Network-managed direct device to device communications

#This disclosure relates to direct device-to-device (DD2D) communications in a mobile communications network.

#Communication networks include wired and wireless networks. Example wired networks include the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) and Ethernet local area networks. Example wireless networks include licensed cellular networks as well as unlicensed wireless networks that connect to wired networks. Calls and other communications may be connected across wired and wireless networks.

#In wireless cellular networks, mobile devices generally communicate with each other by transmitting and receiving data traffic through base stations or other similar network nodes, even when the mobile devices are in close proximity. Direct communications between mobile devices in a licensed band without network control can cause interference to other mobile devices operating in the network.

#FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an example mobile communication system.

#FIG. 2 is a schematic illustrating an example network node.

#FIG. 3 is a schematic illustrating an example user equipment device.

#Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.

#Certain aspects of the disclosure are directed to systems, methods, and apparatuses for providing an inter-device session where the devices can communicate directly, and where the network and the network operator maintain an acceptable level of control over the device to device communication. In the present application, the term “directly” is used to indicate communications between devices and/or communications between a device and a network element without intervening devices. For example, a first UE can transmit data and feedback signaling directly to a second UE without having to transmit the data and feedback signaling to a network element. In the interest of consistency, certain examples in this disclosure may be described in relation to Long Term Evolution (LTE) technology. However, similar device-to-device communications aspects described in this disclosure may also be applied to other wireless communications technologies.

#In this disclosure, direct device-to-device communications may be referenced as an inter-device session (IDS). An inter-device session (IDS) may include configuration to allow communication between two or more UEs. For a given IDS resource allocation, one UE in the session may be transmitting in an allotted resource, and other UEs in the session are expected to be receiving in that allotted resource. It should be understood that the IDS resource may be allocated in resources that may previously be considered “uplink” or “downlink” resources. A first UE may transmit over the IDS resource and one or more other UEs will receive the transmission over the IDS resource. Therefore, in some implementations, the IDS resource may be allocated from either “uplink” or “downlink” portions of the resource pool, where the IDS resource is used for inter-device communications.