Method and apparatus for handling configured grant type 1 for vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication

Abstract

A communication method and system for converging a 5.sup.th generation (5G) communication system for supporting higher data rates beyond a 4.sup.th generation (4G) system with a technology for Internet of things (IoT) are provided. The communication method and system may be applied to intelligent services based on the 5G communication technology and the IoT-related technology, such as smart home, smart building, smart city, smart car, connected car, health care, digital education, smart retail, security and safety services. A method performed by a terminal in a wireless communication system is provided. The method includes identifying that sidelink channel state information (SL-CSI) reporting is triggered; identifying whether SL resources are allocated for new transmission; performing a logical channel prioritization for the SL resources; and determining whether to trigger a scheduling request for the SL-CSI reporting based on a result of the logical channel prioritization.

Claims

1. A method performed by a terminal in a wireless communication system, the method comprising: identifying whether sidelink (SL) resources are allocated for new transmission, in case that sidelink channel state information (SL-CSI) reporting is triggered; in case that the SL resources are allocated for the new transmission, identifying whether the SL resources can accommodate a media access control (MAC) control element (CE) and a subheader for the SL-CSI reporting based on a result of a logical channel prioritization; and triggering a scheduling request for the SL-CSI reporting in case that the SL resources cannot accommodate the MAC CE and the subheader for the SL-CSI reporting.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: in case that the SL resources are not allocated for the new transmission, triggering the scheduling request.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising: in case that the SL resources can accommodate the MAC CE and the subheader for the SL-CSI reporting, determining to not trigger the scheduling request for the SL-CSI reporting.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising: starting a timer based on triggering the SL-CSI reporting.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising: receiving, from a base station, configuration information on a value of the timer.

6. The method of claim 4, further comprising: stopping the timer for the triggered SL-CSI reporting based on transmitting a MAC CE for the SL-CSI reporting.

7. The method of claim 4, further comprising: upon expiry of the timer for the triggered SL-CSI reporting, cancelling the triggered SL-CSI reporting.

8. The method of claim 4, wherein the timer is maintained for each pair of a source layer-2 identifier and a destination layer-2 identifier corresponding to PC5-radio resource control (RRC) connection.

9. A terminal in a wireless communication system, the terminal comprising: a transceiver; and a controller coupled with the transceiver and configured to: identify whether sidelink (SL) resources are allocated for new transmission in case that sidelink channel state information (SL-CSI) reporting is triggered, in case that the SL resources are allocated for the new transmission, identifying whether the SL resources can accommodate a media access control (MAC) control element (CE) and a subheader for the SL-CSI reporting based on a result of a logical channel prioritization, and trigger a scheduling request for the SL-CSI reporting on a result of the logical channel prioritization in case that the SL resources cannot accommodate the MAC CE and the subheader for the SL-CSI reporting.

10. The terminal of claim 9, wherein the controller is further configured trigger the scheduling request in case that the SL resources are not allocated for the new transmission.

11. The terminal of claim 9, wherein the controller is further configured to determine to not trigger the scheduling request for the SL-CSI reporting in case that the SL resources can accommodate the MAC CE and the subheader for the SL-CSI reporting.

12. The terminal of claim 9, wherein the controller is further configured to start a timer based on triggering the SL-CSI reporting.

13. The terminal of claim 12, wherein the controller is further configured to receive, from a base station via the transceiver, configuration information on a value of the timer.

14. The terminal of claim 12, wherein the controller is further configured to stop the timer for the triggered SL-CSI reporting based on transmitting a MAC CE for the SL-CSI reporting.

15. The terminal of claim 12, wherein the controller is further configured to cancel the triggered SL-CSI reporting upon expiry of the timer for the triggered SL-CSI reporting.

16. The terminal of claim 12, wherein the timer is maintained for each pair of a source layer-2 identifier and a destination layer-2 identifier corresponding to PC5-radio resource control (RRC) connection.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of certain embodiments of the disclosure will be more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 illustrates that the next generation radio access network (NG-RAN) architecture supports the PC5 interface;

(3) FIG. 2 illustrates an operation of a user equipment (UE) for handling configured grant (CG) Type 1 grant during handover according to an embodiment based on Method 1 of the disclosure;

(4) FIG. 3 illustrates an operation of a UE for handling CG Type 1 grant during handover according to another embodiment based on Method 1 of the disclosure;

(5) FIG. 4 illustrates an operation of a UE for handling CG Type 1 grant during handover according to an embodiment based on Method 2 of the disclosure;

(6) FIG. 5 illustrates an operation of a UE for handling CG Type 1 grant during handover according to an embodiment based on Method 3 of the disclosure;

(7) FIG. 6 illustrates an operation of a UE for handling CG Type 1 grant during handover according to another embodiment based on Method 3 of the disclosure;

(8) FIG. 7 illustrates an operation of a UE for sidelink (SL) channel quality indicator (CQI)/rank indicator (RI) reporting for new radio (NR) SL communication according to an embodiment based on Method 1 of the disclosure;

(9) FIG. 8 illustrates an operation of a UE for SL CQI/RI reporting for NR SL communication according to an embodiment based on Method 2 of the disclosure;

(10) FIG. 9 illustrates an operation of a UE for SL CQI/RI reporting for NR SL communication according to an embodiment based on Method 3 of the disclosure;

(11) FIG. 10 illustrates an operation of a UE for SL CQI/RI reporting for NR SL communication according to an embodiment based on Method 4 of the disclosure;

(12) FIG. 11 illustrates a media access control (MAC) control element (CE) format of SL buffer status report (BSR) according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

(13) FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a terminal according to an embodiment of the disclosure; and

(14) FIG. 13 is a block diagram of a base station according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

(15) Throughout the drawings, like reference numerals will be understood to refer to like parts, components, and structures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(16) FIGS. 1 through 11, discussed below, and the various embodiments used to describe the principles of the present disclosure in this patent document are by way of illustration only and should not be construed in any way to limit the scope of the disclosure. Those skilled in the art will understand that the principles of the present disclosure may be implemented in any suitably arranged system or device.

(17) The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings is provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of various embodiments of the disclosure as defined by the claims and their equivalents. It includes various specific details to assist in that understanding, but these are to be regarded as merely exemplary. Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications of the various embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure. In addition, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions may be omitted for clarity and conciseness.

(18) The terms and words used in the following description and claims are not limited to the bibliographical meanings, but are merely used by inventor to enable a clear and consistent understanding of the disclosure. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the following description of various embodiments of the disclosure is provided for illustration purpose only and not for the purpose of limiting the disclosure as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

(19) It is to be understood that the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a component surface” includes reference to one or more of such surfaces.

(20) By the term “substantially” it is meant that the recited characteristic, parameter, or value need not be achieved exactly, but that deviations or variations, including for example, tolerances, measurement error, measurement accuracy limitations and other factors known to those of skill in the art, may occur in amounts that do not preclude the effect the characteristic was intended to provide.

(21) It is known to those skilled in the art that blocks of a flowchart (or sequence diagram) and a combination of flowcharts may be represented and executed by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions may be loaded on a processor of a general purpose computer, special-purpose computer, or programmable data processing equipment. When the loaded program instructions are executed by the processor, they create a means for carrying out functions described in the flowchart. Because the computer program instructions may be stored in a computer readable memory that is usable in a specialized computer or a programmable data processing equipment, it is also possible to create articles of manufacture that carry out functions described in the flowchart. Because the computer program instructions may be loaded on a computer or a programmable data processing equipment, when executed as processes, they may carry out operations of functions described in the flowchart.

(22) A block of a flowchart may correspond to a module, a segment, or a code containing one or more executable instructions implementing one or more logical functions, or may correspond to a part thereof. In some cases, functions described by blocks may be executed in an order different from the listed order. For example, two blocks listed in sequence may be executed at the same time or executed in reverse order.

(23) In this description, the words “unit”, “module” or the like may refer to a software component or hardware component, such as, for example, a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) capable of carrying out a function or an operation. However, a “unit”, or the like, is not limited to hardware or software. A unit, or the like, may be configured so as to reside in an addressable storage medium or to drive one or more processors. Units, or the like, may also refer to software components, object-oriented software components, class components, task components, processes, functions, attributes, procedures, subroutines, program code segments, drivers, firmware, microcode, circuits, data, databases, data structures, tables, arrays or variables. A function provided by a component and unit may be a combination of smaller components and units, and may be combined with others to compose larger components and units. Components and units may be configured to drive a device or one or more processors in a secure multimedia card.

(24) Prior to the detailed description, terms or definitions necessary to understand the disclosure are described. However, these terms should be construed in a non-limiting way.

(25) A base station (BS) is an entity communicating with a user equipment (UE) and may be referred to as a BS, a base transceiver station (BTS), a node B (NB), an evolved NB (eNB), an access point (AP), a fifth generation (5G) NB (5GNB), or a next generation NB (gNB).

(26) A UE is an entity communicating with a BS and may be referred to as a UE, a device, a mobile station (MS), a mobile equipment (ME), or a terminal.

(27) Handling Configured Grant (CG) Type 1 Grant During Handover

(28) Method 1:

(29) FIG. 2 illustrates an operation of a UE for handling CG Type 1 grant during handover according to an embodiment based on Method 1 of the disclosure.

(30) UE is in radio resource control (RRC) Connected state and is performing NR sidelink (SL) communication using resource configuration (scheduled resource allocation or autonomous resource allocation) provided by the serving cell (the serving cell can be primary cell (PCell) in an embodiment, or the serving cell can be special cell (SpCell) in another embodiment).

(31) Referring to FIG. 2, in RRC Connected state, UE receives from network (i.e., BS or source PCell or source SpCell) handover or RRC reconfiguration message (e.g., handover command) including reconfigurationWithSync at operation 210. The reconfiguration message configures scheduled resource allocation (also referred as Mode 1) in the target cell (the target cell can be PCell in an embodiment, or the target cell can be SpCell in another embodiment). Specifically, the reconfiguration message includes CG Type 1 SL grant configuration in the target cell for new radio (NR) SL communication. Exceptional resource pool for transmission is not by the reconfiguration message. The reconfiguration message also indicates the one or more SL logical channel(s) (LCH(s)) which are allowed to use CG Type 1 SL grant.

(32) In one method of this disclosure, upon receiving the handover command or RRC reconfiguration message including reconfigurationWithSync: UE starts a timer T 304 at operation 220, and activates the CG Type 1 SL grant for NR SL communication if included in the RRC reconfiguration message at operation 230. UE starts using the CG Type 1 SL grant for NR SL communication as soon as synchronization is performed with gNB in case gNB is configured as synchronization source or synchronization is performed with global navigation satellite system (GNSS) in case GNSS is configured as synchronization source or synchronization is performed with UE transmitting synchronization signal in case UE is configured as synchronization source. UE synchronizes to the downlink (DL) of target SpCell and acquires MIB of target SpCell, if needed, at operation 240. UE initiates random access (RA) procedure towards the target SpCell at operation 250. Upon completion of RA procedure, UE stops the timer T 304 at operation 260. UE applies the CG Type 1 SL grant for SL LCH(s) which are allowed to use CG type 1 at operation 270.

(33) In this method, until the handover is completed (i.e., while the timer T 304 is running), UE uses the CG Type 1 SL grant for all SL LCHs. This means that until the handover is completed, UE does not follow the LCH restrictions indicated by gNB for CG Type 1.

(34) Upon completion of handover, CG Type 1 SL grant is used only for SL LCH(s) indicated by gNB. This means that after the handover is completed, UE follows the LCH restrictions indicated by gNB for CG Type 1. The reconfiguration message indicates the one or more SL LCH(s) which are allowed to use CG Type 1 SL grant.

(35) For example, let's say UE has four SL LCHs (say LCH 1, LCH 2, LCH 3 and LCH 4) established for NR SL communication. Network configures CG Type 1 SL grant in handover command. CG Type 1 SL grant is allowed to be used for LCH 1 and LCH 2 as per configuration received from network. Upon receiving the handover command, UE activates CG Type 1 SL grant. Until the handover is completed, UE uses the CG Type 1 SL grant for SL LCHs 1 to 4. Upon completion of handover, UE uses the CG Type 1 SL grant for SL LCHs 1 and 2.

(36) FIG. 3 illustrates an operation of a UE for handling CG Type 1 grant during handover according to another embodiment based on Method 1 of the disclosure.

(37) Referring to FIG. 3, UE receives handover command at operation 310. The handover command includes CG type 1 SL grant for NR SL communication. UE starts a timer T 304 at operation 320. UE activates the CG Type 1 SL grant for NR SL communication at operation 330.

(38) In an alternate embodiment of this method of disclosure, network may indicate whether UE is allowed to use CG Type 1 for all SL LCHs or only the indicated SL LCHs during handover. Presence of new parameter (UseCGTypelforAllSLLCHs) in RRC reconfiguration message can indicate that UE can use CG Type 1 for all SL LCHs during handover. The new parameter (UseCGTypelforAllSLLCHs) in RRC reconfiguration message may be set to TRUE to indicate that UE can use CG Type 1 for all SL LCHs during handover.

(39) UE identities whether indication to use CG Type 1 for all SL LCHs is received at operation 340. If the indication is received, UE applies the CG Type 1 SL grant for all SL LCHs at operation 350. Otherwise, UE applies the CG Type 1 SL grant for SL LCH(s) which are allowed to use CG Type 1 at operation 360. UE synchronizes to the DL of target SpCell and acquires MIB of target SpCell, if needed, at operation 370. UE initiates RA procedure towards the target SpCell at operation 380. Upon completion of RA procedure, UE stops the timer T 304 at operation 390. UE applies the CG Type 1 SL grant for SL LCH(s) which are allowed to use CG type 1 at operation 400.

(40) Method 2:

(41) FIG. 4 illustrates an operation of a UE for handling CG Type 1 grant during handover according to an embodiment based on Method 2 of the disclosure.

(42) UE is in RRC Connected state and is performing NR SL communication using resource configuration (scheduled resource allocation or autonomous resource allocation) provided by the serving cell (the serving cell can be PCell in an embodiment, or the serving cell can be SpCell in another embodiment).

(43) Referring to FIG. 4, in RRC Connected state, UE receives from network (i.e., BS or source PCell or source SpCell) RRC reconfiguration message (e.g., handover command) including reconfigurationWithSync at operation 410. The reconfiguration message configures scheduled resource allocation (also referred as Mode 1) in the target cell (the target cell can be PCell in an embodiment, or the target cell can be SpCell in another embodiment). Specifically, the reconfiguration message includes CG Type 1 SL grant configuration in the target cell for NR SL communication. The exceptional resource pool for transmission may or may not be configured by the reconfiguration message. The reconfiguration message also indicates the one or more SL LCH(s) which are allowed to use CG Type 1 SL grant.

(44) In one method of this disclosure, upon receiving the handover command or RRC reconfiguration message including reconfigurationWithSync: UE starts a timer T 304 at operation 420, and identifies whether exceptional resource pool for transmission is configured at operation 430.

(45) If exceptional resource pool for transmission is configured: CG Type 1 SL grant is activated after handover is completed. UE uses the CG Type 1 SL grant after handover is completed. Until handover is completed UE uses the exception resource pool for NR SL transmission.

(46) UE starts using the exceptional resource pool for NR SL transmission 440. UE synchronizes to the DL of target SpCell and acquires MIB of target SpCell, if needed, at operation 442. UE initiates RA procedure towards the target SpCell at operation 444. Upon completion of RA procedure, UE stops the timer T 304 at operation 446. UE stops using the exceptional resource pool for NR SL transmission at operation 448. UE activates the CG Type 1 SL grant and applies the CG Type 1 SL grant for SL LCHs which are allowed to use CG Type 1 SL grant at operation 450.

(47) If exceptional resource pool for transmission is not configured: UE activates the CG Type 1 SL grant if included in the RRC reconfiguration message. UE starts using the CG Type 1 SL grant for NR SL communication as soon as synchronization is performed with gNB in case gNB is configured as synchronization source or synchronization is performed with GNSS in case GNSS is configured as synchronization source or synchronization is performed with UE transmitting synchronization signal in case UE is configured as synchronization source.

(48) UE uses the CG Type 1 SL grant only for SL LCHs which are allowed to use CG Type 1 SL grant. CG Type 1 SL grant is used only for SL LCH(s) indicated by gNB. The reconfiguration message indicates the one or more SL LCH(s) which are allowed to use CG Type 1 SL grant.

(49) UE activates the CG Type 1 SL grant and applies the CG Type 1 SL grant for SL LCHs which are allowed to use CG Type 1 SL grant at operation 460. UE synchronizes to the DL of target SpCell and acquires MIB of target SpCell, if needed, at operation 462. UE initiates RA procedure towards the target SpCell at operation 464. Upon completion of RA procedure, UE stops the timer T 304 at operation 466. UE continues to use CG Type 1 SL grant for SL LCH(s) which are allowed to use CG Type 1 SL grant at operation 468.

(50) Method 3:

(51) FIG. 5 illustrates an operation of a UE for handling CG Type 1 grant during handover according to an embodiment based on Method 3 of the disclosure.

(52) Referring to FIG. 5, UE receives handover command at operation 510. The handover command includes CG Type 1 SL grant for NR SL communication. UE starts a timer T 304 at operation 520.

(53) In one method of this disclosure, upon receiving the handover command or RRC reconfiguration message including reconfigurationWithSync: UE identifies whether exceptional resource pool for transmission is configured at operation 530.

(54) If exceptional resource pool for transmission is configured: CG Type 1 SL grant is activated after handover is completed. UE uses the CG Type 1 SL grant after handover is completed. Until handover is completed UE uses the exception resource pool for NR SL transmission.

(55) UE starts using the exceptional resource pool for NR SL transmission 540. UE synchronizes to the DL of target SpCell and acquires MIB of target SpCell, if needed, at operation 542. UE initiates RA procedure towards the target SpCell at operation 544. Upon completion of RA procedure, UE stops the timer T 304 at operation 546. UE stops using the exceptional resource pool for NR SL transmission at operation 548. UE activates the CG Type 1 SL grant and applies the CG Type 1 SL grant for SL LCHs which are allowed to use CG Type 1 SL grant at operation 550.

(56) If exceptional resource pool for transmission is not configured: UE activates the CG Type 1 SL grant if included in the RRC reconfiguration message. UE starts using the CG Type 1 SL grant for NR SL communication as soon as synchronization is performed with gNB in case gNB is configured as synchronization source or synchronization is performed with GNSS in case GNSS is configured as synchronization source or synchronization is performed with UE transmitting synchronization signal in case UE is configured as synchronization source.

(57) Until the handover is completed (i.e., while the timer T 304 is running), UE uses the CG Type 1 SL grant for all SL LCHs. This means that until the handover is completed, UE does not follow the LCH restrictions indicated by gNB for CG Type 1. Upon completion of handover, CG Type 1 SL grant is used only for SL LCH(s) indicated by gNB. This means that after the handover is completed, UE follows the LCH restrictions indicated by gNB for CG Type 1. The reconfiguration message indicates the one or more SL LCH(s) which are allowed to use CG Type 1 SL grant. For example, let's say UE has four SL LCHs (say LCH 1, LCH 2, LCH 3 and LCH 4) established for NR SL communication. Network configures CG Type 1 SL grant in handover command. CG Type 1 SL grant is allowed to be used for LCH 1 and LCH 2 as per configuration received from network. Upon receiving the handover command, UE activates CG Type 1 SL grant. Until the handover is completed, UE uses the CG Type 1 SL grant for SL LCHs 1 to 4. Upon completion of handover, UE uses the CG Type 1 SL grant for SL LCHs 1 and 2.

(58) UE activates the CG Type 1 SL grant and applies the CG Type 1 SL grant for all SL LCHs at operation 560. UE synchronizes to the DL of target SpCell and acquires MIB of target SpCell, if needed, at operation 562. UE initiates RA procedure towards the target SpCell at operation 564. Upon completion of RA procedure, UE stops the timer T 304 at operation 566. UE applies CG Type 1 SL grant for SL LCH(s) which are allowed to use CG Type 1 SL grant at operation 568.

(59) FIG. 6 illustrates an operation of a UE for handling CG Type 1 grant during handover according to another embodiment based on Method 3 of the disclosure.

(60) Referring to FIG. 6, UE receives handover command at operation 610. The handover command includes CG type 1 SL grant for NR SL communication. UE starts a timer T 304 at operation 620. Upon receiving the handover command or RRC reconfiguration message including reconfigurationWithSync: UE identifies whether exceptional resource pool for transmission is configured at operation 630.

(61) If exceptional resource pool for transmission is configured, UE starts using the exceptional resource pool for NR SL transmission 640. UE synchronizes to the DL of target SpCell and acquires MIB of target SpCell, if needed, at operation 642. UE initiates RA procedure towards the target SpCell at operation 644. Upon completion of RA procedure, UE stops the timer T 304 at operation 646. UE stops using the exceptional resource pool for NR SL transmission at operation 648. UE activates the CG Type 1 SL grant and applies the CG Type 1 SL grant for SL LCHs which are allowed to use CG Type 1 SL grant at operation 650.

(62) If exceptional resource pool for transmission is not configured, UE activates the CG Type 1 SL grant for NR SL communication at operation 660.

(63) In an alternate embodiment of this method of disclosure, network may indicate whether UE is allowed to use CG Type 1 for all SL LCHs or only the indicated SL LCHs during handover. Presence of new parameter (UseCGTypelforAllSLLCHs) in RRC reconfiguration message can indicate that UE can use CG Type 1 for all SL LCHs during handover. The new parameter (UseCGTypelforAllSLLCHs) in RRC reconfiguration message may be set to TRUE to indicate that UE can use CG Type 1 for all SL LCHs during handover.

(64) UE identities whether indication to use CG Type 1 for all SL LCHs is received at operation 662. If the indication is received, UE applies the CG Type 1 SL grant for all SL LCHs at operation 664. Otherwise, UE applies the CG Type 1 SL grant for SL LCH(s) which are allowed to use CG Type 1 at operation 666. UE synchronizes to the DL of target SpCell and acquires MIB of target SpCell, if needed, at operation 668. UE initiates RA procedure towards the target SpCell at operation 670. Upon completion of RA procedure, UE stops the timer T 304 at operation 390. UE applies the CG Type 1 SL grant for SL LCH(s) which are allowed to use CG type 1 at operation 400.

(65) SL Channel Quality Indicator (CQI)/Rank Indicator (RI) Reporting for NR SL Communication

(66) In case of NR SL unicast communication, for SL CQI/RI reporting, SL CQI/RI report media access control (MAC) control element (CE) is transmitted from reception (RX) UE to transmission (TX) UE. Physical layer (L1) in RX UE indicates MAC layer to transmit SL CQI/RI report. MAC layer in RX UE initiates transmission of SL CQI/RI report MAC CE. If RX UE is configured with scheduled resource allocation (i.e., mode 1) and there is no configured SL-resource available: MAC layer in RX UE triggers scheduling request (SR) wherein SR configuration to be used for SL CQI/RI report MAC CE is configured by network via RRC signaling. Since this SR is dedicated for SL MAC CE, upon receiving this SR, network (i.e., gNB) schedules SL grant to RX UE. RX UE transmits SL CQI/RI report MAC CE in SL grant. If RX UE is configured with scheduled resource allocation (i.e., mode 1) and if there is configured SL-resource available, UE does not trigger SR.

(67) Issue 1: if UE has configured SL-resource available, UE does not trigger SR. The assumption is that SL CQI/RI report MAC CE can be transmitted to TX UE using the configured SL-resource. However, it is possible that SL CQI/RI report MAC CE may not be transmitted in available SL resource due to logical channel prioritization. So, condition to trigger SR for SL CQI/RI reporting needs to be enhanced. It is also possible that the SL transmission in available SL resource may overlap with uplink (UL) and SL transmission may be dropped due to prioritization rule as defined in technical specification (TS) 38.321 for SL and UL prioritization.

(68) Method 1:

(69) FIG. 7 illustrates an operation of a UE for SL CQI/RI reporting for NR SL communication according to an embodiment based on Method 1 of the disclosure.

(70) In one method of this disclosure, it is proposed that if scheduled resource allocation is configured for NR SL communication and SL CQI/RI reporting is triggered and SR configuration to be used for SL CQI/RI reporting is configured by network via RRC signaling, UE determines whether to trigger SR for SL CQI/RI report as follows.

(71) Referring to FIG. 7, SL CQI/RI report MAC CE is triggered at operation 710. UE identifies whether SL shared channel (SL-SCH) resource is available for a new transmission at operation 720. If SL-SCH resource is available for a new transmission, UE identifies whether SL-SCH resource can accommodate the SL CQI/RI report MAC CE plus its subheader as a result of LCP (where LCP is defined in TS 38.321 for NR SL communication) at operation 730. If SL-SCH resource can accommodate the SL CQI/RI report MAC CE plus its subheader: UE does not trigger an SR for SL CQI/RI report at operation 740. Otherwise, UE triggers an SR for SL CQI/RI report at operation 750.

(72) (Alternate) If SL-SCH resource is available for a new transmission within a timer interval T and this SL-SCH resource can accommodate the SL CQI/RI report MAC CE plus its subheader as a result of LCP (where LCP is defined in TS 38.321 for NR SL communication): UE does not trigger an SR for SL CQI/RI report. Otherwise, UE triggers an SR for SL CQI/RI report.

(73) Time interval T is configurable via RRC signaling and starts when SL CQI/RI report is triggered.

(74) Method 2:

(75) FIG. 8 illustrates an operation of a UE for SL CQI/RI reporting for NR SL communication according to an embodiment based on Method 2 of the disclosure.

(76) In another method of this disclosure, it is proposed that if scheduled resource allocation is configured for NR SL communication and SL CQI/RI reporting is triggered and SR configuration to be used for SL CQI/RI reporting is configured by network via RRC signaling, UE determines whether to trigger SR for SL CQI/RI report as follows.

(77) Referring to FIG. 8, SL CQI/RI report MAC CE is triggered at operation 810. UE identifies whether SL-SCH resource is available for a new transmission at operation 820. If SL-SCH resource is available for a new transmission, UE identifies whether SL-SCH resource can accommodate the SL CQI/RI report MAC CE plus its subheader as a result of LCP (where LCP is defined in TS 38.321 for NR SL communication) at operation 830. If SL-SCH resource can accommodate the SL CQI/RI report MAC CE plus its subheader, UE identifies whether available SL-SCH resource overlaps with UL SCH resource at operation 840. If available SL-SCH resource overlaps with UL SCH resource, UE identifies whether SL transmission is prioritized over UL at operation 850. If available SL-SCH resource does not overlap with UL SCH resource or SL transmission is prioritized over UL, i.e., SL transmission in this available SL-SCH resource is not dropped due to prioritization between SL and UL (where prioritization between SL and UL prioritization is defined in TS 38.321 for NR SL communication): UE does not trigger an SR for SL CQI/RI report at operation 860. Otherwise, UE triggers an SR for SL CQI/RI report at operation 870.

(78) (Alternate) If SL-SCH resource is available for a new transmission within a timer interval T and SL-SCH resource can accommodate the SL CQI/RI report MAC CE plus its subheader as a result of LCP (where LCP is defined in TS 38.321 for NR SL communication) and SL transmission in this available SL-SCH resource is not dropped due to prioritization between SL and UL (where prioritization between SL and UL prioritization is defined in TS 38.321 for NR SL communication): UE does not trigger an SR for SL CQI/RI report. Otherwise, UE triggers an SR for SL CQI/RI report.

(79) Time interval T is configurable via RRC signaling and starts when SL CQI/RI report is triggered.

(80) Method 3:

(81) FIG. 9 illustrates an operation of a UE for SL CQI/RI reporting for NR SL communication according to an embodiment based on Method 3 of the disclosure.

(82) In another method of this disclosure, it is proposed that if scheduled resource allocation is configured for NR SL communication and SL CQI/RI reporting is triggered and SR configuration to be used for SL CQI/RI reporting is configured by network via RRC signaling, UE determines whether to trigger SR for SL CQI/RI report as follows.

(83) Referring to FIG. 9, SL CQI/RI report MAC CE is triggered at operation 910. UE identifies whether SL-SCH resource is available for a new transmission at operation 920. If SL-SCH resource is available for a new transmission, UE identifies whether SL-SCH resource can accommodate the SL CQI/RI report MAC CE plus its subheader as a result of LCP (where LCP is defined in TS 38.321 for NR SL communication) at operation 930. If SL-SCH resource can accommodate the SL CQI/RI report MAC CE plus its subheader, UE identifies whether available SL-SCH resource overlaps with UL SCH resource in time at operation 940. If available SL-SCH resource is not overlapping with UL-SCH resource: UE does not trigger an SR for SL CQI/RI report at operation 950. Otherwise, UE triggers an SR for SL CQI/RI report at operation 960.

(84) (Alternate) If SL-SCH resource is available for a new transmission within a timer interval T and SL-SCH resource can accommodate the SL CQI/RI report MAC CE plus its subheader as a result of LCP (where LCP is defined in TS 38.321 for NR SL communication) and available SL-SCH resource is not overlapping with UL-SCH resource in time: UE does not trigger an SR for SL CQI/RI report. Otherwise, UE triggers an SR for SL CQI/RI report.

(85) Time interval T is configurable via RRC signaling and starts when SL CQI/RI report is triggered.

(86) Method 4:

(87) FIG. 10 illustrates an operation of a UE for SL CQI/RI reporting for NR SL communication according to an embodiment based on Method 4 of the disclosure.

(88) In another method of this disclosure, it is proposed that if scheduled resource allocation is configured for NR SL communication and SL CQI/RI reporting is triggered and SR configuration to be used for SL CQI/RI reporting is configured by network via RRC signaling, UE determines whether to trigger SR for SL CQI/RI report as follows.

(89) Referring to FIG. 10, SL CQI/RI report MAC CE is triggered at operation 1010. UE identifies whether SL-SCH resource is available for a new transmission at operation 1020. If SL-SCH resource is available for a new transmission, UE identifies whether available SL-SCH resource overlaps with UL SCH resource in time at operation 1030. If available SL-SCH resource is not overlapping with UL-SCH resource: UE does not trigger an SR for SL CQI/RI report at operation 1040. Otherwise, UE triggers an SR for SL CQI/RI report at operation 1050.

(90) (Alternate) If SL-SCH resource is available for a new transmission within a time interval T and available SL-SCH resource is not overlapping with UL-SCH resource in time: UE does not trigger an SR for SL CQI/RI report. Otherwise, UE triggers an SR for SL CQI/RI report.

(91) Time interval T is configurable via RRC signaling and starts when SL CQI/RI report is triggered.

(92) In the methods (1 to 4) explained above, upon triggering of SL CQI/RI reporting for a unicast connection, MAC layer starts a timer. The value of timer is configured by network (e.g., gNB) via RRC signaling, i.e., RRC configures the value of timer to control the SL-CSI reporting procedure, which is maintained for each PC5-RRC connection. The timer is used for a SL-CSI reporting UE to follow the latency requirement signaled from a CSI triggering UE. The value of the timer is the same as the latency requirement of the SL-CSI reporting configured by RRC. The timer is stopped upon transmitting the SL CQI/RI reporting MAC CE. If the timer expires, MAC layer in RX UE cancels the triggered SL CQI/RI reporting and cancels the pending SR for the same. Note that if there are multiple unicast connections, RX UE maintains separate timer for each of them, i.e., the timer is maintained for each pair of the Source Layer-2 ID and the Destination Layer-2 ID corresponding to a PC5-RRC connection.

(93) In the methods (1 to 4) explained above, upon triggering of SR for SL CQI/RI reporting, if UE fails to receive SL grant and SR failure is declared (after transmitting SR configured number of times), UE may trigger RA procedure, and transmit SL buffer status report (BSR) for SL CQI/RI report during the RA procedure.

(94) In the methods (1 to 4) explained above, upon triggering of SR for SL CQI/RI reporting, if UE fails to receive SL grant and SR failure is declared (after transmitting SR configured number of times), UE may trigger RA procedure, and trigger SL BSR for SL CQI/RI report. This SL BSR for SL CQI/RI report can be transmitted during RA procedure (e.g., in message A (MSGA) of 2-step RA procedure or message 3 (Msg3) of 4-step RA procedure), and network can allocate SL grant upon receiving SL BSR for SL CQI/RI report.

(95) Issue 2: SR configuration for SL CQI/RI reporting may not be configured by gNB to RX UE. In this case, upon triggering SR for SL CQI/RI report MAC CE, as SR resource is not available, MAC entity triggers RA. However, from RA, gNB cannot identify that UE needs SL resources. Some mechanism to request SL resources for SL CQI/RI reporting is needed if SR configuration is not configured for SL CQI/RI reporting.

(96) In one embodiment of this disclosure, if SR configuration is not configured for SL CQI/RI report, SL BSR for SL CQI/RI report can be triggered.

(97) In another embodiment of this disclosure: if SR configuration is configured for SL CQI/RI report or if SL-SCH resource is available for a new transmission and SL-SCH resource can accommodate the SL CQI/RI report MAC CE plus its subheader as a result of LCP: UE does not trigger an SL BSR for SL CQI/RI report. Otherwise, UE triggers an SL BSR for SL CQI/RI report.

(98) In another embodiment of this disclosure: if SR configuration is configured for SL CQI/RI report or if SL-SCH resource is available for a new transmission and SL-SCH resource can accommodate the SL CQI/RI report MAC CE plus its subheader as a result of LCP and SL transmission in this available SL-SCH resource is not dropped due to prioritization between SL and UL (where prioritization between SL and UL prioritization is defined in TS 38.321 for NR SL communication): UE does not trigger an SL BSR for SL CQI/RI report. Otherwise, UE triggers an SL BSR for SL CQI/RI report.

(99) In another embodiment of this disclosure: if SR configuration is configured for SL CQI/RI report or if SL-SCH resource is available for a new transmission and SL-SCH resource can accommodate the SL CQI/RI report MAC CE plus its subheader as a result of LCP and SL transmission in this available SL-SCH resource is not overlapping with UL SCH resources in time: UE does not trigger an SL BSR for SL CQI/RI report. Otherwise, UE triggers an SL BSR for SL CQI/RI report.

(100) In another embodiment of this disclosure: if SR configuration is configured for SL CQI/RI report or if SL-SCH resource is available for a new transmission and SL transmission in this available SL-SCH resource is not overlapping with UL SCH resources in time: UE does not trigger an SL BSR for SL CQI/RI report. Otherwise, UE triggers an SL BSR for SL CQI/RI report.

(101) SL BSR MAC CE for requesting resources for SL LCHs is used to indicate buffer size in SL groups of LCHs (LCGs) of one or more destinations. In order to enable gNB to identify that the SL BSR MAC CE is for requesting resources for SL CQI/RI report, some enhancements are needed.

(102) Option 1: LCH identifier (LCID) in MAC subheader for SL BSR for SL CQI/RI report is different from LCID in MAC subheader for normal SL BSR. So, based on LCID, gNB can identify whether SL BSR is for SL CQI/RI report or not.

(103) FIG. 11 illustrates an MAC CE format of SL BSR according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

(104) MAC CE format of SL BSR for SL CQI/RI report is same as SL BSR MAC CE. It includes destination index, LCG ID and buffer size. Destination index in SL BSR for SL CQI/RI report is set to index of destination for which SL CQI/RI report is intended. LCG field in SL BSR for SL CQI/RI report is ignored by gNB. UE can set it to zero or pre-defined value. Buffer size in SL BSR for SL CQI/RI report is ignored by gNB as size of SL CQI/RI report is fixed. Buffer size field can be removed in an alternate embodiment.

(105) Option 2: LCID in MAC subheader for normal SL BSR and LCID in MAC subheader for SL BSR for SL CQI/RI report are same. BSR MAC CE format for SL CQI/RI report is same as SL BSR MAC CE. It includes destination index, LCG ID and buffer size. Destination index in SL BSR for SL CQI/RI report is set to index of destination for which SL CQI/RI report is intended. LCG field in SL BSR for SL CQI/RI report is set to a pre-defined LCG ID. Buffer size in SL BSR for SL CQI/RI report is ignored by gNB as size of SL CQI/RI report is fixed. Buffer size field can be removed in an alternate embodiment.

(106) In an alternate embodiment of option 1/2, destination index field in SL BSR for SL CQI/RI report can be ignored by gNB. UE can set it to zeros or pre-defined value. In an alternate embodiment, destination index field may not be included in SL BSR for SL CQI/RI report. In an alternate embodiment, destination index field and buffer size may not be included in SL BSR for SL CQI/RI report.

(107) Issue 3: According to current procedure, for SL transmission in SL grant, UE select destination as follows: Among the LCH having data available for transmission, UE selects the destination corresponding to the LCH with highest priority.

(108) Alternately, UE selects the destination L2 ID with highest priority LCH having Bj>0 among the LCHs having data available for transmission. If there are no LCHs with Bj>0, the UE selects the destination L2 ID having the LCH with highest priority among the LCHs having data available for transmission. Parameter Bj is maintained for every SL LCH as specified in TS 38.321.

(109) The issue in the above procedure is that SL MAC CE is not considered for destination selection. In the existing procedure, only SL SCH service data unit (SDU) is included in MAC protocol data unit (PDU). It is possible that SL MAC CE may have higher priority than highest priority LCH having Bj>0 among the LCHs having data available for transmission, or if there are no LCHs with Bj>0, SL MAC CE may have higher priority than highest priority LCH having data available for transmission, or there may not be any LCH having data available for transmission. In all cases listed above, destination is incorrectly selected and transmission of SL MAC CE may be delayed.

(110) Proposed LCP Procedure Considering SL MAC CE:

(111) Method 1:

(112) 1. Destination Selection

(113) UE identifies whether SL MAC CE is available for transmission.

(114) If SL MAC CE is available for transmission: UE identifies whether there are SL LCH(s) with Bj>0 among the SL LCHs having data available for transmission or there are no SL LCHs having data available for transmission.

(115) If there are SL LCH(s) with Bj>0 among the SL LCHs having data available for transmission: UE identifies whether SL MAC CE has higher priority than the highest priority SL LCH having Bj>0 among the SL LCHs having data available for transmission. If SL MAC CE has higher priority than the highest priority SL LCH having Bj>0 among the SL LCHs having data available for transmission, UE selects destination (or destination L2 ID) of SL MAC CE. Otherwise, UE selects the destination (or destination L2 ID) with highest priority SL LCH having Bj>0.

(116) If there are no SL LCHs with Bj>0 among the SL LCHs having data available for transmission: UE identifies whether SL MAC CE has higher priority than the highest priority SL LCH among the SL LCHs having data available for transmission. If SL MAC CE has higher priority than the highest priority SL LCH among the SL LCHs having data available for transmission, UE selects destination (or destination L2 ID) of SL MAC CE. Otherwise, UE selects the destination (or destination L2 ID) with highest priority LCH.

(117) If there are no SL LCHs having data available for transmission, UE selects destination (or destination L2 ID) of SL MAC CE.

(118) Else (i.e., if SL MAC CE is not available for transmission): UE identifies whether there are SL LCH(s) with Bj>0 among the SL LCHs having data available for transmission.

(119) If there are SL LCH(s) with Bj>0 among the SL LCHs having data available for transmission: UE selects the destination (or destination L2 ID) with highest priority SL LCH having Bj>0 among the SL LCHs having data available for transmission.

(120) If there are no SL LCHs with Bj>0 among the SL LCHs having data available for transmission: UE selects the destination (or destination L2 ID) having the SL LCH with highest priority among the SL LCHs having data available for transmission.

(121) 2. UE allocates resources to SL MAC CE of selected destination and ‘SL LCHs with Bj>0 among the SL LCHs of selected destination having data available for transmission’ in decreasing priority, where SL LCHs are allocated resources up to Bj.

(122) 3. If any resources remain, all SL MAC CE available for transmission for the selected destination and all the LCHs of selected destination, having data available for transmission are served in a strict decreasing priority order (regardless of the value of Bj) until either the data for that LCH or the SL grant is exhausted, whichever comes first. LCHs configured with equal priority should be served equally (or up to UE implementation).

(123) Method 2:

(124) 1. Destination Selection

(125) UE identifies whether SL MAC CE is available for transmission.

(126) If SL MAC CE is available for transmission: UE identifies whether there are SL LCH(s) with Bj>0 among the SL LCHs having data available for transmission or there are no SL LCHs having data available for transmission.

(127) If there are SL LCH(s) with Bj>0 among the SL LCHs having data available for transmission: UE identifies whether the highest priority SL MAC CE available for transmission has higher priority than the highest priority SL LCH having Bj>0 among the SL LCHs having data available for transmission. If the highest priority SL MAC CE available for transmission has higher priority than the highest priority SL LCH having Bj>0 among the SL LCHs having data available for transmission, UE selects destination (or destination L2 ID) of highest priority SL MAC CE available for transmission. If highest priority SL MAC CE is available for transmission for multiple destinations, selection of destination is up to UE implementation, or UE selects the destination corresponding to SL MAC CE which was triggered earlier. Otherwise, UE selects the destination (or destination L2 ID) of highest priority SL LCH having Bj>0.

(128) If there are no SL LCHs with Bj>0 among the SL LCHs having data available for transmission: UE identifies whether the highest priority SL MAC CE available for transmission has higher priority than the highest priority SL LCH among the SL LCHs having data available for transmission. If the highest priority SL MAC CE available for transmission has higher priority than the highest priority SL LCH among the SL LCHs having data available for transmission, UE selects destination (or destination L2 ID) of highest priority SL MAC CE available for transmission. If highest priority SL MAC CE is available for transmission for multiple destinations, selection of destination is up to UE implementation, or UE selects the destination corresponding to SL MAC CE which was triggered earlier. Otherwise, UE selects the destination (or destination L2 ID) with highest priority LCH.

(129) If there are no SL LCHs having data available for transmission, UE selects destination (or destination L2 ID) of SL MAC CE.

(130) Else (i.e., if SL MAC CE is not available for transmission): UE identifies whether there are SL LCH(s) with Bj>0 among the SL LCHs having data available for transmission.

(131) If there are SL LCH(s) with Bj>0 among the SL LCHs having data available for transmission: UE selects the destination (or destination L2 ID) with highest priority SL LCH having Bj>0 among the SL LCHs having data available for transmission.

(132) If there are no SL LCHs with Bj>0 among the SL LCHs having data available for transmission: UE selects the destination (or destination L2 ID) having the SL LCH with highest priority among the SL LCHs having data available for transmission.

(133) 2. UE allocates resources to SL MAC CE(s) of selected destination and ‘SL LCHs with Bj>0 among the SL LCHs of selected destination having data available for transmission’ in decreasing priority, where SL LCHs are allocated resources up to Bj.

(134) 3. If any resources remain, all SL MAC CE available for transmission for the selected destination and all the LCHs of selected destination, having data available for transmission are served in a strict decreasing priority order (regardless of the value of Bj) until either the data for that LCH or the SL grant is exhausted, whichever comes first. LCHs configured with equal priority should be served equally (or up to UE implementation).

(135) Method 3:

(136) 1. Destination Selection

(137) UE identifies whether SL MAC CE is available for transmission.

(138) If SL MAC CE is available for transmission: UE selects destination (or destination L2 ID) of highest priority SL MAC CE available for transmission.

(139) Else, UE identifies there are SL LCH(s) with Bj>0 among the SL LCHs having data available for transmission. If there are SL LCH(s) with Bj>0 among the SL LCHs having data available for transmission: UE selects the destination (or destination L2 ID) with highest priority SL LCH having Bj>0 among the SL LCHs having data available for transmission. If there are no SL LCHs with Bj>0 among the SL LCHs having data available for transmission: UE selects the destination (or destination L2 ID) having the SL LCH with highest priority among the SL LCHs having data available for transmission.

(140) 2. UE allocates resources to SL MAC CE of selected destination in decreasing priority order.

(141) 3. If any resources remain, SL LCHs with Bj>0 among the SL LCHs of selected destination having data available for transmission are served in decreasing priority up to Bj.

(142) 4. If any resources remain, all the LCHs of selected destination, having data available for transmission are served in a strict decreasing priority order (regardless of the value of Bj) until either the data for that LCH or the SL grant is exhausted, whichever comes first. LCHs configured with equal priority should be served equally (or up to UE implementation).

(143) Method 4:

(144) 1. Destination Selection

(145) UE identifies whether SL MAC CE is available for transmission.

(146) If SL MAC CE is available for transmission: UE selects destination (or destination L2 ID) of highest priority SL MAC CE available for transmission. Else, UE identifies whether there are SL LCH(s) with Bj>0 among the SL LCHs having data available for transmission. If there are SL LCH(s) with Bj>0 among the SL LCHs having data available for transmission: UE selects the destination (or destination L2 ID) with highest priority SL LCH having Bj>0 among the SL LCHs having data available for transmission.

(147) If there are no SL LCHs with Bj>0 among the SL LCHs having data available for transmission: UE selects the destination (or destination L2 ID) having the SL LCH with highest priority among the SL LCHs having data available for transmission.

(148) 2. UE allocates resources to SL MAC CE of selected destination and ‘SL LCHs with Bj>0 among the SL LCHs of selected destination having data available for transmission’ in decreasing priority, where SL LCHs are allocated resources up to Bj.

(149) 3. If any resources remain, all SL MAC CE available for transmission for the selected destination and all the LCHs of selected destination, having data available for transmission are served in a strict decreasing priority order (regardless of the value of Bj) until either the data for that LCH or the SL grant is exhausted, whichever comes first. LCHs configured with equal priority should be served equally (or up to UE implementation).

(150) In the methods explained above, SL MAC CE used for destination selection can be any SL MAC CE. In an embodiment, in the methods explained above, SL MAC CE(s) used for destination selection can be pre-defined. In the methods explained above, SL MAC CE(s) used for destination selection can be SL MAC CE for CQI/RI reporting.

(151) 4. UE allocates resources to SL MAC CE of selected destination and ‘SL LCHs with Bj>0 among the SL LCHs of selected destination having data available for transmission’ in decreasing priority, where SL LCHs are allocated resources up to Bj.

(152) 5. If any resources remain, all SL MAC CE available for transmission for the selected destination and all the LCHs of selected destination, having data available for transmission are served in a strict decreasing priority order (regardless of the value of Bj) until either the data for that LCH or the SL grant is exhausted, whichever comes first. LCHs configured with equal priority should be served equally (or up to UE implementation).

(153) FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a terminal according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

(154) Referring to FIG. 12, a terminal includes a transceiver 1210, a controller 1220 and a memory 1230. The controller 1220 may refer to a circuitry, an ASIC, an FPGA, or at least one processor. The transceiver 1210, the controller 1220 and the memory 1230 are configured to perform the operations of the UE illustrated in the figures, e.g., FIGS. 1 to 10, or as otherwise described above. Although the transceiver 1210, the controller 1220 and the memory 1230 are shown as separate entities, they may be integrated onto a single chip. The transceiver 1210, the controller 1220 and the memory 1230 may also be electrically connected to or coupled with each other.

(155) The transceiver 1210 may transmit and receive signals to and from other network entities, e.g., a base station.

(156) The controller 1220 may control the UE to perform functions according to the embodiments described above. For example, the controller 1220 identifies that the SL-CSI reporting has been triggered. If a timer for SL-CSI reporting for the triggered SL-CSI reporting is not running, the controller 1220 starts the timer. if the timer for the triggered SL-CSI reporting expires, the controller 1220 cancels the triggered SL-CSI reporting. If the MAC entity has SL resources allocated for new transmission and the SL resources can accommodate the SL-CSI reporting MAC CE and its subheader as a result of logical channel prioritization, the controller 1220 stops the timer for the triggered SL-CSI reporting and cancels the triggered SL-CSI reporting. Else if the MAC entity has been configured with the SL resource allocation mode 1, the controller 1220 triggers an SR. In another embodiment, the contoller 1220 selects a destination, having at least one of the MAC CE and the LCH with the highest priority among the LCHs and MAC CE(s).

(157) In an embodiment, the operations of the terminal may be implemented using the memory 1230 storing corresponding program codes. Specifically, the terminal may be equipped with the memory 1230 to store program codes implementing desired operations. To perform the desired operations, the controller 1220 may read and execute the program codes stored in the memory 1230 by using a processor or a central processing unit (CPU).

(158) FIG. 13 is a block diagram of a base station according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

(159) Referring to FIG. 13, a base station includes a transceiver 1310, a controller 1320 and a memory 1330. The controller 1320 may refer to a circuitry, an ASIC, an FPGA, or at least one processor. The transceiver 1310, the controller 1320 and the memory 1330 are configured to perform the operations of the gNB (or network) illustrated in the figures, or as otherwise described above. Although the transceiver 1310, the controller 1320 and the memory 1330 are shown as separate entities, they may be integrated onto a single chip. The transceiver 1310, the controller 1320 and the memory 1330 may also be electrically connected to or coupled with each other.

(160) The transceiver 1310 may transmit and receive signals to and from other network entities, e.g., a terminal.

(161) The controller 1320 may control the gNB to perform functions according to the embodiments of the disclosure. In an embodiment, the operations of the base station may be implemented using the memory 1330 storing corresponding program codes. Specifically, the base station may be equipped with the memory 1330 to store program codes implementing desired operations. To perform the desired operations, the controller 1320 may read and execute the program codes stored in the memory 1330 by using a processor or a CPU.

(162) While the disclosure has been shown and described with reference to various embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

(163) Although the present disclosure has been described with various embodiments, various changes and modifications may be suggested to one skilled in the art. It is intended that the present disclosure encompass such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims.