Method for Handling Side Link (SL) Communication Over an Unlicensed Spectrum

A method performed by a network node for handling a Side Link (SL) communication over an unlicensed spectrum, between one or more peers comprising at least a first User Equipment (UE) and a second UE in a wireless communications network, the method comprising:

• initiating a Channel Occupancy Time (COT) to be used for the SL communication, wherein the COT is a time period for performing SL communication using the unlicensed spectrum, and
• signalling an indication of COT parameters to at least one of the one or more peers, enabling at least one of the one or more of the peers, to start the SL communication during the COT.

A method performed by a first User Equipment (UE) or second UE for handling a Side Link (SL) communication over an unlicensed spectrum, between one or more peers comprising at least the first UE and the second UE in a wireless communications network, the method comprising:

• receiving an indication of Channel Occupancy Time (COT) parameters, wherein the COT is a time period for performing SL communication using the unlicensed spectrum, and
• starting the SL communication during the COT based on access information indicated by the indication of COT parameters.

A network node configured to handle a Side Link (SL) communication over an unlicensed spectrum, between one or more peers comprising at least a first User Equipment (UE) and a second UE, in a wireless communications network, the network node comprising communication interface circuitry and processing circuitry operatively coupled to the communication interface circuitry and configured to:

• initiate a Channel Occupancy Time (COT) to be used for the SL communication, wherein the COT is adapted to be a time period for performing SL communication using the unlicensed spectrum, and
• signal an indication of COT parameters to at least one of the one or more peers, enabling at least one of the one or more of the peers to start the SL communication during the COT.

A user equipment (UE) configured to handle a Side Link (SL) communication over an unlicensed spectrum, between one or more peers comprising at least the UE and s second UE in a wireless communications network, the UE comprising communication interface circuitry and processing circuitry operatively coupled to the communication interface circuitry and configured to:

• receive an indication of Channel Occupancy Time (COT) parameters, wherein the COT is adapted to be a time period for performing SL communication using the unlicensed spectrum,
• start the SL communication during the COT based on access information indicated by the indication of COT parameters.