HK1234583A1 - System and method for obtaining and using device-to-device frequency-related capability and configuration preferences - Google Patents

Description

System and method for obtaining and using device-to-device frequency-related capabilities and configuration preferences

Technical Field

Particular embodiments relate generally to wireless communications, and more particularly, to systems and methods for obtaining and using device-to-device frequency-related capabilities and configuration preferences (preferences).

Background

In a wireless network, a wireless device may communicate with one or more radio access nodes to send and/or receive information, such as voice traffic, data traffic, control signals, and so on. Wireless devices that are in proximity to each other may be able to communicate directly with each other using device-to-device communication methods. For example, the network node assists the first wireless device in discovering another wireless device that resides adjacent to it and is able to establish a so-called direct mode data path or a local routing data path to the other wireless device. Direct mode, as well as locally routing the data path, brings several advantages, such as reduced latency, and enabling spatial reuse of time and/or frequency resources.

In D2D communication, e.g. in direct mode, the wireless device still needs to maintain a communication link to the network node, and the network node should be able to control the D2D link, e.g. for interference coordination and power control of the link. The wireless device keeps both links and the network node at least some control or involvement requires that signaling (signaling) be as efficient as possible, e.g., to require as little overhead as possible. It may be desirable to implement D2D communications (e.g., set such communications) as efficiently as possible.

Disclosure of Invention

According to the present disclosure, to achieve the above object, it is proposed to signal at least one of D2D frequency-related capabilities and D2D configuration preferences of a first D2D capable wireless device to a first node. The first node may be a network node for coordinating D2D operations in a wireless communication network or another D2D-capable device.

In a particular example implementation, the proposed solution may provide a method for providing device-to-device communication using device-to-device frequency-related capabilities and configuration preferences for wireless devices. In one example embodiment, the method may be implemented by a first D2D-capable wireless device and may include:

-signaling device-to-device frequency-related capabilities and/or D2D configuration preferences thereof to the first node,

-receiving a message or indication from the first node based on the capability and/or D2D configuration preferences;

-configuring a first D2D capable wireless device to operate with at least one of the D2D frequency related configurations supported/preferred by the first wireless device;

-performing at least one D2D operation when the D2D frequency is configured in relation to at least one of the configurations.

-optionally, the signaled capability comprises one or more D2D frequency-related configurations supported by the first D2D-capable wireless device;

optionally, the first node may comprise a network node;

optionally, the first node may comprise a second D2D-capable wireless device;

in another example embodiment, a method may be implemented by a network node and may include:

-receiving a D2D frequency-related capability and/or a D2D configuration preference from a first D2D-capable wireless device;

-using the obtained capabilities/preferences for one or more operational tasks.

Other implementations may include a wireless communication device and/or an access node, or a wireless communication system, in which the wireless communication device and/or the access node implement the described methods.

Some embodiments of the present disclosure may provide one or more technical advantages. For example, certain embodiments may provide offloading of a cellular network, faster communication, increased awareness of surrounding wireless devices of interest (e.g., running the same application), higher quality links due to closer proximity, and so forth. Some attractive applications of D2D communication are video streaming, online gaming, media downloading, peer-to-peer (P2P), file sharing, etc.

Some embodiments may benefit from some or all of these advantages, or may not benefit from these advantages. Other technical advantages may be readily ascertained by one skilled in the art.

It is an object of the present disclosure to provide improvements relating to D2D communication.

According to an aspect, the object is achieved by a method for providing device-to-device D2D operations performed in a first D2D-capable wireless device. The method comprises the following steps: signaling to the first node at least one of: D2D frequency-related capability and D2D configuration preference of a first D2D-capable wireless device; receiving a message from the first node based on at least one of the D2D frequency-related capabilities and the D2D configuration preferences, and based on the message received from the first node, configuring the first D2D-capable wireless device to operate in accordance with at least one of the D2D frequency-related capabilities and the D2D configuration preferences.

The approach provides several advantages, for example, it enables the use of correct, and even optimized, D2D configurations in an efficient manner. For example, in the case of D2D operation being supported, or in the case of the expected best performance of D2D operation, a D2D-capable wireless device may be configured for D2D operation on a certain frequency. The first node configuring the D2D-capable wireless device knows its configuration and/or preferences.

According to an aspect, the object is achieved by a computer program for a D2D capable wireless device. The computer comprises computer program code which, when executed on at least one processor on a D2D-capable wireless device, causes the D2D-capable wireless device to perform the method as described above.

According to an aspect, the object is achieved by a computer program product comprising a computer program as described above and a computer readable means storing the computer program.

According to an aspect, the object is achieved by a device-to-device D2D capable wireless device for providing D2D operation. The D2D-capable wireless device is configured to signal to the first node at least one of: a D2D frequency-related capability and a D2D configuration preference of the first D2D-capable wireless device, and; receiving a message from the first node based on at least one of the D2D frequency-related capabilities and the D2D configuration preferences, and based on the message received from the first node, configuring the first D2D-capable wireless device to operate in accordance with at least one of the D2D frequency-related capabilities and the D2D configuration preferences.

According to an aspect, the object is achieved by a method for providing device-to-device D2D operations performed in a node. The method comprises the following steps: obtaining at least one of: D2D frequency-related capability and D2D configuration preference of a first D2D-capable wireless device; and using the obtained D2D frequency-related capabilities and/or D2D configuration preferences of the first D2D-capable wireless device for one or more operational tasks.

According to an aspect, the object is achieved by a computer program for a node. The computer program comprises computer program code which, when executed on at least one processor on a node, causes the node to perform the method as described above.

According to an aspect, the object is achieved by a computer program product comprising a computer program as described above and a computer readable means storing the computer program.

According to an aspect, the object is achieved by a node for providing device-to-device D2D operation. The node is configured to: obtaining at least one of: D2D frequency-related capability and D2D configuration preference of a first D2D-capable wireless device; and using the obtained D2D frequency-related capabilities and/or D2D configuration preferences of the first D2D-capable wireless device for one or more operational tasks.

Other features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent upon reading the following description and the accompanying drawings.

Drawings

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, and the features and advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a network;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating certain embodiments of a wireless device;

figure 3 is a block diagram illustrating certain embodiments of a radio network node;

figure 4 is a block diagram illustrating certain embodiments of a core network node;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating certain embodiments of providing a default data path scenario for communication between two wireless devices;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating certain embodiments of providing a direct mode data path for communication between two wireless devices;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating certain embodiments of providing a "local routing" data path for communications between two wireless devices;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating certain embodiments of a device-to-device system architecture that utilizes device-to-device frequency-related capabilities and configuration preferences for device-to-device communication; and

fig. 9 is a flow diagram illustrating certain embodiments of a method for using device-to-device frequency-related capabilities and configuration preferences for device-to-device communication.

Fig. 10 is a flow chart illustrating a method in a device-to-device capable wireless device.

Fig. 11 is a flow chart illustrating a method in a node.

Detailed Description

Particular embodiments are depicted in fig. 1-9 of the drawings, like numerals being used for like and corresponding parts of the various images.

Fig. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a radio network 100 comprising one or more wireless devices 110, a radio network node 115, a radio network controller 120, and a core network node 130. Wireless device 110 may communicate with radio network node 115 over a wireless interface. For example, wireless device 110 may transmit wireless signals to radio network node 115 and/or receive wireless signals from radio network node 115. The wireless signals may include voice traffic, data traffic, control signals, and/or any other suitable information.

The radio network node 115 may interface with a radio network controller 120. The radio network controller 120 may control the radio network node 115 and may provide certain radio resource management functions, mobility management functions, and/or other suitable functions. The radio network node 120 may interface with a core network node 130. In certain embodiments, the radio network controller 120 may interface with the core network node 130 via an interconnection network. An interconnection network may refer to any interconnection system capable of transmitting audio, video, signals, data, messages, or any combination of the foregoing. The interconnection network may include all or a portion of a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), a public or private data network, a Local Area Network (LAN), a Metropolitan Area Network (MAN), a Wide Area Network (WAN), a local, regional, or global communication or computer network (such as the internet, etc.), a wireline or wireless network, an enterprise intranet, or any other suitable communication link, including combinations thereof.

In some embodiments, core network node 130 may manage the establishment of communication sessions and various other functionalities for wireless device 110. Wireless device 110 may exchange certain signals with core network node 130 using the non-access layer. In non-access stratum signaling, signals may be passed transparently between wireless device 110 and core network node 130 through the radio access network. Example embodiments of wireless device 110, radio network node 115, and a network node (such as radio network controller 120 or core network node 130) are described with respect to fig. 2, 3, and 4, respectively.

Fig. 2 is a block diagram illustrating certain embodiments of wireless device 110. Examples of wireless device 110 include a mobile phone, a smart phone, a PDA (personal digital assistant), a portable computer (e.g., laptop, tablet), a sensor, a modem, a Machine Type (MTC) device/machine to machine (M2M) device, a Laptop Embedded Equipment (LEE), a Laptop Mounted Equipment (LME), a USB cryptographic decryptor, a device-to-device capable device, or another device capable of providing wireless communication. In some embodiments, wireless device 110 may also refer to a User Equipment (UE), a Station (STA), a device, or a terminal. Wireless device 110 includes a transceiver 210, a processor 220, and a memory 230. In some embodiments, transceiver 210 facilitates transmitting wireless signals to radio network node 120 and receiving wireless signals from radio network node 120 (e.g., via an antenna), processor 220 executes instructions to provide some or all of the functionality described above as provided by wireless device 110, and memory 230 stores instructions for execution by processor 230.

Processor 220 may include any suitable combination of hardware and software implemented in one or more modules 240 to execute instructions and manipulate data to perform some or all of the described functions of wireless device 110. In some embodiments, processor 220 may include, for example, one or more computers, one or more Central Processing Units (CPUs), one or more microprocessors, one or more applications, and/or other logic.

Memory 230 is generally operable to store instructions, such as a computer program, software, an application including one or more of logic, rules, algorithms, code, tables, and/or other instructions capable of being executed by a processor. Examples of memory 230 include computer memory (e.g., Random Access Memory (RAM) or Read Only Memory (ROM)), a mass storage medium (e.g., a hard disk), a removable storage medium (e.g., a Compact Disc (CD) or a Digital Video Disc (DVD)), and/or any other volatile or non-volatile, non-transitory computer-readable and/or computer-executable memory device that stores information.

Other embodiments of wireless device 110 may include additional components beyond those shown in fig. 2 that may be responsible for providing certain aspects of the functionality of the wireless device, including any of the functionality described above and/or any additional functionality (including any functionality needed to support the above-described solution).

Fig. 3 is a block diagram illustrating certain embodiments of the radio network node 115. Examples of radio nodes 115 include enodebs, node bs, base stations, wireless access point (e.g., Wi-Fi access point) low power nodes, Base Transceiver Stations (BTSs), transmission points, transmission nodes, Remote RF Units (RRUs), Remote Radio Heads (RRHs), and so forth. The radio network nodes 115 may be deployed as homogeneous deployments, heterogeneous deployments, or mixed deployments throughout the network 100. A homogeneous deployment may generally describe a deployment consisting of the same (or similar) type of radio network nodes 115 and/or similar coverage and cell sizes and inter-site distances. A heterogeneous deployment may generally describe a deployment using multiple types of radio network nodes 115 with different cell sizes, transmit powers, capacities, and inter-site distances. For example, a heterogeneous deployment may include multiple low power nodes placed within an entire macro cell layout. A hybrid deployment may include a mixture of homogeneous and heterogeneous portions.

Radio network node 115 may include one or more of a transceiver 310, a processor 320, a memory 330, and a network interface 340. In some embodiments, transceiver 310 facilitates transmitting wireless signals to and receiving wireless signals from wireless device 110 (e.g., via an antenna), processor 320 executes instructions to provide some or all of the functionality described above as provided by radio network node 115, memory 330 stores instructions executed by processor 320, and network interface 340 passes signals to backend network components, such as gateways, switches, routers, the internet, the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), core network node 130, radio network controller 120, and so forth.

The processor 320 may include any suitable combination of hardware and software implemented in one or more modules 350 to execute instructions and manipulate data to perform some or all of the described functions of the radio network node 115. In some embodiments, processor 320 may include, for example, one or more computers, one or more Central Processing Units (CPUs), one or more microprocessors, one or more applications, and/or other logic.

Memory 330 is generally operable to store instructions, such as computer programs, software, applications including one or more of logic, rules, algorithms, code, tables, and/or other instructions capable of being executed by a processor. Examples of memory 330 include computer memory (e.g., Random Access Memory (RAM) or Read Only Memory (ROM)), a mass storage medium (e.g., a hard disk), a removable storage medium (e.g., a Compact Disc (CD) or a Digital Video Disc (DVD)), and/or any other volatile or non-volatile, non-transitory computer-readable and/or computer-executable memory device that stores information.

In some embodiments, network interface 340 is communicatively coupled to processor 320 and may refer to any suitable device operable to receive input for radio network node 115, send output from radio network node 115, perform suitable processing of input or output or both, communicate to other devices, or any combination of the foregoing. The network interface 340 may include appropriate hardware (e.g., ports, modems, network interface cards, etc.) and software (including protocol conversion and data processing capabilities) to communicate over a network.

Other embodiments of the radio network node 115 may comprise further components than those shown in fig. 3, which may be responsible for providing certain aspects of the functionality of the radio network node, including any functionality described above and/or any further functionality (including any functionality required to support the above described solution). The various different types of radio network nodes may include components that have the same physical hardware, but are configured (e.g., programmed) to support different radio access technologies, or may represent partially or completely different physical components.

Fig. 4 is a block diagram illustrating some embodiments of the radio network controller 120 or the core network node 130. Examples of network nodes can include a Mobile Switching Center (MSC), a Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN), a Mobility Management Entity (MME), a Radio Network Controller (RNC), a Base Station Controller (BSC), and so forth. The network node comprises a processor 420, a memory 430 and a network interface 440. In some embodiments, processor 420 executes instructions to provide some or all of the functionality described above as provided by a network node, memory 430 stores instructions executed by processor 420, and network node 940 passes signals to appropriate nodes, such as gateways, switches, routers, the internet, the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), radio network nodes 115, radio network controllers 120, core network nodes 130, and so forth.

The processor 420 may include any suitable combination of software and hardware implemented in one or more modules to execute instructions and manipulate data to perform some or all of the described functions of the network node. In some embodiments, processor 420 may include, for example, one or more computers, one or more Central Processing Units (CPUs), one or more microprocessors, one or more applications, and/or other logic.

The memory 430 is generally operable to store instructions, such as computer programs, software, applications including one or more of logic, rules, algorithms, code, tables, and/or other instructions capable of being executed by the processor. Examples of memory 430 include computer memory (e.g., Random Access Memory (RAM) or Read Only Memory (ROM)), mass storage media (e.g., a hard disk), removable storage media (e.g., a Compact Disc (CD) or Digital Video Disc (DVD)), and/or any other volatile or non-volatile, non-transitory computer-readable and/or computer-executable memory device that stores information.

In some embodiments, network interface 440 is communicatively coupled to processor 420 and may refer to any suitable device operable to receive input for a network node, send output from a network node, perform suitable processing of input or output or both, pass to other devices, or any combination of the preceding. The network interface 440 may include appropriate hardware (e.g., ports, modems, network interface cards, etc.) and software (including protocol conversion and data processing capabilities) to communicate over a network.

Other embodiments of the network node may comprise further components in addition to those shown in fig. 4, which may be responsible for providing certain aspects of the functionality of the network node, including any of the functionality described above and/or any further functionality (including any functionality required to support the solution described above).

Fig. 5 is a block diagram illustrating certain embodiments of providing a default data path 500 scenario for communication between two wireless devices. As depicted, communications between wireless devices 110A-B pass through network node 115 (115A, 115B) and network node 120 along default paths 500A-D. However, wireless devices 110 within proximity to each other may be able to communicate more directly with each other using device-to-device (D2D) communication technology. For example, fig. 6 is a block diagram illustrating certain embodiments of providing a direct mode data path 600 for communication between two wireless devices. As another example, FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating certain embodiments that provide local routing data paths 700A-B for communication between two wireless devices. However, current D2D communication solutions do not allow or use signaling through the D2D frequency-related capabilities of the wireless device and/or the preferred D2D configuration of the wireless device during the provisioning of such services.

Fig. 8 is a block diagram illustrating certain embodiments of a device-to-device system architecture 800 that utilizes device-to-device frequency-related capabilities and configuration preferences for device-to-device communication. In certain embodiments, wireless device 110 may have device-to-device (D2D) capabilities. In particular, wireless device 110 may include any entity capable of at least receiving or transmitting radio signals over a direct radio link, i.e., a link between this entity and another D2D-capable entity. D2D capable devices may also be included in cellular UEs, PDAs, wireless devices, laptops, mobile devices, sensors, relays, D2D relays, or even small base stations employing a UE-like interface, etc. The D2D capable device is capable of supporting at least one D2D operation. Thus, the wireless device 110 may also be referred to as a User Equipment (UE), a D2D user equipment (D2D UE), a D2D device, a D2D capable UE, or any other suitable terminology. In some examples, the terms "D2D" and "proximity (proximity) service" (ProSe) may be used interchangeably.

In certain embodiments, D2D operations may include any action or activity related to D2D, such as transmitting or receiving a signal/channel for D2D purposes, transmitting or receiving data via D2D communications, transmitting or receiving control or assistance data for D2D purposes, transmitting or receiving a request for control or assistance data for D2D, selecting a D2D mode of operation, initiating/starting D2D operations, switching from a cellular mode of operation to a D2D mode of operation, and configuring a receiver or transmitter with one or more parameters for D2D. Using data related to D2D, the D2D operation may be used for business purposes or to support public safety. The D2D operation may be specific or unspecific to a certain D2D service.

The D2D transmission may be any transmission through the D2D device. Some examples of D2D transmissions are dedicated or common/shared physical signals or physical channels, e.g., reference signals, synchronization signals, control channels, data channels, broadcast channels, paging channels, etc. A D2D transmission on a direct radio link is intended to be received by another D2D device. The D2D transmission may be a unicast, multicast or broadcast transmission.

The network node 115 may be considered a coordinating node. In particular embodiments, the network node 115 schedules, at least in part, decides or selects time-frequency resources to be used for at least one of: cellular transmissions and D2D transmissions. The coordinating node may also provide the scheduling information to another node, such as another D2D device, a cluster head, a radio network node, such as an eNodeB, or a network node (e.g., a core network node). The coordinating node may communicate with the radio network node.

While at least some embodiments describe for D2D transmissions in Uplink (UL) spectrum (frequency division duplex FDD) or UL resources (time division duplex TDD), embodiments are not limited at all to the use of UL radio resources, licensed or unlicensed spectrum, or any particular spectrum, cellular networks may include, for example, Long Term Evolution (LTE) networks (FDD or TDD), Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (UTRA) networks, Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) networks, Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), global system for mobile communications (GSM) networks, any network employing any one or more Radio Access Technologies (RATs) for cellular operation. The description herein is given for LTE, but it is not limited to LTE RAT. The RATs may include, for example, LTE, GSM, CDMA, Wideband CDMA (WCDMA), WiFi, Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), WiMAX, and the like.

In some embodiments, the network node 115 may be a radio network node or another network node. Some examples of radio network nodes are radio base stations, relay nodes, access points, cluster heads, RNCs, etc. The radio network node is comprised in a radio communication network and may also support cellular operation. Some examples of network nodes that are not radio network nodes are: a core network node, an MME, a node that at least partially controls mobility of a wireless device, a SON node, an O & M node, a positioning node, a server, an application server, a D2D server (possibly capable of some but not all D2D related features), a node that includes ProSe functionality, a ProSe server, an external node, or a node included in another network.

The term "D2D frequency-related capability" as used herein may refer to the capability of a UE supporting D2D operations through one or more frequency-related configurations, such as:

one or more specific carrier frequencies/bands/RATs,

a bandwidth (e.g., transmission and/or reception bandwidth) or a combination of bandwidths on a frequency carrier,

a bandwidth (e.g., a transmission and/or reception bandwidth) or a bandwidth combination over two or more carriers,

maximum number of parallel D2D sessions or connections per carrier/band/RAT,

the ability to support D2D operation only on one or more serving carriers,

the ability to support D2D operation on a non-serving carrier (i.e., inter-frequency or inter-RAT),

the ability to perform one or more D2D operations on a non-serving carrier or in a non-serving RAT in a particular manner (e.g., no measurement gaps, or no interruption caused on the serving cell),

certain duplex configurations (e.g., full duplex, half duplex or HD-FDD),

a configuration to achieve a certain capacity (e.g., a certain bit rate or throughput for D2D),

spectrum type (e.g., for DL or UL operation, licensed or unlicensed),

continuous or discontinuous transmission/reception in the frequency domain,

multi-carrier D2D operation (simultaneous D2D operation on two or more carriers),

multiplexing of signals/channels related to D2D operation in the frequency domain and other types of signals/channels (e.g., for cellular operation) on the same carrier frequency.

In addition to at least one, some of the above capabilities may also be predefined for D2D.

The term "D2D configuration preferences" may include one or more configurations preferred by the UE for D2D operations, such as:

one or more specific carrier frequencies/bands/RATs,

a bandwidth (e.g., transmission and/or reception bandwidth) or a combination of bandwidths on a frequency carrier,

a bandwidth (e.g., a transmission and/or reception bandwidth) or a bandwidth combination over two or more carriers,

certain time and/or frequency resources (e.g., slots, subframes, portions of bandwidth, resource blocks, resources according to a pattern, etc.),

the communication range for D2D (e.g., may be a distance-related measurement in meters, in dBm (for received signal strength or path loss), in time (for RTT or TA or propagation delay)),

D2D operating only on one or more serving carriers,

D2D operation on a non-serving carrier (i.e., inter-frequency or inter-RAT),

certain duplex configurations (e.g., full duplex, half duplex or HD-FDD),

a configuration to achieve a certain capacity (e.g., a certain bit rate or throughput for D2D),

target QoS for D2D operation (e.g., target bit rate, maximum bit error rate, maximum blocking probability caused by other UEs, minimum signal strength or quality, detection probability, minimum RRM requirement, minimum RF requirement, etc.),

spectrum type (e.g., for DL or UL operation, licensed or unlicensed),

continuous or discontinuous transmission/reception in the frequency domain,

multi-carrier D2D operation (simultaneous D2D operation on two or more carriers),

multiplexing of signals/channels related to D2D operation and other types of signals/channels (e.g., for cellular operation) in the frequency domain.

The embodiments described herein may be combined with each other in any manner.

Fig. 9 is a flow diagram illustrating certain embodiments of a method 900 for using device-to-device frequency-related capabilities and configuration preferences for device-to-device communication. In certain embodiments, the steps may be performed by a first D2D-capable UE.

For example, the method may begin at step 902 when the first wireless device 110A signals its D2D frequency-related capability and/or its D2D configuration preference to the first node 115A (e.g., a network node or a second D2D-capable UE). In particular embodiments, the capabilities include one or more D2D frequency-related configurations supported by the first UE 110A. The capabilities and/or configuration preferences may be signaled, for example, before or in a request for transmission resources (such a request as indicated in fig. 9 as a "Tx resource request"), or if a grant is sent, typically before a resource grant is transmitted (such a grant as indicated in fig. 9 as a "Tx resource grant"). In other embodiments, the capabilities and/or configuration preferences may be sent via a direct path (not shown in fig. 9) to, for example, another D2D device 110B. In one example, signaling may be unicast. In another example, the signaling may be multicast. In yet another example, the signaling may be broadcast. In yet another example, the signaling may be via a higher layer (such as a protocol message), a lower layer (e.g., signaling a specific bit or indicator with a predefined meaning), a physical layer, or a combination thereof (e.g., a portion of the information via the higher layer and a portion of the information via the physical layer).

Configuration preferences of the D2D-capable device 110A may be based on, for example, expected performance, interference or load sensing (e.g., many activities on a certain frequency sensed by the D2D-capable device 110A may result in poor performance and thus may preferably be avoided), currently used frequency or frequencies (e.g., to minimize any frequency switching effects such as switching time and frequency retuning, or interference between frequencies), device-specific implementation or configuration (e.g., default settings by the manufacturer, operator, or user), quality during simultaneous operation of D2D and cellular service (e.g., frequency f2 and/or bandwidth BW2 may preferably be used if cellular service is currently operating on frequency f1 and/or over bandwidth BW 1), and so forth.

At step 904, the wireless device 110A may receive a message or indication from the first node 115A based on the capabilities/preferences. In particular embodiments, the message may be used to configure the first D2D capable UE to operate with at least one of the D2D frequency related configurations supported/preferred by the first UE 110A. For example, the message may include a message that causes one or more of the following steps to be performed:

-configuring the first UE to operate on at least one of UE supported/preferred carrier frequency/band/RAT for D2D operation, and/or

-configuring the first UE to operate with a certain bandwidth for D2D operation.

In certain embodiments, the message/indication received at step 904 may also include resource allocations (resource pools or specific resources for scheduling assignment of SAs and/or data) operating on at least one of the supported/preferred carrier frequencies/bands/RATs for the UE for D2D operation. The message/indication may also include an indication of whether the D2D configuration on another carrier/band/RAT (supported by the UE) is the same or different from the reference configuration (e.g., serving cell or serving carrier configuration for D2D). Additionally or alternatively, the message/indication may include a D2D operation rejection (implicit or explicit) on at least one or more of the frequencies/bands/RATs supported/preferred by the UE. In particular embodiments, the message may include D2D assistance data to support D2D operation, a transmission configuration (e.g., bandwidth, transmission power, frequency, continuous/discontinuous transmission, single or multi-carrier transmission, etc.) to be used by the first UE, a configuration of signals/channels to be received by the first UE, and/or a reception configuration (e.g., in a cross-carrier configuration or an inter-frequency configuration) for D2D operation on a different carrier than the carrier via which the message/indication was received.

In one embodiment, for example, the method 900 may also include receiving, by the first UE 110A, a request for D2D-related capability(s) from another node 110B prior to signaling the D2D frequency-related capability to the first node 115A. In other embodiments, UE 110A may obtain SA resources prior to receiving a request from wireless device 110B.

In certain embodiments, the D2D frequency-related capability differs from the first UE capability for non-D2D operation at least in one parameter or value thereof. The wireless device 110A may perform at least one D2D operation when configured with at least one of the D2D frequency related configurations.

In other embodiments, the method for obtaining and using the UE D2D frequency-related capabilities and D2D configuration preferences may be performed by the network node 115, the radio network controller 120, or the packet core network 130. For example, the network node 115 may receive the D2D frequency-related capability of the first D2D-capable UE 110A and/or its D2D configuration preference via one or more of:

-receiving from a first D2D capable UE,

-receiving, from a third UE,

-receiving from another network node,

the received D2D frequency-related capabilities and/or its D2D configuration preferences may be unicast/multicast/broadcast (as described earlier);

the received D2D frequency-related capabilities and/or their D2D configuration preferences may be via higher layers, lower layers, or a combination thereof (as described earlier)

The network node 115 may then use the obtained capabilities/preferences to perform one or more operational tasks. For example, in certain embodiments, the network node 115 may perform one or more of the following steps:

-sending a message or indication to the first D2D capable UE based on the received capabilities/preferences in order to configure the first D2D capable UE to operate at least one of the supported/preferred D2D frequency-related configurations by the first D2D capable UE (as described earlier),

-sending a message or indication with configuration data for the first D2D capable UE to the other UE or to the other node based on the received capabilities/preferences, the configuration data being based on the received capabilities/preferences,

-transmitting or forwarding the received D2D frequency-related capability data comprising at least in part the first D2D-capable UE to another UE or another node,

-sending or forwarding data comprising at least in part the received D2D configuration preferences of the first D2D capable UE to another UE or another node,

-adaptively scheduling or rescheduling or allocating or reallocating radio resources depending on received capabilities, D2D operation and/or cellular operation for another UE,

-adaptively scheduling or rescheduling or allocating or reallocating radio resources according to received preferences, D2D operation and/or cellular operation for another UE(s),

-adaptively scheduling or rescheduling or allocating or reallocating radio resources according to the received capabilities, D2D operations and/or cellular operations for the first D2D capable UE,

-adaptively scheduling or rescheduling or allocating or reallocating radio resources according to received preferences, D2D operations and/or cellular operations for the first D2D capable UE,

storing the received capabilities, e.g. for statistics or as history information, to configure this and/or other UEs for D2D and/or cellular operation,

-storing the received D2D preferred configuration, e.g. historical information or preferred configurations for statistics or for acting on this UE and/or other UEs.

In one embodiment, the above-mentioned scheduling or rescheduling or allocation or reallocation of radio resources may, for example, include changing a resource allocation pattern, scheduling configuration, configuring/changing carrier frequencies, configuring a set of serving cells, configuring a transmission periodicity of the UE, configuring a reception bandwidth of the UE and/or configuring other receiver parameters of the UE, configuring a transmission bandwidth of the UE and/or configuring a transmission power and/or other transmission parameters of the UE, reserving or changing bandwidth for D2D.

Example implementation abstract

Thus, in a particular example implementation, the proposed solution may provide a method for providing device-to-device communication using device-to-device frequency-related capabilities and configuration preferences for wireless devices.

In one example embodiment, the method may be implemented by a first D2D-capable wireless device and may include:

-signaling device-to-device frequency-related capabilities and/or D2D configuration preferences thereof to the first node,

-receiving a message or indication from the first node based on the capability and/or D2D configuration preferences;

-configuring a first D2D capable wireless device to operate with at least one of the D2D frequency related configurations supported/preferred by the first wireless device;

-performing at least one D2D operation when the D2D frequency is configured in relation to at least one of the configurations.

-optionally, the signaled capability comprises one or more D2D frequency-related configurations supported by the first D2D-capable wireless device;

optionally, the first node may comprise a network node;

optionally, the first node may comprise a second D2D-capable wireless device;

in another example embodiment, a method may be implemented by a network node and may include:

-receiving a D2D frequency-related capability and/or a D2D configuration preference from a first D2D-capable wireless device;

-using the obtained capabilities/preferences for one or more operational tasks.

Other implementations may include a wireless communication device and/or an access node, or a wireless communication device and/or a wireless communication system, configured to implement the described methods, in which the access node implements the described methods.

Some embodiments of the present disclosure may provide one or more technical advantages. For example, certain embodiments may provide offloading of a cellular network, faster communication, increased awareness of surrounding wireless devices of interest (e.g., running the same application), higher quality links due to closer proximity, and so forth. Some attractive applications of D2D communication are video streaming, online gaming, media downloading, peer-to-peer (P2P), file sharing, etc.

Some embodiments may benefit from some or all of these advantages, or may not benefit from these advantages. Other technical advantages may be readily ascertained by one skilled in the art.

The various features and embodiments that have been described can be combined in different ways, examples of which are given below with reference to fig. 10 and 11.

Fig. 10 is a flow chart illustrating a method in a device-to-device D2D capable wireless device. The method 10 may be implemented so as to provide device-to-device D2D operations and may be performed in a first D2D capable wireless device 110A. The method 10 includes communicating to the first node 115A; 110B signals 11 at least one of: the D2D frequency-related capability and D2D configuration preference of the first D2D-capable wireless device 110A. The first D2D-capable wireless device 110A may thus signal its one or more capabilities related to D2D operation to the network node 115A (e.g., base station) and/or to another D2D-capable wireless device 110B. The signaling may be implemented in different ways, such as unicast, multicast, or broadcast, to name a few.

The method 10 includes receiving 12 from a first node 115A; 110B based on at least one of D2D frequency-related capabilities and D2D configuration preferences. The message may be received in response to the first D2D-capable wireless device 110A signaling its capabilities.

The method 10 includes determining a first node 115A; 110B, configure 13 the first D2D capable wireless device 110A to operate according to at least one of D2D frequency-related capabilities and D2D configuration preferences.

In an embodiment, the method 10 includes performing at least one D2D operation while configured with at least one of D2D frequency-related capabilities and D2D configuration preferences.

In an embodiment, the D2D operations include one or more of the following: transmitting or receiving a signal and/or channel for establishing D2D communication, transmitting or receiving data by means of D2D communication, transmitting or receiving control or assistance data for D2D purposes, transmitting or receiving a request for control or assistance data for D2D, selecting a D2D mode of operation, initiating D2D operation, switching from a cellular mode of operation to a D2D mode of operation, and configuring one or more parameters for D2D communication for a receiver or transmitter.

In various embodiments, the method 10 comprises receiving from the second node 110B before signaling 11; 115A request for D2D frequency dependent capabilities. Thus, the method 10 may be performed in response to the first D2D-capable wireless device 110A receiving a query from a node (e.g., a base station or another D2D-capable wireless device 110B) regarding its capabilities.

In various embodiments, the D2D configuration preferences include one or more of the following: one or more specific carrier frequencies, frequency bands, or radio access technologies; a transmission and/or reception bandwidth or a combination of bandwidths on a frequency carrier, or a combination of bandwidths on two or more carriers; a particular time and/or frequency resource; communication range for D2D communication; D2D operating only on one or more serving carriers; D2D operation on a non-serving carrier; one or more specific duplex configurations; configuration of the specified capacity is realized; a target quality of service QoS for D2D operations; a spectrum type; continuous or discontinuous transmission and/or reception in the frequency domain; multicarrier D2D operation; multiplexing of signals and/or channels related to D2D operation with other types of signals and/or channels in the frequency domain.

In various embodiments, the signaled D2D frequency-related capabilities include one or more D2D frequency-related configurations supported by the first D2D-capable wireless device 110A.

In various embodiments, the first node 115A; 110B includes a network node 115A or a second D2D-capable wireless device 110B.

Referring again to fig. 2, a device-to-device D2D capable wireless device 110A for providing D2D operation is disclosed. The D2D-capable wireless device 110A is configured to:

-to the first node 115A; 110B signals at least one of: the D2D frequency-related capability and D2D configuration preference of the first D2D-capable wireless device 110A,

-receiving data from a first node 115A; 110B based on at least one of D2D frequency-related capabilities and D2D configuration preferences,

-based on the message, configuring the first D2D capable wireless device 110A to operate according to at least one of D2D frequency-related capabilities and D2D configuration preferences.

The device-to-device D2D-capable wireless device 110A may be configured to perform the above-described steps, for example, by including a processor 220 and a memory 230, the memory 230 containing instructions executable by the processor 220, whereby the device-to-device D2D-capable wireless device 110A is operative to perform these steps.

In an embodiment, the device-to-device D2D capable wireless device 110A is configured to perform at least one D2D operation when configured with at least one of D2D frequency-related capabilities and D2D configuration preferences.

In various embodiments, the D2D operations include one or more of the following: transmitting or receiving a signal and/or channel for establishing D2D communication, transmitting or receiving data by means of D2D communication, transmitting or receiving control or assistance data for D2D purposes, transmitting or receiving a request for control or assistance data for D2D, selecting a D2D mode of operation, initiating D2D operation, switching from a cellular mode of operation to a D2D mode of operation, and configuring one or more parameters for D2D communication for a receiver or transmitter.

In various embodiments, the device-to-device D2D capable wireless device 110A is configured to receive a signal from the second node 110B prior to signaling; 115A request for D2D frequency dependent capabilities.

In various embodiments, the D2D configuration preferences include one or more of the following: one or more specific carrier frequencies, frequency bands, or radio access technologies; a transmission and/or reception bandwidth or a combination of bandwidths on a frequency carrier, or a combination of bandwidths on two or more carriers; a particular time and/or frequency resource; communication range for D2D communication; D2D operating only on one or more serving carriers; D2D operation on a non-serving carrier; one or more specific duplex configurations; configuration of the specified capacity is realized; a target quality of service QoS for D2D operations; a spectrum type; continuous or discontinuous transmission and/or reception in the frequency domain; multicarrier D2D operation; multiplexing of signals and/or channels related to D2D operation with other types of signals and/or channels in the frequency domain.

In various embodiments, the signaled D2D frequency-related capabilities include one or more D2D frequency-related configurations supported by the first D2D-capable wireless device 110A.

In various embodiments, the first node 115A; 110B includes a network node 115A or a second D2D-capable wireless device 110B.

Fig. 11 is a flow chart illustrating a method in a node. The method 20 for providing device-to-device D2D operations may be performed in a node 115A, 110B, such as a base station or a wireless device, in particular a D2D capable wireless device. The method 20 comprises obtaining 21 at least one of: the D2D frequency-related capability and D2D configuration preference of the first D2D-capable wireless device 110A. The obtaining 21 of capabilities and/or configuration preferences may be received, for example, by signaling.

The method 20 includes using 22 the obtained D2D frequency-related capabilities and/or D2D configuration preferences of the first D2D-capable wireless device 110A for one or more operational tasks.

In various embodiments, at least one of the D2D frequency-related capabilities and/or the D2D configuration preferences is received from one or more of: a first D2D-capable wireless device 110A, a second D2D-capable wireless device 110B, a second network node 115B, and higher layers, lower layers, or a combination thereof.

In various embodiments, the operational tasks include one or more of the following: sending a message or indication to the first D2D-capable device 110A based on the received D2D frequency-related capabilities and/or D2D configuration preferences to configure the first D2D-capable device 110A to operate with at least one of D2D frequency-related capabilities and D2D configuration preferences; sending a message or indication to another D2D-capable wireless device 110B or another node 115B with configuration data for the first D2D-capable device 110A based on the received D2D frequency-related capabilities and/or D2D configuration preferences, the configuration data being based on the received D2D frequency-related capabilities and/or D2D configuration preferences; transmitting or forwarding to another D2D-capable wireless device 110B or another node 115B data comprising, at least in part, the received D2D frequency-related capabilities of the first D2D-capable device 110A; sending or forwarding to another D2D-capable wireless device 110B or another node 115B data comprising at least in part the received D2D configuration preferences of the first D2D-capable device 110A; adaptively scheduling, rescheduling, allocating or reallocating radio resources according to the received capabilities, D2D operation and/or cellular operation for another wireless device 110B; adaptively scheduling, rescheduling, allocating or reallocating radio resources according to received preferences, D2D operation and/or cellular operation for another wireless device 110B; adaptively scheduling, rescheduling, allocating or reallocating radio resources according to the received capabilities, D2D operations and/or cellular operations for the first D2D capable device 110A; adaptively scheduling, rescheduling, allocating or reallocating radio resources according to the received preferences, D2D operations and/or cellular operations for the first D2D capable device 110A; storing the received capabilities for statistics and/or for use as historical information to configure the first D2D capable wireless device 110A and/or other wireless devices 110B for D2D operation and/or cellular operation; the received D2D preference configuration is stored for statistics and/or for use as historical information or as a preference configuration for the first D2D capable wireless device 110A and/or other wireless devices 110B.

In other embodiments, the operational tasks include one or more of the following: scheduling, rescheduling, allocating or reallocating radio resources, wherein scheduling, rescheduling, allocating or reallocating radio resources comprises changing a resource allocation pattern, scheduling configuration, configuring/changing a carrier frequency, configuring a set of serving cells, configuring a transmission periodicity of the wireless devices 110A, 110B, configuring a reception bandwidth of the wireless devices 110A, 110B and/or configuring other receiver parameters of the wireless devices 110A, 110B, configuring a transmission bandwidth of the wireless devices 110A, 110B and/or configuring a transmission power and/or other transmission parameters of the wireless devices 110A, 110B, reserving or changing a bandwidth for D2D communication.

It is noted that the method 10 described with respect to fig. 10 and the method described with respect to fig. 11 may both be implemented in, for example, a D2D-capable wireless device 110A, 110B. The D2D-capable wireless devices 110A, 110B may thus each signal its capabilities and/or preferences to other nodes and react according to the capability/preference signaling it receives from and relating to other nodes.

Referring again to fig. 3, a node 115A, 110B for providing device-to-device D2D operation is disclosed. The nodes 115A, 110B are configured to:

-obtaining at least one of: the D2D frequency-related capability and D2D configuration preference of the first D2D-capable wireless device 110A, an

Using the obtained D2D frequency-related capabilities and/or D2D configuration preferences of the first D2D-capable wireless device 110A for one or more operational tasks.

The node 115, 110B may be configured to perform the above steps, for example by comprising a processor 320 and a memory 330, the memory 330 containing instructions executable by the processor 320, whereby the node 115, 110B is operative to perform these steps.

In various embodiments, at least one of the D2D frequency-related capabilities and/or the D2D configuration preferences is received from one or more of: a first D2D-capable wireless device 110A, a second D2D-capable wireless device 110B, a second network node 115B, and higher layers, lower layers, or a combination thereof.

In various embodiments, the operational tasks include one or more of the following: sending a message or indication to the first D2D-capable device 110A based on the received D2D frequency-related capabilities and/or D2D configuration preferences to configure the first D2D-capable device 110A to operate with at least one of D2D frequency-related capabilities and D2D configuration preferences; sending a message or indication to another D2D-capable wireless device 110B or another node 115B with configuration data for the first D2D-capable device 110A based on the received D2D frequency-related capabilities and/or D2D configuration preferences, the configuration data being based on the received D2D frequency-related capabilities and/or D2D configuration preferences; transmitting or forwarding to another D2D-capable wireless device 110B or another node 115B data comprising, at least in part, the received D2D frequency-related capabilities of the first D2D-capable device 110A; sending or forwarding to another D2D-capable wireless device 110B or another node 115B data comprising at least in part the received D2D configuration preferences of the first D2D-capable device 110A; adaptively scheduling, rescheduling, allocating or reallocating radio resources according to the received capabilities, D2D operation and/or cellular operation for another wireless device 110B; adaptively scheduling, rescheduling, allocating or reallocating radio resources according to received preferences, D2D operation and/or cellular operation for another wireless device 110B; adaptively scheduling, rescheduling, allocating or reallocating radio resources according to the received capabilities, D2D operations and/or cellular operations for the first D2D capable device 110A; adaptively scheduling, rescheduling, allocating or reallocating radio resources according to the received preferences, D2D operations and/or cellular operations for the first D2D capable device 110A; storing the received capabilities for statistics and/or for use as historical information to configure the first D2D capable wireless device 110A and/or other wireless devices 110B for D2D operation and/or cellular operation; the received D2D preference configuration is stored for statistics and/or for use as historical information or as a preference configuration for the first D2D capable wireless device 110A and/or other wireless devices 110B.

In various embodiments, the operational tasks include one or more of the following: scheduling, rescheduling, allocating or reallocating radio resources, wherein scheduling, rescheduling, allocating or reallocating radio resources comprises changing a resource allocation pattern, scheduling configuration, configuring/changing a carrier frequency, configuring a set of serving cells, configuring a transmission periodicity of the wireless devices 110A, 110B, configuring a reception bandwidth of the wireless devices 110A, 110B and/or configuring other receiver parameters of the wireless devices 110A, 110B, configuring a transmission bandwidth of the wireless devices 110A, 110B and/or configuring a transmission power and/or other transmission parameters of the wireless devices 110A, 110B, reserving or changing a bandwidth for D2D communication.

Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to the systems and devices disclosed herein without departing from the scope of the invention. The components of the system and apparatus may be integrated or separate. In addition, the operations of the system and apparatus may be performed by more, fewer, or other components. Additionally, the operations of the systems and devices may be performed using any suitable logic comprising software, hardware, and/or other logic. As used in this document, "each" refers to each member of a set or each member of a subset of a set.

Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to the methods disclosed herein without departing from the scope of the invention. The method may include more, fewer, or other steps. Additionally, the steps may be performed in any suitable order.

While the present disclosure has been described in terms of certain embodiments, variations and permutations of the embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the above description of embodiments does not constrain this disclosure. Other changes, substitutions, and alterations are also possible without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure, as defined by the following claims.

Abbreviations used in the foregoing description include:

D2D device-to-device

D2DSS D2D synchronization signal

D2DPSCH D2D physical synchronization channel

ProSe proximity services

Claims (26)

1. A method (10) for providing D2D operations performed in a first device-to-device D2D-capable wireless device (110A), the method (10) comprising:

-signaling (11) to the first node (115A; 110B) at least one of: a D2D frequency-related capability and a D2D configuration preference of the first D2D-capable wireless device (110A),

-receiving (12) a message from the first node (115A; 110B) based on at least one of the D2D frequency-related capability and the D2D configuration preference, and

-configuring (13), based on the message received from the first node (115A; 110B), the first D2D capable wireless device (110A) to operate according to at least one of the D2D frequency-related capability and the D2D configuration preference.

2. The method (10) of claim 1, comprising:

-performing (14) at least one D2D operation while being configured with at least one of the D2D frequency-related capability and the D2D configuration preference.

3. The method (10) of claim 2, wherein the D2D operations include one or more of: transmitting or receiving a signal and/or channel for establishing D2D communication, transmitting or receiving data by means of D2D communication, transmitting or receiving control or assistance data for D2D purposes, transmitting or receiving a request for control or assistance data for D2D, selecting a D2D mode of operation, initiating D2D operation, switching from a cellular mode of operation to a D2D mode of operation, and configuring one or more parameters for D2D communication for a receiver or transmitter.

4. The method (10) of any of the preceding claims, comprising receiving a request for D2D frequency-related capability from a second node (110B; 115A) before said signaling (11).

5. The method (10) of any preceding claim, wherein the D2D configuration preferences include one or more of: one or more specific carrier frequencies, frequency bands, or radio access technologies; a transmission and/or reception bandwidth or a combination of bandwidths on a frequency carrier, or a combination of bandwidths on two or more carriers; a particular time and/or frequency resource; communication range for D2D communication; D2D operating only on one or more serving carriers; D2D operation on a non-serving carrier; one or more specific duplex configurations; configuration of the specified capacity is realized; a target quality of service QoS for D2D operations; a spectrum type; continuous or discontinuous transmission and/or reception in the frequency domain; multicarrier D2D operation; multiplexing of signals and/or channels related to D2D operation with other types of signals and/or channels in the frequency domain.

6. The method (10) of any preceding claim, wherein the signaled D2D frequency-related capability comprises one or more D2D frequency-related configurations supported by the first D2D-capable wireless device (110A).

7. The method (10) of any of the preceding claims, wherein the first node (115A; 110B) comprises a network node (115A) or a second D2D-capable wireless device (110B).

8. A computer program (240) for a D2D-capable wireless device (110A), the computer program (240) comprising computer program code which, when executed on at least one processor on the D2D-capable wireless device (110A), causes the D2D-capable wireless device (110A) to perform the method (10) of any one of claims 1-7.

9. A computer program product (230) comprising a computer program (240) as claimed in claim 8 and computer readable means on which the computer program (240) is stored.

10. A D2D-capable wireless device (110A) for providing device-to-device D2D operation, the D2D-capable wireless device (110A) configured to:

-signaling the first node (115A; 110B) at least one of: a D2D frequency-related capability and a D2D configuration preference of the first D2D-capable wireless device (110A),

-receiving a message from the first node (115A; 110B) based on at least one of the D2D frequency-related capability and the D2D configuration preference, and

-configuring the first D2D capable wireless device (110A) to operate according to at least one of the D2D frequency-related capabilities and the D2D configuration preferences based on the message received from the first node (115A; 110B).

11. The device-to-device D2D-capable wireless device (110A) of claim 10, configured to:

-performing at least one D2D operation while being configured with at least one of the D2D frequency-related capability and the D2D configuration preference.

12. The device-to-device, D2D, capable wireless device (110A) of claim 11, wherein the D2D operations include one or more of: transmitting or receiving a signal and/or channel for establishing D2D communication, transmitting or receiving data by means of D2D communication, transmitting or receiving control or assistance data for D2D purposes, transmitting or receiving a request for control or assistance data for D2D, selecting a D2D mode of operation, initiating D2D operation, switching from a cellular mode of operation to a D2D mode of operation, and configuring one or more parameters for D2D communication for a receiver or transmitter.

13. The device-to-device, D2D, capable wireless device (110A) of any of claims 10-12, configured to receive, from a second node (110B; 115A), a request for D2D frequency-related capabilities prior to the signaling.

14. The device-to-device, D2D, capable wireless device (110A) of any of claims 10-13, wherein the D2D configuration preferences include one or more of: one or more specific carrier frequencies, frequency bands, or radio access technologies; a transmission and/or reception bandwidth or a combination of bandwidths on a frequency carrier, or a combination of bandwidths on two or more carriers; a particular time and/or frequency resource; communication range for D2D communication; D2D operating only on one or more serving carriers; D2D operation on a non-serving carrier; one or more specific duplex configurations; configuration of the specified capacity is realized; a target quality of service QoS for D2D operations; a spectrum type; continuous or discontinuous transmission and/or reception in the frequency domain; multicarrier D2D operation; multiplexing of signals and/or channels related to D2D operation with other types of signals and/or channels in the frequency domain.

15. The device-to-device, D2D, capable wireless device (110A) of any of claims 10-14, wherein the signaled D2D frequency-related capability includes one or more D2D frequency-related configurations supported by the first D2D-capable wireless device (110A).

16. The device-to-device, D2D, capable wireless device (110A) of any of claims 10-15, wherein the first node (115A; 110B) comprises a network node (115A) or a second D2D capable wireless device (110B).

17. A method (20) for providing device-to-device, D2D, operations performed in a node (115A, 110B), the method (20) comprising:

-obtaining (21) at least one of: the D2D frequency-related capability and D2D configuration preference of the first D2D-capable wireless device (110A), an

-using (22) the obtained D2D frequency-related capabilities and/or the D2D configuration preferences of the first D2D capable wireless device (110A) for one or more operational tasks.

18. The method (20) of claim 17, wherein the at least one of the D2D frequency-related capabilities and/or the D2D configuration preferences is received from one or more of: the first D2D-capable wireless device (110A), the second D2D-capable wireless device (110B), the second network node (115B), and higher layers, lower layers, or a combination thereof.

19. The method (20) as claimed in claim 17 or 18, wherein the operational tasks comprise one or more of: sending a message or indication to the first D2D capable device (110A) based on the received D2D frequency-related capabilities and/or the D2D configuration preferences to configure the first D2D capable device (110A) to operate with at least one of the D2D frequency-related capabilities and the D2D configuration preferences; sending a message or indication to another D2D-capable wireless device (110B) or another node (115B) with configuration data for the first D2D-capable device (110A) based on the received D2D frequency-related capabilities and/or the D2D configuration preferences, the configuration data being based on the received D2D frequency-related capabilities and/or the D2D configuration preferences; sending or forwarding the data comprising at least in part the received D2D frequency-related capability of the first D2D-capable device (110A) to another D2D-capable wireless device (110B) or another node (115B); sending or forwarding the data comprising at least in part the received D2D configuration preference of the first D2D-capable device (110A) to another D2D-capable wireless device (110B) or another node (115B); adaptively scheduling, rescheduling, allocating or reallocating radio resources according to the received capability, D2D operation and/or cellular operation for another wireless device (110B); adaptively scheduling, rescheduling, allocating or reallocating radio resources according to the received preferences, D2D operation and/or cellular operation for another wireless device (110B); adaptively scheduling, rescheduling, allocating or reallocating radio resources according to the received capabilities, D2D operations and/or cellular operations for the first D2D capable device (110A); adaptively scheduling, rescheduling, allocating or reallocating radio resources according to the received preferences, D2D operations and/or cellular operations for the first D2D capable device (110A); storing the received capabilities for statistics and/or for use as historical information to configure the first D2D capable wireless device (110A) and/or other wireless devices (110B) for D2D operation and/or cellular operation; storing the received D2D preferred configurations for statistics and/or for use as historical information or as preferred configurations for the first D2D capable wireless device (110A) and/or other wireless devices (110B).

20. The method (20) as claimed in claim 17 or 18, wherein the operational tasks comprise one or more of: scheduling, rescheduling, allocating or reallocating radio resources, wherein the scheduling, rescheduling, allocating or reallocating radio resources comprises changing a resource allocation pattern, scheduling configuration, configuring/changing a carrier frequency, configuring a set of serving cells, configuring a transmission periodicity of a wireless device (110A, 110B), configuring a reception bandwidth of the wireless device (110A, 110B) and/or configuring other receiver parameters of the wireless device (110A, 110B), configuring a transmission bandwidth of the wireless device (110A, 110B) and/or configuring a transmission power and/or other transmission parameters of the wireless device (110A, 110B), reserving or changing a bandwidth for D2D communication.

21. A computer program (350) for a node (115A), the computer program (350) comprising computer program code which, when executed on at least one processor on the node (115A; 110B), causes the node (115A; 110B) to perform the method (20) according to any one of claims 17-20.

22. A computer program product (330) comprising a computer program (350) as claimed in claim 21 and a computer readable means on which the computer program (350) is stored.

23. A node (115A, 110B) for providing device-to-device, D2D, operation, the node (115A, 110B) being configured to:

-obtaining at least one of: the D2D frequency-related capability and D2D configuration preference of the first D2D-capable wireless device (110A), an

-using the obtained D2D frequency-related capabilities and/or the D2D configuration preferences of the first D2D-capable wireless device (110A) for one or more operational tasks.

24. The node (115A, 110B) of claim 23, wherein the at least one of the D2D frequency-related capability and/or the D2D configuration preference is received from one or more of: the first D2D-capable wireless device (110A), the second D2D-capable wireless device (110B), the second network node (115B), and higher layers, lower layers, or a combination thereof.

25. The node (115A, 110B) of claim 23 or 24, wherein the operational task comprises one or more of: sending a message or indication to the first D2D capable device (110A) based on the received D2D frequency-related capabilities and/or the D2D configuration preferences to configure the first D2D capable device (110A) to operate with at least one of the D2D frequency-related capabilities and the D2D configuration preferences; sending a message or indication to another D2D-capable wireless device (110B) or another node (115B) with configuration data for the first D2D-capable device (110A) based on the received D2D frequency-related capabilities and/or the D2D configuration preferences, the configuration data being based on the received D2D frequency-related capabilities and/or the D2D configuration preferences; sending or forwarding the data comprising at least in part the received D2D frequency-related capability of the first D2D-capable device (110A) to another D2D-capable wireless device (110B) or another node (115B); sending or forwarding the data comprising at least in part the received D2D configuration preference of the first D2D-capable device (110A) to another D2D-capable wireless device (110B) or another node (115B); adaptively scheduling, rescheduling, allocating or reallocating radio resources according to the received capability, D2D operation and/or cellular operation for another wireless device (110B); adaptively scheduling, rescheduling, allocating or reallocating radio resources according to the received preferences, D2D operation and/or cellular operation for another wireless device (110B); adaptively scheduling, rescheduling, allocating or reallocating radio resources according to the received capabilities, D2D operations and/or cellular operations for the first D2D capable device (110A); adaptively scheduling, rescheduling, allocating or reallocating radio resources according to the received preferences, D2D operations and/or cellular operations for the first D2D capable device (110A); storing the received capabilities for statistics and/or for use as historical information to configure the first D2D capable wireless device (110A) and/or other wireless devices (110B) for D2D operation and/or cellular operation; storing the received D2D preferred configurations for statistics and/or for use as historical information or as preferred configurations for the first D2D capable wireless device (110A) and/or other wireless devices (110B).

26. The node (115A, 110B) of claim 23 or 24, wherein the operational task comprises one or more of: scheduling, rescheduling, allocating or reallocating radio resources, wherein the scheduling, rescheduling, allocating or reallocating radio resources comprises changing a resource allocation pattern, scheduling configuration, configuring/changing a carrier frequency, configuring a set of serving cells, configuring a transmission periodicity of a wireless device (110A, 110B), configuring a reception bandwidth of the wireless device (110A, 110B) and/or configuring other receiver parameters of the wireless device (110A, 110B), configuring a transmission bandwidth of the wireless device (110A, 110B) and/or configuring a transmission power and/or other transmission parameters of the wireless device (110A, 110B), reserving or changing a bandwidth for D2D communication.