CN114391288B

CN114391288B - Mechanism for prioritizing transmissions

Info

Publication number: CN114391288B
Application number: CN202080014989.5A
Authority: CN
Inventors: P-H·阔; 陶涛; 吴春丽
Original assignee: Nokia Shanghai Bell Co Ltd; Nokia Solutions and Networks Oy
Current assignee: Nokia Shanghai Bell Co Ltd; Nokia Solutions and Networks Oy
Priority date: 2020-08-19
Filing date: 2020-08-19
Publication date: 2025-04-25
Anticipated expiration: 2040-08-19
Also published as: CN114391288A; WO2022036590A1

Abstract

Example embodiments of the present disclosure relate to the priority of transmission. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a first device receives multiple transmission opportunities for transmission. If the resources of multiple transmission opportunities conflict, the first device determines the probability of accessing multiple authorized channels. The first device selects the transmission opportunity by considering the probability of accessing the channel. In this way, efficiency is improved by allowing the first device to prioritize transmission opportunities with a higher probability of LBT success. In addition, this reduces the probability that the first device selects a transmission opportunity that ultimately cannot be transmitted due to LBT failure, which reduces the benefits of prioritization within the UE.

Description

Mechanism for transmission prioritization

Technical Field

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to the field of telecommunications and, more particularly, relate to a method, apparatus, device, and computer-readable storage medium for transmission prioritization.

Background

With the development of technology, the need for improving communication capability has increased rapidly. For example, fifth generation (5G) communications have proposed enhanced capacity. In 5G communication systems, there are various scenarios, such as enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), ultra-reliable low-delay communication (URLLC), and large-scale machine type communication (mMTC). Furthermore, the terminal device and the network device may need to operate on unlicensed frequency bands. The terminal device may receive a plurality of transmission opportunities that overlap in time over the unlicensed frequency band. Therefore, how to select an appropriate transmission opportunity is a very important aspect.

Disclosure of Invention

In general, example embodiments of the present disclosure provide a transmission prioritization solution.

In a first aspect, a first device is provided. The first device includes at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the first device to receive a first configuration indicating a first set of resources for a first transmission to a second device. The first device is further caused to receive a second configuration from the second device, the second configuration indicating a second set of resources for a second transmission to the second device. The first device is further caused to determine a first probability of channel access for the first transmission or a first necessity of Listen Before Talk (LBT) and a second probability of channel access for the second transmission or a second necessity of LBT if it is determined that the first set of resources at least partially overlap the second set of resources. The first device is further caused to determine whether to perform the first transmission or the second transmission based on the first probability or the first necessity and the second probability or the second necessity. The first device is also caused to perform a first transmission or a second transmission based on the determination.

In a second aspect, a second device is provided. The second device includes at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the second device to send a first configuration to the first device, the first configuration indicating a first set of resources for a first transmission to the second device. The second device is further caused to send a second configuration to the first device, the second configuration indicating a second set of resources for a second transmission to the second device. The second device is further caused to receive the first transmission or the second transmission based on a first probability of channel access or a first necessity of Listen Before Talk (LBT) for the first grant and a second probability of channel access or a second necessity of LBT for the second grant.

In a third aspect, a method is provided. The method includes receiving, at a first device, a first configuration indicating a first set of resources for a first transmission to a second device. The method also includes receiving, at the first device, a second configuration indicating a second set of resources for a second transmission to the second device. The method also includes determining a first probability of channel access for the first transmission or a first necessity of Listen Before Talk (LBT) and a second probability of channel access for the second transmission or a second necessity of LBT if it is determined that the first set of resources at least partially overlap the second set of resources. The method further includes determining whether to perform the first transmission or the second transmission based on the first probability or the first necessity and the second probability or the second necessity. The method further includes performing the first transmission or the second transmission based on the determination.

In a fourth aspect, a method is provided. The method includes transmitting, at the second device, to the first device, a first configuration indicating a first set of resources for a first transmission to the second device. The method also includes transmitting, to the first device, a second configuration indicating a second set of resources for a second transmission to the second device. The method further includes receiving the first transmission or the second transmission based on a first probability of channel access or a first necessity of first transmission Listen Before Talk (LBT) and a second probability of channel access or a second necessity of second transmission LBT.

In a fifth aspect, an apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes means for receiving, at a first device, a first configuration indicating a first set of resources for a first transmission to a second device, means for receiving, at the first device, a second configuration indicating a second set of resources for a second transmission to the second device, means for determining a first probability of channel access or a first necessity of Listen Before Talk (LBT) for the first transmission, and a second probability of channel access or a second necessity of LBT for the second transmission, if the first set of resources is determined to at least partially overlap the second set of resources, means for determining whether to perform the first transmission or the second transmission based on the first probability or the first necessity and the second probability or the second necessity, and means for performing the first transmission or the second transmission based on the determination.

In a sixth aspect, an apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes means for transmitting, at a second device, a first configuration indicating a first set of resources for a first transmission to the second device to the first device, means for transmitting, to the first device, a second configuration indicating a second set of resources for a second transmission to the second device, and means for receiving the first transmission or the second transmission based on a first probability of a first transmission channel access or a first necessity of Listen Before Talk (LBT) and a second probability of a channel access or a second necessity of LBT.

In a seventh aspect, a computer readable medium is provided. The computer readable medium comprising program instructions for causing an apparatus to perform at least the method according to any one of the third and fourth aspects above.

It should be understood that the summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the embodiments of the disclosure, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the disclosure. Other features of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following description.

Drawings

FIG. 1 illustrates an example communication environment in which example embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented;

Fig. 2 illustrates a signaling flow for applying uplink channel information to determine a data processing model deployed for downlink usage, according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 illustrates a flowchart of a method implemented at a first device according to some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure;

Fig. 4 illustrates a flowchart of a method implemented at a second device according to some other example embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 shows a simplified block diagram of an apparatus suitable for practicing the example embodiments of the present disclosure, an

Fig. 6 illustrates a block diagram of an example computer-readable medium, according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure.

The same or similar reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like elements.

Detailed Description

Principles of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to some example embodiments. It should be understood that these embodiments are described merely to illustrate and assist those skilled in the art in understanding and practicing the present disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure in any way. The embodiments described herein may be implemented in various ways other than those described below.

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

References in the present disclosure to "one embodiment," "an example embodiment," etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to effect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described.

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

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

As used in this disclosure, the term "circuitry" may refer to one or more or all of the following:

(a) Pure hardware circuit implementations (such as real only in analog and/or digital circuitry

Now) and

(B) A combination of hardware circuitry and software, such as (as applicable):

(i) Combination of analog and/or digital hardware circuitry and software/firmware, and

(Ii) Any portion of the hardware processor (including digital signal processor), software and memory having software that works in conjunction to cause, for example, a mobile phone

Or a server or the like performs various functions, and

(C) Hardware circuitry and/or a processor, such as a microprocessor or a portion of a microprocessor, that requires software (e.g., firmware) to run (but may not exist when operation is not required).

This definition of "circuitry" applies to all uses of this term in this disclosure, including in any claims. As another example, as used in this disclosure, the term "circuitry" also encompasses an implementation of a pure hardware circuit or processor (or processors) or a hardware circuit or processor and portions of its (or their) accompanying software and/or firmware. The term "circuitry" also encompasses, for example and if applicable to the particular claim element, a baseband integrated circuit or processor integrated circuit for a mobile device, or a similar integrated circuit in a server, cellular network device, or other computing or network device.

As used herein, the term "communication network" refers to a network that conforms to any suitable communication standard, such as New Radio (NR), long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-advanced (LTE-a), wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), high Speed Packet Access (HSPA), narrowband internet of things (NB-IoT), and the like. Furthermore, communication between a terminal device and a network device in a communication network may be performed according to any suitable generation communication protocol, including, but not limited to, first generation (1G), second generation (2G), 2.5G, 2.75G, third generation (3G), fourth generation (4G), 4.5G, future fifth generation (5G) communication protocols, and/or any other protocol now known or later developed. Embodiments of the present disclosure may be applied to various communication systems. In view of the rapid development of communications, there will of course also be future types of communication technologies and systems that may embody the present disclosure. The scope of the present disclosure should not be limited to only the above-described systems.

As used herein, the term "network device" refers to a node in a communication network via which a terminal device accesses the network and receives services therefrom. The network devices may refer to Base Stations (BS) or Access Points (APs), e.g., node BS (NodeB or NB), evolved NodeB (eNodeB or eNB), NR NB (also known as gNB), remote Radio Unit (RRU), radio Header (RH), remote Radio Head (RRH), relay, integrated and Access Backhaul (IAB) nodes, low power nodes (such as femto, pico), non-terrestrial network (NTN) or non-terrestrial network devices (such as satellite network devices, low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites, and Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (GEO) satellites), aircraft network devices, etc., depending on the terminology and technology applied.

The term "terminal device" refers to any terminal device that may be capable of wireless communication. By way of example, and not limitation, a terminal device may also be referred to as a communication device, user Equipment (UE), subscriber Station (SS), portable subscriber station, mobile Station (MS), or Access Terminal (AT). The terminal devices may include, but are not limited to, mobile phones, cellular phones, smart phones, voice over IP (VoIP) phones, wireless local loop phones, tablets, wearable terminal devices, personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), portable computers, desktop computers, image capture terminal devices such as digital cameras, gaming terminal devices, music storage and playback devices, in-vehicle wireless terminal devices, wireless terminals, mobile stations, laptop embedded devices (LEEs), laptop mounted devices (LMEs), USB dongles, smart devices, wireless Consumer Premise Equipment (CPE), internet of things (loT) devices, watches or other wearable devices, head Mounted Displays (HMDs), vehicles, drones, medical devices and applications (e.g., tele-surgery), industrial devices and applications (e.g., robots and/or other wireless devices operating in an industrial and/or automated processing chain environment), consumer electronic devices, devices operating on a commercial and/or industrial wireless network, and the like. In the following description, the terms "terminal device", "communication device", "terminal", "user equipment" and "UE" may be used interchangeably.

As described above, one UE may receive multiple time-overlapping transmission opportunities over an unlicensed frequency band. Therefore, how to select an appropriate transmission opportunity is a very important aspect. Most version 16 features introduced for industrial internet of things (IIoT)/URLLC use cases were developed under the assumption that licensed bands are running, and the feasibility of these features in unlicensed bands should be considered because their effectiveness should be reevaluated due to potential Listen Before Talk (LBT) failures in the unlicensed bands.

Prioritization inside a user equipment has been widely discussed in release 16, which deals with the case where the user equipment has two or more transmission opportunities and its resources, e.g. Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH), physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH), overlap in time. Thus, the user equipment should only handle one of the collision transmission opportunities, e.g. construct a MAC Protocol Data Unit (PDU) and instruct the Physical (PHY) layer to transmit it. According to the protocol reached in release 16, the MAC layer should consider the following when selecting a transmission opportunity.

For example, for collisions between multiple uplink grants, a decision should be made based on which of the colliding grants will carry data with higher Logical Channel (LCH) priority. Only grants in which Transport Blocks (TBs) can be transmitted by the PHY should be considered. For example, if there is already an ongoing transmission at the PHY, the MAC PDU may not be processed by the PHY due to feasibility problems, even though the MAC PDU carries higher priority data. In this case, the MAC should avoid generating grants corresponding to the MAC PDU, although its priority is higher.

In a new radio unlicensed (NR-U) communication system, almost all transmissions are limited by the LBT mechanism, meaning that a transmission can only take place if and only if the radio channel is detected as clear. Thus, the sender may have to deal with a large amount of uncertainty as to whether or not to send a TB on the planned PUSCH. In this regard, since the transmission opportunity of the MAC based on LCH priority selection may eventually stop at the PHY due to LBT failure, accidents of the UE internal priority may eventually result. It is also worth noting that since LCH restrictions are semi-statically configured and LBT failures are dynamically configured, it is not possible to always send the highest priority data to data without LBT failures. Thus, there is no guarantee that higher priority data (e.g., URLLC) can be sent faster while wasting resources for the de-prioritized (unselected) transmission opportunity.

In order to solve at least part of the above problems, a solution is proposed that assists the terminal device in the selection of appropriate transmission opportunities in the unlicensed frequency band. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a first device receives a plurality of transmission opportunities from a second device. If the resources of the plurality of transmissions collide, the first device determines a probability of accessing the channel of the plurality of transmission opportunities. The first device selects a transmission opportunity by considering the probability of accessing the channel. In this way, the first device may consider prioritizing transmission opportunities with a higher probability of LBT success than just data priority, thereby improving efficiency. In addition, it reduces the probability that the first device selects a transmission opportunity that eventually cannot be transmitted due to LBT failure, which results in a reduction in the benefit of intra-UE prioritization. The transmission opportunity may refer to a resource allocation for data transmission (e.g., dynamic grant or configured grant) or control signal transmission (e.g., PUCCH).

Fig. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of a communication environment 100 in which embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented. The communication environment 100 as part of a communication network also includes devices 110-1, 110-2, and devices 110-N (which may be collectively referred to as "first devices 110"). The communication environment 100 includes a second device 120. The first device 110 and the second device 120 may communicate with each other.

Communication environment 100 may include any suitable number of devices and cells. In the communication environment 100, the first device 110 and the second device 120 may communicate data and control information with each other. In the case where the first device 110 is a terminal device and the second device 120 is a network device, the link from the second device 120 to the first device 110 is referred to as a Downlink (DL), and the link from the first device 110 to the second device 120 is referred to as an Uplink (UL). The second device 120 and the first device 110 are interchangeable.

It should be understood that the number of first devices and units and their connections shown in fig. 1 are given for illustrative purposes and are not meant to be limiting in any way. Communication environment 100 may include any suitable number of devices and networks suitable for implementing embodiments of the present disclosure.

Communication in communication environment 100 may be implemented in accordance with any suitable communication protocol including, but not limited to, first generation (1G), second generation (2G), third generation (3G), fourth generation (4G), fifth generation (5G), etc., cellular communication protocols, wireless local area network communication protocols such as Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11, etc., and/or any other protocol currently known or to be developed in the future. In addition, the communication may use any suitable wireless communication technology including, but not limited to, code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), frequency Division Duplex (FDD), time Division Duplex (TDD), multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO), orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM), discrete Fourier transform spread OFDM (DFT-s-OFDM), and/or any other technology currently known or to be developed in the future.

Referring now to fig. 2, a signaling flow 200 for training a downlink data processing model with uplink channel information is shown in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. For discussion purposes, signaling flow 200 will be described with reference to fig. 1. The signaling flow 200 may involve a first device 110-1 and a second device.

The second device 120 sends 2005 the first configuration to the first device 110-1. The first configuration indicates at least a first set of resources for a first transmission to the second device 120. The second device 120 sends 2010 the second configuration to the first device 110-1. The second configuration indicates at least a second set of resources for a second transmission to the second device 120. It should be noted that the second device 120 may send any suitable number of configurations to the first device 110-1. For purposes of illustration only, embodiments of the present disclosure are described with reference to two configurations. In other embodiments, the first configuration and the second configuration may be transmitted by other devices than the second device 120. For example, other devices (e.g., network devices) may send the first and/or second configurations to the first device 110-1. The first device 110-1 may perform a first transmission and/or a second transmission to the second device 120. If the first device 110-1 and the second device 120 are terminal devices, the first transmission and the second transmission may refer to device-to-device (D2D) transmissions. That is, the first transmission and the second configuration may include resource allocation for D2D communication. For purposes of illustration only, embodiments are described with reference to a case where the first configuration and the second configuration are sent by the second device and the first transmission and the second transmission are to the second device.

In some embodiments, the configuration may be resource allocation information from the second device 120 to the first device 110-1, such as dynamic authorization or authorization of the configuration. For example, the grant may be Downlink Control Information (DCI) format 0. For illustration purposes, the first configuration may include a first authorization and the second configuration may include a second authorization. The grant may include a resource allocation, which may indicate a set of resources for the corresponding transmission. Additionally, grants may include other transmission related information and parameters, such as one or more of Modulation and Coding (MCS), cyclic shifts, new data indicators, transmission power control, channel quality indicator requests, and the like.

In some embodiments, the second device 120 may send 2012 an indication of the LBT type for the first transmission. In some embodiments, the indication may include an LBT type of the first transmission. Or the indication may include the LBT type of the second transmission. In other embodiments, the indication may include an LBT type of the first transmission and an LBT type of the second transmission. For example, the type of LBT may be one of channel access type 2A, channel access type 2B, or channel access type 2C. The type of LBT may comprise any suitable type. The indication may be included in the configuration.

Alternatively or in addition, the second device 120 may also transmit 2015 Channel Occupancy Time (COT) information. The channel occupation time may refer to a continuous transmission time after channel detection.

In other embodiments, the second device 120 may send 2020 an indication to the first device 110-1 indicating at least the authorization priority. For example, the indication may include a first priority of the first grant and a second priority of the second grant. The indication may also indicate which priority is higher.

The first device 110-1 may compare the first set of resources to the second set of resources to determine whether the first set of resources and the second set of resources overlap each other. In some embodiments, the first set of resources may completely overlap with the second set of resources. Or the first set of resources may partially overlap with the second set of resources. For example, the first set of resources and the second set of resources may overlap partially in the time domain and completely in the frequency domain. In other embodiments, the first set of resources and the second set of resources may partially overlap in the frequency domain and fully overlap in the time domain. In other embodiments, the first set of resources and the second set of resources may overlap in part in the frequency domain and the time domain. In yet another embodiment, the first set of resources and the second set of resources may not overlap in the frequency domain, but at least partially overlap in the time domain.

If the first set of resources at least partially overlaps the second set of resources, the first device 110-1 determines 2025 a first probability of first granted channel access and determines 2030 a second probability of second granted channel access. For example, the first device 110-1 may determine whether the first probability is higher or lower than the second probability. If the first probability is higher than the second probability, it means that the first grant has a high channel access probability. If the first probability is lower than the second probability, it means that the first grant has a low channel probability. Alternatively or additionally, for either or both of the first and second grants, the first device may determine whether an LBT procedure is required to access the channel, rather than comparing the first and second probabilities. For example, the first device 110-1 may determine a first necessity of LBT for a first transmission/grant and a second necessity of LBT for a second transmission/grant. If the LBT procedure of the first transmission is unnecessary based on the first necessity and the LBT procedure of the second transmission is necessary based on the second necessity, the first probability is higher than the second probability, which means that the first transmission will be performed. For example, if the first transmission does not require an LBT procedure, the probability of the first transmission is 100% because the first transmission can positively use the channel.

In some embodiments, the first device 110-1 may determine that the first probability belongs to a high channel access probability if the LBT type that initiates the display of the first transmission is used for one of channel access type 2A, channel access type 2B, or channel access type 2C. In other words, if the LBT type of the first transmission is used for one of the channel access type 2A, the channel access type 2B or the channel access type 2C, the first transmission is prioritized. Similarly, if the LBT type of the second transmission is for one of channel access type 2A, channel access type 2B, or channel access type 2C, the first device 110-1 may determine that the second probability belongs to a high channel access probability. In some embodiments, the first probability is higher than the second probability if the channel access type of the first transmission is channel access type 2C and the channel access type of the second transmission is any one of channel access type 2B, channel access type 2A, or channel access type 1. If the channel access type of the first transmission is channel access type 1 and the channel access type of the second transmission is any one of channel access type 2C, channel access type 2B or channel access type 2A, the first probability is lower than the second probability. If the channel access type of the first transmission is channel access type 2B and the channel access type of the second transmission is channel access type 2A, the first probability is higher than the second probability.

Alternatively or additionally, if the first transmission may be performed within the COT of the second device 120, the first device 110-1 may determine that the first probability belongs to a high channel access probability. Similarly, if the second transmission can be performed within the COT of the second device 120, the first device 110-1 can determine that the second probability belongs to a high channel access probability. In some embodiments, the first probability is higher than the second probability if the first transmission can be performed within the COT and the second transmission cannot be performed within the COT. In this case, the first transmission takes precedence over the second transmission.

In other embodiments, the first device 110-1 may determine that the first probability belongs to a high channel access probability if the first transmission is continuous, wherein the channel access has been at least a portion of a successful continuous transmission. For example, a separate LBT is not required for continuous transmissions after the first device 110-1 accesses the channel. Similarly, if the second transmission is at least a portion of a continuous transmission in which the channel access has been successful, the first device 110-1 may determine that the second probability belongs to a high channel access probability. Thus, the first device 110-1 may determine the first probability and/or the second probability based on whether the first transmission or the second transmission is part of a continuous transmission for which channel access has been successful. In some embodiments, the first device 110-1 may determine that the first probability is higher than the second probability if the first transmission is at least a portion of a continuous transmission that the channel access has been successful and the second transmission is a discontinuous transmission that the channel access has been successful.

In some embodiments, transmissions within the COT of the second device 120 have a higher channel access probability than frequent UE-initiated decision feedback (FFB) in the case of frame-based device (FBE) operation, especially in the case of detected COT. In other words, the first device 110-1 may be in the channel access process of semi-static channel occupancy. For example, when the first device 110-1 is in FBE operation, the first device 110-1 may determine whether the first transmission may be performed within the COT of the second device 120. If the first transmission can be performed within the COT, the first device 110-1 may determine that the first probability belongs to a high channel access probability. In some embodiments, if the first device 110-1 is in the channel access process of semi-static channel occupancy, the first device 110-1 may determine whether the first transmission and the second transmission can be performed within the channel occupancy time of the second device 120. The first probability is higher than the second probability if the first transmission can be performed within the channel occupancy time and the second transmission is to be performed outside the channel occupancy time.

The first device 110-1 determines 2033 whether to perform the first transmission or the second transmission based at least on the first probability or the first necessity and the second probability or the second necessity. For example, if the first probability is higher than the second probability, the first transmission may be performed. Or if the first transmission requires LBT and the second transmission does not require LBT, the second transmission may be performed.

The first device 110-1 performs 2035 the first transmission or the second transmission based on the first probability and the second probability. For example, if neither the first probability nor the second probability is a high channel access probability, the first device 110-1 may prioritize intra-UE based on conventional rules (e.g., based on LCH priorities).

In some embodiments, for two or more conflicting grants involving a high channel access probability and a low channel access probability, the MAC layer at the first device 110-1 may first remove all conflicting grants with a low channel access probability. The MAC layer may then perform intra-UE prioritization based on LCH priorities (and/or other mechanisms, e.g., L1 priorities) in the remaining collision grants with high channel access probability. For example, if there are three conflicting grants, where the first conflicting grant and the second conflicting grant each have a high channel access probability and the third conflicting grant has a low channel access probability, the MAC layer may forego the third conflicting grant first. The MAC layer then further compares the highest priority of the data that each of the first and second conflicting grants can and/or will carry to determine whether the first or second transmission should be performed.

Or the MAC layer may select a high priority LCH for grants with high channel access probability and a low priority LCH for UL grants with low channel access probability. For example, if the first probability is a high channel access probability and the second probability is a low channel access probability, the first device 110-1 may map data from the first LCH to the first transmission and map data from the second LCH to the second transmission. The first priority of the first LCH may be higher than the second priority of the second LCH.

In some embodiments, the first device 110-1 may generate MAC PDUs with a high channel access probability as grants regardless of the data it transmits. In this option, the MAC layer may generate MAC PDUs for grants with high channel access probabilities, even if the MAC PDUs are considered de-prioritized based on LCH-based priority rules. Thus, even if LBT failure occurs on prioritized grants, the PHY layer at the first device 110-1 may still transmit TBs for de-prioritized grants with lower latency. If the grant with the high channel access probability starts before another higher priority grant, the PHY layer may start transmission with the high channel access probability and then preamble transmission if LBT is successful for the higher priority grant. For example, if the first probability is a high channel access probability and the second probability is a low channel access probability, the first device 110-1 may generate a MAC PDU for the first grant and perform the first transmission without regard to the priority of the LCH corresponding to the first grant.

Alternatively or in addition, if the first probability is a high channel access probability and the second probability is also a high channel access probability, the first device 110-1 may compare the first data priority corresponding to the first transmission with the second data priority corresponding to the second transmission. The first device 110-1 may perform the first transmission if the first data priority is higher than the second data priority.

In some embodiments, the LCH mapping limit may be changed if at least one collision grant has a higher channel access probability than at least one other collision grant. For cases where LCH mapping restrictions are configured for some LCHs (i.e., data from these LCHs is only allowed to map to some grants), the MAC layer may temporarily modify some configured LCH mapping restrictions when a collision occurs between grants involving a higher channel access probability than other collision grants. Thus, high priority LCHs may be mapped to these grants with higher channel access probabilities, which is prohibited according to the original LCH mapping limit configuration. In this sense, grants with high channel access probability may be selected according to the release 16 rule according to the data priority. In some embodiments, the first device 110-1 may modify the at least one configured logical channel mapping constraint if at least one of the first probability and the second probability is a high channel access probability (in some embodiments, a high channel access probability may be considered if the probability exceeds a threshold probability). Logical channel mapping limits may be configured for each logical channel. For example, if the first probability is a high channel access probability and the second probability is a low channel access probability, the first device 110-1 may compare the first data priority corresponding to the first transmission with the second data priority corresponding to the second transmission according to the original LCH mapping limit configuration. If the first data priority is lower than the second data priority, the first device 110-1 may at least temporarily change the LCH mapping restriction configuration and map a third LCH to the first transmission and perform the first transmission. Based on the original LCH mapping restriction, a third LCH may be restricted to a second transmission. In other words, the third LCH may be allowed to map only to the second transmission and not to the first transmission according to the original LCH mapping restriction configuration. Since the channel access probability of the first transmission is higher than the second transmission, the first device 110-1 changes the original LCH mapping restriction configuration and the first transmission may be performed to carry high priority data (from the third LCH) so as to avoid a situation where the transmission of high priority data is stopped in the second transmission with a lower channel access probability.

Or the MAC layer may select grants based on LCH priority starting with the release 16 rule. If the highest priority of the data that two or more conflicting grants can carry is the same, the MAC layer should select the data that has a high channel access probability. For example, if one LCH is allowed to subsidize multiple overlapping (or non-overlapping) grants, grants that do not require LBT should be prioritized over grants that do require LBT. For example, the first device 110-1 may first compare a first data priority corresponding to a first transmission with a second data priority corresponding to a second transmission. The first device 110-1 may compare the first probability with the second probability if the first data priority is equal to the second data priority. If the first probability is higher than the second probability, the first device 110-1 may perform the first transmission while discarding the second transmission.

In yet another embodiment, the second device 120 may assign dynamic grants with different PHY priorities so that the first device can determine what transmission should be made when two or more conflicting MAC PDUs are transferred from MAC to PHY. In this case, dynamic grants with high channel access probability may be directly regarded as grants with high PHY priority without explicitly indicating the PHY priority of the grant. Thus, the first device may determine the PHY priority of the transmission opportunity directly based on its channel access probability.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a new grant selection mechanism is proposed, wherein the intra-MAC UE prioritization should take into account the likelihood of LBT success. Thus, among the conflicting grants, the MAC should also consider which grants are more likely to be transmitted by the PHY in the unlicensed band scenario, rather than just considering data priority. In this way, it allows the first device to prioritize grants with a higher probability of LBT success, thereby improving efficiency. In addition, this reduces the probability that the first device selects grants that eventually cannot be transmitted due to LBT failure, which reduces the benefit of intra-UE prioritization due to the transmission opportunity that the first device selects that eventually cannot be transmitted due to LBT failure.

Fig. 3 illustrates a flowchart of an example method 300 implemented at the first device 110 according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure. For discussion purposes, the method 300 will be described from the perspective of the first device 110.

At block 310, the first device 110-1 receives a first configuration. The first grant indicates at least a first set of resources for a first transmission to the second device 120.

At block 320, the first device 110-1 receives the second configuration. The second grant indicates at least a second set of resources for a second transmission to the second device 120. In some embodiments, the first configuration and the second configuration may be received from the second device. In other embodiments, the first configuration and the second configuration may be received from other devices than the second device 120. For example, other devices (e.g., network devices) may send the first configuration and/or the second configuration to the first device 110-1. The first device 110-1 may perform the first transmission and/or the second transmission to the second device 120. If the first device 110-1 and the second device 120 are terminal devices, the first transmission and the second transmission may refer to device-to-device (D2D) transmissions. That is, the first configuration and the second configuration may include resource allocation for D2D communication. For purposes of illustration only, embodiments are described with reference to the case where the first configuration and the second configuration are sent by the second device and the first transmission and the second transmission are to the second device 120.

In some embodiments, the configuration may be resource allocation information from the second device 120 to the first device 110-1, such as dynamic authorization or authorization of the configuration. For example, the grant may be DCI format 0. For illustration purposes, the first configuration may include a first authorization and the second configuration may include a second authorization. The grant may include a resource allocation, which may indicate a set of resources for the corresponding transmission. Additionally, grants may include other transmission related information and parameters, such as one or more of Modulation and Coding (MCS), cyclic shifts, new data indicators, transmission power control, channel quality indicator requests, and the like.

In some embodiments, the first device 110-1 may receive an indication of the LBT type of the first transmission. In some embodiments, the indication may include an LBT type of the first transmission. Or the indication may include the LBT type of the second transmission. In other embodiments, the indication may include an LBT type of the first transmission and an LBT type of the second transmission. For example, the type of LBT may be one of channel access type 2A, channel access type 2B, or channel access type 2C. The type of LBT may comprise any suitable type. The indication may be included in the configuration.

Alternatively or additionally, the first device 110-1 may also receive information of a Channel Occupancy Time (COT). The channel occupation time may refer to a continuous transmission time after channel detection.

In other embodiments, the first device 110-1 may receive an indication indicating at least the authorization priority. For example, the indication may include a first priority of the first grant and a second priority of the second grant. The indication may also indicate which priority is higher.

In some embodiments, the first device 110-1 may compare the first set of resources to the second set of resources to determine whether the first set of resources and the second set of resources overlap each other. In some embodiments, the first set of resources may completely overlap with the second set of resources. Or the first set of resources may partially overlap with the second set of resources. For example, the first set of resources and the second set of resources may overlap partially in the time domain and completely in the frequency domain. In other embodiments, the first set of resources and the second set of resources may partially overlap in the frequency domain and fully overlap in the time domain. In a further embodiment, the first set of resources and the second set of resources may overlap in part in the frequency domain and the time domain. In yet another embodiment, the first set of resources and the second set of resources may not overlap in the frequency domain, but at least partially overlap in the time domain.

At block 330, the first device 110-1 determines a first probability of a first licensed channel access and determines a second probability of a second licensed channel access. For example, the first device 110-1 may determine whether the first probability is higher or lower than the second probability. If the first probability is higher than the second probability, it means that the first grant has a high channel access probability. If the first probability is lower than the second probability, it means that the first grant has a low channel probability. Alternatively or additionally, for either or both of the first and second grants, the first device may determine whether an LBT procedure is required to access the channel, rather than comparing the first and second probabilities. For example, the first device 110-1 may determine a first necessity of LBT for a first transmission/grant and a second necessity of LBT for a second transmission/grant. If the LBT of the first transmission is not necessary and the LBT of the second transmission is necessary, the first probability is higher than the second probability, which means that the first transmission will be performed. For example, if the first transmission does not need to perform an LBT procedure, the probability of the first transmission is 100% because the first transmission can positively use the channel.

In some embodiments, the first device 110-1 may determine that the first probability belongs to a high channel access probability if the LBT type that initiates the display of the first transmission is used for one of channel access type 2A, channel access type 2B, or channel access type 2C. In other words, if the channel access type of the first transmission is one of channel access type 2A, channel access type 2B, or channel access type 2C, the first transmission is prioritized. Similarly, if the LBT type of the second transmission is for one of channel access type 2A, channel access type 2B, or channel access type 2C, the first device 110-1 may determine that the second probability belongs to a high channel access probability. In some embodiments, the first probability is higher than the second probability if the channel access type of the first transmission is channel access type 2C and the channel access type of the second transmission is any one of channel access type 2B, channel access type 2A, or channel access type 1. If the channel access type of the first transmission is channel access type 1 and the channel access type of the second transmission is any one of channel access type 2C, channel access type 2B or channel access type 2A, the first probability is lower than the second probability. If the channel access type of the first transmission is channel access type 2B and the channel access type of the second transmission is channel access type 2A, the first probability is higher than the second probability.

In other embodiments, the first device 110-1 may determine that the first probability belongs to a high channel access probability if the first transmission is continuous, wherein the channel access has been at least a portion of a successful continuous transmission. Similarly, if the second transmission is at least a portion of a continuous transmission in which the channel access has been successful, the first device 110-1 may determine that the second probability belongs to a high channel access probability. Thus, the first device 110-1 may determine the first probability and/or the second probability based on whether the first transmission or the second transmission is part of a continuous transmission for which channel access has been successful. In some embodiments, the first device 110-1 may determine that the first probability is higher than the second probability if the first transmission is at least a portion of a continuous transmission that the channel access has been successful and the second transmission is a discontinuous transmission that the channel access has been successful.

Two Listen Before Talk (LBT) principles are presented, namely Load Based Equipment (LBE) and Frame Based Equipment (FBE). LBT may not have random backoff. The duration of time that the channel is detected as idle before the transmitting entity transmits is determined. FBE protocols can be seen as variants of Time Division Multiplexing (TDM) based protocols and add listen before talk behavior. In some embodiments, transmissions within the COT of the second device 120 have a higher channel access probability than a UE-initiated fixed frame period (FFB) in the case of FBE operation, especially in the case of detected COT. In other words, the first device 110-1 may be in the channel access process of semi-static channel occupancy. For example, when the first device 110-1 is in FBE operation, the first device 110-1 may determine whether the first transmission may be performed within the COT of the second device 120. If the first transmission can be performed within the COT, the first device 110-1 may determine that the first probability belongs to a high channel access probability.

At block 340, the first device 110-1 determines whether to perform the first transmission or the second transmission based at least on the first probability or the first necessity and the second probability or the second necessity. For example, if the first probability is higher than the second probability, the first transmission may be performed. Or if the LBT of the first transmission is required based on the first necessity and the LBT of the second transmission is not required based on the second necessity, the second transmission may be performed. The first transmission may be performed if the first transmission does not require LBT and the second transmission does require LBT.

At block 350, the first device 110-1 performs the first transmission or the second transmission based on the first probability and the second probability. For example, if neither the first probability nor the second probability belongs to a high channel access probability, the first device 110-1 may prioritize intra-UE based on conventional rules (e.g., based on LCH priorities).

In some embodiments, the first device 110-1 may generate MAC PDUs with a high channel access probability as grants regardless of the data it transmits. In this option, the MAC layer may generate MAC PDUs for grants with high channel access probabilities, even if the MAC PDUs are considered de-prioritized based on LCH-based priority rules. Thus, even if LBT failure occurs on prioritized grants, the PHY layer at the first device 110-1 may still transmit a TB of grants with high channel access probability with lower latency. If the grant with the high channel access probability starts before another higher priority grant, the PHY layer may start transmitting and preamble transmitting if the LBT is successful for the higher priority grant. For example, if the first probability is a high channel access probability and the second probability is a low channel access probability, the first device 110-1 may generate a MAC PDU for the first grant and perform the first transmission without regard to the priority of the LCH corresponding to the first grant.

In some embodiments, the LCH mapping limit may be changed if at least one collision grant has a higher channel access probability than at least one other collision grant. For cases where LCH mapping restrictions are configured for some LCHs (i.e., data from these LCHs is only allowed to map to some grants), the MAC layer may temporarily modify some configured LCH mapping restrictions when a collision occurs between grants involving a higher channel access probability than other collision grants. Thus, high priority LCHs may be mapped to these grants with higher channel access probabilities, which is prohibited according to the original LCH mapping limit configuration. In this sense, grants with high channel access probability may be selected according to the release 16 rule according to the data priority. In some embodiments, the first device 110-1 may modify the at least one configured logical channel mapping constraint if at least one of the first probability and the second probability is a high channel access probability (in some embodiments, a threshold probability is exceeded). Logical channel mapping limits may be configured for each logical channel. For example, if the first probability is a high channel access probability and the second probability is a low channel access probability, the first device 110-1 may compare the first data priority corresponding to the first transmission with the second data priority corresponding to the second transmission according to the original LCH mapping limit configuration. If the first data priority is lower than the second data priority, the first device 110-1 may at least temporarily change the LCH mapping restriction configuration and map a third LCH to the first transmission and perform the first transmission. Based on the original LCH mapping restriction, a third LCH may be restricted to a second transmission. In other words, the third channel may be allowed to map only to the second transmission and not to the first transmission according to the original LCH mapping limit configuration. Since the channel access probability of the first transmission is higher than the second transmission, the first device 110-1 changes the original LCH mapping restriction configuration and the first transmission may be performed to carry high priority data (from the third LCH) so as to avoid a situation where the transmission of high priority data is stopped in the second transmission with a lower channel access probability.

In yet another embodiment, the second device 120 may assign dynamic grants with different grant priorities so that the PHY can determine what transmission should be made when two or more conflicting MAC PDUs pass from MAC to PHY. In this case, dynamic grants with high channel access probability may be directly regarded as high priority grants without explicitly indicating grant priority. Thus, the first device may determine the physical layer priority of the transmission opportunity directly based on its channel access probability.

Fig. 4 illustrates a flowchart of an example method 400 implemented at the second device 120 according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure. For discussion purposes, the method 400 will be described from the perspective of the second device 120. It should be noted that the dashed box is optional.

At block 410, the second device 120 sends the first configuration to the first device 110-1. The first grant indicates at least a first set of resources for a first transmission to the second device 120.

At block 420, the second device 120 sends the second configuration to the first device 110-1. The second grant indicates at least a second set of resources for a second transmission to the second device 120. It should be noted that the second device 120 may send any suitable number of grants to the first device 110-1. For purposes of illustration only, embodiments of the present disclosure are described with reference to two authorizations.

In some embodiments, the second device 120 may send an indication of the LBT type of the first transmission. In some embodiments, the indication may include an LBT type of the first transmission. Or the indication may include the LBT type of the second transmission. In other embodiments, the indication may include an LBT type of the first transmission and an LBT type of the second transmission. For example, the type of LBT may be one of channel access type 2A, channel access type 2B, or channel access type 2C. The type of LBT may comprise any suitable type. The indication may be included in the configuration.

Or in addition, the second device may also send 2015 Channel Occupancy Time (COT) information. The channel occupation time may refer to a continuous transmission time after channel detection.

In other embodiments, the second device 120 may send an indication to the first device 110-1 indicating at least the authorization priority. For example, the indication may include a first priority of the first grant and a second priority of the second grant. The indication may also indicate which priority is higher.

At block 430, the second device 120 receives the first transmission or the second transmission based on the first probability and the second probability.

In some example embodiments, a first apparatus (e.g., first device 110) capable of performing any of the methods 300 may include means for performing the respective operations of the methods 300. The component may be embodied in any suitable form. For example, the components may be implemented in circuitry or software modules. The first apparatus may be implemented as the first device 110 or comprised in the first device 110. In some example embodiments, the apparatus may include at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code. The at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, implement the performance of the apparatus.

In some example embodiments, the apparatus includes means for receiving, at a first device, a first configuration indicating a first set of resources for a first transmission to a second device, means for receiving, at the first device, a second configuration indicating a second set of resources for a second transmission to the second device, means for determining a first probability of channel access or a first necessity of Listen Before Talk (LBT) for the first transmission, and a second probability of channel access or a second necessity of LBT for the second transmission, if the first set of resources is determined to at least partially overlap the second set of resources, based on the first probability or the first necessity and the second probability or the second necessity, and means for determining whether to perform the first transmission or the second transmission, based on the determination.

In some example embodiments, the means for determining the first probability of the first transmission includes means for receiving an indication of a type of listen before talk for the first transmission from the second device and means for determining the first probability based on the type of listen before talk.

In some example embodiments, the means for determining a first probability of the first transmission includes means for receiving information from the second device indicating a channel occupancy time of the second device, and means for determining that the first probability is higher than the second probability if it is determined that the first transmission can be performed within the channel occupancy time and that the second transmission is to be performed outside the channel occupancy time.

In some example embodiments, the means for determining the first probability of the first transmission comprises means for determining that the first probability is higher than the second probability if it is determined that the first transmission is at least a portion of a continuous transmission that the channel access has been successful and the second transmission is a discontinuous transmission that the channel access has been successful.

In some example embodiments, the means for determining a first probability of the first transmission includes means for determining whether the first transmission can be performed within a channel occupancy time of the second device if the first device is determined to be in a channel access procedure for a semi-static channel occupancy, and means for determining that the first probability is higher than the second probability if the first transmission can be performed within the channel occupancy time and the second transmission is to be performed outside of the channel occupancy time.

In some example embodiments, an apparatus for performing a first transmission or a second transmission includes means for performing the first transmission if it is determined that the first probability is higher than the second probability.

In some example embodiments, the means for performing the first transmission or the second transmission includes means for comparing a first data priority corresponding to the first transmission with a second data priority corresponding to the second transmission if the first probability is determined to be equal to the second probability, and means for performing the first transmission if the first data priority is determined to be higher than the second data priority.

In some example embodiments, the apparatus further comprises means for modifying at least one configured logical channel mapping constraint if the first probability is determined to be higher than the second probability.

In some example embodiments, the means for performing the first transmission or the second transmission includes means for comparing a first data priority corresponding to the first transmission with a second data priority corresponding to the second transmission, means for comparing the first probability with the second probability if the first data priority is determined to be equal to the second data priority, and means for performing the first transmission if the first probability is determined to be higher than the second probability.

In some example embodiments, the means for determining whether the first transmission or the second transmission is to be performed comprises means for determining that the first transmission is to be performed if it is determined that LBT for the first transmission is not necessary and LBT for the second transmission is necessary.

In some example embodiments, a second apparatus (e.g., second device 120) capable of performing any of the methods 400 may include means for performing the respective operations of the methods 400. The component may be embodied in any suitable form. For example, the components may be implemented in circuitry or software modules. The second apparatus may be implemented as the second device 120 or included in the second device 120. In some example embodiments, the apparatus may include at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code. The at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, implement the capabilities of the device.

In some example embodiments, the apparatus includes means for transmitting, at a second device, a first configuration to a first device, the first configuration indicating a first set of resources for a first transmission to the second device, means for transmitting, to the first device, a second configuration indicating a second set of resources for a second transmission to the second device, and means for receiving the first transmission or the second transmission based on a first probability of channel access or a first necessity of Listen Before Talk (LBT) procedure for the first transmission and a second probability of channel access or a second necessity of LBT procedure for the second transmission.

In some example embodiments, the apparatus further comprises means for sending an indication of a listen before talk type of the first transmission to the first device.

In some example embodiments, the apparatus further comprises means for transmitting information to the first device indicating a channel occupancy time of the second device.

In some example embodiments, the apparatus further comprises means for transmitting, to the first device, an indication of a first priority of the first transmission and a second priority of the second transmission.

Fig. 5 is a simplified block diagram of an apparatus 500 suitable for implementing example embodiments of the present disclosure. The device 500 may be used to implement a communication device, such as the first device 110 or the second device 120 shown in fig. 1. As shown, the device 500 includes one or more processors 510, one or more memories 520 coupled to the processors 510, and one or more communication modules 540 coupled to the processors 510.

The communication module 540 is used for two-way communication. The communication module 540 has one or more communication interfaces to facilitate communications with one or more other modules or devices. The communication interface may represent any interface required to communicate with other network elements. In some example embodiments, the communication module 540 may include at least one antenna.

Processor 510 may be of any type suitable to the local technology network and may include one or more of general purpose computers, special purpose computers, microprocessors, digital Signal Processors (DSPs) and processors based on a multi-core processor architecture. The device 600 may have multiple processors, such as an application specific integrated circuit chip that is slaved in time to a clock that is synchronized to the master processor.

Memory 520 may include one or more non-volatile memories and one or more volatile memories. Examples of non-volatile memory include, but are not limited to, read-only memory (ROM) 524, electrically programmable read-only memory (EPROM), flash memory, a hard disk, an optical disk (CD), a Digital Video Disk (DVD), an optical disk, a laser disk, and other magnetic and/or optical storage. Examples of volatile memory include, but are not limited to, random Access Memory (RAM) 522 and other volatile memory that does not last for the duration of the power outage.

The computer program 530 includes computer-executable instructions that are executed by an associated processor 510. Program 530 may be stored in a memory (e.g., ROM 524). Processor 510 may perform any suitable actions and processes by loading program 530 into RAM 522.

Example embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented by means of program 530 such that device 600 may perform any of the processes of the present disclosure as discussed with reference to fig. 2-4. Example embodiments of the present disclosure may also be implemented in hardware or a combination of software and hardware.

In some example embodiments, the program 530 may be tangibly embodied in a computer-readable medium, which may be included in the device 500 (such as in the memory 520) or other storage device accessible to the device 500. Device 600 may load program 530 from a computer readable medium into RAM 522 for execution. The computer-readable medium may include any type of tangible, non-volatile storage, such as ROM, EPROM, flash memory, hard disk, CD, DVD, and other magnetic and/or optical storage. Fig. 6 shows an example of a computer readable medium 600 in the form of an optical storage disc. Program 530 is stored on a computer readable medium.

In general, the various embodiments of the disclosure may be implemented in hardware or special purpose circuits, software, logic or any combination thereof. Some aspects may be implemented in hardware, while other aspects may be implemented in firmware or software which may be executed by a controller, microprocessor or other computing device. While various aspects of the embodiments of the disclosure are shown and described as block diagrams, flowcharts, or using some other illustration, it is to be understood that the block diagrams, apparatus, systems, techniques, or methods described herein may be implemented in, as non-limiting examples, hardware, software, firmware, special purpose circuits or logic, general purpose hardware or controller or other computing devices, or some combination thereof.

The present disclosure also provides at least one computer program product tangibly stored on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. The computer program product comprises computer executable instructions, such as those included in program modules, that are executed in a device on a target physical or virtual processor to perform any of the methods as described above with reference to fig. 2-4. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, libraries, objects, classes, components, data types, etc. that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. The functionality of the program modules may be combined or split between program modules as desired in various embodiments. Machine-executable instructions for program modules may be executed within local or distributed devices. In distributed devices, program modules may be located in both local and remote memory storage media.

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

In the context of this disclosure, computer program code or related data may be carried by any suitable carrier to enable an apparatus, device, or processor to perform the various processes and operations described above. Examples of carriers include signals, computer readable media, and the like.

The computer readable medium may be a computer readable signal medium or a computer readable storage medium. The computer readable medium may include, but is not limited to, electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor systems, apparatus or devices, or any suitable combination thereof. More specific examples of a computer-readable storage medium include an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a Random Access Memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination thereof.

Moreover, although operations are depicted in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirable results. In some cases, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Also, while the above discussion contains several specific implementation details, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the disclosure, but rather as descriptions of features specific to particular embodiments. Certain features that are described in the context of separate embodiments can also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment can also be implemented in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitable subcombination.

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

Claims

1. A first device, comprising:

at least one processor; and

at least one memory including computer program code;

The at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the first device to:

receiving a first configuration from a second device, the first configuration indicating a first set of resources for a first transmission to the second device;

receiving a second configuration from the second device, the second configuration indicating a second set of resources for a second transmission to the second device;

If it is determined that the first set of resources at least partially overlaps with the second set of resources, determining a first probability of channel access for the first transmission or a first necessity to perform listen-before-talk (LBT) and a second probability of channel access for the second transmission or a second necessity to perform LBT;

determining whether to perform the first transmission or the second transmission based at least on the first probability or the first necessity and the second probability or the second necessity; and

performing the first transmission or the second transmission based on the determination;

wherein the first device is caused to determine the first probability of the first transmission by:

receiving, from the second device, information indicating a channel occupancy time of the second device; and

If it is determined that the first transmission can be performed within the channel occupation time and the second transmission will be performed outside the channel occupation time, the first probability is determined to be higher than the second probability.

2. The first device of claim 1 , wherein the first device is further configured to determine the first probability of the first transmission by:

receiving from the second device an indication of a listen-before-talk type of the first transmission; and

The first probability is determined based on the type of listening before speaking.

3. The first device of claim 1 , wherein the first device is caused to determine the first probability of the first transmission by:

If it is determined that the first transmission is at least a part of continuous transmission in which channel access has been successful, and the second transmission is non-continuous transmission in which channel access has been successful, it is determined that the first probability is higher than the second probability.

4. The first device of claim 1 , wherein the first device is caused to determine the first probability of the first transmission by:

If it is determined that the first device is in a channel access process for semi-static channel occupancy, determining whether the first transmission and the second transmission can be performed within a channel occupancy time of the second device; and

5. The first device of claim 1 , wherein the first device is further configured to perform the first transmission or the second transmission by:

If it is determined that the first probability is higher than the second probability, the first transmission is performed.

6. The first device of claim 1 , wherein the first device is further configured to perform the first transmission or the second transmission by:

If it is determined that the first probability is equal to the second probability, comparing a first data priority corresponding to the first transmission with a second data priority corresponding to the second transmission; and

If it is determined that the first data priority is higher than the second data priority, the first transmission is performed.

7. The first device according to claim 1, wherein the first device is further configured to:

If it is determined that the first probability is higher than the second probability, at least one configured logical channel mapping restriction is modified.

8. The first device of claim 1, wherein the first device is further configured to perform the first transmission or the second transmission by:

comparing a first data priority corresponding to the first transmission with a second data priority corresponding to the second transmission;

If it is determined that the first data priority is equal to the second data priority, comparing the first probability with the second probability; and

9. The first device of claim 1 , wherein the first device is caused to determine whether the first transmission or the second transmission is to be performed by:

If it is determined that the LBT process for the first transmission is unnecessary and the LBT process for the second transmission is necessary, it is determined that the first transmission is to be performed.

10. The first device according to any one of claims 1-9, wherein the first device comprises a terminal device, and the second device comprises a network device.

11. A second device, comprising:

at least one processor; and

at least one memory including computer program code;

The at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the second device to:

sending a first configuration to a first device, the first configuration indicating a first set of resources for a first transmission to the second device;

sending a second configuration to the first device, the second configuration indicating a second set of resources for a second transmission to the second device; and

receiving the first transmission or the second transmission based on a first probability of channel access or a first necessity for a listen-before-talk (LBT) procedure for a first grant and a second probability of channel access or a second necessity for a LBT procedure for a second grant;

The second device is further configured to:

Information indicating a channel occupancy time of the second device is sent to the first device.

12. The second device according to claim 11, wherein the second device is further caused to:

An indication of a listen-before-talk type of the first transmission is sent to the first device.

13. The second device according to claim 11, wherein the second device is further caused to:

An indication of a first priority for the first transmission and a second priority for the second transmission is sent to the first device.

14. The second device according to any one of claims 11-13, wherein the first device comprises a terminal device, and the second device comprises a network device.

15. A method comprising:

receiving, at a first device, a first configuration indicating a first set of resources for a first transmission to a second device;

receiving, at the first device, a second configuration indicating a second set of resources for a second transmission to the second device;

determining whether to perform the first transmission or the second transmission based on the first probability or the first necessity and the second probability or the second necessity; and

Wherein determining the first probability of the first transmission comprises:

16. The method of claim 15, wherein determining the first probability of the first transmission comprises:

17. The method of claim 15, wherein determining the first probability of the first transmission comprises:

18. The method of claim 15, wherein determining the first probability of the first transmission comprises:

19. The method of claim 15, wherein performing the first transmission or the second transmission comprises:

20. The method of claim 15, wherein performing the first transmission or the second transmission comprises:

21. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

22. The method of claim 15, wherein performing the first transmission or the second transmission comprises:

23. The method of claim 15, wherein determining whether the first transmission or the second transmission is to be performed:

24. The method according to any one of claims 15-23, wherein the first device comprises a terminal device, and the second device comprises a network device.

25. A method comprising:

sending, at a second device, a first configuration to a first device, the first configuration indicating a first set of resources for a first transmission to the second device;

receiving the first transmission or the second transmission based on a first probability of channel access or a first necessity for a listen-before-talk (LBT) procedure for the first transmission and a second probability of channel access or a second necessity for a LBT procedure for the second transmission; and

26. The method according to claim 25, further comprising:

27. The method of claim 25, further comprising:

28. The method according to any one of claims 25-27, wherein the first device comprises a terminal device, and the second device comprises a network device.

29. An apparatus comprising:

Means for performing at least the method according to any one of claims 15-24 or the method according to any one of claims 25-28.

30. A computer readable medium comprising program instructions for causing a device to perform the method according to any one of claims 15 to 24 or to evaluate the method according to any one of claims 25 to 28.