Device, method and computer program

Abstract

An apparatus provided in a communications device. The apparatus includes at least one processor and at least one memory, the at least one memory including computer code for one or more programs. The at least one memory and the computer code are configured to, in conjunction with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to: determine that at least one logical channel among a plurality of logical channels configured for packet duplication is to be deactivated; and determine allocation of one or more cells associated with the at least one deactivated logical channel to one or more active logical channels among the plurality of logical channels configured for packet duplication.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an apparatus, method and computer program, and particularly, but not exclusively, to an apparatus, method and computer program for use in a packet replication scenario. Background Art

[0002] A communication system can be considered as a facility that enables communication sessions between two or more entities (such as communication devices, base stations / access points, and / or other nodes) by providing a carrier wave between the various entities involved in the communication path. A communication system can be provided, for example, by means of a communication network and one or more compatible communication devices.

[0003] Access to a communication system can be achieved via an appropriate communication device or terminal. A communication device is provided with appropriate signal reception and transmission means to enable communication, for example, to access a communication network or to communicate directly with other communication devices. A communication device can access a carrier provided by a station or access point and transmit and / or receive communications on that carrier.

[0004] Communication systems and associated equipment typically operate according to a given standard or specification that sets out what the various entities associated with the system are allowed to do and how this should be achieved. Summary of the Invention

[0005] According to one aspect, a device is provided in a communication device, the device comprising at least one processor and at least one memory, the at least one memory comprising computer code for one or more programs, the at least one memory and the computer code being configured to, together with the at least one processor, cause the device to at least: determine that at least one logical channel among a plurality of logical channels configured for packet replication is to be deactivated; and determine an allocation of one or more cells associated with at least one deactivated logical channel to one or more active logical channels among the plurality of logical channels configured for packet replication.

[0006] An active logical channel may be associated with an active radio link control entity.

[0007] An active logical channel may be associated with an active branch.

[0008] The at least one memory and the computer program code may be configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: determine an allocation using one or more preconfigured rules.

[0009] The at least one memory and the computer program code may be configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: receive one or more pre-configured rules from a base station.

[0010] The at least one memory and the computer program code may be configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: assign one or more cells associated with the deactivated logical channel to a primary logical channel of a plurality of logical channels configured for packet duplication.

[0011] The at least one memory and the computer program code may be configured to, together with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: assign one or more cells associated with the deactivated logical channel to one or more active logical channels depending on a logical channel index of at least one of the plurality of logical channels configured for packet duplication.

[0012] The at least one memory and the computer program code may be configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least assign one or more cells associated with the deactivated logical channel to:

[0013] The active logical channel with the highest logical channel index;

[0014] The active logical channel with the lowest logical channel index;

[0015] an active logical channel having the second highest logical channel index compared to the logical channel index of the deactivated logical channel; or

[0016] The active logical channel having the second lowest logical channel index compared to the logical channel index of the deactivated logical channel.

[0017] The at least one memory and the computer program code may be configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least assign one or more cells associated with the deactivated logical channel to the active logical channel having the highest logical channel index.

[0018] The at least one memory and the computer program code may be configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least assign one or more cells associated with the deactivated logical channel to the active logical channel having the lowest logical channel index.

[0019] The at least one memory and the computer program code may be configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: assign one or more cells associated with the deactivated logical channel to an active logical channel having a second highest logical channel index compared to the logical channel index of the activated logical channel.

[0020] The at least one memory and the computer program code may be configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: assign one or more cells associated with the deactivated logical channel to an active logical channel having a second lowest logical channel index compared to the logical channel index of the deactivated logical channel.

[0021] The at least one memory and the computer program code may be configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: allocate one or more cells associated with the deactivated logical channel to the one or more active logical channels depending on activity associated with the one or more active logical channels of the plurality of logical channels configured for packet duplication.

[0022] The at least one memory and the computer program code may be configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least assign one or more cells associated with the deactivated logical channel to:

[0023] The active logical channel associated with the buffer with the most queues;

[0024] The active logical channel associated with the buffer with the least queue;

[0025] the active logical channel associated with the highest sequence number of the packet; or

[0026] The active logical channel associated with the packet's lowest sequence number.

[0027] The at least one memory and the computer program code may be configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least assign one or more cells associated with the deactivated logical channel to the active logical channel associated with the most queued buffer.

[0028] The at least one memory and the computer program code may be configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least assign one or more cells associated with the deactivated logical channel to the active logical channel associated with the least queued buffer.

[0029] The at least one memory and the computer program code may be configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least assign one or more cells associated with the deactivated logical channel to the active logical channel associated with the highest sequence number of the packet.

[0030] The at least one memory and the computer program code may be configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least assign one or more cells associated with the deactivated logical channel to the active logical channel associated with the lowest sequence number of the packet.

[0031] The at least one memory and the computer program code may be configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: assign one or more cells associated with the deactivated logical channel to one or more active logical channels depending on a predefined mapping between the logical channels.

[0032] The at least one memory and the computer program code may be configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: allocate one or more cells associated with the deactivated logical channel to one or more active cells depending on the number of cells associated with one or more active logical channels of the plurality of logical channels configured for packet duplication.

[0033] The at least one memory and the computer program code may be configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least assign one or more cells associated with the deactivated logical channel to:

[0034] the active logical channel associated with the highest allowed number of cells; or

[0035] Active logical channels associated with the lowest allowed number of cells.

[0036] The at least one memory and the computer program code may be configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least assign one or more cells associated with the deactivated logical channel to the active logical channel associated with the highest allowed number of cells.

[0037] The at least one memory and the computer program code may be configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: assign one or more cells associated with the deactivated logical channel to the active logical channel associated with the lowest allowed number of cells.

[0038] The at least one memory and the computer program code may be configured to, together with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: allocate one or more cells associated with the deactivated logical channel to the one or more active logical channels depending on the number of carriers in a given frequency band associated with the one or more active logical channels of the plurality of logical channels configured for packet duplication.

[0039] The at least one memory and the computer program code may be configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least assign one or more cells associated with the deactivated logical channel to:

[0040] the active logical channels associated with the greatest number of carriers; or

[0041] Active logical channel associated with the lowest number of carriers.

[0042] The at least one memory and the computer program code may be configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least assign one or more cells associated with the deactivated logical channel to the active logical channel associated with the greatest number of carriers.

[0043] The at least one memory and the computer program code may be configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least assign one or more cells associated with the deactivated logical channel to the active logical channel associated with the lowest number of carriers.

[0044] At least one memory and computer program code can be configured to, together with at least one processor, cause the apparatus to assign one or more cells associated with a deactivated logical channel to one or more active logical channels depending on at least one or more of: logical channel priority; prioritized bit rate; and channel access priority category.

[0045] The at least one memory and the computer program code may be configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least assign one or more cells associated with the deactivated logical channel to an active logical channel associated with the same cell group as the deactivated logical channel.

[0046] The at least one memory and the computer program code may be configured to, together with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: receive information indicating that one or more of the deactivated logical channels are to be activated, and reallocate one or more cells previously associated with the corresponding logical channel to the corresponding logical channel.

[0047] The at least one memory and the computer program code may be configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: receive information indicating that at least one logical channel among a plurality of logical channels configured for packet duplication is to be deactivated, and in response thereto, determine that the corresponding logical channel is to be deactivated.

[0048] A communication device may be provided comprising the apparatus described previously.

[0049] According to one aspect, a device is provided in a communication device, the device including components for: determining that at least one logical channel among a plurality of logical channels configured for packet replication is to be deactivated; and determining allocation of one or more cells associated with at least one deactivated logical channel to one or more active logical channels among the plurality of logical channels configured for packet replication.

[0050] An active logical channel may be associated with an active radio link control entity.

[0051] An active logical channel may be associated with an active branch.

[0052] The component may be configured to determine the allocation using one or more preconfigured rules.

[0053] The component may be configured to receive one or more preconfigured rules from a base station.

[0054] The component may be configured to assign one or more cells associated with the deactivated logical channel to a primary logical channel among a plurality of logical channels configured for packet duplication.

[0055] The means may be configured to assign one or more cells associated with the deactivated logical channel to one or more active logical channels depending on a logical channel index of at least one logical channel of the plurality of logical channels configured for packet duplication.

[0056] The means may be configured to allocate one or more cells associated with the deactivated logical channel to:

[0057] The active logical channel with the highest logical channel index;

[0058] The active logical channel with the lowest logical channel index;

[0059] an active logical channel having the second highest logical channel index compared to the logical channel index of the deactivated logical channel; or

[0060] The active logical channel having the second lowest logical channel index compared to the logical channel index of the deactivated logical channel.

[0061] The means may be configured to assign one or more cells associated with the deactivated logical channel to the active logical channel having the highest logical channel index.

[0062] The means may be configured to assign one or more cells associated with the deactivated logical channel to the active logical channel having the lowest logical channel index.

[0063] The means may be configured to assign one or more cells associated with the deactivated logical channel to an active logical channel having a second highest logical channel index compared to the logical channel index of the deactivated logical channel.

[0064] The means may be configured to assign one or more cells associated with the deactivated logical channel to an active logical channel having a second lowest logical channel index compared to the logical channel index of the deactivated logical channel.

[0065] The means may be configured to assign one or more cells associated with the deactivated logical channel to one or more active logical channels of the plurality of logical channels configured for packet duplication, depending on activity associated with the one or more active logical channels.

[0066] The means may be configured to allocate one or more cells associated with the deactivated logical channel to:

[0067] The active logical channel associated with the buffer with the most queues;

[0068] The active logical channel associated with the buffer with the least queue;

[0069] the active logical channel associated with the highest sequence number of the packet; or

[0070] The active logical channel associated with the packet's lowest sequence number.

[0071] The component may be configured to assign one or more cells associated with the deactivated logical channel to the active logical channel associated with the most queued buffer.

[0072] The means may be configured to assign one or more cells associated with the deactivated logical channel to the active logical channel associated with the least queued buffer.

[0073] The means may be configured to assign one or more cells associated with the deactivated logical channel to the active logical channel associated with the highest sequence number of the packet.

[0074] The means may be configured to assign one or more cells associated with the deactivated logical channel to the active logical channel associated with the lowest sequence number of the packet.

[0075] The means may be configured to assign one or more cells associated with the deactivated logical channel to one or more active logical channels depending on a predefined mapping between said logical channels.

[0076] The means may be configured to allocate one or more cells associated with the deactivated logical channel to one or more active logical channels depending on a number of cells associated with one or more active logical channels of the plurality of logical channels configured for packet duplication.

[0077] The means may be configured to allocate one or more cells associated with the deactivated logical channel to:

[0078] the active logical channel associated with the highest allowed number of cells; or

[0079] Active logical channels associated with the lowest allowed number of cells.

[0080] The means may be configured to assign one or more cells associated with the deactivated logical channel to the active logical channel associated with the highest allowed number of cells.

[0081] The means may be configured to assign one or more cells associated with the deactivated logical channel to the active logical channel associated with the lowest permitted number of cells.

[0082] The means may be configured to assign one or more cells associated with the deactivated logical channel to one or more active logical channels depending on the number of carriers in a given frequency band associated with the one or more active logical channels of the plurality of logical channels configured for packet duplication.

[0083] The means may be configured to allocate one or more cells associated with the deactivated logical channel to:

[0084] the active logical channels associated with the greatest number of carriers; or

[0085] Active logical channel associated with the lowest number of carriers.

[0086] The means may be configured to assign one or more cells associated with the deactivated logical channel to the active logical channel associated with the greatest number of carriers.

[0087] The means may be configured to assign one or more cells associated with the deactivated logical channel to the active logical channel associated with the lowest number of carriers.

[0088] The component may be configured to assign one or more cells associated with the deactivated logical channel to one or more active logical channels depending on one or more of: logical channel priority; prioritized bit rate; and channel access priority category.

[0089] The means may be configured to assign one or more cells associated with the deactivated logical channel to an active logical channel associated with the same cell group as the deactivated logical channel.

[0090] The component may be configured to receive information indicating that one or more of the deactivated logical channels are to be activated, and reallocate one or more cells previously associated with the corresponding logical channels to the corresponding logical channels.

[0091] The component may be configured to receive information indicating that at least one logical channel among a plurality of logical channels configured for packet duplication is to be deactivated, and in response thereto determine that the corresponding logical channel is to be deactivated.

[0092] This component may be provided at least in part by the circuitry.

[0093] A communication device may be provided comprising the apparatus described previously.

[0094] According to one aspect, a device is provided in a communication device, the device comprising: a circuit system for determining that at least one logical channel among a plurality of logical channels configured for packet replication is to be deactivated; and a circuit system for determining allocation of one or more cells associated with at least one deactivated logical channel to one or more active logical channels among the plurality of logical channels configured for packet replication.

[0095] According to one aspect, a method performed by an apparatus set in a communication device is provided, the method comprising: determining that at least one logical channel among a plurality of logical channels configured for packet replication is to be deactivated; and determining an allocation of one or more cells associated with at least one deactivated logical channel to one or more active logical channels among the plurality of logical channels configured for packet replication.

[0096] An active logical channel may be associated with an active radio link control entity.

[0097] An active logical channel may be associated with an active branch.

[0098] The method may include determining the allocation using one or more preconfigured rules.

[0099] The method may include receiving one or more pre-configured rules from a base station.

[0100] The method may include allocating one or more cells associated with the deactivated logical channel to a primary logical channel among a plurality of logical channels configured for packet duplication.

[0101] The method may include allocating one or more cells associated with the deactivated logical channel to one or more active logical channels depending on a logical channel index of at least one of the plurality of logical channels configured for packet duplication.

[0102] The method may include allocating one or more cells associated with the deactivated logical channel to:

[0103] The active logical channel with the highest logical channel index;

[0104] The active logical channel with the lowest logical channel index;

[0105] an active logical channel having the second highest logical channel index compared to the logical channel index of the deactivated logical channel; or

[0106] The active logical channel having the second lowest logical channel index compared to the logical channel index of the deactivated logical channel.

[0107] The method may include allocating one or more cells associated with the deactivated logical channel to the active logical channel having the highest logical channel index.

[0108] The method may be used to assign one or more cells associated with the deactivated logical channel to the active logical channel having the lowest logical channel index.

[0109] The method may include allocating one or more cells associated with the deactivated logical channel to an active logical channel having a second highest logical channel index compared to the logical channel index of the deactivated logical channel.

[0110] The method may be used to assign one or more cells associated with the deactivated logical channel to an active logical channel having a second lowest logical channel index compared to the logical channel index of the deactivated logical channel.

[0111] The method may include allocating one or more cells associated with the deactivated logical channel to one or more active logical channels of the plurality of logical channels configured for packet duplication, depending on activity associated with the one or more active logical channels.

[0112] The method may include allocating one or more cells associated with the deactivated logical channel to:

[0113] The active logical channel associated with the buffer with the most queues;

[0114] The active logical channel associated with the buffer with the least queue;

[0115] the active logical channel associated with the highest sequence number of the packet; or

[0116] The active logical channel associated with the packet's lowest sequence number.

[0117] The method may include allocating one or more cells associated with the deactivated logical channel to the active logical channel associated with the most queued buffer.

[0118] The method may be used to assign one or more cells associated with the deactivated logical channel to the active logical channel associated with the least queued buffer.

[0119] The method may include allocating one or more cells associated with the deactivated logical channel to the active logical channel associated with the highest sequence number of the packet.

[0120] The method may include allocating one or more cells associated with the deactivated logical channel to the active logical channel associated with the lowest sequence number of the packet.

[0121] The method may comprise allocating one or more cells associated with the deactivated logical channel to one or more active logical channels depending on a predefined mapping between said logical channels.

[0122] The method may include allocating one or more cells associated with the deactivated logical channel to one or more active logical channels depending on a number of cells associated with one or more active logical channels of the plurality of logical channels configured for packet duplication.

[0123] The method may include allocating one or more cells associated with the deactivated logical channel to:

[0124] the active logical channel associated with the highest allowed number of cells; or

[0125] Active logical channels associated with the lowest allowed number of cells.

[0126] The method may include allocating one or more cells associated with the deactivated logical channel to the active logical channel associated with the highest allowed number of cells.

[0127] The method may include allocating one or more cells associated with the deactivated logical channel to the active logical channel associated with the lowest allowed number of cells.

[0128] The method may include allocating one or more cells associated with the deactivated logical channel to one or more active logical channels of the plurality of logical channels configured for packet duplication depending on a number of carriers in a given frequency band associated with the one or more active logical channels.

[0129] The method may include allocating one or more cells associated with the deactivated logical channel to:

[0130] the active logical channels associated with the greatest number of carriers; or

[0131] Active logical channel associated with the lowest number of carriers.

[0132] The method may include allocating one or more cells associated with the deactivated logical channel to the active logical channel associated with the greatest number of carriers.

[0133] The method may include allocating one or more cells associated with the deactivated logical channel to the active logical channel associated with the lowest number of carriers.

[0134] The method may include assigning one or more cells to be associated with the deactivated logical channel to one or more active logical channels depending on one or more of: logical channel priority; prioritized bit rate; and channel access priority category.

[0135] The method may include allocating one or more cells associated with the deactivated logical channel to an active logical channel associated with the same cell group as the deactivated logical channel.

[0136] The method may include receiving information indicating that one or more of the deactivated logical channels are to be activated, and reallocating one or more cells previously associated with the corresponding logical channels to the corresponding logical channels.

[0137] The method may include receiving information indicating that at least one logical channel among a plurality of logical channels configured for packet duplication is to be deactivated, and in response thereto determining that the corresponding logical channel is to be deactivated.

[0138] According to one aspect, there is provided a computer program comprising computer executable code configured, when run on at least one processor, to cause any of the aforementioned methods to be performed.

[0139] According to one aspect, a computer-readable medium is provided, comprising program instructions stored thereon, the program instructions being configured to execute at least one of the above methods.

[0140] According to one aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable medium is provided, the non-transitory computer-readable medium including program instructions stored thereon, the program instructions being configured to execute at least one of the above methods.

[0141] According to one aspect, a non-volatile tangible storage medium is provided, the non-volatile tangible storage medium including program instructions stored thereon, the program instructions for executing at least one of the above methods.

[0142] Many different aspects have been described above. It should be understood that other aspects may be provided by combining any two or more of the above aspects.

[0143] Various other aspects are also described in the following detailed description and appended claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0144] Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0145] Figure 1 A schematic diagram illustrating an example communication system including a plurality of base stations and communication devices is shown;

[0146] Figure 2 A schematic diagram illustrating an example mobile communication device is shown;

[0147] Figure 3 A schematic diagram showing an example apparatus provided in a base station;

[0148] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of a non-volatile storage medium storing instructions that, when executed by a processor, enable the processor to perform one or more steps of the method of some embodiments is shown;

[0149] Figure 5 An example apparatus that may be provided in a base station or a communication device is shown;

[0150] Figure 6 An example of a communication device with four active branches is shown;

[0151] Figure 7 shows the signaling flow of some embodiments;

[0152] Figure 8 Methods of some embodiments that may be performed by an apparatus provided in a communication device are shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0153] The following embodiments are exemplified. Although the specification may refer to "an," "one," or "some" embodiments in various places throughout the text, this does not necessarily mean that each reference is to the same embodiment(s), nor does it necessarily mean that a particular feature applies only to a single embodiment. Individual features of different embodiments may also be combined to provide other embodiments.

[0154] As is well known, wireless systems can be divided into cells and are therefore often referred to as cellular systems. Typically, an access point (such as a base station) provides at least one cell. A cellular system can support communications between user equipments (UEs).

[0155] In the following, different exemplary embodiments will be described using a radio access architecture based on Long Term Evolution Advanced (LTE-Advanced (LTE-A)) or New Radio (NR) (or may be referred to as 5G) as an example of an access architecture to which the embodiments may be applied, without limiting the embodiments to such an architecture. It is clear to a person skilled in the art that the embodiments may also be applied to other kinds of communication networks with suitable components by appropriately adjusting parameters and procedures. Some examples of other options for suitable systems are Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Radio Access Network (UTRAN or E-UTRAN), Long Term Evolution (LTE, same as E-UTRA), Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN or WiFi), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), Personal Communications Service (PCS), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), systems using Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology, sensor networks, mobile ad hoc networks (MANET), cellular Internet of Things (IoT) RAN, and Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), or any combination thereof.

[0156] In the following, certain embodiments are explained with reference to a communication device capable of communicating via a wireless cellular system and a communication system serving such a communication device. Figures 1 to 5 Certain general principles of wireless communication systems, their access systems, and communication devices are briefly explained to help understand the underlying technology of the described examples.

[0157] In such Figure 1 In the wireless communication system 100 shown, wireless access is provided to wireless communication devices (e.g. user equipment (UE) or MTC (machine type communication) devices 102, 104, 105) via at least one base station or similar wireless transmission and / or reception wireless infrastructure node or point. Such a node may be, for example, a base station or eNodeB (eNB), or in a 5G system a next generation NodeB (gNB), or other wireless infrastructure node. These nodes are generally referred to as base stations. A base station is typically controlled by at least one appropriate controller device to enable its operation and management of the communication devices communicating with the base station. The controller device may be located in a radio access network (e.g. the wireless communication system 100) or in a core network (CN) (not shown) and may be implemented as one central device, or its functionality may be distributed across several devices. The controller device may be part of a base station and / or provided by a separate entity. In Figure 1 In FIG, control means 108 and 109 are shown as controlling respective macro-level base stations 106 and 107. In some systems, the control means may additionally or alternatively be provided in a separate entity.

[0158] exist Figure 1 In FIG, base stations 106 and 107 are shown connected to a wider communications network 113 via a gateway 112. Further gateway functionality may be provided to connect to another network.

[0159] Smaller base stations 116, 118, and 120 may also be connected to network 113, for example, via separate gateway functionality and / or via a controller of a macro-level station. Base stations 116, 118, and 120 may be pico- or femto-level base stations, etc. In this example, stations 116 and 118 are connected via gateway 111, while station 120 is connected via controller device 108. In some embodiments, smaller stations may not be provided.

[0160] In this document, a communication device will be referred to as a UE (User Equipment), but it will be understood that the device may be any suitable communication device, and the term UE is intended to encompass any such device. Some examples of communication devices are discussed below, and as used herein, the term UE is intended to encompass any one or more of those devices and / or any other suitable device.

[0161] Figure 2 An example of a communication device 300 is shown, such as Figure 1 Wireless communication devices 102, 104, and 105 are shown. The wireless communication device 300 may be provided by any device capable of sending and receiving radio signals. Non-limiting examples include a mobile station (MS) or mobile device (such as a mobile phone or so-called "smartphone"), a computer provided with a wireless interface card or other wireless interface facility (e.g., a USB dongle), a personal data assistant (PDA) or tablet provided with wireless communication capabilities, a machine type communication (MTC) device, an IoT type communication device, or any combination of these devices.

[0162] The device 300 may receive signals over the air or radio interface 307 via suitable means for receiving and may transmit signals via suitable means for transmitting radio signals. Figure 2 In FIG, the transceiver arrangement is schematically represented by block 306. The transceiver arrangement 306 may be provided, for example, by means of a radio part and an associated antenna arrangement. The antenna arrangement may be arranged internally or externally to the mobile device.

[0163] The wireless communication device 300 may be provided with at least one processor 301 and at least one memory. The at least one memory may include at least one ROM 302a and / or at least one RAM 302b. The communication device may include other possible components 303 for use in the software- and hardware-assisted tasks it is designed to perform, including controlling access to and communication with access systems and other communication devices. The at least one processor 301 is coupled to the at least one memory. The at least one processor 301 may be configured to execute appropriate software code 308 to implement one or more of the following aspects. The software code 308 may be stored in the at least one memory, such as the at least one ROM 302a.

[0164] The processor, storage and other related control means may be provided on an appropriate circuit board and / or in a chipset. This feature is indicated by reference numeral 304. The device may optionally have a user interface such as a keyboard 305, a touch-sensitive screen or touchpad, a combination thereof, or the like.

[0165] Depending on the type of device, one or more of a display, speaker and microphone may optionally be provided.

[0166] The communication protocol and / or parameters to be used for the connection are also typically defined.A communication device can access a communication system based on various access technologies.

[0167] exist Figure 3 An example arrangement is shown in FIG. Figure 3 An example of an apparatus 200 for a base station is shown. The apparatus includes at least one memory. The at least one memory may be at least one random access memory (RAM) 211a and / or at least one read-only memory (ROM) 211b, at least one processor 212, 213, and an input / output interface 214. The at least one processor 212, 213 is coupled to the RAM 211a and the ROM 211b. The at least one processor 212, 213 may be configured to execute appropriate software code 215 to implement one or more of the following aspects. The software code 215 may be stored in the ROM 211b.

[0168] Figure 4 Schematic diagrams of non-volatile storage media 1600a (e.g., a computer disk (CD) or digital versatile disk (DVD)) and 1600b (e.g., a universal serial bus (USB) memory stick) storing instructions and / or parameters 1602 that, when executed by a processor, enable the processor to perform one or more steps of any method of any embodiment.

[0169] Figure 5An apparatus 148 is shown. The apparatus 148 may be provided in a base station or a communication device. The apparatus may include at least a processor 150 and at least one memory 152 including computer code for one or more programs.

[0170] The apparatus may be configured to cause some embodiments to be performed.

[0171] In some embodiments, carrier aggregation and / or dual connectivity are used in conjunction with duplication of links.

[0172] Some embodiments may be provided with respect to so-called Internet of Things (IoT) or machine-type communication scenarios. Some embodiments may be used with Ultra-Reliable Low-Latency Communication (URLLC) devices. Such devices may be used for MTC / IoT use cases (e.g., remote control, factory automation, automated guided vehicles, etc.). In such cases, data replication may improve latency and reliability.

[0173] Other embodiments may be provided in other contexts. Those contexts may be in conventional cellular communication scenarios or in any other suitable communication scenarios.

[0174] Data duplication may be provided. For example, resource-efficient PDCP (Packet Data Convergence Protocol) duplication may be provided. Coordination may be performed between nodes for PDCP duplication activation. Coordination may allow unnecessary duplicate transmissions to be avoided and / or reduced. The connection may be, for example, to multiple base stations and / or multiple carriers on separate frequencies (i.e., carrier aggregation). Data duplication refers to the transmission of the same data packet via different base stations, radio heads, and / or carriers, etc.

[0175] It has been proposed to configure multiple component carriers (CCs) to a single user, where the CCs may belong to the same node (same cell group CG). This implements PDCP replication based on carrier aggregation (CA). Alternatively, the CCs may belong to different nodes (different cell groups). This provides PDCP replication based on dual connectivity (DC). A single MAC entity may support carrier aggregation (CA). Dual connectivity may have separate MAC entities for two connections. In some embodiments, CA and DC may be used together, or as an alternative in other embodiments. In some embodiments, only one of DC and CA is supported. In other embodiments, both DC and CA are supported, where CA-based replication may be configured in each node for DC-based replication.

[0176] In some embodiments, for data replication purposes, k branches can be configured for a radio bearer. A transmission branch can be an RLC entity corresponding to an LCH, which can be configured with a set of allowed serving cells. Therefore, when replication is configured, a radio bearer can have k LCHs. In some embodiments, a maximum number of n≤k branches can be active at a time. In some embodiments, the number of active branches can be the same as or different from the number of configured branches. Branches can be activated or deactivated.

[0177] Some embodiments may be used in uplink scenarios and / or downlink scenarios.

[0178] Logical channel (LCH) restrictions on cells can be provided to prevent LCHs of the same radio bearer from being mapped to the same cell. Radio bearers with more than one LCH can be used for duplication purposes. If LCHs are mapped to the same cell, in some cases the benefits of duplication may be minimal. LCHs can be defined by the type of information they carry and are generally categorized as either control channels for the transmission of control and configuration information, or traffic channels for user data.

[0179] This duplication may also be referred to as Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) duplication or simply data packet duplication. Duplication on PDCP involves submitting the same PDCP PDU multiple times: once for each active transmission leg.

[0180] In carrier aggregation (CA) duplication, the LCHs of the duplicated radio bearers may be mapped to different serving cells or carriers. CA duplication may refer to PDCP CA duplication or CA packet duplication.

[0181] Packet duplication may refer to duplication of control and / or user plane packets.

[0182] The case of two logical channels in packet duplication will now be described. When duplication is configured for a radio bearer by RRC (Radio Resource Control), a secondary RLC entity is added to the radio bearer to handle the duplicated PDCP PDUs. The logical channel corresponding to the primary RLC entity is called the primary logical channel, and the logical channel corresponding to the secondary RLC entity is called the secondary logical channel. The two RLC entities have the same RLC mode. Therefore, duplication on PDCP involves submitting the same PDCP PDU twice: once to the primary RLC entity and a second time to the secondary RLC entity. Some embodiments can be used to support packet duplication even when there is more than one secondary logical channel.

[0183] In some embodiments, packet duplication refers to PDCP protocol data unit (PDU) duplication.

[0184] When duplication for a radio bearer is deactivated, the cell restriction may be lifted such that the remaining LCHs of the radio bearer may use any cell as in normal operation (eg, as in normal CA operation, if duplication was utilized with CA before deactivation).

[0185] When duplication is deactivated, some embodiments may apply the union of serving cells originally allowed for a particular duplication leg to the transmission leg that remains activated after duplication deactivation.

[0186] Some embodiments can be used with up to four active branches. However, this is merely exemplary, and other embodiments can have more or less than four active branches. In some embodiments, the number of configured branches for replication can be greater than or equal to the number of active branches for replication.

[0187] For I-IoT (Industrial Internet of Things), it is recommended to support up to 4 active branches. For example, especially for I-IoT in Rel-16, it has been agreed that a subset of active branches can be dynamically selected.

[0188] Some embodiments may provide one or more methods that may avoid the need for additional RRC configuration (applicable to different situations) and / or dynamic signaling of LCP setup, which may incur higher complexity and signaling overhead.

[0189] refer to Figure 6 , Figure 6 A UE 600 is shown with four active branches. The first branch is the primary branch 600. The second branch 604, the third branch 606, and the fourth branch 608 are secondary branches. The primary branch may be associated with a primary cell (PCell), while the secondary branches may be associated with secondary cells (SCells). In some embodiments, one or more of these branches may be deactivated. (It should be appreciated that, during use, one or more branches may be switched from one cell to another.)

[0190] In some embodiments, the UE's equipment can be configured to autonomously reallocate allowed serving cells across branches configured for duplication when the branches have different activation states. The gNB can preconfigure how allowed serving cells are reallocated when a branch / RLC entity is deactivated. The UE will then operate according to this preconfiguration when a branch is deactivated. This reallocation will cause the allowed serving cells of the deactivated branch to move to another branch that is still active. This "other branch" combines its own set of allowed serving cells with the set of allowed serving cells that were moved from the deactivated branch.

[0191] In some embodiments, one or more rules may be provided to the apparatus of the UE to perform the reallocation. The apparatus may, for example, Figure 5 shown and / or may be provided by appropriate circuitry.

[0192] In some embodiments, the UE's apparatus may be provided with a default behavior that it applies.

[0193] In some embodiments, unless the UE receives a message from the base station to override the default behavior, the UE's apparatus may be configured to apply the default behavior.

[0194] In some embodiments, the UE apparatus may be configured to cause one or more allowed cells of the deactivated branch to be applied to one of the remaining active branches. This may be the case, for example, when more than two branches per DRB are configured for CA duplication.

[0195] Upon any branch deactivation, how the UE's apparatus reallocates allowed cells may be based on one or more of the following options.

[0196] In one option, all allowed cells of all deactivated branches are applied to the main branch. The allowed cells of the deactivated branches are considered as allowed cells for the main branch. This can be used when defining a main branch. The main branch can be the branch on which control information is provided.

[0197] In another option, all allowed cells of the deactivated branch are applied to one or more of the remaining active branches for the radio bearer with the lowest LCH (Logical Channel) / RLC (Radio Link Control) entity index.

[0198] In another option, all allowed cells of the deactivated branch are applied to one or more of the remaining active branches with the highest LCH (Logical Channel) / RLC (Radio Link Control) entity index for the radio bearer.

[0199] Alternatively or additionally, when a branch is deactivated, the allowed cells of that branch are applied to the remaining active branches with the second lower LCH / RLC entity index (from the deactivated branch) for the radio bearers.

[0200] For example, if the LCH index for the deactivated branch is #2 and the LCH indices of the remaining active branches are #0, #1, #3, the allowed cell is applied to the branch with LCH index #1 (second lower).

[0201] Alternatively or additionally, when a branch is deactivated, the allowed cells of that branch are applied to the remaining active branches with the second higher LCH / RLC entity index (from the deactivated branch) for the radio bearer.

[0202] For example, if the LCH index for the deactivated branch is #2, and the LCH indices of the remaining active branches are #0, #1, #3, the allowed cell is applied to the branch with LCH index #3 (second highest).

[0203] In another option, all allowed cells of the deactivated branch are applied to the remaining active branch with the most queued (or busiest) buffer.

[0204] In another option, all allowed cells of the deactivated branch are applied to the remaining active branch with the least queued buffer.

[0205] In another option, all allowed cells of the deactivated branch are applied to the remaining active branch with the most hysteresis with respect to the sequence number of the packet currently being processed.

[0206] In another option, all allowed cells of the deactivated leg are applied to the remaining active leg with the least hysteresis with respect to the sequence number of the packet currently being processed.

[0207] In another option, a preconfigurable association may exist between branches. This association will provide a mapping to indicate which remaining active branch can use the allowed cells of the deactivated branch. This mapping will be preconfigured. For example, LCH#0 is associated with LCH#2, and LCH#1 is associated with LCH#3. When LCH#0 is deactivated, its allowed serving cells should be applied to LCH#2 based on the preconfigured association. When LCH#3 is deactivated, its allowed serving cells should be applied to LCH#1 based on the preconfigured association.

[0208] In another option, all allowed cells of the deactivated branch are applied to the remaining active branch(ies) having the fewest allowed cells associated therewith.

[0209] In another option, all allowed cells of the deactivated branch are applied to the remaining active branch(ies) having the most allowed cells associated with it.

[0210] In another option, all allowed cells of the deactivated branch are applied to the remaining active branch(ies) with the corresponding allowed serving cell comprising the most carriers in the unlicensed band.

[0211] In another option, all allowed cells of the deactivated branch are applied to the remaining active branch(ies) with the corresponding allowed serving cells comprising the fewest carriers in the unlicensed band.

[0212] In another option, all allowed cells of the deactivated branch are applied to the remaining active branch(ies) with the corresponding allowed serving cell comprising the most carriers in frequency range 2 (FR2) (24.25 GHz - 52.6 GHz).

[0213] In another option, all allowed cells of the deactivated branch are applied to the remaining active branch(ies) with the corresponding allowed serving cell comprising the fewest carriers in frequency range 2 (FR2).

[0214] In some embodiments, the selection of the remaining active branches may be based on at least one parameter of the associated LCH configuration.

[0215] For example, the remaining active branches may be selected based on one or more of the following: highest LCH priority, lowest LCH priority, highest PBR (Prioritized Bit Rate), lowest PBR, lowest CAPC (Channel Access Priority), and lowest CAPC. This option may be used in situations where LCHs associated with the same DRB are configured with different LCP (Logical Channel Priority) settings.

[0216] Some embodiments may involve more than one cell group. In this case, in combination with any of the options listed above, the selection of the remaining active branches may be restricted to the same cell group associated with the deactivated branch.

[0217] When replication is configured using both DC and CA, then when the gNB deactivates one or more branches in a CG, but one or more branches remain in that CG, the remaining one or more remaining branches of the same CG shall take priority over serving cells of the other branches. Thus, some embodiments may involve more than one cell group, and in such cases, in combination with any of the options listed above, the selection of remaining active branches may be restricted to those in the same cell group as the deactivated branch. This may avoid the situation where the primary branch, or a branch selected based on any one or more of the previously described options, is located on a different CG than the deactivated branch.

[0218] In some embodiments, the network may configure a master branch for each CG in the case of combined DC and CA replication. From the PDCP perspective, only one of those branches is the master branch. When deactivation occurs in the same cell group, the other master branch will be considered as such.

[0219] In some embodiments, the UE may be pre-configured (e.g., per DRB) regarding which of the above options should be applied when a branch is deactivated. The UE may be pre-configured with associated parameters. Such pre-configuration may provide a framework for the UE to determine how one or more allowed serving cells should be reallocated when one or more branches in the branch are deactivated.

[0220] In other embodiments, the UE behavior may be defined for such situations so that no pre-configuration is required.

[0221] In some embodiments, a combination of pre-configuration of the UE and defined UE behavior may be provided.

[0222] When the deactivated duplicate branch is activated again, it can obtain its allowed serving cell based on the original RRC configuration.

[0223] In some embodiments, apparatus of the UE may use one or more parameters when determining which of a plurality of different options to provide.

[0224] In some embodiments, reallocation of a serving cell to one of the branches as proposed in any of the previous exemplary embodiments is effective only when the branch from which the serving cell is reallocated remains deactivated for duplication. When the deactivated branch becomes active, the reallocation will stop.

[0225] In some embodiments, the activation or deactivation of a branch for a radio bearer is not controlled by the gNB, but is determined by the UE itself based on certain configured standards or implementation issues.

[0226] refer to Figure 7 , Figure 7 An example of signal flow for some embodiments using one of the previously discussed options is shown. It should be understood that the other options previously described may alternatively be provided.

[0227] In step S1, the gNB is configured to send configuration information to the user equipment. The configuration information may be RRC configuration information.

[0228] The configuration information may include information about the different branches. As an example only, each DRB may have four branches. These may be LCH1, LCH2, LCH3, and LCH4. Each logical channel LCH may be associated with allowed serving cell sets A, B, C, and D, respectively.

[0229] In this example, the RRC configuration information may include guidelines for permitted serving cell reallocations. For example, this may be based on the highest LCH index of the active branch. In other embodiments, this may be based on any one or more of the previously described options.

[0230] In step S2, the gNB may send a MAC CE to the UE instructing the UE to activate / deactivate one or more of the legs configured for the radio bearer. This may indicate that LCHs 2 and 4 are to be deactivated and / or that LCHs 1 and 3 remain active. In other embodiments, one or more LCHs may be deactivated. This may be indicated in any suitable manner, such as via a MAC CE or in any other suitable manner.

[0231] In step S4, the UE is configured to use the guidance from the gNB. In this example, LCH3 is the active LCH with the highest index and is allowed to use resources in serving cell sets B, C, and D, where serving cell sets B and D are moved from the deactivated branches LCH2 and LCH4, respectively, while serving cell C was originally configured for LCH3 itself.

[0232] In step S5, the gNB sends a Branch Selection MAC CE to the UE, which indicates that, for example, LCH2 is active again. In other embodiments, the gNB may send an indication to the UE that one or more inactive branches (which may be configured but inactive branches) are active again. This may be indicated using a MAC CE or in any other suitable manner.

[0233] In step S6, the UE is configured so that LCH2 uses serving cell set B, as it was originally configured for LCH2. Since set B is moved back to LCH2, which was activated in step S5, LCH 3 is now limited to using resources in serving cell sets C and D. When a branch is activated again, the serving cells used by that branch can be assigned back to that branch and removed from the other branch to which they were reallocated when the branch was deactivated. This can cancel the reallocation performed when the branch was deactivated.

[0234] Some embodiments can be used when there are more than two branches with CA replication. This can allow the remaining branches to use the allowed cells of the deactivated branch. This can improve resource efficiency and scheduling flexibility.

[0235] refer to Figure 8 , Figure 8 The method of some embodiments is shown. The method may be executed by an apparatus arranged in a communication device.

[0236] In step T1 , the method includes determining that at least one logical channel among a plurality of logical channels configured for packet duplication is to be deactivated.

[0237] In step T2, the method may comprise determining allocation of one or more cells associated with at least one deactivated logical channel to one or more active logical channels of the plurality of logical channels configured for packet duplication.

[0238] The determination of the allocation may use any one or more of the options previously described.Different options may be used for the allocation of cells for different ones of the plurality of deactivated logical channels.

[0239] Note that although example embodiments have been described above, many variations and modifications may be made to the disclosed solution without departing from the scope of the present invention. In particular, different embodiments have been described. Different features from different embodiments may be combined.

[0240] Therefore, the embodiments may vary within the scope of the appended claims. In general, some embodiments may be implemented in hardware or dedicated circuitry, software, logic, or any combination thereof. For example, some aspects 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, but the embodiments are not limited thereto. Although various embodiments may be shown and described as block diagrams, flow charts, or using some other graphical representation, it is well known that, as non-limiting examples, the blocks, devices, systems, techniques, or methods described herein may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, dedicated circuitry or logic, general-purpose hardware or a controller or other computing device, or some combination thereof.

[0241] The embodiments may be implemented by computer software stored in a memory and executed by at least one data processor of the entity involved, or by hardware, or by a combination of software and hardware. In addition, in this regard, it should be noted that any of the above processes may represent program steps or interconnected logic circuits, blocks and functions, or a combination of program steps and logic circuits, blocks and functions. The software may be stored on physical media such as memory chips or memory blocks implemented within a processor, magnetic media such as hard disks or floppy disks, and optical media such as, for example, DVDs and their data variants, CDs.

[0242] The memory may be of any type suitable for 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. The data processor may be of any type suitable for the local technical environment and may include, by way of non-limiting example, one or more of the following: a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a gate-level circuit, and a processor based on a multi-core processor architecture.

[0243] Alternatively or additionally, some embodiments may be implemented using circuitry. The circuitry may be configured to perform one or more of the previously described functions and / or method steps. The circuitry may be provided in a base station and / or a communication device.

[0244] As used in this application, the term "circuitry" may refer to one or more or all of the following:

[0245] (a) hardware circuit implementation only (such as implementation only in analog and / or digital circuitry);

[0246] (b) a combination of hardware circuitry and software, such as:

[0247] (i) a combination of analog and / or digital hardware circuits and software / firmware, and

[0248] (ii) any portion of hardware processor(s) (including digital signal processor(s)) with software, software, and memory(s) that work together to enable an apparatus (such as a communication device or base station) to perform the various functions previously described; and

[0249] (c) Hardware circuit(s) and / or processor(s) that require software (e.g., firmware) to operate, such as microprocessor(s) or portion(s) of microprocessor(s), but the software may not be present when the software is not required for operation.

[0250] This definition of circuitry applies to all uses of this term in this application, including in any claims. As another example, as used in this application, the term "circuitry" also covers only an implementation of a hardware circuit or processor (or multiple processors) or a portion of a hardware circuit or processor and its (or their) accompanying software and / or firmware. The term circuitry also covers, for example, an integrated device.

[0251] The foregoing description has provided a complete and informative description of some embodiments by way of exemplary and non-limiting examples. However, various modifications and adaptations may become apparent to those skilled in the relevant arts in view of the foregoing description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims. Nevertheless, all such and similar modifications of the teachings will still fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus provided in a communication device, the apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory, the at least one memory comprising computer program code for one or more programs, the at least one memory and the computer program code being configured to, together with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: determining that at least one logical channel of a plurality of logical channels configured for packet duplication is to be deactivated, wherein after deactivation of the at least one logical channel of the plurality of logical channels configured for packet duplication, the plurality of logical channels remain active for the packet duplication; and determining an allocation of one or more cells associated with the at least one deactivated logical channel to one or more active logical channels, the one or more active logical channels being associated with the same cell group as the at least one deactivated logical channel, wherein the packet duplication comprises: Dual connectivity-based packet replication and carrier aggregation-based packet replication in each of at least two cell groups of the dual connectivity-based packet replication. 2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least use one or more preconfigured rules to determine the allocation.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least receive the one or more preconfigured rules from a base station.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, together with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least allocate the one or more cells associated with the deactivated logical channel to a primary logical channel among the multiple logical channels configured for packet duplication.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, together with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: allocate the one or more cells associated with the deactivated logical channel to one or more active logical channels depending on a logical channel index of at least one logical channel among the multiple logical channels configured for packet duplication.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least assign the one or more cells associated with the deactivated logical channel to: The active logical channel with the highest logical channel index; The active logical channel with the lowest logical channel index; an active logical channel having the second highest logical channel index compared to the logical channel index of the deactivated logical channel; or An active logical channel having a second lowest logical channel index compared to the logical channel index of the deactivated logical channel.

7. An apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, together with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: allocate the one or more cells associated with the deactivated logical channel to one or more active logical channels depending on the activity associated with one or more active logical channels of the plurality of logical channels configured for packet duplication.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least assign the one or more cells associated with the deactivated logical channel to: The active logical channel associated with the buffer with the most queues; The active logical channel associated with the buffer with the least queue; the active logical channel associated with the highest sequence number of the packet; or The active logical channel associated with the packet's lowest sequence number.

9. An apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, together with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: allocate the one or more cells associated with the deactivated logical channel to one or more active logical channels depending on a predefined mapping between the logical channels.

10. An apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, together with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: allocate the one or more cells associated with the deactivated logical channel to one or more active logical channels depending on the number of cells associated with one or more active logical channels of the multiple logical channels configured for packet duplication.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least assign the one or more cells associated with the deactivated logical channel to: the active logical channel associated with the highest allowed number of cells; or Active logical channels associated with the lowest allowed number of cells.

12. An apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, together with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: allocate the one or more cells associated with the deactivated logical channel to one or more active logical channels depending on the number of carriers in a given frequency band associated with one or more active logical channels of the multiple logical channels configured for packet duplication.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least assign the one or more cells associated with the deactivated logical channel to: the active logical channels associated with the greatest number of carriers; or Active logical channel associated with the lowest number of carriers.

14. An apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, together with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to allocate the one or more cells associated with the deactivated logical channel to one or more active logical channels depending on at least one or more of the following: logical channel priority; prioritized bit rate; and channel access priority category.

15. An apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, together with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: receive information indicating that one or more of the deactivated logical channels will be activated, and reallocate the one or more cells previously associated with the corresponding logical channel to the corresponding logical channel.

16. An apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, together with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: receive information indicating that at least one logical channel among a plurality of logical channels configured for packet duplication is to be deactivated, and in response thereto, determine that the corresponding logical channel is to be deactivated.

17. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein carrier aggregation based packet duplication is supported by a single medium access control entity.

18. A method performed by an apparatus provided in a communication device, the method comprising: determining that at least one logical channel of a plurality of logical channels configured for packet duplication is to be deactivated, wherein after deactivation of the at least one logical channel of the plurality of logical channels configured for packet duplication, the plurality of logical channels remain active for the packet duplication; as well as Determine allocation of one or more cells associated with the at least one deactivated logical channel to one or more active logical channels, the one or more active logical channels being associated with the same cell group as the at least one deactivated logical channel, wherein the packet replication comprises: dual connectivity-based packet replication and carrier aggregation-based packet replication in each cell group of at least two cell groups of the dual connectivity-based packet replication.

19. The method of claim 18, comprising receiving one or more pre-configured rules from a base station.

20. The method according to claim 18 or 19, comprising allocating the one or more cells associated with the deactivated logical channel to a primary logical channel among the plurality of logical channels configured for packet duplication.

21. The method according to claim 18 or 19, comprising allocating the one or more cells associated with the deactivated logical channel to one or more active logical channels depending on a logical channel index of at least one logical channel of the plurality of logical channels configured for packet duplication.

22. The method according to claim 18 or 19 includes allocating the one or more cells associated with the deactivated logical channel to one or more active logical channels depending on the activity associated with one or more active logical channels of the multiple logical channels configured for packet duplication.

23. The method according to claim 18 or 19, comprising allocating the one or more cells associated with the deactivated logical channel to one or more active logical channels depending on a predefined mapping between the logical channels.

24. The method according to claim 18 or 19 includes allocating the one or more cells associated with the deactivated logical channel to one or more active logical channels depending on the number of cells associated with one or more active logical channels among the multiple logical channels configured for packet duplication.

25. The method according to claim 18 or 19 includes allocating the one or more cells associated with the deactivated logical channel to one or more active logical channels depending on the number of carriers in a given frequency band associated with one or more active logical channels of the multiple logical channels configured for packet replication.

26. The method according to claim 18 or 19 comprises allocating the one or more cells associated with the deactivated logical channel to one or more active logical channels depending on one or more of the following: logical channel priority; priority bit rate; and channel access priority category.

27. The method according to claim 18 or 19 includes receiving information indicating that one or more of the deactivated logical channels are to be activated, and reallocating the one or more cells previously associated with the corresponding logical channel to the corresponding logical channel.

28. The method of claim 18 or 19, comprising receiving information indicating that at least one logical channel of a plurality of logical channels configured for packet duplication is to be deactivated, and in response thereto determining that the corresponding logical channel is to be deactivated.

29. A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising program instructions stored thereon, said program instructions, when executed on at least one processor, causing performance of a method comprising: determining that at least one logical channel of a plurality of logical channels configured for packet duplication is to be deactivated, wherein after deactivation of the at least one logical channel of the plurality of logical channels configured for packet duplication, the plurality of logical channels remain active for the packet duplication; and determining an allocation of one or more cells associated with the at least one deactivated logical channel to one or more active logical channels, the one or more active logical channels being associated with the same cell group as the at least one deactivated logical channel, wherein the packet duplication comprises: Dual connectivity-based packet replication and carrier aggregation-based packet replication in each of at least two cell groups of the dual connectivity-based packet replication.

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