Patent Application
20230091763
The present application concerns the field of wireless communication systems and networks, more specifically to power savings for battery operated UEs when operated in an autonomous or network controlled resource selection mode. Embodiments relate to an energy-efficient adaptive partial sensing for sidelink communication.
For data transmission a physical resource grid may be used. The physical resource grid may comprise a set of resource elements to which various physical channels and physical signals are mapped. For example, the physical channels may include the physical downlink, uplink and sidelink shared channels (PDSCH, PUSCH, PSSCH) carrying user specific data, also referred to as downlink, uplink and sidelink payload data, the physical broadcast channel (PBCH) carrying for example a master information block (MIB) and a system information block (SIB), the physical downlink, uplink and sidelink control channels (PDCCH, PUCCH, PSSCH) carrying for example the downlink control information (DCI), the uplink control information (UCI) and the sidelink control information (SCI). For the uplink, the physical channels may further include the physical random access channel (PRACH or RACH) used by UEs for accessing the network once a UE synchronized and obtained the MIB and SIB. The physical signals may comprise reference signals or symbols (RS), synchronization signals and the like. The resource grid may comprise a frame or radio frame having a certain duration in the time domain and having a given bandwidth in the frequency domain. The frame may have a certain number of subframes of a predefined length, e.g. 1 ms. Each subframe may include one or more slots of 12 or 14 OFDM symbols depending on the cyclic prefix (CP) length. A frame may also consist of a smaller number of OFDM symbols, e.g. when utilizing shortened transmission time intervals (sTTI) or a mini-slot/non-slot-based frame structure comprising just a few OFDM symbols.
The wireless communication system may be any single-tone or multicarrier system using frequency-division multiplexing, like the orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) system, the orthogonal frequency-division multiple access (OFDMA) system, or any other IFFT-based signal with or without CP, e.g. DFT-s-OFDM. Other waveforms, like non-orthogonal waveforms for multiple access, e.g. filter-bank multicarrier (FBMC), generalized frequency division multiplexing (GFDM) or universal filtered multi carrier (UFMC), may be used. The wireless communication system may operate, e.g., in accordance with the LTE-Advanced pro standard or the NR (5G), New Radio, standard.
The wireless network or communication system depicted in
In addition to the above described terrestrial wireless network also non-terrestrial wireless communication networks exist including spaceborne transceivers, like satellites, and/or airborne transceivers, like unmanned aircraft systems. The non-terrestrial wireless communication network or system may operate in a similar way as the terrestrial system described above with reference to
In mobile communication networks, for example in a network like that described above with reference to
When considering two UEs directly communicating with each other over the sidelink, both UEs may be served by the same base station so that the base station may provide sidelink resource allocation configuration or assistance for the UEs. For example, both UEs may be within the coverage area of a base station, like one of the base stations depicted in
When considering two UEs directly communicating with each other over the sidelink, e.g. using the PC5 interface, one of the UEs may also be connected with a BS, and may relay information from the BS to the other UE via the sidelink interface. The relaying may be performed in the same frequency band (in-band-relay) or another frequency band (out-of-band relay) may be used. In the first case, communication on the Uu and on the sidelink may be decoupled using different time slots as in time division duplex, TDD, systems.
In V2X applications, an available power of the so-called Vulnerable Road Users (VRUs), e.g. pedestrians, cyclists, stroller, etc., is limited, since these VRUs, such as pedestrian UEs (P-UEs), are usually depending on their UEs battery only, different to vehicle mounted vehicular UEs (V-UE). Therefore, for VRU UEs battery saving for V2X communication is essential to guarantee continuous V2X application support. One continuously energy consuming V2X procedure for the UE is sensing in autonomous resource selection mode, i.e. LTE V2X Mode 4 or NR Sidelink Mode 2, used for radio resource selection.
It is noted that the information in the above section is only for enhancing the understanding of the background of the invention and therefore it may contain information that does not form known technology that is already known to a person of ordinary skill in the art.
Starting from the above, there is a need for improvements or enhancements with respect to power savings for battery operated UEs especially when operated in an autonomous resource selection mode.
An embodiment may have a transceiver of a wireless communication network, wherein the transceiver is configured to operate in a sidelink in-coverage, out of coverage or partial coverage scenario, in which the transceiver is configured or preconfigured to allocate or schedule resources for a sidelink communication over a sidelink autonomously or network controlled, wherein the transceiver is configured to determine, for said sidelink communication, a set of candidate resources out of resources of the sidelink by means of partial sensing said resources of the sidelink prior to a sidelink transmission to another transceiver of the wireless communication network, wherein the transceiver is configured to perform said sidelink transmission using selected resources selected out of the set of candidate resources, wherein at least one parameter of the partial sensing depends on a discontinuous reception, DRX, and/or discontinuous transmission, DTX, configuration of the transceiver, wherein the transceiver is configured to perform said partial sensing and said sidelink transmission during an active period of the discontinuous transmission, DTX, and/or an active period of the discontinuous reception, DRX, wherein the parameters of the discontinuous transmission, DTX, and/or discontinuous reception, DRX, depend on at least one parameter of the transceiver or the wireless communication network, wherein the at least one parameter of the partial sensing is at least one out of
According to another embodiment, a method for operating a transceiver of a wireless communication network may have the steps of: operating the transceiver in a sidelink in-coverage, out of coverage or partial coverage scenario, in which resources for a sidelink communication are scheduled or allocated autonomously or network controlled, determining, for said sidelink communication, a set of candidate resources out of resources of the sidelink by means of partial sensing said resources of the sidelink prior to a sidelink transmission to another transceiver of the wireless communication network, performing said sidelink transmission using resources selected out of the determined set of candidate resources, wherein at least one parameter of the partial sensing depends on a discontinuous reception, DRX, and/or discontinuous transmission, DTX, configuration of the transceiver, wherein the transceiver is configured to perform said partial sensing and said sidelink transmission during an active period of the discontinuous transmission, DTX, and/or an active period of the discontinuous reception, DRX, wherein the parameters of the discontinuous transmission, DTX, and/or discontinuous reception, DRX, depend on at least one parameter of the transceiver or the wireless communication network, wherein the at least one parameter of the partial sensing is at least one out of
Another embodiment may have a non-transitory digital storage medium having stored thereon a computer program for performing a method for operating a transceiver of a wireless communication network, having the steps of: operating the transceiver in a sidelink in-coverage, out of coverage or partial coverage scenario, in which resources for a sidelink communication are scheduled or allocated autonomously or network controlled, determining, for said sidelink communication, a set of candidate resources out of resources of the sidelink by means of partial sensing said resources of the sidelink prior to a sidelink transmission to another transceiver of the wireless communication network, performing said sidelink transmission using resources selected out of the determined set of candidate resources, wherein at least one parameter of the partial sensing depends on a discontinuous reception, DRX, and/or discontinuous transmission, DTX, configuration of the transceiver, wherein the transceiver is configured to perform said partial sensing and said sidelink transmission during an active period of the discontinuous transmission, DTX, and/or an active period of the discontinuous reception, DRX, wherein the parameters of the discontinuous transmission, DTX, and/or discontinuous reception, DRX, depend on at least one parameter of the transceiver or the wireless communication network, wherein the at least one parameter of the partial sensing is at least one out of
when said computer program is run by a computer.
Embodiments of the present invention are now described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings:
Embodiments of the present invention are now described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings in which the same or similar elements have the same reference signs assigned.
As indicated above, there is a problem of the high power consumption for battery operated Ues, for example, Vulnerable Road Users (VRUs), e.g. pedestrians, cyclists, stroller, e.t.c. equipped with battery operated P-Ues (pedestrian Ues) using V2X applications. These pedestrian Ues (P-Ues) are usually depending on their Ues battery only, different to vehicle mounted vehicular Ues (V-UE). Therefore, for P-Ues battery saving for V2X communication is essential to guarantee continuous V2X application support. One continuously energy consuming V2X procedure for the UE is sensing in autonomous resource selection mode, i.e. LTE V2X Mode 4 or NR Sidelink Mode 2, used for radio resource selection. In Rel-17 the “NR Sidelink Enhancement” WI description [8] requests an enhancement of the existing LTE based partial sensing for the battery based P-Ues for NR V2X.
Partial sensing that shall be newly introduced for NR Sidelink for V2X (as per Work Item description [8]), therefore, consider the LTE partial sensing as the baseline. This new partial sensing for NR Sidelink has to be adapted with respect to NR specifics (e.g. support of different numerologies/sub-carrier spacings (SCS), Bandwidth Parts (BWP), NR Sidelink waveform specifics), as well as the best possible energy saving mechanism for P-Ues with minimum impact on the selection of the most appropriate radio resources.
In LTE V2X Mode 4 [1], the radio resource selection procedure is performed as follows:
If the random radio resource selection is configured by higher layer signaling, a user will transmit on a single carrier within a resource pool, which is configured by the base station (eNB). A set of radio resources is selected and sent to the higher layer, wherein the higher layer can be an application, session, transport, RRC, RLC, PDCP, or MAC layer. This procedure is as follows:
When partial sensing is not configured by the higher layers, the radio resource selection is performed as follows [1]:
Finally, the UE will inform the higher layer about the subframe resource Sb.
In detail,
When the higher layer configures the partial sensing, then the UE performs the candidate radio resources selection as follows [1, section 14.1.1.6]:
The UE reports the set Sb to higher layers.
Autonomous resource selection in NR sidelink (i.e. mode 2) was enhanced to support, e.g., different cast communications, i.e., broadcast, unicast and groupcast. The following subsections detail the radio resource selection procedure in NR-V2X Mode 2 [2]:
The higher layer may request the UE to report the subframe resources considering some parameters, e.g., priority (received and transmit), configured resource pool, packet delay budget, radio resource reservation, that can be used by higher-layer for control or data transmission.
The UE considers the following parameters during the subframe resources selection process:
Besides, Prsvp_TX is a transmission reservation period, which can be converted to the logical slot, P′rsvp_tx, when it is needed.
Similar to LTE V2X Mode 4 [1], in NR V2X Mode 2 [2], the resource selection process is performed as follows:
The UE reports the Sa to the higher layers.
As indicated above, for LTE V2X mode 4, a P-UE should use the partial sensing configuration when it is used. For example, when the P-UE needs to save energy. The partial sensing limits the sensing instances in the P-UE, aiming to reduce the UE power consumption. Provided that the partial sensing in LTE V2X is used as a baseline for the NR V2X Mode 2, as state in the WI description [8], embodiments described herein address the following problems:
In LTE V2X Mode 4, when partial sensing is configured, Pstep is set to 100, and one slot or part of a slot is monitored in every k*Pstep, where k is a string, vector or list of partial sensing time instances which are configured by higher layer. Since the LTE latency requirements is bounded to 100 slots [6], where a slot corresponds to a subframe length as per LTE definition, the Pstep size of 100 seems to be a viable value by which the application requirements in LTE can be fulfilled. In NR, new use cases such as advanced driving, platooning, extended sensors and remote driving have emerged, which have less latency and high reliability requirements compared with thereof in the LTE. The NR Mode 2 supports different numerologies, e.g., 15, 30, 60 KHz whereby the shorten slot duration can be achieved, through which the latency requirements can be fulfilled. Besides, many techniques are applied to 16efinitio the reliability requirements such as packet duplication and HARQ feedback. Table 2 illustrates some of the requirements as mentioned earlier for different use cases in V2X communication.
The present invention provides approaches for improving the partial sensing procedure of battery operated Ues, for example, VRU-Ues, such as P-Ues, so as to provide, for example, improvements, for example, in terms of power consumption, flexibility, complexity, forward compatibility, overhead, latency, robustness, reliability.
Embodiments of the present invention may be implemented in a wireless communication system as depicted in
Embodiments provide a transceiver [e.g., VRU-UE] of a wireless communication network, wherein the transceiver is configured to operate in a sidelink in-coverage, out of coverage or partial coverage scenario [e.g., NR sidelink mode [e.g., mode 1 or mode 2]], in which the transceiver is configured or preconfigured to allocate or schedule resources for a sidelink communication [e.g., transmission and/or reception] over a sidelink autonomously or network controlled, wherein the transceiver is configured to determine, for said sidelink communication, a set of candidate resources [e.g., candidate resource elements] out of resources of the sidelink [e.g., sub-channels, a resource pool or a bandwidth part] by means of partial sensing [e.g., non-continuous sensing [or monitoring]] said resources of the sidelink prior to a sidelink transmission [e.g., of data [e.g., a data packet] or control information] to another transceiver of the wireless communication network, wherein the transceiver is configured to perform said sidelink transmission [e.g., at time instance m] using selected resources selected out of the set of candidate resources, wherein at least one parameter of the partial sensing depends on at least one out of
In embodiments, the transceiver is configured to perform said partial sensing and said sidelink transmission during a discontinuous transmission, DTX, and/or a discontinuous reception, DRX, wherein the parameters of the discontinuous transmission, DTX, and/or discontinuous reception, DRX, depend on at least one parameter of the transceiver or the wireless communication network.
In embodiments, the at least one parameter of the partial sensing is at least one out of
In embodiments, the transceiver is configured to adaptively adjust at least one parameter of the partial sensing depending on at least one out of
In embodiments, the transceiver is configured to adjust at least one parameter of the partial sensing depending on a received control information [e.g., RRC, DCI, or SCI] [e.g., received for the sidelink from another transceiver, a base station or operator of the wireless communication network] [e.g., wherein the control information comprises an information about the state of the wireless communication network or the parameter of the sidelink or the sidelink communication].
In embodiments, the control information is transmitted on either physical layer [e.g. DCI or SCI] or higher layers [e.g. RRC].
In embodiments, the at least one parameter of the partial sensing is pre-configured [e.g., in dependence on the state of the wireless communication network or the parameter of the sidelink or the sidelink communication].
In embodiments, the state of the transceiver is at least one out of
In embodiments, the parameters of the sidelink or the sidelink communication are at least one out of
In embodiments, the state of the wireless communication network is at least one out of
In embodiments, the transceiver is configured to select the step size out of a set of different step sizes in dependence on at least one out of
In embodiments, the transceiver is configured to determine the time instances of the sensing intervals of the partial sensing in dependence on the selected step size.
In embodiments, the transceiver is configured to determine the number of the sensing intervals of the partial sensing in dependence on at least one out of
In embodiments, a duration of the sensing of the partial sensing in dependence on at least one out of
In embodiments, the transceiver is configured to receive a control information [e.g., transmitted on a physical layer [e.g. DCI or SCI] or on a higher layer [e.g. RRC]], wherein the control information comprises an information about at least one configurable parameter [e.g., K or Pstep] of the partial sensing, wherein the transceiver is configured to determine time instances of the partial sensing in dependence on the at least one configurable parameter [e.g., Pstep, K].
In embodiments, the at least one configurable parameter includes a variable step size [e.g., Pstep] describing a time interval between two consecutive sensing intervals of the partial sensing is dependent, and wherein the at least one configurable parameter further includes a string, vector or list [e.g., K] indicating the time instances of the partial sensing in dependence on the variable step size.
For example, the transceiver can be configured to determine the time instances of the partial sensing based on the formula
Time Instances=m−K*Pstep.
In embodiments, the at least one configurable parameter includes a variable step size [e.g., Pstep] describing a time interval between two consecutive sensing intervals of the partial sensing is dependent, wherein the at least one configurable parameter further includes a first string, vector or list [e.g., K′] indicating segments a sensing window [e.g., T0] is divided into, and wherein the at least one configurable parameter further includes a second string, vector or list [e.g., K] indicating the time instances of the partial sensing in dependence on the variable step size within the corresponding segment.
In embodiments, the transceiver is configured to derive a duration of the segments based on the step size and a length of the second string, vector or list [e.g., K], wherein the transceiver is configured to determine time instances of the partial sensing further in dependence on the duration [P′step] of the segments.
For example, the transceiver can be configured to determine the time instances of the partial sensing based on the formula
Time Instances=m−(K′−1)*P′step−K*Pstep.
In embodiments, the transceiver is configured to determine the number of segments of the partial sensing in dependence on the sensing window and the duration of a segment.
For example, the transceiver can be configured to determine the number of the segments of the of the partial sensing based on the formula
In embodiments, the at least one configurable parameter includes a variable step size [e.g., Pstep] describing a time interval between two consecutive sensing intervals of the partial sensing is dependent, wherein the at least one configurable parameter further includes a first string, vector or list [e.g., K′] indicating the configured segments in a sensing window [e.g., TO] is divided into, wherein the at least one configurable parameter further includes a second string, vector or list [e.g., K] indicating the time instances of the partial sensing in dependence on the variable step size within the corresponding segment, wherein the transceiver is configured to determine time instances of the partial sensing further in dependence on a third string, vector or list [e.g., K″] indicating time shifts that are applied to the time instances of the partial sensing indicated by the first string, vector or list [e.g., K] in the corresponding segments.
In embodiments, the transceiver is configured to apply the time shifts indicated by the third string, vector or list [e.g., K″] to the time instances of the partial sensing indicated by the second string, vector or list [e.g., K] using a circular shift function.
In embodiments, the received control information comprises an information about the third string, vector or list [e.g., K″], or wherein the transceiver is configured to determine the third string, vector or list [e.g., K″] randomly or based on an algorithm.
In embodiments, the transceiver is configured to derive a duration of the segments based on the step size and a length of the second string, vector or list [e.g., K], wherein the transceiver is configured to determine time instances of the partial sensing further in dependence on the duration [P′step] of the segments.
For example, the transceiver can be configured to determine the time instances of the partial sensing based on the formula
Time Instances=m−(K′−1)*P′step−f(K,K″)*Pstep,
wherein f is the circular shift function by which the value K′ shifts as much as the value k″-th to right or left in every segment differently.
In embodiments, the variable step size is indicated by the control information by means of different configuration types or indexes.
In embodiments, the transceiver is configured to receive a control information [e.g., transmitted on a physical layer [e.g. DCI or SCI] or on a higher layer [e.g. RRC]], wherein the control information comprises an information about at least one configurable parameter [e.g., time instances, or Pstep] of the partial sensing, wherein the transceiver is configured to determine a duration of sensing of the partial sensing in dependence on the at least one parameter [e.g., traffic density].
In embodiments, the sidelink communication is a new radio, NR, sidelink communication.
In embodiments, the transceiver is configured to operate in a new radio, NR, sidelink mode 1 or mode 2.
In embodiments, the transceiver is battery operated.
In embodiments, the transceiver is a vulnerable road user equipment, VRU-UE.
Further embodiments provide a method for operating a transceiver of a wireless communication network. The method comprises a step of operating the transceiver in a sidelink in-coverage, out of coverage or partial coverage scenario [e.g., NR sidelink mode [e.g., mode 1 or mode 2], in which resources for a sidelink communication [e.g., transmission and/or reception] are scheduled or allocated autonomously or network controlled. Further, the method comprises a step of determining, for said sidelink communication, a set of candidate resources [e.g., candidate resource elements] out of resources of the sidelink [e.g., a sub-channel, resource pool or bandwidth part] by means of partial sensing [e.g., non-continuous sensing [or monitoring]] said resources of the sidelink prior to a sidelink transmission [e.g., of data [e.g., a data packet] or control information] to another transceiver of the wireless communication network. Further, the method comprises a step of performing said sidelink transmission [e.g., at time instance m] using resources selected out of the determined set of candidate resources, wherein at least one parameter of the partial sensing depends on at least one parameter of the transceiver or of the wireless communication network.
Embodiments of the present invention, as mentioned above, provide improvements and enhancements of the partial sensing procedure of battery operated Ues, for example, VRU-Ues, such as P-Ues, as it may be employed in NR sidelink communications, like V2X communications or the like. In the following, several aspects of the present invention are described which provide for enhancements with regard to at least one out of power consumption, flexibility, complexity, forward compatibility, overhead, specification impact, latency and robustness. The subsequently described aspects may be used independently from each other or some or all of the aspects may be combined.
Embodiments of the present invention define a flexible power saving approach, for example, for NR V2X Mode 1 or Mode 2 based on partial sensing to reduce the UE's, e.g., P-UE's, power consumption, but also to meet the latency and reliability requirements of each V2X application as outlined above. In embodiments, partial sensing is performed on the resource pools including the time and frequency resources. The resource pools could be transmission pool(s), reception pool(s) or exceptional pool(s) which are applicable to both, Mode 1 and/or Mode 2. To this aim, in embodiments, the following parameters can be adjusted by the network, for example, through RRC or SCI signaling, when it is configured/instructed.
Embodiments of the present invention enhance the partial sensing for NR sidelink communications by means of at least one out of (i.e. one or a combination of more than one of) the following configuration options, so as to reduce the VRU-Ues power consumption:
In addition to the above-mentioned aspects, in embodiments, discontinuous transmission and reception (DTX, DRX) can be applied in conjunction with partial sensing in NR. In this case a UE, such as a P-UE, has to be active during the sensing period of the partial sensing while it can be inactive during the remaining time.
1. Configurable Sensing Step Size (Pstep)
In accordance with embodiments, the sensing step size, i.e., Pstep, is configurable for a UE performing partial sensing for NR sidelink communication.
In embodiments, the sensing step size (Pstep) refers to a time scale that two consecutive time instances are a factor of Pstep, and wherein two consecutive time instances are the time difference between two consecutive sensing durations.
In embodiments, the sensing step size can be preconfigured or configured by the base station or the network or the operator by higher layers, e.g., through RRC signaling, or the physical layer, e.g., through DCI or SCI signaling, or flexibly adapted based on other conditions, e.g., see Section 5.
In embodiments, the sensing step size may be adapted based on the power saving concept, the partial sensing duration and the number of sensing instances.
In embodiments, the UE can be a P-UE or any other type of VRU, e.g., pedestrian, cyclist, or any other VRU configured to perform the partial sensing, wherein the vulnerable user is in coverage, in partial coverage or out of coverage.
In embodiments, the sensing step size, Pstep, can be configured by different values as per configuration type, as shown in Table 3. Thereby, the sensing step size, Pstep, in Table 3Error! Reference source not found. may depend upon the latency and reliability requirements of the applications [5], which can be (pre-)configured, for example, through a RRC or DCI message in Mode 1 when the UE is in the coverage area or in Mode 2.
In embodiments, the sensing step size, Pstep, can be quantified by slot (e.g., Pstep=3*2{circumflex over ( )}u, u=0, 1, 2, 3), where u corresponds to the subcarrier spacing in NR, i.e. SCS=2{circumflex over ( )}u*15 kHz, or time (e.g., 3 ms). K is a string/vector/list indicating the sensing time instances, whose length is the same length as the respective LTE configuration, i.e., 10 bits.
In other words,
In embodiments, the parameter K for partial sensing can be set by the higher layer signaling. One possibility is via the RRC Information Element (IE) for UE autonomous resource selection as shown below, where, the gapCandidateSensing (=K) indicates which subframe should be sensed when a certain subframe is considered as a candidate resource.
Subsequently, an example for SL-CommTxPoolSensingConfig information element/UE-selectedConfig is provided:
Based on the sensing results, the UE, e.g., P-UE, may select the resources based on the following resource selection configuration via RRC.
Subsequently, an example for SL-P2X-ResourceSelectionConfig information element is provided:
For example, the P-UE can be configured based on the resource pool configuration as given e.g. in the SL-Resourcepool IE.
Subsequently, an example for SL-ResourcePool information element is provided:
2. Configurable Number of Sensing Time Instances
In accordance with embodiments, the number of the sensing time instances is configurable. This enables a UE, such as a P-UE, to perform partial sensing, when it is configured to do so, in the whole configured sensing window T0, e.g., T0=1100, when the sensing step size, i.e., Pstep, is configured differently.
In embodiments, the number of sensing time instances can be preconfigured or configured by the base station or the network or the operator by higher layers, e.g., through RRC signaling, or the physical layer, e.g., through DCI or SCI signaling, or flexibly adapted based on other conditions, e.g., see section 5.
For example, in accordance with the configurable number of sensing instances in the partial sensing, the new parameters K′ and P′step in addition to K and Pstep can be defined, wherein K′ and P′step indicate a sensing segment index and segment size within the sensing window T0 when the partial sensing is configured.
Thereby, note that, in embodiments, a sensing segment defines a time duration that is a factor of the sensing step size (Pstep). Within a sensing segment, the partial sensing parameters, e.g., the sensing step size, sensing time instance (with or without shift), and the sensing duration apply.
Wherein P′step is rounded up as follows:
P′step=Pstep*length(K). (2)
Thereby, u corresponds to the subcarrier spacing (SCS) and takes a value of u=0, 1, 2, and 3 for SCS of 15, 30, 60, and 120 kHz, respectively. The value of Pstep is the step size as earlier defined in Table 1.
Wherein K′ equals to [k′1 k′2 . . . k′N′] in which K′ value indicates the P′step-th segment within the sensing window T0. Furthermore, the length of K′, i.e., N′, yields as follows:
Wherein the partial sensing is performed at time instances indicated by the k′1 to k′N′ flags within the K′ segment as per configuration. Wherein K′ and K are configured by the higher layer signaling through RRC message, DCI or SCI signaling as shown by way of example below.
Subsequently, an example for SL-CommTxPoolSensingConfig information element/UE-selectedConfig is provided:
Where, the gapCandidateSensing (K) indicates which subframe should be sensed when a certain subframe is considered as a candidate resource and newgapCandidateSensing is the newly defined K′.
For example, in dependent upon definition Pstep in Section 1 and in accordance with the definition in Equation (2), in what follows, Table 4 exemplifies Pstep and P′step configuration, when T0 value is 1000, u=0:
In accordance with another embodiment, a P-UE is going to transmit a packet at time instance, m′, and is configured to perform the partial sensing, wherein the duration of sensing window T0 is, for example, 1000 slots, the subcarrier spacing is, for example, 15 kHz, i.e., u=0, and the sensing step size Pstep is, for example, 10, and the length of K is, for example, 10, i.e., N=10.
According to Table 4 and Equation (3), for this example, P′step, N′ are 100 and 10, respectively. When a P-UE is configured with, for example, K=[k3=1, k5=1] and K′=[1, 2], it is mandated to monitor the time instances as indicated in the following Equation (4):
Partial Sensing Time Instances=m−(K′−1)*P′step−K*Pstep. (4)
3. Configurable Number of Segment-Based Sensing Time Instances with Different Shifts
In accordance with embodiments (e.g., alternatively to an embodiment of section 2), the partial sensing segments can be configured using a time shift. Wherein an offset K″ can be configured either randomly or based on an algorithm or in a coordinated manner and added to the K value in every segment. And the UE, e.g., P-UE, is mandated to perform the partial sensing on the configured time instances.
In embodiments, the number of segment-based sensing time instances with or without different shifts can be preconfigured or configured by the base station or the network or the operator by higher layers, e.g., through RRC signaling, or the physical layer, e.g., through DCI or SCI signaling, or flexibly adapted based on other conditions, e.g., see Section 5.
In embodiments, the length K″ can be configured equally to the length of K as per definition in LTE or can be configured different to the length of K as per requirements.
According to above definition, Equation (4) can be reformulated and yields:
Partial Sensing Time Instances=m−(K′−1)*P′step−f(K,K″)*Pstep.
Thereby, function f is a circular shift function by which the value K′ shifts as much as the value k″-th to right or left in every segment differently. The value K″=[k″1 . . . k″ N′] and N′ is the length of the vector K″. Besides, k″-th value can be set with a different value ranging between (1−N) to (N−1).
For example, a UE, such as a P-UE, is going to transmit a packet at time instance, m′, and is instructed to perform the partial sensing wherein duration of sensing T0 is, for example, 1000 slots, the subcarrier spacing u is, for example, 15 kHz, i.e., u=0, the sensing step size Pstep is, for example, 10, and the length of K is, for example, 10, i.e., N=10.
According to Table 4, P′step is 100. When a UE, such as a P-UE, is configured with K=[k3=1, k5=1], K′=[1, 2], and K″=[0, 1] it is mandated to perform the partial sensing in the segment #1 at K=[K3=1, K=5] and at segment #2 at time instances K=[K4=1, K6=1].
In detail,
In embodiments, the configuration of the parameter k can be done, for example, by the higher layer parameters as shown in example below.
Subsequently, an example of for SL-CommTxPoolSensingConfig information element/UE-selectedConfig is provided:
Where, the gapCandidateSensing (K) indicates which subframe should be sensed when a certain subframe is considered as candidate resource and randomoffsetnewgapCandidateSensing is the newly defined K″.
4. Configurable Sensing Duration
In accordance with embodiments, the sensing duration for a UE, such as a P-UE, can be configurable.
In embodiments, the sensing duration can be preconfigured or configured by the base station or the network or the operator by higher layers, e.g., through RRC signaling, or the physical layer, e.g., through DCI or SCI signaling, or flexibly adapted based on other conditions, e.g., see Section 5.
In embodiments, the length of the sensing duration can be based on a slot, wherein a slot is 1 ms/2{circumflex over ( )}u, where u=0, 1, 2, 3 for SCS=15 kHz*2{circumflex over ( )}u, i.e. 15, 30, 60, 120 kHz. Wherein, the slot duration can be configured by higher layers signaling, RRC message or SCI or DCI. Alternatively, the sensing duration also can be a fraction of a slot, for example, some symbols as per definition of the slot above.
In detail,
5. Adapting Partial Sensing Configuration Parameters
Parameters described in Sections 1 to 4 to enhance the partial sensing procedure can be
According to the above definition, in accordance with embodiments, a function f can be defined, e.g., by higher layers through which the sensing duration and interval for every UE, such as P-UE, or group of Ues, such as P-Ues, in an area indicated by zone/validity area as per the definition in Section 5 and Sections 1 to 4, are configured.
For example, the function f can be defined as follows:
[Tsen,K,K′,K″,Pstep]=f(Ptr,Zone,Pbat,Ct,Np), (6)
where Tsen, K, K′, and K″ are sensing duration and number of sensing time instances per 39efinition above, respectively. The variable Ptr is traffic type of P-UE and zone indicates geographical area of P-UE. Other parameters, Pbat, Ct and Np are battery status, cast communication and number of P-UE and non P-Ues in an area, respectively.
For example, when the battery status of a UE, such as a P-UE, is lower than a configured threshold, the sensing duration and number of partial sensing instances can be reduced to save more energy, if the quality of service requirements of an application can still be met.
Another example, when a UE, such as a P-UE, approaches to a hazardous area, e.g., junction, or an area with high-density traffic (e.g., based on geo-location, zone or validity area) the function adapts the sensing duration and duration accordingly.
6. Further Embodiments
Embodiments described herein provide a power reduction of VRU Ues using V2X applications. Opposite to vehicular mounted UE connected to the vehicles power supply, power reduction for the VRU using battery-based UE is very important. This is also requested in the Rel-17 WI as one major objective.
Embodiments described herein can be implemented according to a 5G NR V2X standard.
In accordance with embodiments, VRU Ues exposed to traffic, e.g., pedestrians, cyclists, scooter, and any other type of VRU are the potential application areas demanding these power saving procedures for V2X application. Even electronic vehicles and e-bikes may consider energy saving for their equipped Ues.
In accordance with embodiments, sensing is a continuously performed procedure by V2X Ues in mode 2 (expected as the common V2X mode for direct communication), consuming continuously and significantly the UE's limited battery power. Specially to ensure safety-critical V2X application, energy saving for VRUs is essential.
Although some aspects of the described concept have been described in the context of an apparatus, it is clear that these aspects also represent a description of the corresponding method, where a block or a device corresponds to a method step or a feature of a method step. Analogously, aspects described in the context of a method step also represent a description of a corresponding block or item or feature of a corresponding apparatus.
Various elements and features of the present invention may be implemented in hardware using analog and/or digital circuits, in software, through the execution of instructions by one or more general purpose or special-purpose processors, or as a combination of hardware and software. For example, embodiments of the present invention may be implemented in the environment of a computer system or another processing system.
The terms “computer program medium” and “computer readable medium” are used to generally refer to tangible storage media such as removable storage units or a hard disk installed in a hard disk drive. These computer program products are means for providing software to the computer system 500. The computer programs, also referred to as computer control logic, are stored in main memory 506 and/or secondary memory 508. Computer programs may also be received via the communications interface 510. The computer program, when executed, enables the computer system 500 to implement the present invention. In particular, the computer program, when executed, enables processor 502 to implement the processes of the present invention, such as any of the methods described herein. Accordingly, such a computer program may represent a controller of the computer system 500. Where the disclosure is implemented using software, the software may be stored in a computer program product and loaded into computer system 500 using a removable storage drive, an interface, like communications interface 510.
The implementation in hardware or in software may be performed using a digital storage medium, for example cloud storage, a floppy disk, a DVD, a Blue-Ray, a CD, a ROM, a PROM, an EPROM, an EEPROM or a FLASH memory, having electronically readable control signals stored thereon, which cooperate (or are capable of cooperating) with a programmable computer system such that the respective method is performed. Therefore, the digital storage medium may be computer readable.
Some embodiments according to the invention comprise a data carrier having electronically readable control signals, which are capable of cooperating with a programmable computer system, such that one of the methods described herein is performed.
Generally, embodiments of the present invention may be implemented as a computer program product with a program code, the program code being operative for performing one of the methods when the computer program product runs on a computer. The program code may for example be stored on a machine-readable carrier.
Other embodiments comprise the computer program for performing one of the methods described herein, stored on a machine-readable carrier. In other words, an embodiment of the inventive method is, therefore, a computer program having a program code for performing one of the methods described herein, when the computer program runs on a computer.
A further embodiment of the inventive methods is, therefore, a data carrier (or a digital storage medium, or a computer-readable medium) comprising, recorded thereon, the computer program for performing one of the methods described herein. A further embodiment of the inventive method is, therefore, a data stream or a sequence of signals representing the computer program for performing one of the methods described herein. The data stream or the sequence of signals may for example be configured to be transferred via a data communication connection, for example via the Internet. A further embodiment comprises a processing means, for example a computer, or a programmable logic device, configured to or adapted to perform one of the methods described herein. A further embodiment comprises a computer having installed thereon the computer program for performing one of the methods described herein.
In some embodiments, a programmable logic device (for example a field programmable gate array) may be used to perform some or all of the functionalities of the methods described herein. In some embodiments, a field programmable gate array may cooperate with a microprocessor in order to perform one of the methods described herein. Generally, the methods may be performed by any hardware apparatus.
While this invention has been described in terms of several embodiments, there are alterations, permutations, and equivalents which will be apparent to others skilled in the art and which fall within the scope of this invention. It should also be noted that there are many alternative ways of implementing the methods and compositions of the present invention. It is therefore intended that the following appended claims be interpreted as including all such alterations, permutations, and equivalents as fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.
VRUs include, e.g. pedestrians, cyclists and anybody else involved in traffic scenarios.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20166532.0 | Mar 2020 | EP | regional |
This application is a continuation of copending International Application No. PCT/EP2021/057660, filed Mar. 25, 2021, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, and additionally claims priority from European Application No. 20166532.0, filed Mar. 28, 2020, which is also incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | PCT/EP2021/057660 | Mar 2021 | US |
| Child | 17951989 | US |
