CN117917138A - Methods, apparatus, and computer readable media for side link communication - Google Patents

Abstract

Methods for side link communication are disclosed. An example method performed by a user equipment device may include transmitting a data channel and at least one sequence-based signal according to a configuration, wherein a frequency band may be divided into a plurality of clusters over a plurality of first symbols for the data channel, and each cluster of the plurality of clusters may include a plurality of physical resource blocks, wherein one physical resource block may be used for the data channel, a plurality of consecutive physical resource blocks may be allocated for the at least one sequence-based signal over at least one second symbol for the at least one sequence-based signal, and the at least one second symbol may follow the at least one first symbol. Related apparatus and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

Description

Methods, apparatus, and computer readable media for side link communication

Technical Field

Various embodiments relate to methods, apparatuses, and computer-readable media for side-link communication

Background

In side link communications in unlicensed spectrum, there is a requirement for a side link synchronization signal block (S-SSB) structure. For example, the Occupied Channel Bandwidth (OCB) should be between 80% and 100% of the declared Nominal Channel Bandwidth (NCB), and during the Channel Occupancy Time (COT), the device may temporarily operate at a minimum of 2MHz at an OCB of less than 80% of its NCB.

Disclosure of Invention

The following presents a simplified summary of example embodiments in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of various embodiments. It should be noted that this summary is not intended to identify key features of the essential elements or to define the scope of the embodiments, and its sole purpose is to introduce some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented below.

In a first aspect, a method performed by a user equipment device is disclosed. The method may include transmitting a data channel and at least one sequence-based signal according to a configuration, wherein a frequency band may be divided into a plurality of clusters over a plurality of first symbols for the data channel, and each cluster of the plurality of clusters may include a plurality of physical resource blocks, one of which may be used for the data channel, the at least one sequence-based signal may be allocated a plurality of consecutive physical resource blocks over the at least one second symbol for the at least one sequence-based signal, and the at least one second symbol may follow the at least one first symbol.

In some embodiments, for the data channel, the physical resource blocks may be in the same location in each of the plurality of clusters.

In some embodiments, for the data channel, at least two physical resource blocks may be in different locations in at least two clusters of the plurality of clusters.

In some embodiments, the at least one first symbol followed by the at least one second symbol may comprise one symbol for automatic gain control.

In some embodiments, the at least one second symbol may follow the plurality of first symbols.

In some embodiments, in each of the plurality of clusters, the one physical resource block for the data channel may be different from one physical resource block for a data channel of another user equipment device, and the plurality of consecutive physical resource blocks for the at least one sequence-based signal may be different from a plurality of consecutive physical resource blocks for at least one sequence-based signal of the other user equipment device.

In some embodiments, the data channel may be a physical side-chain broadcast channel.

In some embodiments, the at least one sequence-based signal may be at least one sequence-based synchronization signal, and the at least one sequence-based synchronization signal may include a side link primary synchronization signal and a side link secondary synchronization signal.

In some embodiments, the side link primary synchronization signal and the side link secondary synchronization signal may occupy the same plurality of consecutive physical resource blocks.

In a second aspect, a method is disclosed. The method may include dividing a frequency band into a plurality of clusters over a plurality of first symbols for a data channel of a first user equipment device, each cluster of the plurality of clusters comprising a plurality of physical resource blocks, one of the physical resource blocks being available for the data channel of the first user equipment device; and allocating a plurality of consecutive physical resource blocks for at least one sequence-based signal of the first user equipment device on at least one second symbol for the at least one sequence-based signal of the first user equipment device, wherein the at least one second symbol may follow at least one first symbol.

In some embodiments, for the data channel of the first user equipment device, the physical resource blocks may be in the same location in each of the plurality of clusters.

In some embodiments, for the data channel of the first user equipment device, at least two physical resource blocks may be in different locations in at least two clusters of the plurality of clusters.

In some embodiments, the at least one first symbol followed by the at least one second symbol may comprise one symbol for automatic gain control.

In some embodiments, the at least one second symbol may follow the plurality of first symbols.

In some embodiments, in each of the plurality of clusters, the one physical resource block of the data channel for the first user equipment device may be different from a physical resource block of a data channel for a second user equipment device, and a plurality of consecutive physical resource blocks of the at least one sequence-based signal for the first user equipment device may be different from a plurality of consecutive physical resource blocks of the at least one sequence-based signal for the second user equipment device.

In some embodiments, the data channel may be a physical side link broadcast channel.

In some embodiments, the at least one sequence-based signal may be at least one sequence-based synchronization signal, and the at least one sequence-based synchronization signal may include a side link primary synchronization signal and a side link secondary synchronization signal.

In some embodiments, the side link primary synchronization signal and the side link secondary synchronization signal may occupy the same plurality of consecutive physical resource blocks.

In a third aspect, an apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus may include at least one processor and at least one memory. The at least one memory may include computer program code, and the at least one memory and the computer program code may be configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus, which is a user equipment apparatus, to perform: a data channel and at least one sequence-based signal are transmitted according to a configuration, wherein a frequency band may be divided into a plurality of clusters over a plurality of first symbols for the data channel, and each cluster of the plurality of clusters may include a plurality of physical resource blocks, wherein one physical resource block may be used for the digital channel, the at least one sequence-based signal may be allocated a plurality of consecutive physical resource blocks over at least one second symbol for the at least one sequence-based signal, and the at least one second symbol may follow the at least one first symbol.

In some embodiments, for the data channel, the physical resource blocks may be in the same location in each of the plurality of clusters.

In some embodiments, for the data channel, at least two physical resource blocks may be located in different locations in at least two clusters of the plurality of clusters.

In some embodiments, the at least one first symbol followed by the at least one second symbol may comprise one symbol for automatic gain control.

In some embodiments, the at least one second symbol may follow the plurality of first symbols.

In some embodiments, in each of the plurality of clusters, the one physical resource block for the data channel may be different from one physical resource block for a data channel of another user equipment device, and the plurality of consecutive physical resource blocks for the at least one sequence-based signal may be different from a plurality of consecutive physical resource blocks for at least one sequence-based signal of the other user equipment device.

In some embodiments, the data channel may be a physical side link broadcast channel.

In some embodiments, the at least one sequence-based signal may be at least one sequence-based synchronization signal, and the at least one sequence-based synchronization signal may include a side link primary synchronization signal and a side link secondary synchronization signal.

In some embodiments, the side link primary synchronization signal and the side link secondary synchronization signal may occupy the same plurality of consecutive physical resource blocks.

In a fourth aspect, an apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus may include at least one processor and at least one memory. The at least one memory may include computer program code, and the at least one memory and the computer program code may be configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform: dividing a frequency band into a plurality of clusters on a plurality of first symbols of a data channel for a first user equipment device, each cluster of the plurality of clusters comprising a plurality of physical resource blocks, one of which is available for the data channel of the first user equipment device; and allocating a plurality of consecutive physical resource blocks for at least one sequence-based signal of the first user equipment device on at least one second symbol for the at least one sequence-based signal of the first user equipment device, wherein the at least one second symbol may follow the at least one first symbol.

In some embodiments, for the data channel of the first user equipment device, the physical resource blocks may be in the same location in each of the plurality of clusters.

In some embodiments, for the data channel of the first user equipment device, at least two physical resource blocks may be located in different locations in at least two clusters of the plurality of clusters.

In some embodiments, the at least one first symbol followed by the at least one second symbol may comprise one symbol for automatic gain control.

In some embodiments, the at least one second symbol may follow the plurality of first symbols.

In some embodiments, in each of the plurality of clusters, the one physical resource block of the data channel for the first user equipment device may be different from one physical resource block of a data channel for a second user equipment device, and the plurality of consecutive physical resource blocks for the at least one sequence-based signal for the first user equipment device may be different from a plurality of consecutive physical resource blocks for the at least one sequence-based signal for the second user equipment device.

In some embodiments, the data channel may be a physical side link broadcast channel.

In some embodiments, the at least one sequence-based signal may be at least one sequence-based synchronization signal, and the at least one sequence-based synchronization signal may include a side link primary synchronization signal and a side link secondary synchronization signal.

In some embodiments, the side link primary synchronization signal and the side link secondary synchronization signal may occupy the same plurality of consecutive physical resource blocks.

In a fifth aspect, an apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus as a user equipment device may include means for transmitting a data channel and at least one sequence-based signal according to a configuration, wherein a frequency band may be divided into a plurality of clusters over a plurality of first symbols for the data channel, and each cluster of the plurality of clusters may include a plurality of physical resource blocks, one physical resource block for the data channel, a plurality of consecutive physical resource blocks may be allocated for the at least one sequence-based signal over at least one second symbol for the at least one sequence-based signal, and the at least one second symbol may follow the at least one first symbol.

In some embodiments, for the data channel, the physical resource blocks may be in the same location in each of the plurality of clusters.

In some embodiments, for the data channel, at least two physical resource blocks may be in different locations in at least two clusters of the plurality of clusters.

In some embodiments, the at least one first symbol followed by the at least one second symbol may comprise one symbol for automatic gain control.

In some embodiments, the at least one second symbol may follow the plurality of first symbols.

In some embodiments, in each of the plurality of clusters, the one physical resource block for the data channel may be different from one physical resource block for a data channel of another user equipment device, and the plurality of consecutive physical resource blocks for the at least one sequence-based signal may be different from a plurality of consecutive physical resource blocks for at least one sequence-based signal of the other user equipment device.

In some embodiments, the data channel may be a physical side link broadcast channel.

In some embodiments, the at least one sequence-based signal may be at least one sequence-based synchronization signal, and the at least one sequence-based synchronization signal may include a side link primary synchronization signal and a side link secondary synchronization signal.

In some embodiments, the side link primary synchronization signal and the side link secondary synchronization signal may occupy the same plurality of consecutive physical resource blocks.

In a sixth aspect, an apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus may include: means for dividing a frequency band into a plurality of clusters on a plurality of first symbols for a data channel of a first user equipment device, each cluster of the plurality of clusters comprising a plurality of physical resource blocks, one of the physical resource blocks being available for the data channel of the first user equipment device; and means for allocating a plurality of consecutive physical resource blocks for at least one sequence-based signal for the first user equipment device on at least one second symbol for the at least one sequence-based signal, wherein the at least one second symbol may follow at least one first symbol.

In some embodiments, for the data channel of the first user equipment device, the physical resource blocks may be in the same location in each of the plurality of clusters.

In some embodiments, for the data channel of the first user equipment device, at least two physical resource blocks may be located in different locations in at least two clusters of the plurality of clusters.

In some embodiments, the at least one first symbol followed by at least one second symbol may comprise one symbol for automatic gain control.

In some embodiments, the at least one second symbol may follow the plurality of first symbols.

In some embodiments, in each of the plurality of clusters, the one physical resource block of the data channel for the first user equipment device may be different from one physical resource block of a data channel for a second user equipment device, and the plurality of consecutive physical resource blocks for the at least one sequence-based signal for the first user equipment device may be different from a plurality of consecutive physical resource blocks for at least one sequence-based signal for the second user equipment device.

In some embodiments, the data channel may be a physical side link broadcast channel.

In some embodiments, the at least one sequence-based signal may be at least one sequence-based synchronization signal, and the at least one sequence-based synchronization signal may include a side link primary synchronization signal and a side link secondary synchronization signal.

In some embodiments, the side link primary synchronization signal and the side link secondary synchronization signal may occupy the same plurality of consecutive physical resource blocks.

In a seventh aspect, a computer readable medium is disclosed. The computer-readable medium may include instructions stored thereon for causing an apparatus, which is a user equipment apparatus, to perform: a data channel and at least one sequence-based signal are transmitted according to a configuration, wherein a frequency band may be divided into a plurality of clusters over a plurality of first symbols for the data channel, and each cluster of the plurality of clusters may include a plurality of physical resource blocks, one of which may be used for the data channel, a plurality of consecutive physical resource blocks may be allocated for the at least one sequence-based signal over at least one second symbol for the at least one sequence-based signal, and the at least one second symbol may follow the at least one first symbol.

In some embodiments, for the data channel, the physical resource blocks may be in the same location in each of a plurality of clusters.

In some embodiments, for the data channel, at least two physical resource blocks may be in different locations in at least two clusters of the plurality of clusters.

In some embodiments, the at least one first symbol followed by the at least one second symbol may comprise one symbol for automatic gain control.

In some embodiments, the at least one second symbol may follow the plurality of first symbols.

In some embodiments, in each of the plurality of clusters, the one physical resource block for the data channel may be different from one physical resource block for a data channel of another user equipment device, and the plurality of consecutive physical resource blocks for the at least one sequence-based signal may be different from a plurality of consecutive physical resource blocks for at least one sequence-based signal of the other user equipment device.

In some embodiments, the data channel may be a physical side link broadcast channel.

In some embodiments, the at least one sequence-based signal may be at least one sequence-based synchronization signal, and the at least one sequence-based synchronization signal may include a side link primary synchronization signal and a side link secondary synchronization signal.

In some embodiments, the side link primary synchronization signal and the side link secondary synchronization signal may occupy the same plurality of consecutive physical resource blocks.

In an eighth aspect, a computer-readable medium is disclosed. The computer-readable medium may include instructions stored thereon for causing an apparatus to perform: dividing a frequency band into a plurality of clusters on a plurality of first symbols of a data channel for a first user equipment device, each cluster of the plurality of clusters comprising a plurality of physical resource blocks, one of which is available for the data channel of the first user equipment device; and allocating a plurality of consecutive physical resource blocks for the at least one sequence-based signal of the first user equipment device on at least one second symbol for the at least one sequence-based signal of the first user equipment device, wherein the at least one second symbol may follow at least one first symbol.

In some embodiments, for the data channel of the first user equipment device, the physical resource blocks may be in the same location in each of the plurality of clusters.

In some embodiments, for the data channel of the first user equipment device, at least two physical resource blocks may be located in different locations in at least two of a plurality of clusters.

In some embodiments, the at least one first symbol followed by the at least one second symbol may comprise one symbol for automatic gain control.

In some embodiments, the at least one second symbol may follow the plurality of first symbols.

In some embodiments, in each of the plurality of clusters, the one physical resource block of the data channel for the first user equipment device may be different from one physical resource block of a data channel for a second user equipment device, and the plurality of consecutive physical resource blocks for the at least one sequence-based signal for the first user equipment device may be different from a plurality of consecutive physical resource blocks for at least one sequence-based signal for the second user equipment device.

In some embodiments, the data channel may be a physical side link broadcast channel.

In some embodiments, the at least one sequence-based signal may be at least one sequence-based synchronization signal, and the at least one sequence-based synchronization signal may include a side link primary synchronization signal and a side link secondary synchronization signal.

In some embodiments, the side link primary synchronization signal and the side link secondary synchronization signal may occupy the same plurality of consecutive physical resource blocks.

Other features and advantages of the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be apparent from the following description of the particular embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the exemplary embodiments of the disclosure.

Drawings

Some example embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 shows an exemplary sequence diagram for side link communication in unlicensed spectrum according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 2 shows an example configuration of an S-SSB structure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 3 shows an example configuration of an S-SSB structure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 4 shows an example configuration of an S-SSB structure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 5 shows a flowchart illustrating an example method for side link communication according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 6 shows a flowchart illustrating an example method for side link communication according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 7 shows a block diagram illustrating an example apparatus for side link communication in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 8 shows a block diagram illustrating an example apparatus for side link communication in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 9 shows a block diagram illustrating an example device for side link communication in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 10 shows a block diagram illustrating an example device for side link communication in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

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

Detailed Description

Some example embodiments are described in detail below with reference to the drawings. The following description includes specific details for providing a thorough understanding of various concepts. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that these concepts may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known circuits, techniques, and components have been shown in block diagram form in order not to obscure the described concepts and features.

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide for the configuration of S-SSB structures. According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the requirements for an S-SSB structure for side link communication in unlicensed spectrum may be met.

Fig. 1 shows an exemplary sequence diagram for side link communication in unlicensed spectrum according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to fig. 1, a User Equipment (UE) device 110 may be a UE device performing side link communication in an unlicensed spectrum according to a configuration of an S-SSB structure, and a network device 120 may be a network-side device, for example, in a Base Station (BS) or a Core Network (CN) to determine a configuration for the UE device 110 to perform side link communication in the unlicensed spectrum. UE device 110 is associated with a cell covered by a BS. In the case where network device 120 is in a BS, network device 120 may provide configuration to UE apparatus 110. In the case where the network apparatus 120 is in the CN, the network apparatus 120 may provide configuration to the UE device 110 via the BS. Alternatively or additionally, the configuration may be specified in a specification or standard.

Fig. 2 shows an example configuration of an S-SSB 200 structure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 3 shows an example configuration of an S-SSB 300 structure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 4 shows an example configuration of an S-SSB 400 structure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

In fig. 2 to 4, the axis of abscissas refers to the time domain, and blocks refer to symbols. The symbols may be, for example, orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) symbols. 13 symbols of the S-SSB may be used for side link communication, and it is understood that other numbers of symbols, e.g., 11, 15, etc., in the configuration of the S-SSB structure may be used for side link communication. Symbols for side link communications may be within a slot or span more than one slot.

In fig. 2 to 4, the vertical axis refers to the frequency domain, and blocks in the vertical axis refer to one Physical Resource Block (PRB). The frequency band includes 99 PRBs as shown as an example in fig. 2 to 4, and it is understood that other numbers of PRBs in the configuration of the S-SSB structure may be included in the frequency band for side link communication. For one UE device, e.g., UE device 110, 11 PRBs of the S-SSB may be used for side link communication, and it is understood that other numbers of PRBs, e.g., 9, 13, 15, etc., in the configuration of the S-SSB structure may be used for side link communication for one UE device.

Exemplary sequence diagrams for side link communications in unlicensed spectrum will be described with reference to fig. 1-4.

Referring to fig. 1, in operation 130, the network apparatus 120 may divide a frequency band into a plurality of clusters on a plurality of first symbols of a data channel for a first UE device, and each cluster of the plurality of clusters may include a plurality of PRBs, one of which is available for the data channel of the first UE device. The first UE device may be, for example, UE device 110, and the data channel may be, for example, a physical side link broadcast channel (PSBCH).

Referring to fig. 2 through 4, a frequency band for UE devices including UE device 110 to transmit a PSBCH may be divided into clusters. Clusters may be part of a frequency band, and the clusters may be of equal size. The 99 prbs included in the frequency band may be divided into 11 clusters, labeled as cluster 1, cluster 2, … …, and cluster 11, and each cluster may include 9 prbs. In each cluster, there may be one PRB that may be used, for example, for UE device 110 to transmit a PSBCH. Thus, in the configuration of the S-SSB structure, there may be 11 PRBs for the PSBCH transmitted from the UE device 110, and the 11 PRBs may be distributed to 11 clusters, so that the PSBCH may have an interleaved Frequency Division Multiplexing (FDM) structure in the frequency domain. According to this configuration of the S-SSB structure, the OCB of the PSBCH may be between 80% and 100% of the frequency band, which may be the NCB declared.

In one embodiment, for a data channel of a first UE device (e.g., UE device 110), PRBs are in the same location in each of a plurality of clusters. For example, as shown in fig. 2 and 3, for the PSBCH of the UE apparatus 110, in each of the 11 clusters, the PRB is in a third position from the top of the corresponding cluster. It is understood that the PRBs of the PSBCH of the UE device 110 for each of the clusters may be located in other same locations of the corresponding cluster, e.g., fifth, seventh, eighth, etc. Thus, for the PSBCH transmitted from the UE device 110, the interval between two PRBs in adjacent clusters can be set equal.

Alternatively, in one embodiment, for a data channel of a first UE device (e.g., UE device 110), at least two PRBs may be located in different locations in at least two of the plurality of clusters. For example, in the configuration of the S-SSB200 structure shown in fig. 2, the PRBs in cluster 3 of the PSBCH for the UE device 110 may be changed to another PRB in cluster 3, and thus the PRBs in cluster 3 may be in a different location than the PRBs in another cluster (e.g., adjacent cluster 2 or cluster 4). In this case, for the PSBCH transmitted from the UE apparatus 110, the interval between two PRBs in adjacent clusters (e.g., cluster 2 and cluster 3, or cluster 3 and cluster 4) may be set to be unequal.

Referring to fig. 1, in operation 140, the network apparatus 120 may allocate a plurality of consecutive PRBs for at least one sequence-based signal of a first UE device on at least one second symbol of the at least one sequence-based signal for the first UE device. The first UE device may be, for example, UE device 110. The at least one sequence-based signal may be at least one sequence-based synchronization signal, and the at least one sequence-based synchronization signal may include, for example, a side-link primary synchronization signal (S-PSS) and/or a side-link secondary synchronization signal (S-SSS).

Sequence-based synchronization signals including, but not limited to, S-PSS and S-SSS may be used to receive synchronization at the UE device, including timing synchronization, frequency synchronization, phase synchronization, and the like. The sequence-based synchronization signal may also be used for other purposes, such as conveying a synchronization source type, synchronization source identification, etc.

The sequence-based signal is not limited to a sequence-based synchronization signal. Any other type of sequence-based signal may be applied in embodiments of the present disclosure, such as a sequence-based signal for channel estimation.

Referring to fig. 2 through 4, at least one sequence-based synchronization signal, e.g., S-PSS and S-SSS, from UE device 110 occupies 11 consecutive PRBs. The contiguous PRBs occupied by the S-PSS and S-SSS from UE device 110 may be centered in the band in the configuration of the S-SSB structure. Alternatively, the consecutive PRBs occupied by the S-PSS and S-SSS from the UE device may be in other parts of the frequency band in the configuration of the S-SSB structure. For example, as shown in fig. 4, in the configuration of the S-SSB structure, the S-PSS and S-SSS from another UE device 410 occupy consecutive PRBs that may not be in the center portion of the frequency band.

With a subcarrier spacing (SCS) of 15KHz, the occupied channel bandwidth of S-PSS and/or S-SSS (11 PRBs) may be very close to 2MHz and thus may meet the requirement that the minimum bandwidth during COT be 2 MHz.

In one embodiment, as shown in fig. 2-4, the S-PSS and S-SSS occupy the same plurality of contiguous PRBs in the frequency domain. Alternatively, it can be appreciated that the S-PSS and S-SSS from the UE device 110 may occupy different multiple contiguous PRBs in the frequency domain. For example, the S-PSS and S-SSS from UE device 110 may or may not overlap in part in the frequency domain.

In one embodiment, at least one second symbol may follow at least one first symbol. As shown in fig. 2 to 4, at least one first symbol for the PSBCH precedes a second symbol for the S-PSS and/or the S-SSS in the time domain.

In one embodiment, the at least one first symbol followed by the at least one second symbol may comprise one symbol for Automatic Gain Control (AGC). For example, in the configuration of the S-SSB structure, an initial symbol such as symbol 1 in fig. 2 to 4 may be used for AGC. In the configuration of the S-SSB 300 structure shown in FIG. 3, initial symbol 1 is used for PSBCH and AGC, S-PSS and S-SSS follow the initial PSBCH symbol and occupy symbols 2 to 5, and the remaining PSBCH symbols occupy symbols 6 to 13. According to this embodiment, in side-link communications in the unlicensed spectrum, the receiving UE device may only need to buffer one symbol for potential PSBCH, and thus may reduce the buffer size for the PSBCH symbols.

In one embodiment, at least one second symbol follows the plurality of first symbols. For example, in the configuration of the S-SSB200 structure shown in FIG. 2, the plurality of first symbols for the PSBCH occupy symbols 1 to 9, and the second symbols for the S-PSS and the S-SSS follow the plurality of first symbols for the PSBCH and occupy symbols 10 to 13. According to this embodiment, the presence of side-link communications in the unlicensed spectrum may be easily detected for external communication devices, such as wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) devices.

Further, a short guard interval may exist between the first symbol and the second symbol. For example, the short guard interval may be 16 μs or shorter than 16 μs. For example, there may be a short guard interval between symbol 9 and symbol 10 in fig. 2. For example, there may be a short guard interval between symbol 1 and symbol 2 in fig. 3.

Furthermore, there may be a short guard interval between the data channel and the sequence-based signal. For example, there may be a short guard interval between symbol 5 and symbol 6 in fig. 3.

In one embodiment, in each of the plurality of clusters, one PRB of the data channel for a first UE device may be different from one PRB of the data channel for a second UE device, and the plurality of contiguous PRBs of the at least one sequence-based signal for the first UE device are different from the plurality of contiguous PRBs of the at least one sequence-based signal for the second UE device. The first UE device may be UE device 110 and the second UE device may be, for example, another UE device 410.

For example, in the configuration of the S-SSB 400 structure shown in FIG. 4, in each cluster such as cluster 1, …, and cluster 11, the PRBs for PSBCH from UE device 110 are different from the PRBs for PSBCH from UE device 410, and the multiple consecutive PRBs for S-PSS and S-SSS from UE device 110 are different from the multiple consecutive PRBs for S-PS and S-SSS from UE device 410. According to this embodiment, multiplexing between S-SSBs from different transmitting UE devices, such as UE device 110 and UE device 410, may be achieved.

In the configuration of the S-SSB structure shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the S-SSS symbol follows the S-PSS symbol in the time domain, and it is understood that the S-SSS may precede the S-PSS in the time domain.

Network apparatus 120 may then transmit configuration 150 to UE devices, such as UE device 110 and UE device 410. Configuration 150 may be, for example, a configuration of S-SSB 200 structure, a configuration of S-SSB 300 structure, a configuration of S-SSB 400 structure, and so forth. As described above, where configuration 150 is specified in a specification or standard, it may not be necessary for a UE device (such as UE device 110, UE device 410, etc.) to receive configuration 150 from the network side.

In operation 160, the UE device 110 may transmit a data channel and at least one sequence-based signal according to the configuration 150. The data channel may be, for example, a PSBCH, the at least one sequence-based signal may be at least one sequence-based synchronization signal, and the at least one sequence-based synchronization information may include S-PSS and S-SSS. According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the requirements for an S-SSB structure for side link communication in unlicensed spectrum may be met by: transmitting the data channel in a wideband, e.g., equal to or greater than 80% of the frequency band, which may be the declared NCB; and transmitting the at least one sequence-based signal in a narrow band, e.g., less than 80% of the frequency band and approaching a minimum bandwidth of 2 MHz.

Fig. 5 shows a flowchart illustrating an example method 500 for side link communication according to an embodiment of the disclosure. The example method 500 may be performed, for example, at a UE device, such as the UE device 110.

Referring to fig. 5, an example method 500 may include an operation 510 of transmitting a data channel and at least one sequence-based signal according to a configuration, wherein a frequency band may be divided into a plurality of clusters over a plurality of first symbols for the data channel, each cluster of the plurality of clusters may include a plurality of physical resource blocks, wherein one physical resource block may be used for the data channel, a plurality of consecutive physical resource blocks may be allocated for the at least one sequence-based signal over at least one second symbol for the at least one sequence-based signal, and the at least one second symbol may follow the at least one first symbol.

Details of operation 510 have been described in the above description at least with respect to configuration 150 and operation 160, and a repeated description thereof is omitted here.

In one embodiment, for a data channel, physical resource blocks may be in the same location in each of a plurality of clusters. Further details have been described in the above description at least with respect to fig. 2 and 3, and a repeated description thereof is omitted here.

In one embodiment, for a data channel, at least two physical resource blocks may be in different locations in at least two of the plurality of clusters. Further details have been described above at least in the description with respect to fig. 2, and repeated descriptions thereof are omitted here.

In one embodiment, the at least one first symbol followed by the at least one second symbol may comprise one symbol for automatic gain control. Further details have been described above at least in the description with respect to fig. 3, and repeated descriptions thereof are omitted here.

In one embodiment, at least one second symbol may follow a plurality of first symbols. Further details have been described above at least in the description with respect to fig. 2, and repeated descriptions thereof are omitted here.

In one embodiment, in each of the plurality of clusters, one physical resource block for a data channel may be different from one physical resource block for a data channel of another user equipment device, and the plurality of consecutive physical resource blocks for the at least one sequence-based signal may be different from a plurality of consecutive physical resource blocks for at least one sequence-based signal of the other user equipment device. The other user equipment device may be, for example, UE device 410. Further details have been described above at least in connection with the description of fig. 4, and repeated descriptions thereof are omitted here.

In one embodiment, the data channel may be a physical side link broadcast channel. Further details have been described in the above description at least with respect to fig. 2, 3 and 4, and their repeated description is omitted here.

In one embodiment, the at least one sequence-based signal may be at least one sequence-based synchronization signal, and the at least one sequence-based synchronization signal may include a side link primary synchronization signal and a side link secondary synchronization signal. Further details have been described above at least in the description of operation 140, fig. 2, fig. 3, and fig. 4, and repeated descriptions thereof are omitted here.

In one embodiment, the side link primary synchronization signal and the side link secondary synchronization signal may occupy the same plurality of consecutive physical resource blocks. Further details have been described in the above description at least with respect to fig. 2, 3 and 4, and their repeated description is omitted here.

Fig. 6 shows a flowchart illustrating an example method 600 for side link communication according to an embodiment of the disclosure. The example method 600 may be performed, for example, at a network device, such as the network device 120.

Referring to fig. 6, an example method 600 may include: an operation 610 of dividing a frequency band into a plurality of clusters over a plurality of first symbols for a data channel of a first user equipment device, and each cluster of the plurality of clusters comprising a plurality of physical resource blocks, wherein one physical resource block is available for the data channel of the first user equipment device; and an operation 620 of allocating a plurality of consecutive physical resource blocks for the at least one sequence-based signal of the first user equipment device on at least one second symbol for the at least one sequence-based signal of the first user equipment device, wherein the at least one second symbol may follow the at least one first symbol. The first user equipment device may be, for example, UE device 110.

Details of operation 610 have been described above at least in connection with the description of operation 130, fig. 2, fig. 3, and fig. 4, and a repeated description thereof is omitted herein.

Details of operation 620 have been described above at least in connection with the description of operation 140, fig. 2, fig. 3, and fig. 4, and a repeated description thereof is omitted herein.

In one embodiment, for the data channel of the first user equipment device, the physical resource blocks may be in the same location in each of the plurality of clusters. Further details have been described in the above description at least with respect to fig. 2 and 3, and a repeated description thereof is omitted here.

In one embodiment, for a data channel of a first user equipment device, at least two physical resource blocks may be located in different locations in at least two of the plurality of clusters. Further details have been described above at least in the description with respect to fig. 2, and repeated descriptions thereof are omitted here.

In one embodiment, the at least one first symbol followed by the at least one second symbol may comprise one symbol for automatic gain control. Further details have been described above at least in the description with respect to fig. 3, and repeated descriptions thereof are omitted here.

In one embodiment, at least one second symbol may follow a plurality of first symbols. Further details have been described above at least in the description with respect to fig. 2, and repeated descriptions thereof are omitted here.

In one embodiment, in each of the plurality of clusters, one physical resource block of the data channel for the first user equipment device may be different from a physical resource block of the data channel for the second user equipment device, and a plurality of consecutive physical resource blocks of the at least one sequence-based signal for the first user equipment device may be different from a plurality of consecutive physical resource blocks of the at least one sequence-based signal for the second user equipment device. The second user equipment device may be, for example, UE device 410. Further details have been described above at least in the description with respect to fig. 4, and repeated descriptions thereof are omitted here.

In one embodiment, the data channel may be a physical side link broadcast channel. Further details have been described in the above description at least with respect to fig. 2, 3 and 4, and their repeated description is omitted here.

In one embodiment, the at least one sequence-based signal may be at least one sequence-based synchronization signal, and the at least one sequence-based synchronization signal may include a side link primary synchronization signal and a side link secondary synchronization signal. Further details have been described above at least in the description of operation 140, fig. 2, fig. 3, and fig. 4, and repeated descriptions thereof are omitted here.

In one embodiment, the side link primary synchronization signal and the side link secondary synchronization signal may occupy the same plurality of consecutive physical resource blocks. Further details have been described in the above description at least with respect to fig. 2,3 and 4, and their repeated description is omitted here.

Fig. 7 shows a block diagram illustrating an example apparatus 700 for side link communication, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. For example, in the above examples, the apparatus may be at least a portion of UE 110.

As shown in fig. 7, the example apparatus 700 may include at least one processor 710 and at least one memory 720 that may include computer program code 730. The at least one memory 720 and the computer program code 730 may be configured to, with the at least one processor 710, cause the apparatus 700 to perform at least the example method 500 described above.

In various example embodiments, the at least one processor 710 in the example apparatus 700 may include, but is not limited to, at least one hardware processor including at least one microprocessor such as a Central Processing Unit (CPU), a portion of at least one hardware processor, and any other suitable special purpose processor such as those developed based on, for example, field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) and Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs). In addition, the at least one processor 710 may also include at least one other circuit or element not shown in fig. 7.

In various example embodiments, the at least one memory 720 in the example apparatus 700 may include various forms of at least one storage medium, such as volatile memory and/or non-volatile memory. Volatile memory can include, for example, but is not limited to, random Access Memory (RAM), cache memory, and the like. Nonvolatile storage can include, but is not limited to, for example, read Only Memory (ROM), hard disk, flash memory, and the like. Furthermore, at least memory 720 may include, but is not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any combination of the foregoing.

Furthermore, in various example embodiments, the example apparatus 700 may further include at least one other circuit, element, and interface, such as at least one I/O interface, at least one antenna element, and the like.

In various example embodiments, the circuits, components, elements, and interfaces in the example apparatus 700 including the at least one processor 710 and the at least one memory 720 may be coupled together in any suitable manner, e.g., electrically, magnetically, optically, electromagnetically, etc., via any suitable connection, including, but not limited to, buses, crossbars, wiring, and/or wireless links.

It should be appreciated that the structure of the device on the UE 110 side is not limited to the example device 700 described above.

Fig. 8 shows a block diagram illustrating an example apparatus 800 for side link communication according to an embodiment of the disclosure. For example, the apparatus may be at least a portion of the network device 120 in the above examples.

As shown in fig. 8, the example apparatus 800 may include at least one processor 810 and at least one memory 820 that may include computer program code 830. The at least one memory 820 and the computer program code 830 may be configured to, with the at least one processor 810, cause the apparatus 800 to perform at least one of the example methods 600 described above.

In various example embodiments, the at least one processor 810 in the example apparatus 800 may include, but is not limited to, at least one hardware processor including at least one microprocessor such as a Central Processing Unit (CPU), a portion of at least one hardware processor, and any other suitable special purpose processor such as those developed based on, for example, field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) and Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs). In addition, the at least one processor 810 may also include at least one other circuit or element not shown in fig. 8.

In various example embodiments, the at least one memory 820 in the example apparatus 800 may include various forms of at least one storage medium, such as volatile memory and/or non-volatile memory. Volatile memory can include, for example, but is not limited to, random Access Memory (RAM), cache memory, and the like. Nonvolatile storage can include, but is not limited to, for example, read Only Memory (ROM), hard disk, flash memory, and the like. Furthermore, at least memory 820 may include, but is not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any combination of the above.

Furthermore, in various example embodiments, the example apparatus 800 may also include at least one other circuit, element, and interface, such as at least one I/O interface, at least one antenna element, and so forth.

In various example embodiments, the circuits, components, elements, and interfaces in the example apparatus 800 including the at least one processor 810 and the at least one memory 820 may be coupled together in any suitable manner, e.g., electrically, magnetically, optically, electromagnetically, etc., via any suitable connection, including, but not limited to, buses, crossbars, wiring, and/or wireless links.

It should be appreciated that the structure of the devices on the network device 120 side is not limited to the example apparatus 800 described above.

Fig. 9 shows a block diagram illustrating an example device 900 for side link communication in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. For example, in the above examples, the device may be at least a portion of UE 110.

As shown in fig. 9, the example apparatus 900 may include means 910 for performing operation 510 of the example method 500. In one or more other example embodiments, at least one I/O interface, at least one antenna element, etc. may also be included in the example device 900.

In some example embodiments, examples of the apparatus in the example device 900 may include circuitry. For example, an example of apparatus 910 may include circuitry configured to perform operation 510 of example method 500. In some example embodiments, examples of the apparatus may also include software modules and any other suitable functional entities.

Fig. 10 shows a block diagram illustrating an example device 1000 for side link communication in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. For example, the device may be at least a portion of the network device 120 in the examples described above.

As shown in fig. 10, the example apparatus 1000 may include means 1010 for performing operation 610 of the example method 600 and means 1020 for performing operation 620 of the example method 600. In one or more other example embodiments, at least one I/O interface, at least one antenna element, etc. may also be included in the example device 1000.

In some example embodiments, examples of apparatus in example device 1000 may include circuitry. For example, an example of apparatus 1010 may include circuitry configured to perform operation 610 of example method 600, and an example of apparatus 1020 may include circuitry configured to perform operation 620 of example method 600. In some example embodiments, examples of the apparatus may also include software modules and any other suitable functional entities.

The term "circuitry" throughout this disclosure may refer to one or more or all of the following: (a) Hardware-only circuit implementations (such as implementations in analog and/or digital circuits only); (b) A combination of hardware circuitry and software, such as (i) a combination of analog and/or digital hardware circuitry and software/firmware, and (ii) a hardware processor and software (including digital signal processors), software, and any portion of memory, working together to cause a device, such as a mobile phone or server, to perform various functions, if applicable; 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 operate, but when software is not required to operate, the software may not be present. This definition of circuit applies to one or all uses of that term in this disclosure, including in any claims. As a further example, as used in this disclosure, the term circuit also encompasses embodiments of only a hardware circuit or processor (or processors) or a portion of a hardware circuit or processor and its (or their) accompanying software and/or firmware. The term circuitry also encompasses, for example and if applicable to the element in question, a baseband integrated circuit or processor integrated circuit for a mobile device or a similar integrated circuit in a server, a cellular network device, or other computing or network device.

Another example embodiment may relate to computer program code or instructions that may cause an apparatus to perform at least the various methods described above. Another example embodiment may relate to a computer-readable medium having such computer program code or instructions stored thereon. In some example embodiments, such computer-readable media may include at least one storage medium in various forms, such as volatile memory and/or non-volatile memory. Volatile memory can include, for example, but is not limited to, RAM, cache, and the like. The non-volatile memory may include, but is not limited to, ROM, hard disk, flash memory, etc. The non-volatile memory may also include, but is not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any combination of the preceding.

Throughout the specification and claims, the words "comprise," "include," and the like are to be construed in an inclusive rather than exclusive or exhaustive sense unless the context clearly requires otherwise; that is, in the sense of "including but not limited to". As generally used herein, the term "coupled" refers to two or more elements that may be connected directly, or through one or more intervening elements. Also, as generally used herein, the term "connected" refers to two or more elements that may be connected directly or through one or more intervening elements. Furthermore, the words "herein," "above," "below," and words of similar import, as used in this application, shall refer to this application as a whole and not to any particular portions of this application. Where the context allows, words in the specification using the singular or plural number may also include the plural or singular number, respectively. The term "or" refers to a list of two or more items, which term encompasses all of the following interpretations of the term: any item in the list, all items in the list, and any combination of items in the list.

Furthermore, conditional language such as "may," "for example," "such as," etc., as used herein is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments include, but other embodiments do not include, certain features, elements, and/or states unless specifically stated otherwise or otherwise understood in the context of use. Thus, such conditional language does not generally imply that features, elements and/or states are in any way required by one or more embodiments or that one or more embodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without author input or prompting, whether these features, elements or states are included or are to be performed in any particular embodiment.

As used herein, the term "determine/determine" (and grammatical variants thereof) may include at least the following: calculation, operation, processing, derivation, measurement, investigation, lookup (e.g., in a table, database, or other data structure), validation, and the like. Further, "determining" may include receiving (e.g., receiving information), accessing (e.g., accessing data in memory), retrieving, and so forth. Further, "determining/determining" may include parsing, selecting, establishing, and the like.

While some embodiments have been described, they are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Indeed, the apparatus, methods, and systems described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions, and changes in the form of the methods and systems described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the disclosure. For example, while blocks are presented in a given arrangement, alternative embodiments may utilize different components and/or circuit topologies to perform similar functions, and some blocks may be deleted, moved, added, subdivided, combined, and/or modified. At least one of these blocks may be implemented in a variety of different ways. The order of the blocks may also be changed. Any suitable combination of the elements and acts of some of the above embodiments can be combined to provide further embodiments. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the disclosure.

Abbreviations used in the specification and/or drawings are defined as follows:

AGC automatic gain control

BS base station

CN core network

COT channel occupancy time

FDM frequency division multiplexing

NCB nominal channel bandwidth

Channel bandwidth occupied by OCB

OFDM orthogonal frequency division multiplexing

PRB physical resource block

PSBCH physical side link broadcast channel

SCS subcarrier spacing

S-PSS side link master synchronization signal

S-SSB side link synchronization signal block

S-SSS side link auxiliary synchronization signal

UE user equipment

Wi-Fi wireless fidelity

Claims (40)

1. A method performed by a user equipment device, comprising:

Transmitting a data channel and at least one sequence-based signal according to a configuration, wherein

The frequency band is divided into a plurality of clusters over a plurality of first symbols for the data channel, and each cluster of the plurality of clusters includes a plurality of physical resource blocks, one for the data channel,

Allocating a plurality of consecutive physical resource blocks for said at least one sequence-based signal on at least one second symbol for said at least one sequence-based signal, and

The at least one second symbol follows the at least one first symbol.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the physical resource blocks are in the same location in each of the plurality of clusters for the data channel.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein at least two physical resource blocks are in different locations in at least two of the plurality of clusters for the data channel.

4. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the at least one first symbol is followed by the at least one second symbol comprising one symbol for automatic gain control.

5. The method of any of claims 1-4, wherein the at least one second symbol follows the plurality of first symbols.

6. The method of any of claims 1-5, wherein in each of the plurality of clusters, the one physical resource block for the data channel is different from one physical resource block for a data channel of another user equipment device, and the plurality of consecutive physical resource blocks for the at least one sequence-based signal is different from a plurality of consecutive physical resource blocks for at least one sequence-based signal of the other user equipment device.

7. The method of any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the data channel is a physical sidelink broadcast channel.

8. The method of any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the at least one sequence-based signal is at least one sequence-based synchronization signal, and the at least one sequence-based synchronization signal comprises a side link primary synchronization signal and a side link secondary synchronization signal.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the side link primary synchronization signal and the side link secondary synchronization signal occupy the same plurality of consecutive physical resource blocks.

10. A method, comprising:

Dividing a frequency band into a plurality of clusters on a plurality of first symbols of a data channel for a first user equipment device, each cluster of the plurality of clusters comprising a plurality of physical resource blocks, one physical resource block for the data channel for the first user equipment device; and is also provided with

Allocating a plurality of consecutive physical resource blocks for at least one sequence-based signal of the first user equipment device on at least one second symbol of the at least one sequence-based signal for the first user equipment device, wherein

The at least one second symbol follows the at least one first symbol.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the physical resource blocks are in the same location in each of the plurality of clusters for the data channel of the first user equipment device.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein at least two physical resource blocks are in different locations in at least two clusters of the plurality of clusters for the data channel of the first user equipment device.

13. The method of any of claims 10 to 12, wherein the at least one first symbol is followed by the at least one second symbol comprising one symbol for automatic gain control.

14. The method of any of claims 10 to 13, wherein the at least one second symbol follows the plurality of first symbols.

15. The method of any of claims 10 to 14, wherein in each of the plurality of clusters, the one physical resource block of the data channel for the first user equipment device is different from one physical resource block of a data channel for a second user equipment device, and the plurality of consecutive physical resource blocks of the at least one sequence-based signal for the first user equipment device is different from a plurality of consecutive physical resource blocks of at least one sequence-based signal for the second user equipment device.

16. The method of any of claims 10 to 15, wherein the data channel is a physical sidelink broadcast channel.

17. The method of any of claims 10 to 16, the at least one sequence-based signal is at least one sequence-based synchronization signal, and the at least one sequence-based synchronization signal comprises a side link primary synchronization signal and a side link secondary synchronization signal.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the side link primary synchronization signal and the side link secondary synchronization signal occupy the same plurality of consecutive physical resource blocks.

19. An apparatus, comprising:

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 apparatus as a user equipment apparatus to perform:

Transmitting a data channel and at least one sequence-based signal according to a configuration, wherein

The frequency band is divided into a plurality of clusters over a plurality of first symbols for the data channel, and each cluster of the plurality of clusters includes a plurality of physical resource blocks, one for the data channel,

Allocating a plurality of consecutive physical resource blocks for said at least one sequence-based signal on at least one second symbol for said at least one sequence-based signal, and

The at least one second symbol follows the at least one first symbol.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the physical resource blocks are in the same location in each of the plurality of clusters for the data channel.

21. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein at least two physical resource blocks are in different locations in at least two of the plurality of clusters for the data channel.

22. The apparatus of any of claims 19-21, wherein the at least one first symbol is followed by the at least one second symbol comprising one symbol for automatic gain control.

23. The apparatus of any of claims 19 to 22, wherein the at least one second symbol follows the plurality of first symbols.

24. The apparatus of any of claims 19-23, wherein in each of the plurality of clusters, the one physical resource block for the data channel is different from one physical resource block for a data channel of another user equipment apparatus, and the plurality of consecutive physical resource blocks for the at least one sequence-based signal is different from a plurality of consecutive physical resource blocks for at least one sequence-based signal of the other user equipment apparatus.

25. The apparatus of any of claims 19 to 24, wherein the data channel is a physical sidelink broadcast channel.

26. The apparatus of any of claims 19 to 25, wherein the at least one sequence-based signal is at least one sequence-based synchronization signal, and the at least one sequence-based synchronization signal comprises a side link primary synchronization signal and a side link secondary synchronization signal.

27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the side link primary synchronization signal and the side link secondary synchronization signal occupy the same plurality of consecutive physical resource blocks.

28. An apparatus, comprising:

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 apparatus to perform:

Dividing a frequency band into a plurality of clusters on a plurality of first symbols of a data channel for a first user equipment device, each cluster of the plurality of clusters comprising a plurality of physical resource blocks, one physical resource block for the data channel for the first user equipment device; and

Allocating a plurality of consecutive physical resource blocks for at least one sequence-based signal of the first user equipment device on at least one second symbol of the at least one sequence-based signal for the first user equipment device, wherein

The at least one second symbol follows the at least one first symbol.

29. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the physical resource blocks are in the same location in each of the plurality of clusters for the data channel of the first user equipment apparatus.

30. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein at least two physical resource blocks are in different locations in at least two clusters of the plurality of clusters for the data channel of the first user equipment apparatus.

31. The apparatus of any of claims 28-30, wherein the at least one first symbol is followed by the at least one second symbol comprising one symbol for automatic gain control.

32. The apparatus of any of claims 28 to 31, wherein the at least one second symbol follows the plurality of first symbols.

33. The apparatus of any of claims 28-32, wherein in each of the plurality of clusters, the one physical resource block of the data channel for the first user equipment device is different from one physical resource block of a data channel for a second user equipment device, and the plurality of consecutive physical resource blocks of the at least one sequence-based signal for the first user equipment device is different from a plurality of consecutive physical resource blocks of at least one sequence-based signal for the second user equipment device.

34. The apparatus of any of claims 28 to 33, wherein the data channel is a physical sidelink broadcast channel.

35. The apparatus of any of claims 28 to 34, the at least one sequence-based signal is at least one sequence-based synchronization signal, and the at least one sequence-based synchronization signal comprises a side link primary synchronization signal and a side link secondary synchronization signal.

36. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the side link primary synchronization signal and the side link secondary synchronization signal occupy the same plurality of consecutive physical resource blocks.

37. An apparatus as a user equipment device, comprising:

Apparatus for transmitting a data channel and at least one sequence-based signal according to a configuration, wherein

The frequency band is divided into a plurality of clusters over a plurality of first symbols for the data channel, and each cluster of the plurality of clusters includes a plurality of physical resource blocks, one for the data channel,

Allocating a plurality of consecutive physical resource blocks for said at least one sequence-based signal on at least one second symbol for said at least one sequence-based signal, and

The at least one second symbol follows the at least one first symbol.

38. An apparatus, comprising:

Means for dividing a frequency band into a plurality of clusters over a plurality of first symbols for a data channel of a first user equipment device, each cluster of the plurality of clusters comprising a plurality of physical resource blocks, one physical resource block for the data channel of the first user equipment device; and

Means for allocating a plurality of consecutive physical resource blocks for at least one sequence-based signal of the first user equipment device on at least one second symbol of the at least one sequence-based signal for the first user equipment device, wherein

The at least one second symbol follows the at least one first symbol.

39. A computer readable medium comprising program instructions for causing an apparatus as user equipment apparatus to:

Transmitting a data channel and at least one sequence-based signal according to a configuration, wherein

The frequency band is divided into a plurality of clusters over a plurality of first symbols for the data channel, and each cluster of the plurality of clusters includes a plurality of physical resource blocks, one for the data channel,

Allocating a plurality of consecutive physical resource blocks for said at least one sequence-based signal on at least one second symbol for said at least one sequence-based signal, and

The at least one second symbol follows the at least one first symbol.

40. A computer readable medium comprising program instructions for causing an apparatus to:

Dividing a frequency band into a plurality of clusters on a plurality of first symbols of a data channel for a first user equipment device, each cluster of the plurality of clusters comprising a plurality of physical resource blocks, one physical resource block for the data channel for the first user equipment device; and

Allocating a plurality of consecutive physical resource blocks for at least one sequence-based signal of the first user equipment device on at least one second symbol of the at least one sequence-based signal for the first user equipment device, wherein

The at least one second symbol follows the at least one first symbol.