Method for managing resource utilization for multi-hop device discovery and device to device communication

A method for an evolved Node B (eNB) to support a user equipment (UE) capable of device to device (D2D) communication, the method comprising:

• receiving a request, from a UE capable of D2D communication, for a resource to perform initial device discovery for D2D communication;
• transmitting a first grant of a resource, if available, for the UE to perform initial device discovery;
• receiving a response from the UE based on the initial device discovery, the initial device discovery by the UE including calculating metrics related to device discovery;
• and
• transmitting a second grant of a resource, if available, for the UE to perform device discovery based on the response from the UE, the device discovery by the UE including re-calculating metrics related to device discovery.

A user equipment (UE) capable of device to device (D2D) communication, comprising:

• a transceiver;
• and
• a controller configured to:
• control the transceiver to send a request to a network for a resource to perform initial device discovery for D2D communication,
• perform initial device discovery based on the resource granted by the network, the initial device discovery including calculating metrics related to device discovery, and
• perform device discovery based on the resource granted by the network, the device discovery including re-calculating metrics related to device discovery.

An evolved Node B (eNB), comprising:

• a transceiver;
• and
• a controller configured to:
• control the transceiver to receive a request from a user equipment (UE) capable of device to device (D2D) communication for a resource to perform initial device discovery for D2D communication;
• transmit a first grant of a resource, if available, for the UE to perform initial device discovery;
• receive a response from the UE based on the initial device discovery, the initial device discovery by the UE including calculating metrics related to device discovery;
• and
• transmit a second grant of a resource, if available, for the UE to perform device discovery based on the response from the UE, the device discovery by the UE including re-calculating metrics related to device discovery.

A chip set capable of supporting device to device (D2D) communication in a user equipment (UE) by executing a method according to which the UE performs the steps of:

• sending a request, via a transceiver to a network, for a resource to perform initial device discovery for D2D communication;
• performing initial device discovery, via the transceiver, based on the resource granted by the network, the initial device discovery including calculating metrics related to device discovery;
• and
• performing device discovery, via the transceiver, by the UE based on the resource granted by the network, the device discovery including re-calculating metrics related to device discovery.