Method, apparatus and computer program

Description

1 / 32 METHOD, APPARATUS AND COMPUTER PROGRAM FIELD

[0001] This application relates to a computer device, method and program. In particular, but not exclusively, this application relates to a hybrid automatic repeat request confirmation feedback in relation to discontinuous transmission and reception. FUNDAMENTALS

[0002] A communication system can be viewed as a resource that enables communication sessions between two or more entities, such as user terminals, base stations, and / or other nodes, providing carriers between the various entities involved in the communication path. A communication system can be provided, for example, through a communication network and one or more compatible communication devices. Communication sessions may include, for example, data communication to carry out communications such as voice, video, electronic mail (email), text messaging, multimedia, and / or content data, and so on. Non-limiting examples of services provided include two-way or multi-way calls, data or multimedia communication services, and access to a data network system such as the Internet.

[0003] The communication system and associated devices typically operate according to a given standard or specification that establishes what the various entities associated with the system are permitted to do and how this should be achieved. The communication protocols and / or parameters to be used for the connection are also typically defined. An example of a communication system is UTRAN (3G radio). Other examples of communication systems are the long-term evolution (LTE) of Universal Mobile radio access technology. Petition 870250089846, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 95 / 149 2 / 32 Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS) and the so-called 5G or New Radio (NR) networks. NR is being standardized by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). SUMMARY

[0004] According to a first aspect, an apparatus is provided comprising: means for obtaining information from one or more inactive periods of a cell that is in discontinuous transmission; means for receiving at least one resource allocation for the apparatus; means for determining one or more resources from at least one resource allocation that totally or partially overlap with one or more inactive periods of the cell; and means for configuring a hybrid automatic repeat request recognition code dictionary based, at least in part, on the determination of one or more resources from at least one resource allocation that totally or partially overlap with one or more inactive periods of the cell.

[0005] According to some examples, the hybrid auto-repeat request recognition code dictionary is configured by omitting the resource allocation of the hybrid auto-repeat request recognition code dictionary and, according to some examples, the omitted resource allocation corresponds to one or more resources that fully or partially overlap one or more inactive periods of the cell.

[0006] According to some examples, the omission of resource allocation comprises omitting one or more bits from the hybrid automatic repeat request acknowledgment code dictionary.

[0007] According to some examples, one or more resources comprise one or more slots or symbols.

[0008] According to some examples, at least one allocation of Petition 870250089846, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 96 / 149 3 / 32 resources comprise at least one candidate physical downlink shared channel resource allocation or at least one physical downlink shared channel resource allocation.

[0009] According to some examples, physical downlink shared channel resource allocation comprises a semi-static physical downlink shared channel resource allocation comprising one or more of: a physical downlink shared channel time domain resource allocation; a semi-persistent scheduling resource allocation; or a semi-persistent scheduling group resource allocation.

[0010] According to some examples, the device comprises means for configuring jointly or separately the allocation of shared downlink channel time domain resources; the allocation of semi-persistent scheduling resources; or the allocation of semi-persistent scheduling group resources.

[0011] According to some examples, obtaining information from one or more inactive periods of a cell involves receiving information from one or more inactive periods of a cell.

[0012] According to some examples, the device comprises means for receiving information through one or more of the following: radio resource control message; control element for media access control; downlink control information, including information from one or more of the following: (i) an indication to allow the device to omit the allocation of resources that totally or partially overlap one or more inactive periods of the cell from hybrid automatic repeat request feedback; (ii) an indication of whether the device should support (i) during a reduced or extended period of one or more inactive periods of the cell; (iii) an indication of whether the device should support (i) during a period Petition 870250089846, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 97 / 149 4 / 32 of validity or an expiration time.

[0013] According to some examples, the device comprises means for transmitting hybrid automatic repeat request confirmation feedback using the configured hybrid automatic repeat request confirmation code dictionary.

[0014] According to some examples, the means for transmitting hybrid auto-repeat request confirmation feedback are configured to refrain from transmitting hybrid auto-repeat request confirmation feedback on a physical uplink control channel when the configured hybrid auto-repeat request confirmation code dictionary is empty.

[0015] According to some examples, the device comprises a user's equipment.

[0016] According to a second aspect, an apparatus is provided comprising at least one processor and at least one memory that stores instructions which, when executed by at least one processor, causes the apparatus to at least: obtain information from one or more inactive periods of a cell that is in discontinuous transmission; receive at least one resource allocation for the apparatus; determine one or more resources from at least one resource allocation that totally or partially overlap with one or more inactive periods of the cell; and configure a hybrid automatic repeat request recognition code dictionary based, at least in part, on the determination of one or more resources from at least one resource allocation that totally or partially overlap with one or more inactive periods of the cell.

[0017] According to a third aspect, a method is provided that is executed by a device, which comprises: obtaining information from one or more Petition 870250089846, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 98 / 149 5 / 32 inactive periods of a cell that is in discontinuous transmission; receive at least one resource allocation for the device; determine one or more resources from at least one resource allocation that totally or partially overlap with one or more inactive periods of the cell; and configure a hybrid automatic repeat request recognition code dictionary based, at least in part, on the determination of one or more resources from at least one resource allocation that totally or partially overlap with one or more inactive periods of the cell.

[0018] According to some examples, the hybrid auto-repeat request recognition code dictionary is configured by omitting the resource allocation of the hybrid auto-repeat request recognition code dictionary and, according to some examples, the omitted resource allocation corresponds to one or more resources that fully or partially overlap one or more inactive periods of the cell.

[0019] According to some examples, the omission of resource allocation comprises omitting one or more bits from the hybrid automatic repeat request acknowledgment code dictionary.

[0020] According to some examples, one or more resources comprise one or more slots or symbols.

[0021] According to some examples, at least one resource allocation comprises at least one candidate physical downlink shared channel resource allocation or at least one physical downlink shared channel resource allocation.

[0022] According to some examples, physical downlink shared channel resource allocation comprises a semi-static physical downlink shared channel resource allocation comprising one or more of: a shared channel time domain resource allocation Petition 870250089846, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 99 / 149 6 / 32 of physical downlink; a semi-persistent scheduling resource allocation; or a semi-persistent scheduling group resource allocation.

[0023] According to some examples, the method comprises configuring jointly or separately the allocation of shared downlink channel time domain resources; the allocation of semi-persistent scheduling resources; or the allocation of semi-persistent scheduling group resources.

[0024] According to some examples, obtaining information from one or more inactive periods of a cell involves receiving information from one or more inactive periods of a cell.

[0025] According to some examples, the method comprises receiving information through one or more of the following: radio resource control message; control element for media access control; downlink control information, including information from one or more of the following: (i) an indication to allow the device to omit resource allocation that totally or partially overlaps one or more non-active periods of the cell from hybrid automatic repeat request feedback; (ii) an indication of whether the device should support (i) during a reduced or extended period of one or more non-active periods of the cell; (iii) an indication of whether the device should support (i) during a validity period or an expiration time.

[0026] According to some examples, the method comprises transmitting hybrid auto-repeat request confirmation feedback using the configured hybrid auto-repeat request confirmation code dictionary.

[0027] According to some examples, the method involves refraining from transmitting confirmation feedback for automatic repeat requests. Petition 870250089846, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 100 / 149 7 / 32 hybrid on a physical uplink control channel, when the configured hybrid auto-repeat request confirmation code dictionary is empty.

[0028] According to a fourth aspect, a computer-readable means is provided comprising instructions that, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following: obtain information from one or more inactive periods of a cell that is in discontinuous transmission; receive at least one resource allocation for the apparatus; determine one or more resources from at least one resource allocation that totally or partially overlap with one or more inactive periods of the cell; and set up a hybrid automatic repeat request recognition code dictionary based, at least in part, on the determination of one or more resources from at least one resource allocation that totally or partially overlap with one or more inactive periods of the cell.

[0029] According to a fifth aspect, a non-transient computer-readable means is provided comprising program instructions which, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following: obtain information from one or more inactive periods of a cell that is in discontinuous transmission; receive at least one resource allocation for the apparatus; determine one or more resources from at least one resource allocation that totally or partially overlap with one or more inactive periods of the cell; and set up a hybrid automatic repeat request recognition code dictionary based, at least in part, on the determination of one or more resources from at least one resource allocation that totally or partially overlap with one or more inactive periods of the cell. Petition 870250089846, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 101 / 149 8 / 32

[0030] According to a sixth aspect, an apparatus is provided comprising: means for transmitting to a user's equipment information from one or more non-active periods of discontinuous transmission of a cell; means for transmitting at least one resource allocation to the user's equipment; and means for receiving a hybrid automatic repeat request recognition code dictionary from the user's equipment, wherein the hybrid automatic repeat request recognition code dictionary is configured based, at least in part, on one or more resources of the at least one resource allocation that totally or partially overlap with one or more non-active periods of the cell.

[0031] According to some examples, the received hybrid auto-repeat request recognition code dictionary omits the resource allocation from the hybrid auto-repeat request recognition code dictionary and, according to some examples, the omitted resource allocation corresponds to one or more resources that totally or partially overlap one or more inactive periods of the cell.

[0032] According to some examples, the omitted resource allocation comprises one or more bits omitted from the hybrid auto-repeat request acknowledgment code dictionary.

[0033] According to some examples, the device comprises means for sending information to the user's equipment by means of one or more of the following: radio resource control message; control element for media access control; downlink control information, including information from one or more of the following: (i) an indication to allow the user's equipment to omit the allocation of resources that totally or partially overlap one or more inactive periods of the cell from hybrid auto-repeat request feedback; (ii) an indication of whether the Petition 870250089846, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 102 / 149 9 / 32 User equipment must provide support (i) during a reduced or extended period of one or more non-active periods of the cell; (iii) an indication of whether the user equipment must provide support (i) during a validity period or an expiration time.

[0034] According to some examples, one or more resources comprise one or more slots or symbols.

[0035] According to some examples, at least one resource allocation comprises at least one candidate physical downlink shared channel resource allocation or at least one physical downlink shared channel resource allocation.

[0036] According to some examples, physical downlink shared channel resource allocation comprises a semi-static physical downlink shared channel resource allocation comprising one or more of: a physical downlink shared channel time domain resource allocation; a semi-persistent scheduling resource allocation; or a semi-persistent scheduling group resource allocation.

[0037] According to some examples, the device comprises a base station.

[0038] According to a seventh aspect, an apparatus is provided comprising at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions which, when executed by at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: transmit to a user's equipment information from one or more non-active periods of discontinuous transmission of a cell; transmit at least one resource allocation to the user's equipment; and receive a hybrid automatic repeat request acknowledgment code dictionary from the user's equipment, wherein the request acknowledgment code dictionary Petition 870250089846, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 103 / 149 10 / 32 hybrid automatic repetition is configured based, at least in part, on one or more features of at least one resource allocation that fully or partially overlap one or more inactive periods of the cell.

[0039] According to an eighth aspect, a method is provided that is executed by an apparatus, comprising: transmitting to a user's equipment information from one or more non-active periods of discontinuous transmission of a cell; transmitting at least one resource allocation to the user's equipment; and receiving a hybrid automatic repeat request acknowledgment code dictionary from the user's equipment, wherein the hybrid automatic repeat request acknowledgment code dictionary is configured based, at least in part, on one or more resources of the at least one resource allocation that totally or partially overlap with one or more non-active periods of the cell.

[0040] According to some examples, the received hybrid auto-repeat request recognition code dictionary omits resource allocation from the hybrid auto-repeat request recognition code dictionary and, according to some examples, the omitted resource allocation corresponds to one or more resources that totally or partially overlap one or more inactive periods of the cell.

[0041] According to some examples, the omitted resource allocation comprises one or more omitted bits from the hybrid auto-repeat request acknowledgment code dictionary.

[0042] According to some examples, the method comprises sending information to the user's equipment by means of one or more of the following: radio resource control message; control element for media access control; downlink control information, including information from one or more of the following: (i) an indication to allow the equipment to Petition 870250089846, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 104 / 149 11 / 32 user omits resource allocation that totally or partially overlaps one or more inactive periods of the cell from hybrid automatic repeat request feedback; (ii) an indication of whether the user equipment should support (i) during a reduced or extended period of one or more inactive periods of the cell; (iii) an indication of whether the user equipment should support (i) during a validity period or an expiration time.

[0043] According to some examples, one or more resources comprise one or more slots or symbols.

[0044] According to some examples, at least one resource allocation comprises at least one candidate physical downlink shared channel resource allocation or at least one physical downlink shared channel resource allocation.

[0045] According to some examples, physical downlink shared channel resource allocation comprises a semi-static physical downlink shared channel resource allocation comprising one or more of: a physical downlink shared channel time domain resource allocation; a semi-persistent scheduling resource allocation; or a semi-persistent scheduling group resource allocation.

[0046] According to a ninth aspect, a computer-readable means is provided comprising instructions which, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following: transmit to a user's equipment information from one or more non-active periods of discontinuous transmission of a cell; transmit at least one resource allocation to the user's equipment; and receive a hybrid automatic repeat request acknowledgment code dictionary from the user's equipment, wherein the acknowledgment code dictionary of Petition 870250089846, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 105 / 149 The 12 / 32 hybrid automatic repeat request is configured based, at least in part, on one or more features of at least one resource allocation that fully or partially overlap one or more inactive periods of the cell.

[0047] According to a tenth aspect, a non-transient computer-readable means is provided comprising instructions that, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following: transmit to a user's equipment information from one or more non-active periods of discontinuous transmission of a cell; transmit at least one resource allocation to the user's equipment; and receive a hybrid automatic repeat request acknowledgment code dictionary from the user's equipment, wherein the hybrid automatic repeat request acknowledgment code dictionary is configured based, at least in part, on one or more resources of the at least one resource allocation that totally or partially overlap with one or more non-active periods of the cell. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0048] This disclosure refers to discontinuous cell transmission (DTX cell) or reception (DRX cell). Collectively, DTX and / or DRX may be referred to as a discontinuous mode or a discontinuous state of a cell.

[0049] Network energy efficiency is important for environmental sustainability, for example, to reduce environmental impact (greenhouse gas emissions) and to save on operating costs. As 5G becomes widespread across industries and geographic areas, handling more advanced services and applications that require high data rates, such as extended reality (XR), networks are becoming denser, using more antennas, and may require higher bandwidths and more frequency bands. Petition 870250089846, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 106 / 149 13 / 32 The environmental impact of 5G needs to remain under control, and new solutions to improve the network's energy efficiency need to be developed.

[0050] Energy saving is part of operators' operating expenses (OPEX). Typically, most energy consumption comes from the radio access network and, in particular, the Active Antenna Unit (AAU), with data centers and fiber transport representing a smaller share. Radio access energy consumption can be divided into two parts: the dynamic part, which is only consumed when data transmission / reception is in progress, and the static part, which is consumed all the time to maintain the necessary operation of radio access devices, even when data transmission / reception is not in progress.

[0051] A Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) is a combination of high-rate forwarding error correction and automatic repeat request error control. A UE can transmit a positive acknowledgment (ACK) as HARQ-ACK feedback to indicate the successful reception of one or more transport blocks or code blocks on the Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH). Similarly, a UE can transmit a negative acknowledgment (NACK) as HARQ-ACK feedback to indicate the unsuccessful reception or non-reception of one or more PDSCHs (or transport blocks or code blocks).

[0052] In NR Rel15, two HARQACK codebooks (CBs) were specified:

[0053] The HARQ-ACK type 1 code dictionary, also denoted as the semi-static HARQ-ACK code dictionary, is determined based on Petition 870250089846, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 107 / 149 14 / 32 configured Radio Resource Control (RRC) parameters, such as a K1 slot timing value set, PDSCH time domain allocation list, semi-static UL / DL configuration. As a result, the Type 1 code dictionary (CB size and A / N order within the Type 1 CB) is reliably determined. However, since the CB does not depend on the actual PDSCH schedule, the CB size is typically larger than necessary and, in some cases, may be excessive. In Version 16, the Type 3 HARQ-ACK code dictionary was introduced to provide a single HARQ-ACK feedback of all DL HARQ processes from all configured DL service cells.

[0054] The HARQ-ACK type 2 code dictionary is determined based on programmed DL assignments. The CB size is efficiently scaled, but there is a possibility of code dictionary determination error due to the lack of a DL assignment in the UE. To mitigate the error, a Downlink Assignment Index (DAI) counter and possibly total DAI is included in a DL assignment. The DAI is a 2-bit counter of PDSCHs programmed to the UE with HARQ-ACK to be reported in the same code dictionary, up to the symbol on which the DL assignment with the DAI is transmitted. However, code dictionary determination errors occur when, for case 1, the UE misses the last DL assignment associated with the code dictionary or when, for case 2, the UE misses four consecutive DL assignments. From these error reasons, case 1 of the UE missing the last DL assignment is the dominant one (compared to error case 2).In RAN1 discussions, a 1% probability of failure to detect DL assignment is often used for normal, low-priority traffic.

[0055] In Rel-16 NR, enhanced ultra-reliable low-latency communication (eURLLC), downlink semi-persistent scheduling (DL) Petition 870250089846, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 108 / 149 15 / 32 have been enhanced to support URLLC and time-sensitive communications (TSC). Some of the DL SPS enhancements for the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) are: (i) the UE could have up to eight simultaneous active SPS DL configurations (in a bandwidth share (BWP)), which are configured and activated separately, where the periodicity of an SPS configuration is at least one slot.

[0056] (ii) activation of an SPS configuration is done via PDCCH, and the UE is required to attempt PDSCH detection on each occasion of SPS PDSCH and provide a corresponding HARQ-ACK feedback. Note that this occurs regardless of whether there is an actual PDSCH transmission or not, as the UE normally does not know whether there will be a transmission or not in this case.

[0057] (iii) for receiving a PDSCH and its corresponding HARQ-ACK feedback, the UE follows the configuration parameters provided via the activation PDCCH and via RRC.

[0058] An example of DTX cell operation is shown in Figure 1. Peaks 102, 104, and 106 of example pattern 100 show periods when the cell (e.g., gNB) is active, and troughs 108 and 110 of pattern 100 show periods when the cell (e.g., gNB) is inactive.

[0059] This disclosure considers the effect of DTX cell inactive periods on HARQ-ACK feedback. More specifically, this disclosure considers how the content and reporting of HARQ-ACK feedback can be defined. This disclosure also considers the impact on the HARQ-ACK Type 1 code dictionary, as well as on HARQ-ACK SPS feedback in general.

[0060] Some examples will now be described in relation to the flowchart in Figure 2 and the signage diagram in Figure 3. The UE is shown Petition 870250089846, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 109 / 149 16 / 32 schematically in 310, and a base station (gNB) of a DTX cell is shown schematically in 320.

[0061] According to some examples, UE 310 is in a cell configured with a DTX cell pattern (or cycle configuration), which consists of non-active DTX cell periods and active DTX cell periods. This is shown in S201 in Figure 2. In the examples, the DTX configuration comprises information from non-active DTX cell periods and active DTX cell periods. In some examples, the DTX cell configuration (e.g., cell-DTX configuration) is received from gNB 320 from the cell that is in DTX. This is shown schematically in S301 in Figure 3. In some examples, UE 310 at least partially determines the non-active periods of the cell. This determination may be based on one or more of: the cell DTX patterns / cycles; one or more configured timers; and / or activation / deactivation indication of the cell DTX pattern / cycle. Therefore, it can be considered that UE 310 obtains information from inactive periods of the cell.

[0062] In some instances, UE 310 also receives at least one resource allocation, as shown in S202 in Figure 2 and S302 in Figure 3. In some instances, the at least one resource allocation comprises a candidate (or potential) Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) resource allocation or an actual PDSCH resource allocation. In some instances, the at least one resource allocation comprises either the Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) resource allocation or the candidate PDSCH resource allocation. For example, the at least one resource allocation may indicate one or more DL slots or symbols that are allocated to UE 310 for PDSCH reception. In some instances, the resource allocation is received from gNB 320. Petition 870250089846, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 110 / 149 17 / 32

[0063] In some instances, the physical downlink shared channel resource allocation comprises a semi-static physical downlink shared channel resource allocation. The semi-static physical downlink shared channel resource allocation may comprise one or more of: a physical downlink shared channel time domain resource allocation; a semi-persistent scheduling resource allocation; or a semi-persistent scheduling group resource allocation. In some instances, an indication received in the UE of shared channel time domain resource allocation; semi-persistent scheduling resource allocation; or semi-persistent scheduling group resource allocation may be configured together or separately.

[0064] In some examples, UE 310 then determines one or more resources (e.g., slots and / or symbols) from the candidate or actual PDSCH resource allocation that overlap with one or more inactive periods of the cell. This is shown schematically in S203 in Figure 2. In some examples, the overlap may be a total overlap or a partial overlap.

[0065] In some instances, based on the determined overlap, UE 310 configures and / or determines a HARQ-ACK code dictionary, as shown in S204. The configured HARQ-ACK code dictionary can be subsequently transmitted by the UE. This is shown in S205 in Figure 2. In some instances, the UE may omit or remove any time-domain resource allocation (TDRA) entry or line (e.g., pointing to a candidate or actual PDSCH time-domain resource allocation) and / or any HARQ-ACK bits corresponding to a PDSCH that would partially or fully overlap the cell's non-active DTX periods in the construction of the HARQ-ACK code dictionary. Therefore, the UE may not generate HARQ-ACK bits corresponding to such a PDSCH allocation. Petition 870250089846, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 111 / 149 18 / 32

[0066] In some examples, for the HARQ-ACK Type 1 code dictionary, i.e., semi-static HARQ-ACK code dictionary, the UE may omit or remove any candidate PDSCH resource allocations that would overlap (in time) with an inactive DTX cell period in the construction of the HARQ-ACK Type 1 code dictionary. In this case, the omission operation for the HARQ-ACK Type 1 code dictionary takes into account the inactive DTX cell periods. In other words, for candidate (potential) PDSCH resource allocations for the HARQ-ACK Type 1 code dictionary omitting, the UE may remove the rows from any TDRA entry that may or may not actually be scheduled (e.g., where there is no resource allocation present for the UE based on SPS or dynamic scheduling).

[0067] In some instances, for the HARQ-ACK Type 1 code dictionary as well as the HARQ-ACK Type 2 code dictionary, the UE may omit or not include resource allocations in the PDSCH (real) time domain or one or more HARQ-ACK bits of resource allocations in the PDSCH (real) time domain that would overlap (in time) with a non-active DTX cell period in the HARQ-ACK code dictionary. In this case, the omission operation for the HARQ-ACK Type 1 code dictionary takes into account the non-active DTX cell periods.

[0068] In some examples, for SPS HARQ-ACK, the UE may omit or not include one or more HARQ-ACK resource allocations corresponding to an SPS PDSCH that would overlap (in time) with an inactive DTX cell period in the HARQ-ACK code dictionary.

[0069] The UE 310 can then transmit the HARQ-ACK code dictionary as feedback to the gNB 320 according to the determined structure. This is shown schematically in S205 in Figure 2 and S303 in Figure 3.

[0070] It is possible in some examples that, based on step 204, the EU Petition 870250089846, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 112 / 149 19 / 32 determine that the HARQ-ACK code dictionary or the HARQ-ACK content in a PUCCH is empty (i.e., zero size). For example, this can occur if the cell is inactive in all available DL slots, where the PDSCH HARQACK could map to a specific PUCCH slot. If this PUCCH does not include any other UCI (uplink control information content), the UE may refrain from transmitting this PUCCH.

[0071] In some instances, the way in which UE 310 structures the HARQ-ACK code dictionary (e.g., omitting symbols, slots, or bits) is based on a configuration or indication sent from the network, for example, from gNB 320. For example, the configuration or indication may be sent by radio resource control (RRC) message, media access control (MAC CE) control element, or downlink control information (DCI).

[0072] In some instances, the UE 310 can be configured by SPS configuration (PDSCH) or group of SPS configurations, for example, via RRC, including or not HARQ-ACK bits in the HARQ-ACK code dictionary corresponding to an SPS PDSCH that would overlap, partially or totally, with non-active DTX periods.

[0073] In some instances, if the UE is indicated (e.g., via MAC CE or DCI), or the upper layer is configured (e.g., configured by activity timers or any other timers) to shorten or extend one or more non-active DTX cell periods by at least one time offset (e.g., depending on the transmission or reception of certain DL / UL channels / signals, such as PDCCH), then the UE 310 can be configured not to follow the operations described above (e.g., omitting symbols, slots, or bits from HARQ-ACK) during at least one time offset. Petition 870250089846, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 113 / 149 20 / 32

[0074] It should also be noted that, in some instances, if the UE 310 is configured / specified to generate feedback / HARQ-ACK bits for a PDSCH that would partially or totally overlap with the non-active DTX periods, then the UE may generate a NACK (i.e., negative acknowledgment) for such a PDSCH.

[0075] In some examples, it can be considered that in the construction of the HARQ-ACK Type 1 code dictionary based on candidate PDSCH time-domain resource allocations: If the UE is provided with cell-DTX-Configuration, for each slot from slotn0,k +nD — ^pDsctHr'max + 1 to slot n0k+ nD, at least one symbol of the PDSCH timing feature derived by line r will overlap with non-active periods indicated by cell-DTX-Configuration where K1,k is the timing value of the k-th slot in set K1, where n0,k is a DL slot with a lower index among the DL slots that overlap with the UL slot nv— K1k, or subslotLengthForPUCCH is provided to the HARQ-ACK code dictionary, and the end of the PDSCH timing feature for line r is not within any UL slot nu— K1^ , 0 <l< C(K1), ou se pdschTimeDomainAllocationListForMultiPDSCH for fornecido e as informações HARQACK para o recurso de tempo PDSCH derivado pela linha r no slot n0 k+ nDnão puderem ser fornecidas no slot ηυ, R = R\T; Where: • R = set of row indices of a table that is associated with the active BWP DL and defining the respective K0 slot offset sets, SLIV start and length indicators, and PDSCH mapping types for PDSCH reception, • r = index of a row in the set R, and to be more specific for a candidate PDSCH resource allocation, Petition 870250089846, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 114 / 149 21 / 32 • C(X1) is the cardinality of the timing value set of slot ^1, • ηυ is the slot for PUCCH transmission of the HARQ-ACK Type 1 code dictionary, • nD is a downlink slot, • n0,fe is a DL slot with a lower index among the DL slots that overlap the UL slot ηυ— K1k, and repeat, max • Np™™ is a maximum value of a repetition / aggregation factor P DSCΠ PDSCH.

[0076] Figure 4 illustrates an example of a 400 terminal device. The 400 terminal device can be provided by any device capable of sending and receiving radio signals. Non-limiting examples include a user device, user equipment, a mobile station (MS) or mobile device such as a mobile phone or what is known as a 'smartphone', a computer provided with a wireless interface card or other wireless interface installation (e.g., USB dongle), a personal data assistant (PDA) or tablet provided with wireless communication capabilities, a machine-type communication device (MTC), an Internet of Things (IoT) type communication device, or any combination thereof or similar. The 400 terminal device can provide, for example, data communication to carry out communications.Communications can be one or more of the following: voice, electronic mail (email), text message, multimedia, data, machine data, and so on.

[0077] The terminal device 400 can receive signals via an air or radio interface 407 by means of an appropriate receiving apparatus and can transmit signals by means of an appropriate radio signal transmitting apparatus. In Figure 4, the transceiver apparatus is designated Petition 870250089846, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 115 / 149 22 / 32 schematically by block 406. The 406 transceiver device can be supplied, for example, by means of a radio part and associated antenna arrangement. The antenna arrangement can be located internally or externally to the mobile device.

[0078] The terminal device 400 may be provided with at least one processor 401, at least one ROM memory 402a, at least one RAM memory 402b and other possible components for use in software and hardware-assisted execution of tasks that it is designed to perform, including access control and communication with access systems and other communication devices. The data processing, storage and other relevant control devices may be provided on an appropriate circuit board and / or in chipsets. This feature is denoted by reference 404.

[0079] The device may optionally have a user interface, such as a 405 keyboard, touch screen or keyboard, combinations thereof or similar. Optionally, one or more 408 screens, a speaker and a microphone may be provided depending on the device type.

[0080] UEs, such as UE in Figure 2 or UE 310 in Figure 3, can take the form of a terminal device 400 as shown schematically in Figure 4.

[0081] Figure 5 shows an example of a control device for a communication system, for example, to be coupled to and / or to control a station of an access system, such as a RAN node, for example, a base station, gNB, a central unit of a cloud architecture or a node of a core network, such as an MME or S-GW, a programming entity, such as a spectrum management entity, a server or host. The control device may be integrated into or external to a node. Petition 870250089846, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 116 / 149 23 / 32 or module of a core network or RAN. In some embodiments, base stations comprise a separate control apparatus unit or module. In other embodiments, the control apparatus may be another network element, such as a radio network controller or a spectrum controller. In some embodiments, each base station may have such a control apparatus, as well as a control apparatus being provided in a radio network controller. The control apparatus 500 may be arranged to provide control over communications in the system's service area. The control apparatus 500 comprises at least one memory 501, at least one data processing unit 502, 503 and an input / output interface 504. Through the interface, the control apparatus may be coupled to a receiver and a transmitter of the base station. The receiver and / or transmitter may be implemented as a radio front-end or a remote radio head.For example, control device 500 or processor 501 can be configured to execute appropriate software code to provide the control functions. A network entity, such as gNB 320, discussed in relation to Figure 3, can take the form of a control device as shown in Figure 3.

[0082] Figure 6 is a flowchart of a method according to an example. The flowchart in Figure 6 can be viewed from the perspective of a device. For example, the device could be a UE.

[0083] As shown in S601, the method comprises obtaining information from one or more inactive periods of a cell that is in discontinuous transmission.

[0084] In S602, the method involves receiving at least one resource allocation for the device.

[0085] In S603, the method comprises determining one or more features Petition 870250089846, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 117 / 149 24 / 32 of at least one resource allocation that overlaps with one or more inactive periods of the cell.

[0086] In S604, the method comprises configuring a hybrid automatic repeat request recognition code dictionary based, at least in part, on the determination of one or more resource allocation features that overlap with one or more inactive periods of the cell.

[0087] According to some examples, the hybrid auto-repeat request recognition code dictionary is configured by omitting the resource allocation of the hybrid auto-repeat request recognition code dictionary and, according to some examples, the omitted resource allocation corresponds to one or more resources that fully or partially overlap one or more inactive periods of the cell.

[0088] According to some examples, the omission of resource allocation comprises omitting one or more bits from the hybrid automatic repeat request acknowledgment code dictionary.

[0089] According to some examples, one or more resources comprise one or more slots or symbols.

[0090] According to some examples, at least one resource allocation comprises at least one candidate physical downlink shared channel resource allocation or at least one physical downlink shared channel resource allocation.

[0091] According to some examples, physical downlink shared channel resource allocation comprises a semi-static physical downlink shared channel resource allocation comprising one or more of: a physical downlink shared channel time domain resource allocation; a semi-persistent scheduling resource allocation; Petition 870250089846, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 118 / 149 25 / 32 or a semi-persistent scheduling group resource allocation.

[0092] According to some examples, the method comprises configuring jointly or separately the allocation of shared downlink channel time domain resources; the allocation of semi-persistent scheduling resources; or the allocation of semi-persistent scheduling group resources.

[0093] According to some examples, obtaining information from one or more inactive periods of a cell involves receiving information from one or more inactive periods of a cell.

[0094] According to some examples, the method comprises receiving information through one or more of the following: radio resource control message; control element for media access control; downlink control information, including information from one or more of the following: (i) an indication to allow the device to omit resource allocation that totally or partially overlaps one or more non-active periods of the cell from hybrid automatic repeat request feedback; and (ii) an indication of whether the device should support (i) during a reduced or extended period of one or more non-active periods of the cell; (iii) an indication of whether the device should support (i) during a validity period or an expiration time.

[0095] According to some examples, the method comprises transmitting hybrid auto-repeat request confirmation feedback using the configured hybrid auto-repeat request confirmation code dictionary.

[0096] According to some examples, the method comprises refraining from transmitting hybrid automatic repeat request confirmation feedback on a physical uplink control channel, when the code dictionary Petition 870250089846, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pages 119 / 149 The 26 / 32 hybrid automatic repeat request confirmation field is empty.

[0097] Figure 7 is a flowchart of a method according to an example. The flowchart in Figure 7 can be viewed from the perspective of a device. For example, the device could be a base station.

[0098] As shown in S701, the method comprises transmitting to a user's equipment information from one or more non-active periods of discontinuous transmission of a cell.

[0099] In S702, the method comprises transmitting at least one resource allocation to the user's equipment.

[0100] In S703, the method comprises receiving a hybrid auto-repeat request acknowledgment code dictionary from the user's equipment, wherein the hybrid auto-repeat request acknowledgment code dictionary is configured based, at least in part, on one or more features of at least one resource allocation that totally or partially overlap one or more inactive periods of the cell.

[0101] According to some examples, the received hybrid auto-repeat request recognition code dictionary omits the resource allocation from the hybrid auto-repeat request recognition code dictionary and, according to some examples, the omitted resource allocation corresponds to one or more resources that totally or partially overlap one or more inactive periods of the cell.

[0102] According to some examples, the omitted resource allocation comprises one or more omitted bits from the hybrid auto-repeat request acknowledgment code dictionary.

[0103] According to some examples, the method involves sending information to the user's equipment through one or more of the following: Petition 870250089846, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 120 / 149 27 / 32 radio resource control message; control element for media access control; downlink control information, including information on one or more of: (i) an indication to allow user equipment to omit resource allocation that fully or partially overlaps one or more non-active cell periods from hybrid auto-repeat request feedback; (ii) an indication of whether user equipment should support (i) during a reduced or extended period of one or more non-active cell periods; and (iii) an indication of whether user equipment should support (i) during a validity period or an expiration time.

[0104] According to some examples, one or more resources comprise one or more slots or symbols.

[0105] According to some examples, at least one resource allocation comprises at least one candidate physical downlink shared channel resource allocation or at least one physical downlink shared channel resource allocation.

[0106] According to some examples, physical downlink shared channel resource allocation comprises a semi-static physical downlink shared channel resource allocation comprising one or more of: a physical downlink shared channel time domain resource allocation; a semi-persistent scheduling resource allocation; or a semi-persistent scheduling group resource allocation.

[0107] Figure 8 shows a schematic representation of non-volatile memory media 800a (e.g., computer disk (CD) or digital versatile disk (DVD)) and 800b (e.g., Universal Serial Bus (USB) memory stick) storing instructions and / or parameters 802 which, when executed by a processor, allow the processor to execute Petition 870250089846, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 121 / 149 28 / 32 one or more of the steps in the method shown in Figure 6 or Figure 7.

[0108] It should be understood that the devices may comprise or be coupled to other units or modules, etc., such as radio parts or radio heads, used in or for transmission and / or reception. Although the devices have been described as one entity, different modules and memory may be implemented in one or more physical or logical entities.

[0109] Note that although some embodiments have been described in relation to 5G networks, similar principles can be applied in relation to other networks and communication systems. Therefore, although certain embodiments have been described above by way of example with reference to certain example architectures for wireless networks, technologies and standards, embodiments can be applied to any other suitable forms of communication systems beyond those illustrated and described in this document.

[0110] Note also in this document that, although the above describes example embodiments, there are various variations and modifications that can be made to the disclosed solution without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0111] As used in this document, at least one of the following: and at least one of And similar wording, in which the list of two or more elements is joined by "and" or "or," means at least any one of the elements, or at least any two or more of the elements, or at least all the elements. Similarly, phrases like X and / or Y or X / Y can be considered to cover X or Y alone, or X and Y together.

[0112] When it is said that a node or element (e.g., UE or gNB) determines information or the like, this can be considered to cover various ways in which that node becomes aware of or obtains that information. Petition 870250089846, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 122 / 149 29 / 32 information. For example, the determination may include carrying out one or more processing steps. The determination may also cover receiving the information, for example, from another entity.

[0113] In general, the various embodiments may be implemented in hardware or special-purpose circuits, software, logic, or any combination thereof. Some aspects of the disclosure may be implemented in hardware, while other aspects may be implemented in firmware or software that may be executed by a controller, microprocessor, or other computing device, although the disclosure is not limited to these. Although various aspects of the disclosure may be illustrated and described as block diagrams, flowcharts, or using some other pictorial representation, it is well understood that those blocks, devices, systems, techniques, or methods described in this document may be implemented, as non-limiting examples, in hardware, software, firmware, special-purpose circuits or logic, general-purpose hardware or controller, or other computing devices, or some combination thereof.

[0114] As used in this application, the term circuit may refer to one, more, or all of the following: (a) hardware-only circuit implementations (such as analog-only and / or digital-only circuit implementations) and (b) combinations of hardware and software circuits, such as (as applicable): (i) a combination of analog and / or digital hardware circuits with software / firmware and (ii) any portions of hardware processors with software (including digital signal processors), software, and memories that work together to make a device, such as a mobile phone or server, perform Petition 870250089846, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 123 / 149 30 / 32 various functions) and (c) hardware circuits and / or processors, such as microprocessors or a portion of microprocessors, that require software (e.g., firmware) for operation, but the software may not be present when it is not required for operation.

[0115] This definition of circuit applies to all uses of this term in this application, including in any claims. As a further example, as used in this application, the term circuit also encompasses an implementation of merely a hardware circuit or processor (or multiple processors) or part of a hardware circuit or processor and its accompanying software and / or firmware. The term circuit also encompasses, for example and if applicable to the specific claim element, a baseband integrated circuit or processor integrated circuit for a mobile device or a similar integrated circuit in a server, a cellular network device or other computing or networking device.

[0116] The embodiments of this disclosure may be implemented by computer software executable by a mobile device data processor, such as in the processor entity, or by hardware, or by a combination of software and hardware. The software or computer program, also called a program product, including software routines, applets and / or macros, may be stored on any device-readable data storage medium and comprises program instructions to perform specific tasks. A computer program product may comprise one or more computer-executable components that, when the program is executed, are configured to perform embodiments. The one or more computer-executable components may be at least one software code or parts thereof. Petition 870250089846, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 124 / 149 31 / 32

[0117] Furthermore, in this respect, it should be noted that any blocks of the logic flow, for example, as in the Figures, may represent program steps, or interconnected logic circuits, blocks and functions, or a combination of program steps and logic circuits, blocks and functions. Software may be stored on physical media such as memory chips or memory blocks implemented within the processor, magnetic media such as hard disks or floppy disks, and optical media such as, for example, DVDs and data variants thereof, CDs. Physical media is a non-transient medium.

[0118] The term 'non-transient', as used in this document, is a limitation of the medium itself (i.e., tangible, not a signal) rather than a limitation on the persistence of data storage (e.g., RAM vs. ROM). Memory may be of any type suitable to the local technical environment and may be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as semiconductor-based memory devices, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory, and removable memory.Data processors can be of any type suitable for the local technical environment and may comprise one or more general-purpose computers, special-purpose computers, microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), FPGAs, gate-level circuits, and multi-core processor architecture-based processors, as non-limiting examples. Disclosure methods can be practiced on various components, such as integrated circuit modules. Integrated circuit design is generally a highly automated process. Complex and powerful software tools are available to convert a logic-level design into a semiconductor circuit design ready for programming and development. Petition 870250089846, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pages 125 / 149 32 / 32 formed on a semiconductor substrate.

[0119] The scope of protection sought for various disclosure modalities is established by the independent claims. The modalities and features, if any, described in this descriptive report that do not fall within the scope of the independent claims will be interpreted as useful examples for understanding various disclosure modalities.

[0120] The preceding description has provided, by way of non-limiting examples, a complete and informative description of the exemplary embodiment of this disclosure. However, various modifications and adaptations may become apparent to those skilled in the relevant art in view of the preceding description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims. Nevertheless, all such and similar modifications of the teachings of this disclosure will still be within the scope of this invention as defined in the appended claims. Indeed, there exists another embodiment comprising a combination of one or more embodiments with any of the other embodiments discussed above. Petition 870250089846, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pages 126 / 149

Claims

1 / 6 CLAIMS 1. Apparatus (310, 400) characterized in that it comprises: means for obtaining information (S201, S301, S601) from one or more non-active periods of a cell, wherein the information from one or more non-active periods of the cell is obtained based on a cellular discontinuous transmission pattern configured for the cell and an indication of activation or deactivation of the cellular discontinuous transmission pattern; means for receiving (S202, S302, S602) at least one physical downlink shared channel resource allocation for the apparatus; means for determining (S203, S603) one or more resources from at least one physical downlink shared channel resource allocation that totally or partially overlap one or more non-active periods of the cell;and means for determining (S204, S604) a hybrid auto-repeat request acknowledgment code dictionary based at least in part on determining one or more features of at least one physical downlink shared channel resource allocation that totally or partially overlap with one or more inactive cell periods, wherein the hybrid auto-repeat request acknowledgment code dictionary is determined by omitting the one or more features that totally or partially overlap with one or more inactive cell periods.

2. Device (320) characterized in that it comprises: means for transmitting (S301, S701), to a user's equipment, information from one or more non-active periods of a cell, wherein the information from one or more non-active periods of the cell is transmitted based on a discontinuous cell transmission pattern configured for the cell and an indication of activation or deactivation of the discontinuous cell transmission pattern; Petition 870250089846, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, p.142 / 149 2 / 6 means to transmit (S302, S702) at least one physical downlink shared channel resource allocation to the user equipment; and means to receive (S303, S703) a hybrid auto-repeat request acknowledgment code dictionary from the user equipment, wherein the hybrid auto-repeat request acknowledgment code dictionary is determined based at least in part on one or more resources of the at least one physical downlink shared channel resource allocation that totally or partially overlap with one or more non-active periods of the cell, wherein the hybrid auto-repeat request acknowledgment code dictionary is determined by omitting the one or more resources that totally or partially overlap with one or more non-active periods of the cell.

3. Device (310, 320, 400), according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that one or more features comprise one or more slots or symbols.

4. Apparatus (310, 320, 400), according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that at least one physical downlink shared channel resource allocation comprises a semi-static physical downlink shared channel resource allocation comprising one or more of: a physical downlink shared channel time domain resource allocation; a semi-persistent scheduling resource allocation; or a semi-persistent scheduling group resource allocation.

5. Device (310, 320, 400), according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that one or more resources of at least one shared channel resource allocation of physical downlink overlap, in time, totally or partially with one or more non-active periods of the cell. Petition 870250089846, dated 10 / 02 / 2025, page 143 / 149 3 / 6 6. Apparatus (310, 320, 400), according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the discontinuous cellular transmission pattern is indicative of a discontinuous cellular transmission cycle.

7. Method executed by an apparatus characterized in that it comprises: obtaining information (S201, S301, S601) from one or more inactive periods of a cell, wherein the information from one or more inactive periods of the cell is obtained based on a cellular discontinuous transmission pattern configured for the cell and an indication of activation or deactivation of the cellular discontinuous transmission pattern; receiving (S202, S302, S602) at least one physical downlink shared channel resource allocation for the apparatus; determining (S203, S603) one or more resources from at least one physical downlink shared channel resource allocation that totally or partially overlap one or more inactive periods of the cell;and determine (S204, S604) a hybrid auto-repeat request acknowledgment code dictionary based, at least in part, on the determination of one or more features of at least one physical downlink shared channel resource allocation that totally or partially overlap with one or more inactive periods of the cell, wherein the hybrid auto-repeat request acknowledgment code dictionary is determined by omitting the one or more features that totally or partially overlap with one or more inactive periods of the cell.

8. Method executed by a device characterized by the fact that it comprises: transmitting (S301, S701), to a user's equipment, information from Petition 870250089846, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, page 144 / 149 4 / 6 one or more non-active periods of a cell, wherein the information from one or more non-active periods of the cell is transmitted based on a discontinuous cellular transmission pattern configured for the cell and an indication of activation or deactivation of the discontinuous cellular transmission pattern; transmitting (S302, S702) at least one allocation of shared physical downlink channel resources to the user's equipment;and receive (S303, S703) a hybrid auto-repeat request acknowledgment code dictionary from the user equipment, wherein the hybrid auto-repeat request acknowledgment code dictionary is determined based on at least one physical downlink shared channel resource allocation that totally or partially overlap with one or more non-active cell periods, wherein the hybrid auto-repeat request acknowledgment code dictionary is determined by omitting the one or more resources that totally or partially overlap with one or more non-active cell periods.

9. A method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that one or more features comprise one or more slots or symbols.

10. A method, according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that one or more resources of at least one shared channel resource allocation of a physical downlink overlap, in time, totally or partially with one or more inactive periods of the cell.

11. A method according to any one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that the discontinuous cellular transmission pattern is indicative of a discontinuous cellular transmission cycle.

12. Computer-readable medium characterized in that it comprises instructions which, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following: obtain information (S201, S301, S601) from one or more inactive periods of a cell, wherein the information from one or more inactive periods of the cell is obtained based on a cellular discontinuous transmission pattern configured for the cell and an indication of activation or deactivation of the cellular discontinuous transmission pattern; receive (S202, S302, S602) at least one physical downlink shared channel resource allocation for the apparatus; determine (S203, S603) one or more resources from at least one physical downlink shared channel resource allocation that totally or partially overlap one or more inactive periods of the cell;and determine (S204, S604) a hybrid auto-repeat request acknowledgment code dictionary based, at least in part, on the determination of one or more features of at least one physical downlink shared channel resource allocation that totally or partially overlap with one or more inactive periods of the cell, wherein the hybrid auto-repeat request acknowledgment code dictionary is determined by omitting the one or more features that totally or partially overlap with one or more inactive periods of the cell.

13. Computer-readable medium characterized in that it comprises instructions which, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following: transmit (S301, S701), to a user's equipment, information from one or more inactive periods of a cell, wherein the information from one or more inactive periods of the cell is transmitted based on a discontinuous cell transmission pattern configured for the cell and an indication of activation or deactivation of the discontinuous cell transmission pattern; Petition 870250089846, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, p.146 / 149 6 / 6 transmit (S302, S702) at least one physical downlink shared channel resource allocation to the user equipment; and receive (S303, S703) a hybrid auto-repeat request acknowledgment code dictionary from the user equipment, wherein the hybrid auto-repeat request acknowledgment code dictionary is determined based at least in part on one or more resources of the at least one physical downlink shared channel resource allocation that totally or partially overlap with one or more non-active periods of the cell, wherein the hybrid auto-repeat request acknowledgment code dictionary is determined by omitting the one or more resources that totally or partially overlap with one or more non-active periods of the cell.

14. A computer-readable medium according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that at least one physical downlink shared channel resource allocation comprises a semi-static physical downlink shared channel resource allocation comprising one or more of: a physical downlink shared channel time domain resource allocation; a semi-persistent scheduling resource allocation; or a semi-persistent scheduling group resource allocation.

15. Computer-readable medium according to any one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that the discontinuous cellular transmission pattern is indicative of a discontinuous cellular transmission cycle. Petition 870250089846, dated 10 / 02 / 2025, pp. 147 / 149

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