Apparatus and method

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12323934-B2
Application number	US-202218859576-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 28, 2022
Priority date	Apr 28, 2022
Publication date	Jun 3, 2025
Grant date	Jun 3, 2025

Abstract

A method and an apparatus for a second user equipment, that causes the apparatus to perform: determining whether a synchronization signal has been received during a first set of synchronization resources; and when it is determined the synchronization signal was received, determining that the apparatus is allowed to use communication resources during a second set of synchronization resources for a first sidelink communication; and when it is determined the synchronization was not received, abstaining from using the communication resources during the second set of synchronization resources for a first sidelink communication; and monitoring the second set of synchronization resources for a synchronization signal.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A method for an apparatus for a first user equipment comprising:
determining to provide at least one synchronization signal for sidelink communications to a second user equipment;
determining whether to transmit a synchronization signal using a first set of synchronization resources; and
when it is determined to transmit the synchronization signal, abstaining from transmitting a synchronization signal using a second set of synchronization resources; and
when it is determined to abstain from transmitting the synchronization signal in the first set of synchronization resources:
determining whether to transmit the synchronization signal using the second set of synchronization resources; and
abstaining from using any resource coinciding in time with the second set of synchronization resources for transmitting and/or receiving a first sidelink communication.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising, when it is determined to abstain from transmitting the synchronization signal;
selecting a first set of communication resources for transmitting the first sidelink communication that does not coincide in time with the second set of synchronization resources in response to determining that the first user apparatus intends to transmit the first sidelink communication during the second set of synchronization resources; and
using the first set of communication resources for transmitting the first sidelink communication.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising, when it is determined to abstain from transmitting the synchronization signal;
determining that the first user apparatus intends to, during the second set of synchronization resources, transmit first feedback in respect of a received second sidelink communication; and
abstaining from transmitting the first feedback during the second set of synchronization resources in response to the determination.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising, when it is determined to abstain from transmitting the synchronization signal;
determining that the first user apparatus intends to request to receive second feedback in respect of a third sidelink communication, with the second feedback being expected to be received during the second set of synchronization resources; and
abstaining from requesting the second feedback.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the determining whether to transmit the synchronization signal comprises:
when it is determined that a synchronization signal was received from another user equipment during the first set of synchronization resources, abstaining from transmitting the synchronization signal during the second set of synchronization resources; and
when it is determined that a synchronization signal was not received from another user equipment during the first set of synchronization resources, determining whether the first user equipment is allowed to transmit the synchronization signal during the second set of synchronization resources.

6. The method as claimed in claim 5 , wherein the determining whether the first user equipment is allowed to transmit the synchronization signal comprises performing a listen before talk operation.

7. The method as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising:
when it is determined that the synchronization signal was not transmitted in the second set of synchronization resources by the first user equipment, determining whether to transmit a synchronization signal using a third set of synchronization resources.

8. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the determining whether to transmit the synchronization signal using the first set of synchronization resources comprises performing a listen before talk operation to determine whether the first user equipment is allowed to transmit the synchronization signal.

9. An apparatus for a first user equipment comprising means for:
determining to provide at least one synchronization signal for sidelink communications to a second user equipment;
determining whether to transmit a synchronization signal using a first set of synchronization resources; and
when it is determined to transmit the synchronization signal, abstaining from transmitting a synchronization signal using a second set of synchronization resources; and
when it is determined to abstain from transmitting the synchronization signal in the first set of synchronization resources:
determining whether to transmit the synchronization signal using the second set of synchronization resources; and
abstaining from using any resource coinciding in time with the second set of synchronization resources for transmitting and/or receiving a first sidelink communication.

Assignees

• Nokia Technologies Oy

Inventors

• Kiilerich Pratas Nuno Manuel
• Yu Ling
• Wildschek Torsten
• Abreu Renato Barbosa
• Lunttila Timo Erkki
• Sanchez Laura Luque
• Van Phan Vinh
• Liu Yong
• Liu Jianguo
• Zheng Naizheng

Classifications

• H04W92/18

  between terminal devices · CPC title

• H04W74/0816

  with collision avoidance · CPC title

• H04L27/0006

  Assessment of spectral gaps suitable for allocating digitally modulated signals, e.g. for carrier allocation in cognitive radio (for spectrum sharing between different networks H04W16/14) · CPC title

• H04L5/0048

  Allocation of pilot signals, i.e. of signals known to the receiver (allocation of control signalling H04L5/0053; use of control signalling H04L5/0091) · CPC title

• H04W72/40

  Resource management for direct mode communication, e.g. D2D or sidelink · CPC title