Network-assisted multi-cell device discovery protocol for device-to-device communications

摘要

A method includes determining, at a first eNodeB (eNB) associated with a first cell of a network, that a first user equipment (UE) is to engage in a device discovery process. The method also includes coordinating parameters of the device discovery process with a second eNB. The second eNB is associated with a second cell of the network and with a second UE. The parameters define one or more resources to be used in the first and second cells during the device discovery process. The method further includes communicating at least some of the parameters to the first UE. The device discovery process includes a process in which the first UE identifies one or more other UEs with which the first UE is able to engage in device-to-device communications.