comprises at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the network device at least to: transmit a message to a terminal device, the message comprising: a first request for data collection and an indication of an amount of data requested to be collected for the network device; and receive, from the terminal device and/or one or more other terminal devices, data which is collected by using a sidelink between the terminal device and the one or more other terminal devices for the data collection.

[0006] In a third aspect, there is provided a terminal device. The terminal device comprises at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the terminal device at least to: receive, from a further terminal device, a second message for data collection with an amount of data requested to be collected for a network device, over a first sidelink between the terminal device and the further terminal device, wherein the second message comprises: a first indication of first remaining data to be collected and a second request for collecting the first remaining data for the network device; and perform, based at least on the indication of the first remaining data, the data collection.

[0007] In a fourth aspect, there is provided a method. The method comprises receiving, at a terminal device, a first message from a network device, the first message comprising: a first request for data collection and an indication of an amount of data requested to be collected for the network device; and performing, based at least on the requested amount of data, the data collection by using a sidelink between the terminal device and one or more other terminal devices.

[0008] In a fifth aspect, there is provided a method. The method comprises ttransmitting, at a network device, a message to a terminal device, the message comprising: a first request for data collection and an indication of an amount of data requested to be collected for the network device; and receiving, from the terminal device and/or one or more other terminal devices, data which is collected by using a sidelink between the terminal device and the one or more other terminal devices.

[0009] In a sixth aspect, there is provided a method. The method comprises receiving, at a terminal device and from a further terminal device, a second message for data collection for a network device, over a first sidelink between the terminal device and the further terminal device, wherein the second message comprises: a first indication of first remaining data to be collected and a second request for collecting the first remaining data; and performing, based at least on the indication of the first remaining data, the data collection. [0010] In a seventh aspect, there is provided an apparatus. The apparatus comprises means for receiving a first message from a network device, the first message comprising: a first request for data collection and an indication of an amount of data requested to be collected for the network device; and means for performing, based at least on the requested amount of data, the data collection by using a sidelink between the apparatus and one or more other terminal devices.

[0011] In an eighth aspect, there is provided an apparatus. The apparatus comprisesmeans for transmitting a message to a terminal device, the message comprising: a first request for data collection and an indication of an amount of data requested to be collected for the network device; and means for receiving, from the terminal device and/or one or more other terminal devices, data which is collected by using a sidelink between the one or more other terminal devices.

[0012] In a ninth aspect, there is provided an apparatus. The apparatus comprises means for receiving, from a further terminal device, a second message for data collection with an amount of data requested to be collected for a network device, over a first sidelink between the apparatus and the further terminal device, wherein the second message comprises: a first indication of first remaining data to be collected and a second request for collecting the first remaining data for the network device; and means for performing, based at least on the indication of the first remaining data, the data collection.

[0013] In a tenth aspect, there is provided a computer readable medium comprising program instructions for causing an apparatus to perform at least the method according to the above fourth, fifth, or sixth aspect.

[0014] It is to be understood that the summary section is not intended to identify key or essential features of embodiments of the present disclosure, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Other features of the present disclosure will become easily comprehensible through the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Some example embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, where:

[0016] Fig. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of a communication system according to according to example embodiments of the present disclosure; [0017] Fig. 2 illustrates a schematic diagram of interactions between devices according to according to example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0018] Fig. 3 illustrates a schematic diagram of data collection according to example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0019] Fig. 4 illustrates a schematic diagram of an example scenario according to example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0020] Fig. 5 illustrates a flow chart of a method implemented at a first device according to example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0021] Fig. 6 illustrates a flow chart of a method implemented at a second device according to example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0022] Fig. 7 illustrates a flow chart of a method implemented at a third device according to example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0023] Fig. 8 illustrates a simplified block diagram of an apparatus that is suitable for implementing embodiments of the present disclosure; and

[0024] Fig. 9 illustrates a block diagram of an example computer readable medium in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0025] Throughout the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals represent the same or similar element.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] Principle of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to some example embodiments. It is to be understood that these embodiments are described only for the purpose of illustration and help those skilled in the art to understand and implement the present disclosure, without suggesting any limitation as to the scope of the disclosure. The disclosure described herein can be implemented in various manners other than the ones described below.

[0027] In the following description and claims, unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skills in the art to which this disclosure belongs.

[0028] References in the present disclosure to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “an example embodiment,” and the like indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but it is not necessary that every embodiment includes the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an example embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described.

[0029] It shall be understood that although the terms “first” and “second” etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and similarly, a second element could be termed a first element, without departing from the scope of example embodiments. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the listed terms.

[0030] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “has”, “having”, “includes” and/or “including”, when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, elements, and/or components etc., but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components and/ or combinations thereof.

[0031] 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 analog and/or digital circuitry) and

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

(i) a combination of analog 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 a mobile phone or server, to perform various functions) 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.

[0032] 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 and if applicable to the particular claim element, a baseband integrated circuit or processor integrated circuit for a mobile device or a similar integrated circuit in server, a cellular network device, or other computing or network device.

[0033] As used herein, the term “communication network” refers to a network following any suitable communication standards, such as Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), High-Speed Packet Access (HSPA), Narrow Band Internet of Things (NB-IoT), New Radio (NR) and so on. Furthermore, the communications between a terminal device and a network device in the communication network may be performed according to any suitable generation communication protocols, including, but not limited to, the first generation (1G), the second generation (2G), 2.5G, 2.75G, the third generation (3G), the fourth generation (4G), 4.5G, the future fifth generation (5G) communication protocols, and/or any other protocols either currently known or to be developed in the future. Embodiments of the present disclosure may be applied in various communication systems. Given the rapid development in communications, there will of course also be future type communication technologies and systems with which the present disclosure may be embodied. It should not be seen as limiting the scope of the present disclosure to only the aforementioned system.

[0034] As used herein, the term “network device” refers to a node in a communication network via which a terminal device accesses the network and receives services therefrom. The network device may refer to a base station (BS) or an access point (AP), for example, a node B (NodeB or NB), an evolved NodeB (eNodeB or eNB), a NR NB (also referred to as a gNB), a Remote Radio Unit (RRU), a radio header (RH), a remote radio head (RRH), a relay, a low power node such as a femto, a pico, and so forth, depending on the applied terminology and technology.

[0035] The term “terminal device” refers to any end device that may be capable of wireless communication. By way of example rather than limitation, a terminal device may also be referred to as a communication device, user equipment (UE), a Subscriber Station (SS), a Portable Subscriber Station, a Mobile Station (MS), or an Access Terminal (AT). The terminal device may include, but not limited to, a mobile phone, a cellular phone, a smart phone, voice over IP (VoIP) phones, wireless local loop phones, a tablet, a wearable terminal device, a personal digital assistant (PDA), portable computers, desktop computer, image capture terminal devices such as digital cameras, gaming terminal devices, music storage and playback appliances, vehicle-mounted wireless terminal devices, wireless endpoints, mobile stations, laptop-embedded equipment (LEE), laptop-mounted equipment (LME), USB dongles, smart devices, wireless customer-premises equipment (CPE), an Internet of Things (loT) device, a watch or other wearable, a head-mounted display (HMD), a vehicle, a drone, a medical device and applications (e.g., remote surgery), an industrial device and applications (e.g., a robot and/or other wireless devices operating in an industrial and/or an automated processing chain contexts), a consumer electronics device, a device operating on commercial and/or industrial wireless networks, and the like. In the following description, the terms “terminal device”, “communication device”, “terminal”, “user equipment” and “UE” may be used interchangeably.

[0036] As mentioned above, data collection is essential in cellular networks. The required data for training, validating, testing, and inferring from AI/ML solutions involve many data collection sources. In the case of solutions targeting 5G positioning, the network would have an AI/ML model, which however requires data to be collected from UEs. It would typically involve many UEs over a long period of time to collect the required data, which could potentially incur in high signaling overhead and unnecessary delays.

[0037] According to conventional technologies, the network needs to obtain capability information of a UE in order to make sure whether the UE can perform the required measurements. In some cases, the UE may not be available to conduct and/or report the required measurements even if the UE has the capability to perform the required measurements. For example, if the UE is in a mobile scenario, the UE may leave the area of interest associated with data collection. The UE may have other higher priority traffic to transmit or receive. In some other cases, time of data collection may fall within idle time within discontinuous reception transmission (DRX) cycle. Moreover, reported measurements from a UE may not be useful for the AI/ML model because it can include outliers (input data that can mislead the training process), redundant, and unnecessary measurements (e.g., same or similar measurements reported by another UE previously). The network may be heavily loaded in terms of radio resource utilization, limiting its ability to configure extensive measurement reports from UEs over the Uu interface. As a result, it would easily take a long list of steps for the network (NW) to collect data, which would cause a significant overhead or possibly delays for data collection. From the above, it becomes clear that the procedure for data collection from the UEs for AI/ML purposes is not optimized. That is, using conventional procedures to collect data for AI/ML purposes might incur significant amount of signaling and as a consequence causes significant delays. Conventional procedures are also not efficient from network resource utilization point of view.

[0038] In order to solve at least part of the above problems and other potential problems, solutions on sidelink data collection are proposed. According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a first device receives a measurement request from a second device and performs a measurement based on the measurement request. The first device forwards the measurement request to a third device via a sidelink between the first device and the third device. In this way, it can avoid unnecessary steps of collecting capability information or requesting measurements, thereby saving overhead and reducing signaling.

[0039] Fig. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of a communication system in which embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented. The communication system 100, which is a part of a communication network, includes a device 110-1, a device 110-2, a device 110-3, . . . , and a device 110-N, which can be collectively referred to as “device(s) 110.” The communication system 100 further includes a device 120. In an example device(s) 110 may be terminal devices and the device 120 may be a network device. It is to be understood that the number of devices (110 and 120) shown in Fig. 1 is given for the purpose of illustration without suggesting any limitations. The communication system 100 may include any suitable number of devices and cells. In the communication system 100, the devices 110 and the device 120 may communicate data and control information to each other through links from the device 120 to the device(s) 110 are referred to as downlink(s) (DL), while links from the device(s) 110 to the device 120 are referred to as uplink(s) (UL). The devices 110 may also communicate data and control information to each other. In the case that the devices 110 are terminal devices, a link between neighboring devices 110 is referred to as a sidelink (SL). In another example, the device 120 may be a network device, or a core network device.

[0040] Communications in the communication system 100 may be implemented according to any proper communication protocol(s), including, but not limited to, cellular communication protocols of the first generation (1G), the second generation (2G), the third generation (3G), the fourth generation (4G) and the fifth generation (5G) and on the like, wireless local network communication protocols such as Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 and the like, and/or any other protocols currently known or to be developed in the future. Moreover, the communication may utilize any proper wireless communication technology, including but not limited to: Code Divided Multiple Address (CDMA), Frequency Divided Multiple Address (FDMA), Time Divided Multiple Address (TDMA), Frequency Divided Duplexer (FDD), Time Divided Duplexer (TDD), Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO), Orthogonal Frequency Divided Multiple Access (OFDMA) and/or any other technologies currently known or to be developed in the future.

[0041] Example embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Reference is now made to Fig. 2, which illustrates a signaling flow 200 of data collection according to example embodiments of the present disclosure. Only for the purpose of illustrations, the signaling flow 200 involves the device 110-1, the device 120, the device 110-2 and the device 110-3.

[0042] The device 120 (referred to as a second device hereinafter) may request capability information from the devices 110 (for example, the devices 110-1, 110-2 and 110-3). The devices 110 may transmit capability information to the device 120. For example, the capability information may include a capability value set associated with the devices 110. In some example embodiments, the capability value set may include one or more UE capabilities of the devices (for example, the devices 110-1, 110-2 and 110-3). Only as an example, the capability value set may include the maximum number of antenna ports supported by an antenna panel of the device 110-1. The capability value set may include the maximum supported number of sounding reference signal (SRS) ports. Alternatively, or in addition, the capability information may indicate the device with reduced capabilities (RedCap).

[0043] The device 120 may determine 2005 whether to use the sidelink for data collection. In some example embodiments, the device 120 may determine whether to the sidelink is configured or used for data collection based on one or more of: an uplink resource availability, a downlink resource availability, a sidelink resource availability, traffic load, or required ratio or amount of data requested to be collected. For example, if the sidelink resources are available, the device 120 may determine to use the sidelink for data collection. In some example embodiments, if the required ratio or amount of data is larger than a threshold, the device 120 may determine to use the sidelink for data collection.

[0044] The device 120 transmits 2010 a first message to the device 110-1 (referred to as the first device). For example, the device 120 may transmit the first message via unicast. In this case, in some example embodiments, the first message may indicate an identity of the device 110-1. The first message includes a request for data collection (referred to as “the first request” hereinafter) and a first indication of an amount of data requested to be collected for the device 120. The first request may indicate if the data collection continues with another terminal device via the sidelink. In this way, it may exploit the sidelink between UEs to increase the efficiency of data collection, thereby reducing associated Uu signaling overhead and incurred delays.

[0045] In an example embodiment, the first request for collecting measurement data may indicate a required ratio or amount of measurement data that needs to be collected. Alternatively, the first request for collecting measurement data may indicate a required range of measurement data that needs to be collected. For example, the required range may refer to one of: a location range associated with the measurement data, a reference signal received power (RSRP) range associated with the measurement data, or an angular range associated with the measurement data. The first request for collecting measurement data may also indicate grid, space, or dimension of measurements to be collect. In the case of measurements associated or specified by location information, the devices 110 may know their own location information. For example, the devices 110 may know their locations based on global navigation satellite system (GNSS) or radio access technology (RAT)-based positioning techniques. In another example, the devices 110 may also collect data for a Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP) range rather than for a locational grid range. In other words, the data collection may be partitioned not only with respect to physical location but also with respect to RSRP levels, angular measurements, cell identities and the like.

[0046] Moreover, the first request for collecting measurement data may indicate a minimum ratio of measurements to be fulfilled. For example, the first request may indicate a minimum amount or proportion of a range of the measurement data upon which the collection of the measurement data is finalized. For example, the first request for collecting measurement data may indicate a proportion of the data size. Only as an example, the first request for collecting measurement data may indicate that “provide DL RSRP measurements between range rl0-r20 dBm from at least 75% of the area bounded by coordinates (xlO, x20) and (yl0,y20), where the area within (xl0,x20) and (yl0,y20) is split into 10 pixels of equal size and the granularity of measurements is one measurement per pixel, associated with location and time stamps.” For example, as shown in Fig. 3, the first request for collecting measurement data may indicate the required range 300 which is an area bounded by coordinates (xl0,x20) and (yl0,y20).

[0047] In some example embodiments, the device 120 may randomly select the device 110- 1 to which the first message is transmitted. In other words, the device 110-1 may be any suitable device. Alternatively, the device 120 may select the device 110-1 based on predetermined criteria. For example, if the device 110-1 is closest to a center of an area related to the data collection, the device 120 may select the device 110-1 and transmit the first message to the device 110-1. In some other embodiments, the device 120 may select the device 110-1 based on one of more of: UE capability, RSRP, or signal interference to noise ratio (SINR) associated with the device 110-1. For example, the device 120 may select an anchor device in a group of devices as the first device.

[0048] Alternatively, the device 120 may transmit the first message to a group of devices which includes the device 110-1. For example, the device 120 may transmit the first message to the group of devices via DL broadcast. In this case, in some example embodiments, the first message may indicate identities of devices in the group. In some example embodiments, the device 120 may select one or more devices having Positioning Reference unit (PRU) functionality for the measurement data collection. The term “PRUs” used herein may refer to devices deployed within the network, with a location that is known to the network. These devices could be considered as “trusted devices” from positioning perspective. In this case, if the measurement data is positioning-related data, it is more suitable to collect measurement data by devices with PRU functionality.

[0049] In some example embodiments, the device 120 may determine a set of resources for collecting the measurement data over sidelink and/or uplink. For example, the device 120 may determine UL time-frequency domain resources for the data collection. In some embodiments, the device 120 may determine power for the data collection. Alternatively, or in addition, the device 120 may determine SL time-frequency domain resources for the data collection. The SL time-frequency domain resources may be in the coverage of the device 120 or out of the coverage of the device 120. In this case, the first message may indicate the set of resources for collecting the measurement data. In this way, the network may properly plan resources for the data collection. Moreover, measurement data may also be collected from out-coverage of the network.

[0050] Alternatively, or in addition, the device 120 may determine the number of devices to which the updated first request for collecting measurement data is forwarded. For example, the device 120 may determine a total number of devices that may be involved in data collection. In this case, the first message may also indicate the number of devices to which the updated first request for collecting measurement data is forwarded.

[0051] In some other embodiments, the device 120 may determine whether redundant data is allowed and/or how much redundant data is allowed. If the redundant data is allowed, multiple devices may report measurements belonging to the same range of measurements. In some example embodiments, the device 120 may determine the number of redundant measurements to be performed for a predetermine area. In this case, the first message may further indicate the number of redundant measurements to be performed for the predetermine area. For example, if the number of measurements is 5, it means that there may be 5 devices that report measurements for the predetermined area. In this way, it may improve accuracy of the measurement data.

[0052] The device 120 may determine a timer associated with collecting the measurement data (also referred to as the second timer). For example, the second timer may indicate when to stop collecting the measurement data. In this case, the first message may further indicate the second timer associated with collecting the measurement data. In some example embodiments, the device 120 may determine area information associated with collecting the measurement data. For example, the device 120 may determine an area associated with collecting the measurement data. In this case, if the device 110-1 leaves the area, the device 110-1 may stop collecting the measurement data. Alternatively, the device 120 may determine cell identities (IDs) associated with colleting the measurement data. In this case, if the device 110-1 enters a cell which is not indicated by the cell IDs, the device 110-1 may stop collecting the measurement data. In this situation, the first message may also indicate the area information associated with collecting the measurement data. Alternatively, or in addition, the device 120 may determine a first threshold associated with collecting the measurement data. For example, if the value of measurement data is below the threshold, the device 110-1 may stop collecting the measurement data. In this case, the first message may also indicate the first threshold associated with collecting the measurement data. In some other embodiments, the first message may indicate a second threshold regarding when the further request is forwarded. For example, the second threshold may be a time threshold or a distance threshold on which the device (for example, the devices 110) needs to forward the updated first request via sidelink.

[0053] The device 110-1 performs 2015 the data collection based at least on the requested amount of data. The data collection is performed by using a sidelink between the device 110-1 and one or more other devices. For example, the device 110-1 may perform a first measurement based on the request. In some example embodiments, the device 110-1 may perform the first measurement based on its capability and availability. In some example embodiments, the first request may indicate time-based measurements. For example, the first request may indicate a time difference of arrival (TDOA) measurement or a transmission-reception time difference measurement. Alternatively, the request may indicate an angle-based measurement. For example, the first request may indicate an angle of arrival (AoA) measurement or an angle of departure (AoD) measurement. In other embodiments, the first request may indicate a power-based measurement. For example, the first request may indicate RSRP measurement. In some example embodiments, the first request may indicate a measurement related to channel state information. For example, the first request may indicate a measurement related to channel impulse response (CIR). In some example embodiments, if the first request indicates RSRP measurements between range rl0-r20 dBm, the device 120 may perform the RSRP measurement rl0-rl5 from (xl0,xl2) and (yl4,y20).

[0054] In some example embodiments, if the first message is received, the device 110-1 may start a timer (also referred to as the first timer). In this case, the device 110-1 may perform the measurement after an expiration of the timer.

[0055] The device 110-1 may transmit 2020 a second message to the device 110-2 one or more devices (for example, the device 110-2) via sidelink. For example, the second message may be transmitted via broadcast. Alternatively, the second message may be transmitted via unicast. The second message includes an indication of remaining data to be collected and a second request for collecting the remaining data. The second request may be based on the first request. The second request may indicate if the data collection continues with another terminal device via the sidelink. The second message also includes an entire first part of the measurement data collected based on the first measurement. The second message further includes a second indication. The second indication indicates one or more of: a first remaining part of the measurement data to be collected and whether to forward any further request to another device after next remaining measurement data collection. In other words, the device 110-1 may indicate which part of the required measurement data it collected and/or remaining part of the required measurement data to be collected by other devices. Only as an example, the second message may indicate that measurements are missing for rl5-r20 from (xl2,x20) and (yl0,yl4). In this case, other devices (for example, the device 110-2) may collect measurement data for rl5-r20 from (xl2,x20) and (yl0,yl4). Alternatively, or in addition, the second message may indicate that measurements from (xl0,xl2) and (yl4,y20) have been collected. Referring to Fig. 3, the second message may indicate that the part 310 of the range 300 that has been collected and the part 320 of the range 300 to be collected. In this way, it may exploit the sidelink between UEs to increase the efficiency of data collection

[0056] In an example embodiment, the second indication in the second message may indicate a confidence level of the measurement. For example, if the confidence level is below a threshold, other devices may repeat the measurement. In this way, it may improve accuracy of the measurement data.

[0057] In some example embodiments, as mentioned above, the first message may indicate the number of devices to which the updated first request is forwarded. In this case, the device 110-1 may decrease the number of devices in the second indication within the second message before the transmission to one or more devices (for example, the device 110-2 and/or device 110-3). The second message may also indicate the decreased number of devices. Only as an example, if the first message indicates 5 devices to which the request is forwarded, the device 110-1 may decrease the number from 5 to 4. In this example, the second message may indicate 4 devices to which the request is forwarded.

[0058] Alternatively, or in addition, as mentioned above, the first message may indicate the set of resources for collecting the measurement data. For example, the set of resources may include time and/or frequency domain resources. The set of resources may also include power for colleting the measurement data. In this case, the device 110-1 may transmit the second message using the set of resources.

[0059] In some other embodiments, if the first message indicates the number of redundant data to be collected, the device 110-1 may decrease the number of redundant data to be collected after the measurement is performed. In this situation, the second message may also indicate the decreased number of redundant data to be collected. For example, if the first message indicates 5 measurements, the device 110-1 may decrease the number from 5 to 4. As a result, the second message may indicate 4 measurements to be performed.

[0060] In one example embodiment, if the first message indicates the second timer associated with collecting measurement data, the device 110-1 may update the second timer and then forward the updated second timer. In other words, the second message may indicate the second timer or the updated second timer associated with collecting measurement data.

[0061] The devices may have different granularity in terms of measurement capabilities. In some example embodiments, if a first granularity of the measurement is different from a second granularity indicated in the first message, the second message may further indicate the first granularity. For example, the first message may indicate a square in the indicated grid of measurements, which may be too coarse or granular for the device 110-1. In this case, the device 110-1 may indicate its precise range of the measurement in the second message. For example, the second message may indicate that DL RSRP measurements of the device 110-1 belong to the range 1.2 to 1.8 m - instead of 1 to 2 m. In this case, other devices may help better completing the actual requested range of measurements.

[0062] In some embodiments, the device 110-1 may obtain data that has been collected for the data collection. In this case, in some embodiments, if the requested amount of data is reached from the collected data, the device 110-1 may stop the data collection. The device 110-1 may report the collected data to the device 120. Alternatively, if the requested amount of data is not reached from the collected data, the device 110-1 may continue the data collection with the one or more terminal devices via the sidelink.

[0063] The device 110-1 may determine a first set of measurement data based on the measurement. In some example embodiments, the device 110-1 may transmit/report 2025 the first set of measurement data to the device 120. Alternatively, the device 110-1 may transmit the first set of measurement data to one or more other devices. For example, the device 110-1 may transmit 2030 the first set of measurement data to the device 110-2 via the sidelink. The first set of measurement data may also be transmitted to other devices not shown in Fig. 2.

[0064] The device 110-2 may determine 2035 a validity of the first set of measurement data. For example, the device 120 may request the device 110-2 to determine the validity. Alternatively, the device 110-2 may be configured to determine the validity. In some example embodiments, the device 110-2 may compare its own measurement with the first set of measurement data. The device 110-2 may determine the validity of the first set of measurement data based on the comparison. If the first set of measurement data is invalid, the device 110-2 may transmit an indication regarding invalidity of the first set of measurement data to the device 120 or the device 110-3. For example, if the devices 110-

1 and 110-2 measure RSRP for the same area, the device 110-2 may compare its measured RSRP with the RSRP measured by the device 110-1. In this case, if the difference between the measurements performed by different devices exceeds a threshold, the device 110-2 may flag any “contradicting” or “insufficient” measurements” over sidelink or to network. In this way, it may improve accuracy of the measurement data.

[0065] The device 110-2 performs the data collection based at least on the indication for the first remaining data. The device 110-2 may perform 2040 a second measurement on the first remaining part of the measurement data based on the updated first request for collecting measurement data indicated in the second message. In some example embodiments, the device 110-2 may perform the second measurement based on its capability and availability. In some example embodiments, the updated first request may indicate time-based measurements. Alternatively, the updated first request may indicate an anglebased measurement. In other embodiments, the updated first request may indicate a powerbased measurement. In some example embodiments, the updated first request may indicate a measurement related to channel state information.

[0066] In some example embodiments, if the second message is received, the device 110-

2 may start the first timer. In this case, the device 110-2 may perform the measurement after an expiration of the first timer.

[0067] In some example embodiments, the device 110-2 may transmit 2045 a third message one or more devices (also referred to as one or more fourth devices) (for example, to the device 110-3) via sidelink between the devices 110-2 and the one or more devices. For example, the third message may be transmitted via broadcast. Alternatively, the third message may be transmitted via unicast. The third message may include the updated second request to collect second remaining measurement data. The third message may include an entire second part of the measurement data collected based on the second measurement. The third message may further include a second indication which indicates one or more of: a second remaining part of the measurement data to be collected and whether to forward any further request to another device after next remaining measurement data collection. In other words, the device 110-2 may indicate which part of the required measurement data that has been collected and/or remaining part of the required measurement data to be collected by other devices. Referring to Fig. 3, the third message may indicate that the part 330 of the range 300 that has been collected and the part 340 of the range 300 to be collected. In this way, it may exploit the sidelink between UEs to increase the efficiency of data collection

[0068] In an example embodiment, the third message may indicate a confidence level of the second measurement. For example, if the confidence level is below a threshold, other devices may repeat the measurement.

[0069] In some example embodiments, as mentioned above, the second message may indicate the number of devices to which the updated second request is forwarded. In this case, the device 110-2 may decrease the number of devices before the transmission of the third message to the one or more devices. The third message may also indicate the decreased number of devices. Only as an example, if the second message indicates 4 devices to which the request is forwarded, the device 110-2 may decrease the number from 4 to 3. In this example, the third message may indicate 3 devices to which the request is forwarded. Alternatively, if the number of devices indicated in the second message is not larger than a predetermined number (for example, 0), the device 110-2 may stop measuring and forwarding the request.

[0070] Alternatively, or in addition, as mentioned above, the second message may indicate the set of resources for collecting the second remaining part of the measurement data. In this case, the device 110-2 may transmit the third message using the set of resources.

[0071] In some other embodiments, if the second message indicates the number of redundant data to be collected, the device 110-2 may decrease the number of redundant data to be collected after the measurement is performed. In this situation, the third message may also indicate the decreased number of redundant data to be collected. For example, if the second message indicates 4 measurements, the device 110-2 may decrease the number from 4 to 3. As a result, the third message may indicate 3 measurements to be performed. Alternatively, if the second message indicates zero measurement the device 110-2 may stop measuring and forwarding the request. Alternatively, if the number of measurements indicated in the second message is not larger than a predetermined number (for example, 0), the device 110-2 may stop measuring and forwarding the request.

[0072] In one example embodiment, if the second message indicates the second timer associated with collecting measurement data, the device 110-2 may update the secondtimer and then forward the second timer. In other words, the third message may indicate the second timer or the updated second timer associated with collecting measurement data.

[0073] The devices may have different granularity in terms of measurement capabilities. In this case, the device 110-2 may indicate its precise range of the measurement in the second message. In this case, other devices may help better completing the actual requested range of measurements.

[0074] The device 110-2 may determine a second set of measurement data based on the second measurement. In some example embodiments, the device 110-2 may transmit/report 2050 the second set of measurement data to the device 120. Alternatively, the device 110-2 may transmit the second set of measurement data to one or more other devices. For example, the device 110-2 may transmit 2055 the second set of measurement data to the device 110-3 via the sidelink. The second set of measurement data may also be transmitted to other devices not shown in Fig. 2.

[0075] In some embodiments, the second message may also indicate a minimum amount or proportion of a range of the measurement data upon which the collection of the measurement data is finalized. In this case, if the device 110-2 determines that the minimum amount or proper is reaches, the device 110-2 may transmit collected measurement data which includes the first set of measurement data and the second measurement data to the device 120. In this way, it avoids redundant data collection and signaling overhead.

[0076] The device 110-3 may determine a validity of the first and/or second sets of measurement data. For example, the device 120 may request the device 110-3 to determine the validity. Alternatively, the device 110-3 may be configured to determine the validity. In some example embodiments, the device 110-3 may compare its own measurement with the first and/or second sets of measurement data. The device 110-3 may determine the validity of the first and/or second sets of measurement data based on the comparison. If the first and/or second set of measurement data is invalid, the device 110-3 may transmit an indication regarding invalidity of the first and/or second sets of measurement data to the device 120 or the other device(s).

[0077] The device 110-3 may perform 2060 a third measurement on the second remaining part of the measurement data based on the updated second request indicated in third second message. In some example embodiments, the device 110-3 may perform the third measurement based on its capability and availability. In some example embodiments, the updated second request may indicate time-based measurements. Alternatively, the updated second request may indicate an angle-based measurement. In other embodiments, the updated second request may indicate a power-based measurement. In some example embodiments, the updated second request may indicate a measurement related to channel state information. The device 110-3 may determine a third set of measurement data based on the third measurement.

[0078] In some example embodiments, if the third message is received, the device 110-3 may start a first timer. In this case, the device 110-3 may perform the measurement after an expiration of the first timer.

[0079] In some example embodiments, as mentioned above, the third message may indicate the number of devices to which the updated second request is forwarded. In this case, if the number of devices indicated in the third message is not larger than a predetermined number (for example, 0), the device 110-3 may stop measuring and forwarding the request. In some other embodiments, the third message may indicate the number of redundant data to be collected. In this situation, if the number of measurements indicated in the third message is not larger than a predetermined number (for example, 0), the device 110-3 may stop measuring and forwarding the request.

[0080] In one example embodiment, if the second message indicates the second timer associated with collecting measurement data, the device 110-2 may update the second timer and then forward the second timer. In other words, the third message may indicate the second timer or the updated second timer associated with collecting measurement data.

[0081] The device 110-3 may determine 2065 whether the required data is completed. For example, the device 110-3 may determine whether the indicated ratio of measurements is reached. If the indicated ratio of measurements is reached, the device 110-3 may stop forward the request for collecting measurement data over sidelink. Only as an example, if the request indicates “provide DL RSRP measurements between range rl0-r20 dBm from at least 75% of the area bounded by coordinates (xl0,x20) and (yl0,y20)”, the device 110-3 may determine whether 75% of the area is measured. Referring to Fig. 3, the device 110- 3 may determine whether the collected part 350 occupies at least 75% of the range 300.

[0082] In some example embodiments, if the required data is completed, the device 110- 3 may transmit 2070 collected measurement data to the device 120. The collected measurement data may be the first, second and third sets of measurement data. In other words, the device 110-3 may report final accumulated sets of measurements to the network, thereby reducing signaling for data collection. In some other embodiments, if the device 110-3 is a relay UE, the device 110-3 may have already collected the requested data so that UEs may stop measuring and reporting/forwarding their measurements.

[0083] Alternatively, or in addition, the device 120 may indicate to the devices 110 that it has already collected the requested data so that devices 110 may stop measuring and reporting/forwarding their measurements. In some example embodiments, the devices 110 (for example, the device 110-1) may also request and initiate the data collection procedure. In this case, the measurement data may be reported to the device 110-1.

[0084] In some embodiments, the device 120 may broadcast to the group of devices (for example, the devices 110) that received the first request to stop performing one or more of measuring, reporting and forwarding measurements based on having received sufficient requested measurement data from one or more devices in the group of devices that received the request. For example, if the device 120 determines that the received measurement data is sufficient enough for positioning, the device 120 may broadcast to the group of devices to stop the measurements.

[0085] Fig. 4 shows a vehicle to everything (V2X) scenario where embodiments of the present disclosure may be applied. It should be noted that embodiments of the present disclosure may also be implemented in other suitable scenarios.

[0086] As shown in Fig. 4, the device 120 may request RSRP measurements associated with location information from a road section delimited by the locations/distances 410 and 420 over the horizontal axis. It should be noted that the area may also reside outside the network coverage. In this case, the network may benefit from the present disclosure such that any UEs that might reside beyond the network coverage may be reached via sidelink, for data collection purposes. This opportunity yields potentially more diverse set of measurements that are achievable via conventional methods for data collection.

[0087] The device 120 may initiate the data collection request by sending a unicast message to the device 110-1 approaching the area of interest. Since devices enter and exit the indicated area continuously, the device 120 may further request the device 110-1 to forward its data collection request over SL when it is leaving the area (i.e., when the device 110-1 reaches 410 or 420). [0088] The device 110-1 may collect a set of measurements, rather belonging to only a subset of the indicated region, due to its high speed. When the device 110-1 reaches one end of the area (for example, at 410), the device 110-1 may forward the data collection request to the device 110-2 via SL, by indicating the range of the subset of measurements it conducted and/or the missing range of measurements to be conducted. The device 110-1 may report its measurements to the network. For example, if the region is outside the coverage, the device 110-1 may report its measurements when it connects back.

[0089] The device 110-2 may receive this message and collect another set of measurements throughout its journey between 410 and 420, belonging to the indicated missing part of the measurement range. If the device 110-2 reaches 420, the device 110-2 may then forward the data collection request to other devices via SL, for example, the device 110-3.

[0090] After the device 110-3 receives the data collection data, the device 110-3 may determine whether a predetermined proportion of the requested set of measurements has been collated. In this case, if the predetermine proportion is reached, the device 110-3 may not forward the data collection request over SL. The device 110-3 may also report the subset of measurements it collected to the network.

[0091] Fig. 5 illustrates a flow chart of method 500 of the present disclosure. The method 500 may be implemented at any suitable devices. For example, the method may be implemented at the device 110-1.

[0092] The device 110-1 may transmit capability information to the device 120. For example, the capability information may include a capability value set associated with the device 110-1. In some example embodiments, the capability value set may include one or more UE capabilities of the device 110-1. Only as an example, the capability value set may include the maximum number of antenna ports supported by an antenna panel of the device 110-1. The capability value set may include the maximum supported number of SRS ports. Alternatively, or in addition, the capability information may indicate the device with RedCap.

[0093] At block 510, the device 110-1 receives a first message from the device 120. For example, the device 120 may transmit the first message via unicast. In this case, in some example embodiments, the first message may indicate an identity of the device 110-1. The first message includes a first request for collecting measurement data and a first indication to forward an updated firstrequest via sidelink. In this way, it may exploit the sidelink between UEs to increase the efficiency of data collection, thereby reducing associated Uu signaling overhead and incurred delays.

[0094] In an example embodiment, the first request for collecting measurement data may indicate a required ratio or amount of measurement data that needs to be collected. Alternatively, the first request for collecting measurement data may indicate a required range of measurement data that needs to be collected. For example, the required range may refer to one of a location range associated with the measurement data, a RSRP range associated with the measurement data, or an angular range associated with the measurement data. The first request for collecting measurement data may also indicate grid, space, or dimension of measurements to be collect. In the case of measurements associated or specified by location information, the devices 110 may know their own location information. For example, the devices 110 may know their location based on GNSS or RAT-based positioning techniques. In another example, the devices 110 may also collect data for an RSRP range rather than for a locational grid range. In other words, the data collection may be partitioned not only with respect to physical location but also with respect to RSRP levels, angular measurements, cell IDs and the like.

[0095] Moreover, the first request for collecting measurement data may indicate a minimum ration of measurements to be fulfilled. For example, the first request may indicate a minimum amount or proportion of a range of the measurement data upon which the collection of the measurement data is finalized. For example, the first request for collecting measurement data may indicate a proportion of the data size. Only as an example, the first request for collecting measurement data may indicate that “provide DL RSRP measurements between range rl0-r20 dBm from at least 75% of the area bounded by coordinates (xlO, x20) and (yl0,y20), where the area within (xl0,x20) and (yl0,y20) is split into 10 pixels of equal size and the granularity of measurements is one measurement per pixel, associated with location and time stamps.” For example, as shown in Fig. 3, the request for collecting measurement data may indicate the required range 300 which is an area bounded by coordinates (xl0,x20) and (yl0,y20).

[0096] In some example embodiments, the device 120 may randomly select the device 110- 1 to which the first message is transmitted. In other words, the device 110-1 may be any suitable device. Alternatively, the device 120 may select the device 110-1 based on predetermined criteria. For example, if the device 110-1 is closest to a center of an area related to the data collection, the device 120 may select the device 110-1 and transmit the first message to the device 110-1. In some other embodiments, the device 120 may select the device 110-1 based on one of more of: UE capability, RSRP, or signal interference to noise ratio (SINR) associated with the device 110-1. For example, the device 120 may select an anchor device in a group of devices as the first device.

[0097] In some example embodiments, the first message may indicate the set of resources for collecting the measurement data. In this way, the network may properly plan resources for the data collection. Moreover, measurement data may also be collected from out- coverage of the network.

[0098] At block 520, the device 110-1 performs the data collection based at least one the requested amount of data. The data collection can be performed by using sidelink between the device 110-1 and one or more other terminal devices. For example, the device 110-1 may perform a first measurement based on the first request. In some example embodiments, the device 110-1 may perform the first measurement based on its capability and availability. In some example embodiments, the first request may indicate time-based measurements. Alternatively, the first request may indicate an angle-based measurement. In other embodiments, the first request may indicate a power-based measurement. For example, the first request may indicate RSRP measurement. In some example embodiments, the request may indicate a measurement related to channel state information.

[0099] In some example embodiments, if the first message is received, the device 110-1 may start a first timer. In this case, the device 110-1 may perform the measurement after an expiration of the first timer.

[00100] In some example embodiments, the first message further indicates at least one of: a set of resources for the data collection via at least one of sidelink or uplink, a number of redundant data to be collected for a predetermined area, a second timer for the data collection, identities of terminal devices for the data collection, a minimum amount or proportion of the requested amount data upon which the data collection is finalized, a first threshold associated with the data collection, a second threshold regarding when a further request for the data collection is forwarded, or area information associated with the data collection.

[00101] In some embodiments, at block 530, the device 110-1 may transmit a second message to one or more third devices (for example, the device 110-2) via the sidelink. For example, the second message may be transmitted via broadcast. Alternatively, the second message may be transmitted via unicast. The second message may include an indication of remaining data to be collected and a second request for collecting the remaining data. The second message may further include a second indication. The second indication indicates one or more of: a first remaining part of the measurement data to be collected and whether to forward any further request to another device after next remaining measurement data collection. In other words, the device 110-1 may indicate which part of the required measurement data it collected and/or remaining part of the required measurement data to be collected by other devices.

[00102] In some example embodiments, the second message further indicates at least one of: a first number of terminal devices to which a third request for collecting remaining data is forwarded via sidelink, a set of resources for the data collection via at least one of sidelink or uplink, a second number of redundant data to be collected for a predetermined area, a second timer for the data collection, identities of terminal devices for the data collection, a minimum amount or proportion of the requested amount data upon which the data collection is finalized, a first threshold associated with the data collection, a second threshold regarding when a further request for the data collection is forwarded, or area information associated with the data collection.

[00103] In an example embodiment, the second indication in the second message may indicate a confidence level of the measurement. For example, if the confidence level is below a threshold, other devices may repeat the measurement. In this way, it may improve accuracy of the measurement data.

[00104] In some example embodiments, as mentioned above, the first message may indicate the number of devices to which the updated first request is forwarded. In this case, the device 110-1 may decrease the number of devices in the second indication within the second message before the transmission to one or more devices (for example, the device 110-2 and/or device 110-3). The second message may also indicate the decreased number of devices.

[00105] Alternatively, or in addition, as mentioned above, the first message may indicate the set of resources for collecting the measurement data. For example, the set of resources may include time and/or frequency domain resources. The set of resources may also include power for colleting the measurement data. In this case, the device 110-1 may transmit the second message using the set of resources.

[00106] In some other embodiments, if the first message indicates the number of redundant data to be collected, the device 110-1 may decrease the number of redundant data to be collected after the measurement is performed. In this situation, the second message may also indicate the decreased number of redundant data to be collected.

[00107] In one example embodiment, if the first message indicates the second timer associated with collecting measurement data, the device 110-1 may update the second timer and then forward the second timer. In other words, the second message may indicate the second timer or the updated second timer associated with collecting measurement data.

[00108] The devices may have different granularity in terms of measurement capabilities. In some example embodiments, if a first granularity of the measurement is different from a second granularity indicated in the first message, the second message may further indicate the first granularity. For example, the first message may indicate a square in the indicated grid of measurements, which may be too coarse or granular for the device 110-1. In this case, the device 110-1 may indicate its precise range of the measurement in the second message.

[00109] The device 110-1 may determine a first set of measurement data based on the measurement. In some example embodiments, the device 110-1 may transmit/report the first set of measurement data to the device 120. Alternatively, the device 110-1 may transmit the first set of measurement data to one or more other devices. For example, the device 110-1 may transmit the first set of measurement data to the device 110-2 via the sidelink.

[00110] Fig. 6 illustrates a flow chart of method 600 of the present disclosure. The method 600 may be implemented at any suitable devices. For example, the method may be implemented at the device 120.

[00111] The device 120 may request capability information from the devices 110 (for example, the devices 110-1, 110-2 and 110-3). The devices 110 may transmit capability information to the device 120. For example, the capability information may include a capability value set associated with the devices 110. In some example embodiments, the capability value set may include one or more UE capabilities of the devices (for example, the devices 110-1, 110-2 and 110-3). Only as an example, the capability value set may include the maximum number of antenna ports supported by an antenna panel of the device 110-1. The capability value set may include the maximum supported number of sounding reference signal (SRS) ports. Alternatively, or in addition, the capability information may indicate the device with reduced capabilities (RedCap). [00112] The device 120 may determine whether to use the sidelink for data collection. In some example embodiments, the device 120 may determine whether to use the sidelink for data collection based on one or more of: an uplink resource availability, a downlink resource availability, a sidelink resource availability, traffic load, or required ratio or amount of data to be collected and reported by the devices 110. For example, if the sidelink resources are available, the device 120 may determine to use the sidelink for data collection. In some example embodiments, if the required ratio or amount of data is larger than a threshold, the device 120 may determine to use the sidelink for data collection.

[00113] At block 610, the device 120 transmits a message to the device 110-1. For example, the device 120 may transmit the message via unicast. In this case, in some example embodiments, the message may indicate an identity of the device 110-1. The message includes a first request for data collection and an indication of an amount of data requested to be collected for the network device. In this way, it may exploit the sidelink between UEs to increase the efficiency of data collection, thereby reducing associated Uu signaling overhead and incurred delays.

[00114] In some example embodiments, the message further indicates at least one of: a first number of terminal devices to which a second request for the data collection is forwarded by the terminal device via the sidelink, a set of resources for the data collection via at least one of sidelink or uplink, a second number of redundant data to be collected for a predetermined area, more than one timer for the data collection, identities of terminal devices for the data collection, a minimum amount or proportion of the requested amount data upon which the data collection is finalized, a first threshold associated with the data collection, a second threshold regarding when a further request for the data collection is forwarded, or area information associated with the data collection.

[00115] In an example embodiment, the request for collecting measurement data may indicate a required ratio or amount of measurement data that needs to be collected. Alternatively, the request for collecting measurement data may indicate a required range of measurement data that needs to be collected. For example, the required rang may refer to one of: a location range associated with the measurement data, a RSRP range associated with the measurement data, or an angular range associated with the measurement data. The request for collecting measurement data may also indicate grid, space, or dimension of measurements to be collect. In the case of measurements associated or specified by location information, the devices 110 may know their own location information. [00116] Moreover, the request for collecting measurement data may indicate a minimum ration of measurements to be fulfilled. For example, the request for collecting measurement data may indicate a proportion of the data size.

[00117] In some example embodiments, the device 120 may randomly select the device 110- 1 to which the first message is transmitted. In other words, the device 110-1 may be any suitable device. Alternatively, the device 120 may select the device 110-1 based on predetermined criteria. For example, if the device 110-1 is closest to a center of an area related to the data collection, the device 120 may select the device 110-1 and transmit the first message to the device 110-1. In some other embodiments, the device 120 may select the device 110-1 based on one of more of: UE capability, RSRP, or signal interference to noise ratio (SINR) associated with the device 110-1. For example, the device 120 may select an anchor device in a group of devices as the first device.

[00118] Alternatively, the device 120 may transmit the first message to a group of devices which includes the device 110-1. For example, the device 120 may transmit the first message to the group of devices via DL broadcast. In this case, in some example embodiments, the first message may indicate identities of devices in the group. In some example embodiments, the device 120 may select one or more devices having PRU functionality for the measurement data collection. In this case, if the measurement data is positioning-related data, it is more suitable to collect measurement data by devices with PRU functionality.

[00119] In some example embodiments, the device 120 may determine a set of resources for data collection. For example, the device 120 may determine UL time-frequency domain resources for the data collection. Alternatively, or in addition, the device 120 may determine SL time-frequency domain resources for the data collection. The SL timefrequency domain resources may be in the coverage of the device 120 or out of the coverage of the device 120. In this case, the first message may indicate the set of resources for collecting the measurement data. In this way, the network may properly plan resources for the data collection. Moreover, measurement data may also be collected from out-coverage of the network.

[00120] Alternatively, or in addition, the device 120 may determine the number of devices to which the request for collecting measurement data is forwarded. For example, the device 120 may determine a total number of devices that may be involved in data collection. In this case, the first message may also indicate the number of devices to which the request for collecting measurement data is forwarded.

[00121] In some other embodiments, the device 120 may determine whether redundant data is allowed and/or how much redundant data is allowed. If the redundant data is allowed, multiple devices can report measurements belonging to the same range of measurements. In some example embodiments, the device 120 may determine the number of measurements to be performed for a predetermine area. In this case, the first message may further indicate the number of measurements to be performed for the predetermine area. For example, if the number of measurements is 5, it means that there can be 5 devices that report measurements for the predetermined area.

[00122] The device 120 may determine a timer associated with collecting the measurement data. For example, the timer may indicate when to stop collecting the measurement data. In this case, the first message may further indicate this timer associated with collecting the measurement data. In some example embodiments, the device 120 may determine an area associated with collecting the measurement data. For example, if the device 110-1 leaves the area, the device 110-1 may stop collecting the measurement data. In this situation, the first message may also indicate the area associated with collecting the measurement data. Alternatively, or in addition, the device 120 may determine a threshold associated with collecting the measurement data. For example, if the value of measurement data is below the threshold, the device 110-1 may stop collecting the measurement data. In this case, the first message may also indicate the threshold associated with collecting the measurement data.

[00123] At block 620, the device 120 receives the measurement data from one or more devices. For example, the device 120 may receive the measurement data from a plurality of devices which perform the measurement. For example, if the plurality of devices receives a second message from the first device, the plurality of devices may perform respective remaining parts of data measurement not previously collected by the first device per an updated indication in an updated request, via the sidelink between the first device and the plurality of devices. Alternatively, the device 120 may receive the measurement data from a final device.

[00124] In some embodiments, the device 120 may broadcast to the group of devices (for example, the devices 110) that received the first request to stop performing one or more of: collecting, reporting and forwarding measurements based on having received sufficient requested measurement data from one or more devices in the group of devices that received the request. For example, if the device 120 determines that the received measurement data is sufficient enough for positioning, the device 120 may broadcast to the group of devices to stop the measurements.

[00125] Fig. 7 illustrates a flow chart of method 700 of the present disclosure. The method 700 can be implemented at any suitable devices. For example, the method may be implemented at the device 110-2.

[00126] At block 710, the device 110-2 receives a second message with an amount of data requested to be collected for a network device from the device 110-1. For example, the second message may be transmitted via broadcast. Alternatively, the second message may be transmitted via unicast. The second message includes a first indication of first remaining data to be collected and a second request for collecting the first remaining data. The second message may further include a second indication. The second indication indicates one or more of: a first remaining part of the measurement data to be collected and whether to forward any further request to another device after next remaining measurement data collection. In other words, the device 110-1 may indicate which part of the required measurement data it collected and/or remaining part of the required measurement data to be collected by other devices.

[00127] In some example embodiments, the second message further indicates at least one of: a first number of terminal devices to which a third request for collecting the second remaining data is forwarded the terminal device via the sidelink, a set of resources for the data collection via at least one of sidelink or uplink, a second number of redundant data to be collected for a predetermined area, more than one timers the data collection, identities of terminal devices for the data collection, a minimum amount or proportion of the requested amount data upon which the data collection is finalized, a first threshold associated with the data collection, a second threshold regarding when a further request for the data collection is forwarded, or area information associated with the data collection.

[00128] In an example embodiment, the second indication in the second message may indicate a confidence level of the measurement. For example, if the confidence level is below a threshold, other devices may repeat the measurement. In this way, it may improve accuracy of the measurement data.

[00129] In some example embodiments, the second message may also indicate the decreased number of devices to which the updated second request is forwarded. In some other embodiments, if the first message indicates the number of redundant data to be collected, the second message may also indicate the decreased number of redundant data to be collected. In one example embodiment, the second message may indicate the second timer or the updated second timer associated with collecting measurement data.

[00130] The devices may have different granularity in terms of measurement capabilities. In some example embodiments, if a first granularity of the measurement is different from a second granularity indicated in the first message, the second message may further indicate the first granularity.

[00131] In some example embodiments, the device 110-2 may receive the first set of data collected from the device 110-1. The device 110-2 may determine a validity of the first set of data. For example, the device 120 may request the device 110-2 to determine the validity. Alternatively, the device 110-2 may be configured to determine the validity. In some example embodiments, the device 110-2 may compare its own measurement with the first set of data. The device 110-2 may determine the validity of the first set of data based on the comparison. If the first set of data is invalid, the device 110-2 may transmit an indication regarding invalidity of the first set of data to the device 120 or the device 110-3. For example, if the devices 110-1 and 110-2 measure RSRP for the same area, the device 110-2 may compare its measured RSRP with the RSRP measured by the device 110-1. In this case, if the difference between the measurements performed by different devices exceeds a threshold, the device 110-2 may flag any “contradicting” or “insufficient” measurements” over sidelink or to network.

[00132] At block 720, the device 110-2 performs, based at least on the indication of the first remaining data, the data collection by using a second sidelink between the device 110-2 and one or more other terminal devices. For example, the device 110-2 may perform a second measurement on the first remaining part of the measurement data based on the updated first request indicated in the second message. In some example embodiments, the device 110- 2 may perform the second measurement based on its capability and availability. In some example embodiments, the updated first request may indicate time-based measurements. Alternatively, the updated first request may indicate an angle-based measurement. In other embodiments, the updated first request may indicate a power-based measurement. In some example embodiments, the updated first request may indicate a measurement related to channel state information.

[00133] In some example embodiments, if the second message is received, the device 110- 2 may start the first timer. In this case, the device 110-2 may perform the measurement after an expiration of the first timer.

[00134] In some embodiments, at block 730, the device 110-2 may determine a second set of collected by the device 110-2. For example, the device 110-2 may determine the second set of data based on the second measurement. In some example embodiments, the device 110-2 may transmit/report the second set of data to the device 120. Alternatively, the device 110-2 may transmit the second set of data to one or more other devices. For example, the device 110-2 may transmit the second set of data to the device 110-3 via the sidelink. In some example embodiments, if the device 110-2 determines that a predetermined ratio of the data indicated in the second message is reached, the device 110-2 may transmit collected data which includes the first set of data and the second data to the device 120. In this way, it avoids redundant data collection and signaling overhead.

[00135] In some embodiments, the device 110-2 may obtain data that has been collected for the data collection. In this case, if the requested amount of data is reached from the collected data, the device 110-2 may stop the data collection. The device 110-2 may further report the collected data to the device 120. Alternatively, if the requested amount of data is not reached from the collected data, the device 110-2 may continue the data collection with the one or more terminal devices via the second sidelink.

[00136] In some example embodiments, the device 110-2 may transmit a third message to one or more devices via sidelink. For example, the third message may be transmitted via broadcast. Alternatively, the third message may be transmitted via unicast. The third message may include a second indication of second remaining data to be collected and a third request for collecting the second remaining data. The third request may be based on the second request. The second and third requests each may indicate if the data collection continues with another terminal device via sidelink. The third message may include an entire second part of the measurement data collected based on the second measurement. The third message may further include a second indication which indicates one or more of a second remaining part of the measurement data to be collected and whether to forward any further request to another device after next remaining measurement data collection. In other words, the device 110-2 may indicate which part of the required measurement data that has been collected and/or remaining part of the required measurement data to be collected by other devices. In this way, it can may the sidelink between UEs to increase the efficiency of data collection [00137] In an example embodiment, the third message may indicate a confidence level of the second measurement. For example, if the confidence level is below a threshold, other devices may repeat the measurement.

[00138] In some example embodiments, as mentioned above, the second message may indicate the number of devices to which the updated second request is forwarded. In this case, the device 110-2 may decrease the number of devices before the transmission of the third message to the one or more devices. The third message may also indicate the decreased number of devices. Alternatively, if the number of devices indicated in the second message is not larger than a predetermined number (for example, 0), the device 110- 2 may stop measuring and forwarding the request.

[00139] Alternatively, or in addition, as mentioned above, the second message may indicate the set of resources for the data collection. In this case, the device 110-2 may transmit the third message using the set of resources.

[00140] In some other embodiments, if the second message indicates the number of redundant data to be collected, the device 110-2 may decrease the number of redundant data to be collected after the measurement is performed. In this situation, the third message may also indicate the decreased number of redundant data to be collected. Alternatively, if the number of measurements indicated in the second message is not larger than a predetermined number (for example, 0), the device 110-2 may stop measuring and forwarding the request.

[00141] In one example embodiment, if the second message indicates the second timer associated with collecting measurement data, the device 110-2 may update the second timer and then forward the second timer. In other words, the third message may indicate the second timer or the updated second timer associated with collecting measurement data.

[00142] The devices may have different granularity in terms of measurement capabilities. In this case, the device 110-2 may indicate its precise range of the measurement in the second message. In this case, other devices may help better completing the actual requested range of measurements.

[00143] In some example embodiments, an apparatus for performing the method 500 (for example, the device 110-1) may include respective means for performing the corresponding steps in the method 500. These means may be implemented in any suitable manners. For example, it can be implemented by circuitry or software modules.

[00144] In some example embodiments, the apparatus comprises means for receiving a first message from a network device, the first message comprising: a first request for data collection and an indication of an amount of data requested to be collected for the network device; and means for performing, based at least on the requested amount of data, the data collection by using a sidelink between the terminal device and one or more other terminal devices.

[00145] In some example embodiments, the apparatus comprises means for obtaining data that has been collected for the data collection; and means for if the requested amount of data is reached from the collected data, stopping the data collection; and means for reporting, to the network device, the collected data.

[00146] In some example embodiments, the apparatus comprises means for obtaining data that has been collected for the data collection; and means for if the requested amount of data is not reached from the collected data, continuing the data collection with the one or more terminal devices via the sidelink.

[00147] In some example embodiments, the apparatus comprises means for transmitting, over the sidelink, a second message to the one or more terminal devices for the data collection, wherein the second message comprises: an indication of remaining data to be collected and a second request for collecting the remaining data.

[00148] In some example embodiments, the second request is based on the first request.

[00149] In some example embodiments, the first and second requests each indicate if the data collection continues with another terminal device via the sidelink.

[00150] In some example embodiments, the first and second messages each indicates a confidence level of corresponding collected data for the data collection.

[00151] In some example embodiments, the apparatus comprises means for collecting a first set of data based on the first request; and means for transmitting the first set of data to the one or more terminal devices via the sidelink.

[00152] In some example embodiments, the first message indicates a number of terminal devices to which the second request is forwarded via the sidelink.

[00153] In some example embodiments, the apparatus comprises means for decreasing the number of terminal devices within the second message before transmission to the one or more terminal devices over the sidelink.

[00154] In some example embodiments, the apparatus comprises means for in response to receiving the first message, starting a first timer; and means for collecting the first set of data after an expiration of the first timer.

[00155] In some example embodiments, the first message further indicates at least one of a set of resources for the data collection via at least one of sidelink or uplink, a number of redundant data to be collected for a predetermined area, a second timer for the data collection, identities of terminal devices for the data collection, a minimum amount or proportion of the requested amount data upon which the data collection is finalized, a first threshold associated with the data collection, a second threshold regarding when a further request for the data collection is forwarded, or area information associated with the data collection.

[00156] In some example embodiments, an apparatus for performing the method 600 (for example, the device 120) may include respective means for performing the corresponding steps in the method 600. These means may be implemented in any suitable manners. For example, it can be implemented by circuitry or software modules.

[00157] In some example embodiments, the apparatus comprises means for transmitting a message to a terminal device, the message comprising: a first request for data collection and an indication of an amount of data requested to be collected for the network device; and means for receiving, from the terminal device and/or one or more other terminal devices, data which is collected by using a sidelink between the terminal device and the one or more other terminal devices for the data collection.

[00158] In some example embodiments, the first request indicates if the data collection continues with another terminal device via the sidelink.

[00159] In some example embodiments, the message further indicates at least one of a first number of terminal devices to which a second request for the data collection is forwarded by the terminal device via the sidelink, a set of resources for the data collection via at least one of sidelink or an uplink, a second number of redundant data to be collected for a predetermined area, more than one timers for the data collection, identities of terminal devices for the data collection, a minimum amount or proportion of the requested amount data upon which the data collection is finalized, a first threshold associated with the data collection, a second threshold regarding when a further request for the data collection is forwarded, or area information associated with the data collection.

[00160] In some example embodiments, the apparatus comprises means for broadcasting via a downlink message to a group of devices that received the first request, to stop performing one or more of: collecting, reporting and forwarding corresponding data for the data collection.

[00161] In some example embodiments, the apparatus comprises means for determining whether the sidelink is configured or used for forwarding the data based on at least one of: an uplink resource availability, a downlink resource availability, a sidelink resource availability, a traffic load, or a require ratio or amount of the data requested to be collected.

[00162] In some example embodiments, an apparatus for performing the method 700 (for example, the device 110-2) may include respective means for performing the corresponding steps in the method 700. These means may be implemented in any suitable manners. For example, it can be implemented by circuitry or software modules.

[00163] In some example embodiments, the apparatus comprises means for receiving, from a further terminal device, a second message for data collection with an amount of data requested to be collected for a network device, over a first sidelink between the terminal device and the further terminal device, wherein the second message comprises: a first indication of first remaining data to be collected and a second request for collecting the first remaining data for the network device; and means for performing, based at least on the indication of the first remaining data, the data collection.

[00164] In some example embodiments, the apparatus comprises means for obtaining data that has been collected for the data collection; and means for if the requested amount of data is reached from the collected data, stopping the data collection; and means for the collected data to the network device or to the further terminal device.

[00165] In some example embodiments, the apparatus comprises means for obtaining data that has been collected for the data collection; and means for if the requested amount of data is not reached from the collected data, continuing the data collection via a second sidelink between the terminal device and one or more other terminal devices.

[00166] In some example embodiments, the apparatus comprises means for transmitting, over the second sidelink, a third message to the one or more other terminal devices for the data collection, wherein the third message comprises: a second indication of second remaining data to be collected and a third request for collecting the second remaining data.

[00167] In some example embodiments, the third request is based on the second request.

[00168] In some example embodiments, the second and third requests each indicate if the data collection continues with another terminal device via sidelinking between the terminal device and the another terminal device.

[00169] In some example embodiments, the second message further indicates at least one of: a first number of terminal devices to which a third request for collecting the second remaining data is forwarded by the terminal device via the sidelinking, a set of resources for the data collection via at least one of sidelink or uplink, a second number of redundant data to be collected for a predetermined area, more than one timers for the data collection, identities of terminal devices for the data collection, a minimum amount or proportion of the requested amount data upon which the data collection is finalized, a first threshold associated with the data collection, a second threshold regarding when a further request for the data collection is forwarded, or area information associated with the data collection.

[00170] In some example embodiments, the apparatus comprises means for in response to that the first number of terminal devices is smaller than a first predetermined number, transmitting the third message to the one or more terminal devices.

[00171] In some example embodiments, the apparatus comprises means for in response to that the second number of redundant data is smaller than a second predetermined number, transmitting the third message to the one or more fourth devices.

[00172] In some example embodiments, the apparatus comprises means for receiving a first set of data collected from the further terminal device; means for determining a second set of data collected by the terminal device; and means for transmitting to a second device the first and second sets of data.

[00173] In some example embodiments, the apparatus comprises means for transmitting the second set of data to the one or more other terminal devices via the second sidelink.

[00174] In some example embodiments, the apparatus comprises means for receiving a first set of data collected from the further terminal device; means for determining a validity of the first set of data; and means for in accordance with a determination that the first set of data is invalid, transmitting an indication regarding an invalidity of the first set of data to the one or more other terminal devices via the second sidelink or to the network device.

[00175] In some example embodiments, the apparatus includes means for receiving, at a first device, a first message from a second device, the first message comprising: a first request for collecting measurement data and a first indication for forwarding the request; means for performing a measurement based on the request; and means for transmitting a second message to one or more third device via a sidelink between the first device and the one or more third devices, wherein the second message comprises an entire first part of the measurement data collected based on the first measurement, the updated first request to collect the first remaining measurement data, and a second indication indicating at least one of a first remaining part of the measurement data to be collected, and whether to forward any further request to anther device after next remaining measurement data collection.

[00176] In some example embodiments, the second indication in the second message further indicates a confidence level of the first measurement.

[00177] In some example embodiments, the apparatus includes means for determining a first set of measurement data based on the first measurement; and means for transmitting the first set of measurement data to the one or more third devices via the sidelink.

[00178] In some example embodiments, the apparatus includes means for determining a first set of measurement data based on the first measurement; and means for transmitting the first set of measurement data to the second device.

[00179] In some example embodiments, the first message indicates a number of devices to which the updated first request is forwarded. The apparatus further includes means for decreasing the number of devices in the second indication within the second message before a transmission of the second message to the one or more third devices.

[00180] In some example embodiments, the apparatus includes means for in response to receiving the first message, starting a first timer; and means for performing the first measurement after an expiration of the first timer.

[00181] In some example embodiments, the first message further indicates at least one of a set of resources for collecting the measurement data over at least one of sidelink or uplink, a number of redundant measurements to be performed for a predetermined area, a second timer associated with collecting the measurement data, identities of devices which are associated with collecting the measurement data, a minimum amount or proportion of a range of the measurement data upon which the collection of the measurement data is finalized, a first threshold associated with collecting the measurement data, a second threshold regarding when the further request is forwarded, or area information associated with collecting the measurement data.

[00182] In some example embodiments, the apparatus includes means for decreasing the number of redundant measurements after performing the first measurement, and means for transmitting to the one or more third devices the second message indicates the decreased number of redundant measurements.

[00183] In some example embodiments, the apparatus includes: means for transmitting to the one or more third devices the second message that indicates the second timer.

[00184] In some example embodiments, the apparatus includes means for transmitting the second message indicating a first granularity of the first measurement, when it is determined t that the first granularity of the measurement is different from a second granularity indicated in the first message.

[00185] In some example embodiments, the first device includes a terminal device, the second device includes a network device, and the one or more third device includes one or more terminal devices.

[00186] In some example embodiments, the apparatus includes means for transmitting, at a second device, a first message to a first device, the first message comprising: a first request for collecting measurement data and a first indication to forward an updated first request via sidelink after the collecting; and means for receiving the measurement data from one or more third devices, wherein the one or more third devices in response to receiving a second message from the first device, perform respective remaining parts of data measurement not previously collected by the first device per an updated indication in an updated request, via the sidelink between the first device and the one or more third devices.

[00187] In some example embodiments, the apparatus includes means for broadcasting via a downlink message to a group of devices that received the first request, to stop performing one or more of: measuring, reporting and forwarding measurements based on having received sufficient requested measurement data from one or more devices in the group of devices that received the request.

[00188] In some example embodiments, the apparatus includes means for determining an anchor device in a group of devices as the first device for transmitting the first message.

[00189] In some example embodiments, the apparatus includes means for determining whether the sidelink is configured or used for forwarding the measurement data based on one or more of: an uplink resource availability, a downlink resource availability, a sidelink resource availability, a traffic load, or a required ratio or amount of the measurement data to be collected.

[00190] In some example embodiments, the apparatus includes means for determining a set of resources for collecting the measurement data over at least one of sidelink or uplink; and t means for transmitting the first message to the first device to further indicate the set of resources.

[00191] In some example embodiments, the apparatus includes means for determining a number of redundant measurements to be performed for a predetermined area; and means for transmitting to the first device the first message which further indicated the number of redundant measurements.

[00192] In some example embodiments, the apparatus includes means for determining a number of devices to which the first request is forwarded; and means for transmitting to the first device the first message which further indicated the number of devices.

[00193] In some example embodiments, the apparatus includes means for determining a second timer associated with collecting the measurement data; and the means for transmitting the first message includes: means for transmitting to the first device the first message which further indicated the second timer.

[00194] In some example embodiments, the apparatus includes means for transmitting an indication regarding that the measurement data has been collected to at least one of: the first device or the one or more third device.

[00195] In some example embodiments, the first device includes a terminal device, the second device includes a network device, the one or more third device include another terminal device.

[00196] In some example embodiments, the first message further comprises one or more of: identities of devices which are associated with collecting the measurement data, a minimum amount or proportion of a range of the measurement data upon which the collection of the measurement data is finalized, a first threshold associated with collecting the measurement data, a second threshold regarding when the further request is forwarded, or area information associated with collecting the measurement data.

[00197]

[00198] In some example embodiments, the apparatus includes means for receiving, at a third device, a second message from a first device via a first sidelink between the first device and the third device, the second message comprising an entire first part of the measurement data collected based on a first measurement performed by the first device, an updated first request to collect first remaining measurement data, and a second indication indicating at least one of: a first remaining part of the measurement data to be collected, or a third indication for forwarding the updated first request; means for in response to the receiving of the second message, performing a second measurement on the first remaining part of the measurement data, based on the updated first request; and means for determining a second set of measurement data based on the second measurement.

[00199] In some example embodiments, the apparatus includes means for transmitting a third message to one or more fourth devices via second sidelink between the third device and the one or more fourth devices, wherein the third message comprises an updated second request to collect second remaining measurement data, an entire second part of the measurement data collected based on the second measurement, and a second indication indicating at least one of: a second remaining part of the measurement data to be collected, and whether to forward a further request to another device after next remaining measurement data collection.

[00200] In some example embodiments, the second message further indicates at least one of: a set of resources for collecting the second remaining part of the measurement data, a first number of redundant measurements to be performed for a predetermined area, a second timer associated with collecting the second remaining part of the measurement data, a second number of devices to which the request is forwarded, a first granularity of a first measurement performed by the first device, a predetermined ratio or amount of the second remaining part of the measurement data to be collected, or a minimum amount or proportion of a range of the measurement data upon which the collection of the measurement data is finalized .

[00201] In some example embodiments, the apparatus includes means for transmitting the third message to the one or more fourth devices, when it is determined that the number of devices is smaller than a first predetermined number.

[00202] In some example embodiments, the apparatus comprises: means for transmitting the third message to the one or more fourth devices, when it is determined that the number of measurements is smaller than a second predetermined number.

[00203] In some example embodiments, the apparatus comprises means for receiving a first set of measurement data from the first device via the first sidelink between the first device and the third device; means for determining a second set of measurement data based on the second measurement; and means for transmitting to a second device the entire second part of the measurement data comprising both the first set of measurement data and the second measurement data, when it is determined that a predetermined ratio or amount of the measurement data indicated in one of the first and the second message is reached.

[00204] In some example embodiments, the apparatus comprises means for determining a second set of measurement data based on the second measurement; and means for transmitting the second set of measurement data to one or more fourth devices via a second sidelink between the third device and the one or more fourth devices.

[00205] In some example embodiments, the apparatus comprises means for receiving a first set of measurement data from the first device via the first sidelink between the first device and the third device; means for determining a validity of the first set of measurement data; and means for in accordance with a determination that the first set of measurement data is invalid, transmitting an indication regarding an invalidity of the first set of measurement data to a fourth device or a second device.

[00206] In some example embodiments, the first device comprises a terminal device and the third device comprises another terminal device.

[00207] Fig. 8 is a simplified block diagram of a device 800 that is suitable for implementing embodiments of the present disclosure. The device 800 may be provided to implement the communication device, for example the device 110, or the device 120 as shown in Fig. 1. As shown, the device 800 includes one or more processors 810, one or more memories 820 coupled to the processor 810, and one or more communication modules 840 coupled to the processor 810.

[00208] The communication module 840 is for bidirectional communications. The communication module 840 has at least one antenna to facilitate communication. The communication interface may represent any interface that is necessary for communication with other network elements.

[00209] The processor 810 may be of any type suitable to the local technical network and may include one or more of the following: general purpose computers, special purpose computers, microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs) and processors based on multicore processor architecture, as non-limiting examples. The device 800 may have multiple processors, such as an application specific integrated circuit chip that is slaved in time to a clock which synchronizes the main processor.

[00210] The memory 820 may include one or more non-volatile memories and one or more volatile memories. Examples of the non-volatile memories include, but are not limited to, a Read Only Memory (ROM) 824, an electrically programmable read only memory (EPROM), a flash memory, a hard disk, a compact disc (CD), a digital video disk (DVD), and other magnetic storage and/or optical storage. Examples of the volatile memories include, but are not limited to, a random access memory (RAM) 822 and other volatile memories that will not last in the power-down duration.

[00211] A computer program 830 includes computer executable instructions that are executed by the associated processor 810. The program 830 may be stored in the ROM 824. The processor 810 may perform any suitable actions and processing by loading the program 830 into the RAM 822.

[00212] The embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented by means of the program 820 so that the device 800 may perform any process of the disclosure as discussed with reference to Figs. 2 and 7. The embodiments of the present disclosure may also be implemented by hardware or by a combination of software and hardware.

[00213] In some example embodiments, the program 830 may be tangibly contained in a computer readable medium which may be included in the device 800 (such as in the memory 820) or other storage devices that are accessible by the device 800. The device 800 may load the program 830 from the computer readable medium to the RAM 822 for execution. The computer readable medium may include any types of tangible non-volatile storage, such as ROM, EPROM, a flash memory, a hard disk, CD, DVD, and the like. Fig. 7 shows an example of the computer readable medium 900 in form of CD or DVD. The computer readable medium has the program 830 stored thereon.

[00214] Generally, various embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented in hardware or special purpose circuits, software, logic or any combination thereof. 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. While various aspects of embodiments of the present disclosure are illustrated and described as block diagrams, flowcharts, or using some other pictorial representations, it is to be understood that the block, apparatus, system, technique or method 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.

[00215] The present disclosure also provides at least one computer program product tangibly stored on a non-transitory computer readable storage medium. The computer program product includes computer-executable instructions, such as those included in program modules, being executed in a device on a target real or virtual processor, to carry out the methods as described above with reference to Figs. 2-7. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, libraries, objects, classes, components, data structures, or the like that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. The functionality of the program modules may be combined or split between program modules as desired in various embodiments. Machine-executable instructions for program modules may be executed within a local or distributed device. In a distributed device, program modules may be located in both local and remote storage media.

[00216] Program code for carrying out methods of the present disclosure may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages. These program codes may be provided to a processor or controller of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus, such that the program codes, when executed by the processor or controller, cause the functions/operations specified in the flowcharts and/or block diagrams to be implemented. The program code may execute entirely on a machine, partly on the machine, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the machine and partly on a remote machine or entirely on the remote machine or server.

[00217] In the context of the present disclosure, the computer program codes or related data may be carried by any suitable carrier to enable the device, apparatus or processor to perform various processes and operations as described above. Examples of the carrier include a signal, computer readable medium, and the like.

[00218] The computer readable medium may be a computer readable signal medium or a computer readable storage medium. A computer readable medium may include but not limited to an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples of the computer readable storage medium would include an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing.

[00219] Further, while operations are depicted in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirable results. In certain circumstances, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Likewise, while several specific implementation details are contained in the above discussions, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the present disclosure, but rather as descriptions of features that may be specific to particular embodiments. Certain features that are described in the context of separate embodiments may also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment may also be implemented in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitable sub-combination.

[00220] Although the present disclosure has been described in languages specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the present disclosure defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A terminal device comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the terminal device at least to: receive a first message from a network device, the first message comprising: a first request for data collection and an indication of an amount of data requested to be collected for the network device; and perform, based at least on the requested amount of data, the data collection by using a sidelink between the terminal device and one or more other terminal devices.

2. The terminal device of claim 1, wherein the terminal device is caused to: obtain data that has been collected for the data collection; and if the requested amount of data is reached from the collected data, stop the data collection; and report, to the network device, the collected data.

3. The terminal device of claim 1, wherein the terminal device is caused to: obtain data that has been collected for the data collection; and if the requested amount of data is not reached from the collected data, continue the data collection with the one or more terminal devices via the sidelink.

4. The terminal device of claim 3, wherein the terminal device is caused to: transmit, over the sidelink, a second message to the one or more terminal devices for the data collection, wherein the second message comprises: an indication of remaining data to be collected and a second request for collecting the remaining data.

5. The terminal device of claim 4, wherein the second request is based on the first request.

6. The terminal device of claim 5, wherein the first and second requests each indicate if the data collection continues with another terminal device via the sidelink.

7. The terminal device of claim 4, wherein the first and second messages each indicates a confidence level of corresponding collected data for the data collection.

8. The terminal device of claim 4, wherein the terminal device is caused to: collect a first set of data based on the first request; and transmit the first set of data to the one or more terminal devices via the sidelink.

9. The terminal device of claim 4, wherein the first message indicates a number of terminal devices to which the second request is forwarded via the sidelink.

10. The terminal device of claim 9, wherein the terminal device is caused to: decrease the number of terminal devices within the second message before transmission to the one or more terminal devices over the sidelink.

11. The terminal device of claim 8, wherein the terminal device is caused to: in response to receiving the first message, start a first timer; and collect the first set of data after an expiration of the first timer.

12. The terminal device of claim 1, wherein the first message further indicates at least one of: a set of resources for the data collection via at least one of sidelink or uplink, a number of redundant data to be collected for a predetermined area, a second timer for the data collection, identities of terminal devices for the data collection, a minimum amount or proportion of the requested amount data upon which the data collection is finalized, a first threshold associated with the data collection, a second threshold regarding when a further request for the data collection is forwarded, or area information associated with the data collection.

13. A network device comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the network device at least to: transmit a message to a terminal device, the message comprising: a first request for data collection and an indication of an amount of data requested to be collected for the network device; and receive, from the terminal device and/or one or more other terminal devices, data which is collected by using a sidelink between the terminal device and the one or more other terminal devices for the data collection.

14. The network device of claim 13, wherein the first request indicates if the data collection continues with another terminal device via the sidelink.

15. The network device of claim 13, wherein the message further indicates at least one of: a first number of terminal devices to which a second request for the data collection is forwarded by the terminal device via the sidelink, a set of resources for the data collection via at least one of the sidelink or an uplink, a second number of redundant data to be collected for a predetermined area, more than one timers for the data collection, identities of terminal devices for the data collection, a minimum amount or proportion of the requested amount data upon which the data collection is finalized, a first threshold associated with the data collection, a second threshold regarding when a further request for the data collection is forwarded, or area information associated with the data collection.

16. The network device of claim 13, wherein the network device is caused to: broadcast via a downlink message to a group of devices that received the first request, to stop performing one or more of: collecting, reporting and forwarding corresponding data for the data collection.

17. The network device of claim 13, wherein the network device is caused to: determine whether the sidelink is configured or used for forwarding the data based on at least one of: an uplink resource availability, a downlink resource availability, a sidelink resource availability, a traffic load, or a require ratio or amount of the data requested to be collected.

18. A terminal device comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the terminal device at least to: receive, from a further terminal device, a second message for data collection with an amount of data requested to be collected for a network device, over a first sidelink between the terminal device and the further terminal device, wherein the second message comprises: a first indication of first remaining data to be collected and a second request for collecting the first remaining data for the network device; and perform, based at least on the indication of the first remaining data, the data collection.

19. The terminal device of claim 18, wherein the terminal device is caused to: obtain data that has been collected for the data collection; and if the requested amount of data is reached from the collected data, stop the data collection; and report the collected data to the network device or to the further terminal device.

20. The terminal device of claim 18, wherein the terminal device is caused to: obtain data that has been collected for the data collection; and if the requested amount of data is not reached from the collected data, continue the data collection via a second sidelink between the terminal device and one or more other terminal devices.

21. The terminal device of claim 18, wherein the terminal device is caused to: transmit, over the second sidelink, a third message to the one or more other terminal devices for the data collection, wherein the third message comprises: a second indication of second remaining data to be collected and a third request for collecting the second remaining data.

22. The terminal device of claim 21, wherein the third request is based on the second request.

23. The terminal device of claim 22, wherein the second and third requests each indicate if the data collection continues with another terminal device via sidelinking between the terminal device and the another terminal device.

24. The terminal device of claim 18, wherein the second message further indicates at least one of: a first number of terminal devices to which a third request for collecting the second remaining data is forwarded by the terminal device via the sidelinking, a set of resources for the data collection via at least one of sidelink or uplink, a second number of redundant data to be collected for a predetermined area, more than one timers for the data collection, identities of terminal devices for the data collection, a minimum amount or proportion of the requested amount data upon which the data collection is finalized, a first threshold associated with the data collection, a second threshold regarding when a further request for the data collection is forwarded, or area information associated with the data collection.

25. The terminal device of claim 24, wherein the terminal device is caused to: in response to that the first number of terminal devices is smaller than a first predetermined number, transmit the third message to the one or more terminal devices.

26. The terminal device of claim 24, wherein the terminal device is caused to: in response to that the second number of redundant data is smaller than a second predetermined number, transmit the third message to the one or more fourth devices.

27. The terminal device of claim 18, wherein the terminal device is caused to: receive a first set of data collected from the further terminal device; determine a second set of data collected by the terminal device; and transmit to a second device, the first and second sets of data.

28. The terminal device of claim 27, wherein the terminal device is caused to: transmit the second set of data to the one or more other terminal devices via the second sidelink.

29. The terminal device of claim 18, wherein the terminal device is caused to: receive a first set of data collected from the further terminal device; determine a validity of the first set of data; and in accordance with a determination that the first set of data is invalid, transmit an indication regarding an invalidity of the first set of data to the one or more other terminal devices via the second sidelink or to the network device.

30. A method, comprising: receiving, at a terminal device, a first message from a network device, the first message comprising: a first request for data collection and an indication of an amount of data requested to be collected for the network device; and performing, based at least on the requested amount of data, the data collection by using a sidelink between the terminal device and one or more other terminal devices.

31. A method, comprising: transmitting, at a network device, a message to a terminal device, the message comprising: a first request for data collection and an indication of an amount of data requested to be collected for the network device; and receiving, from the terminal device and/or one or more other terminal devices, data which is collected by using a sidelink between the terminal device and the one or more other terminal devices.

32. A method comprising: receiving, at a terminal device and from a further terminal device, a second message for data collection for a network device, over a first sidelink between the terminal device and the further terminal device, wherein the second message comprises: a first indication of first remaining data to be collected and a second request for collecting the first remaining data; and performing, based at least on the indication of the first remaining data, the data collection.

33. An apparatus comprising: means for receiving a first message from a network device, the first message comprising: a first request for data collection and an indication of an amount of data requested to be collected for the network device; and means for performing, based at least on the requested amount of data, the data collection by using a sidelink between the apparatus and one or more other terminal devices.

34. An apparatus comprising: means for transmitting a message to a terminal device, the message comprising: a first request for data collection and an indication of an amount of data requested to be collected for the network device; and means for receiving, from the terminal device and/or one or more other terminal devices, data which is collected by using a sidelink between the one or more other terminal devices.

35. An apparatus comprising: means for receiving, from a further terminal device, a second message for data collection with an amount of data requested to be collected for a network device, over a first sidelink between the apparatus and the further terminal device, wherein the second message comprises: a first indication of first remaining data to be collected and a second request for collecting the first remaining data for the network device; and means for performing, based at least on the indication of the first remaining data, the data collection.