Method and apparatus for establishing a device-to-device connection

摘要

A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided to facilitate the establishment of device-to-device communications, such as non-cellular communications or cellular communications in a licensed exempt band. A method and apparatus receive cellular signals including one or more beacon transmission parameters, such as a beacon transmission interval and an identifier, and a beacon transmission status flag. The method and apparatus may also determine that the beacon transmission status flag is set to authorize beacon transmissions and then cause non-cellular beacon signals to be repeatedly transmitted in accordance with the one or more beacon transmission parameters. The method and apparatus may also cause a device-to-device connection to be established following transmission of the beacon signals. The device-to-device connection may be either a non-cellular device-to-device connection or a cellular device-to-device connection.

主权项

1. An apparatus comprising processing circuitry configured at least to:
receive cellular signals including one or more beacon transmission parameters and a beacon transmission status flag; determine that the beacon transmission status flag is set to authorize beacon transmissions; cause non-cellular beacon signals to be repeatedly transmitted in accordance with the one or more beacon transmission parameters and in response to determining that the beacon transmission status flag is set to authorize beacon transmissions; and cause a device-to-device connection to be established following transmission of the beacon signals.