Method and apparatus for scheduling pusch or pdsch

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for scheduling PUSCH or PDSCH. One embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method for scheduling a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH), comprising: receiving a signal scheduling a first number of PUSCHs on a second number of frequency resources, wherein the first number of PUSCHs are scheduled with a same time domain resource; and transmitting one or more PUSCHs of the first number of PUSCHs on the second number of frequency resources.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) 5G New Radio (NR), and particularly to methods and devices for scheduling a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) or a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH). BACKGROUND

[0002] For new radio access (NR-U) on unlicensed spectrum, the unlicensed spectrum of 5.7 GHz has a wide bandwidth of up to hundreds of MHz. For ultra-reliable low latency (URLLC) services on unlicensed spectrum, the following problems can occur: 1) when URLLC is to be transmitted on a carrier but listen-before-talk (LBT) on the carrier fails, URLLC cannot be transmitted, so the latency requirement can not be met; and 2) due to hidden node interference, when URLLC is transmitted on a carrier and LBT succeeds, the reliability of URLLC can not meet the reliability requirement.

[0003] In addition, when multiple downlink control information (DCI) formats are used to schedule multiple PUSCHs or PDSCHs on multiple subbands or multiple carriers (where LBT is performed separately on each subband / carrier), the control signaling overhead is high, which can cause PDCCH capacity blocking. SUMMARY

[0004] It is desirable to provide a solution to solve the foregoing problems and further improve the spectrum utilization efficiency.

[0005] One embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method for scheduling a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH), comprising: receiving a signal scheduling a first number of PUSCHs on a second number of frequency resources, wherein the first number of PUSCHs are scheduled with the same time domain resource; and transmitting one or more PUSCHs of the first number of PUSCHs on the second number of frequency resources.

[0006] Another embodiment of the present application provides a method for scheduling a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH), comprising: receiving a signal scheduling a first number of PDSCHs on a second number of frequency resources, wherein the first number of PDSCHs are scheduled with the same time domain resource; and receiving one or more PDSCHs of the first number of PDSCHs on the second number of frequency resources.

[0007] Yet another embodiment of the disclosure provides a method for scheduling physical uplink shared channels (PUSCHs), comprising: transmitting a signal scheduling a first number of PUSCHs on a second number of frequency resources, wherein the first number of PUSCHs are scheduled with a same time domain resource; and receiving one or more of the first number of PUSCHs on the second number of frequency resources.

[0008] Still another embodiment of the disclosure provides a method for scheduling physical downlink shared channels (PDSCHs), comprising: transmitting a signal scheduling a first number of PDSCHs on a second number of frequency resources, wherein the first number of PDSCHs are scheduled with a same time domain resource; and transmitting one or more of the first number of PDSCHs on the second number of frequency resources.

[0009] Still another embodiment of the disclosure provides an apparatus, comprising: a non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon computer executable instructions; receiving circuitry; transmitting circuitry; and a processor coupled to the non-transitory computer readable medium, the receiving circuitry, and the transmitting circuitry, wherein the computer executable instructions cause the processor to implement a method for scheduling physical uplink shared channels (PUSCHs), comprising: receiving a signal scheduling a first number of PUSCHs on a second number of frequency resources, wherein the first number of PUSCHs are scheduled with a same time domain resource; and transmitting one or more of the first number of PUSCHs on the second number of frequency resources.

[0010] Still another embodiment of the disclosure provides an apparatus, comprising: a non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon computer executable instructions; receiving circuitry; transmitting circuitry; and a processor coupled to the non-transitory computer readable medium, the receiving circuitry, and the transmitting circuitry, wherein the computer executable instructions cause the processor to implement a method for scheduling physical uplink shared channels (PUSCHs), comprising: transmitting a signal scheduling a first number of PUSCHs on a second number of frequency resources, wherein the first number of PUSCHs are scheduled with a same time domain resource; and receiving one or more of the first number of PUSCHs on the second number of frequency resources. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0011] Figure 1 A diagram illustrating a wireless communication system in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure is shown.

[0012] Figure 2 Sub-band based LBT for wide carrier is illustrated.

[0013] Figure 3(a) illustrates an embodiment of a signal scheduling multiple PUSCH / PDSCHs, each with one subband or one carrier, according to the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0014] Figure 3(b) illustrates another embodiment of a signal scheduling multiple PUSCH / PDSCHs, each with one or more subbands or one or more carriers, according to the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0015] Figure 3(c) illustrates yet another embodiment of a signal scheduling multiple PUSCH / PDSCHs, each with one or more subbands or one or more carriers, according to the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0016] Figure 4 An embodiment of a signal scheduling one PUSCH / PDSCH, with TB repetition in each assigned subband, according to the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0017] Figure 5 A method performed by a UE for wireless communication, according to the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0018] Figure 6 Another method performed by a UE for wireless communication, according to the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0019] Figure 7 A method performed by a BS for wireless communication, according to the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0020] Figure 8 Another method performed by a BS for wireless communication, according to the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0021] Figure 9 A block diagram of a UE according to the embodiments of the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0022] Figure 10 A block diagram of a BS according to the embodiments of the present disclosure is illustrated. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] The detailed description of the drawings is intended as a description of the current preferred embodiments of the application, and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the present application can be practiced. It is understood that the same or equivalent functions can be accomplished by different embodiments that are intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the application.

[0024] Embodiments provide a method and apparatus for downlink (DL) or uplink (UL) data transmission over unlicensed spectrum. To facilitate understanding, embodiments are provided under a particular network architecture and new service scenarios, such as 3GPP 5G, 3GPP LTE Release 8, etc. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that embodiments in the present disclosure can also be applicable to similar technical problems as network architecture and new service scenarios evolve in the future.

[0025] Figure 1 A wireless communication system 100 according to embodiments of the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0026] As shown in Figure 1 wireless communication system 100 includes three UEs 101 and three BSs 102. Even though a particular number of UEs 101 and BSs 102 are depicted in Figure 1 Those skilled in the art will recognize that any number of UEs 101 and BSs 102 can be included in the wireless communication system 100, even though a particular number of UEs 101 and BSs 102 are depicted in

[0027] The UE 101 can include a computing device, such as a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a tablet computer, a smart television (e.g., a television connected to the Internet), a set-top box, a game console, a security system (including a surveillance camera), a vehicle computer, a network device (e.g., a router, switch, and modem), or the like. According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the UE 101 can include a portable wireless communication device, a smart phone, a cellular phone, a flip phone, a device with a subscriber identity module, a personal computer, a selective call receiver, or any other device capable of sending and receiving communication signals on a wireless network. In some embodiments, the UE 101 includes a wearable device, such as a smart watch, a fitness band, an optical head-mounted display, or the like. Further, the UE 101 can be referred to as a subscriber unit, a mobile phone, a mobile station, a user, a terminal, a mobile terminal, a wireless terminal, a fixed terminal, a subscriber station, a user terminal, or any apparatus described using other terminology used in the art. The UE 101 can communicate directly with the BS 102 via uplink (UL) communication signals.

[0028] The BSs 102 can be distributed throughout a geographic region. In certain embodiments, each of the BSs 102 can also be referred to as an access point, an access terminal, a base station, a macrocell, a NodeB, an enhanced NodeB (eNB), a gNB, a Home NodeB, a relay node, or any other apparatus using terminology in the art to describe such an apparatus. The BSs 102 are generally part of a radio access network that can include one or more controllers communicably coupled to one or more corresponding BSs 102.

[0029] The wireless communication system 100 is compatible with any type of network capable of sending and receiving wireless communication signals. For example, the wireless communication system 100 is compatible with wireless communication networks, cellular telephone networks, time division multiple access (TDMA) based networks, code division multiple access (CDMA) based networks, orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) based networks, LTE networks, Third Generation Partnership Project (3 GPP) based networks, 3 GPP 5G networks, satellite communication networks, high altitude platform networks, and / or other communication networks.

[0030] In one embodiment, the wireless communication system 100 is compatible with 3 GPP protocol 5G New Radio (NR), in which the BSs 102 use an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) modulation scheme to transmit data on the downlink and the UEs 101 use a discrete Fourier transform-spread-orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (DFT-S-OFDM) or a cyclic prefix-orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (CP-OFDM) scheme to transmit data on the uplink. More generally, however, the wireless communication system 100 can implement some other open or proprietary communication protocol, such as WiMAX, among other protocols.

[0031] In other embodiments, the BSs 102 can communicate using other communication protocols, such as the IEEE 802.11 family of wireless communication protocols. Moreover, in some embodiments, the BSs 102 can communicate on licensed spectrum, while in other embodiments, the BSs 102 can communicate on unlicensed spectrum. The present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the implementation of any particular wireless communication system architecture or protocol. In another embodiment, the BSs 102 can communicate with the UEs 101 using 3 GPP 5G protocols.

[0032] For transmissions on unlicensed spectrum, in order to achieve fair coexistence with other wireless systems, listen before talk (LBT) is needed before transmitting on unlicensed spectrum. With performing energy detection on a certain channel, if the received power is below a predetermined threshold, then LBT is successful, which means the channel is considered empty and available for transmission. Only when LBT is successful, the equipment can initiate the transmission on the channel and occupy the channel up to the maximum channel occupancy time (MCOT); otherwise, the equipment cannot initiate the transmission and continues to perform LBT until successful LBT.

[0033] In addition, the wireless signal transmission on unlicensed spectrum should meet the regulatory requirements subject to the administration of the country / region where it is located. Therefore, the design of the uplink waveform of NR-U PUSCH / PUCCH should meet the regulatory requirements related to unlicensed spectrum.

[0034] The requirements mainly contain two aspects:

[0035] i. Occupied Channel Bandwidth (OCB): the bandwidth containing 99% of the signal power should be between 80% and 100% of the declared nominal channel bandwidth; and

[0036] ii. Maximum Power Spectrum Density (PSD), where the resolution bandwidth is 1 MHz, for example, 10 dBm / MHz.

[0037] These two requirements specify that due to PSD and OCB constraints, a small portion of the signal occupying the channel bandwidth cannot be transmitted at the maximum available power at the UE.

[0038] In 5G NR, very wide bandwidths are supported, for example, up to 100 MHz bandwidth for frequency range 1 (FR1, 450 MHz to 6000 MHz) and up to 400 MHz bandwidth for frequency range 2 (FR2, 24250 MHz to 52600 MHz). Since the unlicensed spectrum of 5.7 GHz has a wide bandwidth of up to hundreds of MHz, NR-U also inherits the characteristics of wide bandwidth design.

[0039] In order to achieve fair coexistence of NR-U and Wi-Fi on unlicensed spectrum, the NR-U operating bandwidth is an integer multiple of 20 MHz. The channel access procedure, also known as listen before talk (LBT) test, is performed in units of 20 MHz. For bandwidths larger than 20 MHz, for example, 40 / 60 / 80 / 100 MHz, these bandwidths are divided into subbands, each with a bandwidth of 20 MHz.

[0040] Based on the agreement, the LBT of NR-U is performed on the basis of 20 MHz. Therefore, for bandwidths with integer multiples of 20 MHz, there are two ways for channel access:

[0041] i. Through Carrier Aggregation (CA). In CA mode, similar to LTE LAA / eLAA, the UE or BS performs LBT per component carrier (e.g., 20MHz) based on the multi-carrier LBT operation specified in LTE LAA / eLAA, and then transmits on each available carrier.

[0042] ii. Through Sub-band operation. The UE or BS performs LBT on each sub-band (e.g., 20MHz) and aggregates the available sub-bands for a single PUSCH / PDSCH. For example, when LBT is successful for some sub-bands but not others, then the UE or BS can transmit data on the sub-bands with successful LBT. As shown in Figure 2 if sub-bands 200-0 and 200-3 have successful LBT results, only sub-bands 200-0 and 200-3 can be used for PUSCH / PDSCH transmission at the same time.

[0043] The above two methods have different advantages, CA-based LBT has less standard impact (using LTE-based Licensed Assisted Access (LAA) as a baseline) and requires less stringent processing requirements since each TB is handled independently on each CC. Sub-band-based LBT has two advantages: (1) improved spectral efficiency compared to CA since no guard band(s) need to be placed between contiguous sub-bands; (2) dynamic spectrum usage is achieved with a finer granularity of LBT bandwidth.

[0044] For DL transmission, the base station performs LBT test per sub-band (e.g., per 20MHz) and aggregates the available sub-bands for a single Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH). That is, when LBT test is successful for some sub-bands but not others, the base station can only transmit data on the sub-bands with successful LBT results. For example, as shown in Figure 2 if sub-bands 200-2 and 200-3 have successful LBT results, while sub-bands 200-0 and 200-1 do not, then PDSCH transmission by the base station can only be transmitted on sub-bands 200-2 and 200-3.

[0045] For UL transmission, the UE performs LBT test per assigned sub-band (e.g., per 20MHz) and transmits Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH) on the available sub-bands. That is, when LBT is successful for some of the assigned sub-bands but not others, then the UE can transmit data on the sub-bands with successful LBT. For example, as shown in Figure 2As depicted in the middle, since the LBT results of subbands 200-2 and 200-3 are successful, subbands 200-2 and 200-3 can be used for PUSCH transmission.

[0046] From a scheduling perspective, the scheduling decision is made before performing LBT. For example, when a TB is determined to be transmitted over a wide frequency as shown in the left part, Figure 2 According to LBT, not all subbands can be used for TB transmission. In this case, two natural options can be considered: 1) rate matching over the available subbands; or 2) puncturing the data to be transmitted over the unavailable subbands.

[0047] With the rate matching method, a high coding rate will be resulted in order to transmit the scheduled TB only in the available subbands and the coding rate can vary depending on the number of available subbands. Moreover, considering that there is almost no extra time from the moment when the LBT result is considered successful to the moment when the UE starts the UL transmission, the UE can not have enough processing time to perform rate matching. Therefore, rate matching is not a desirable solution for subband-based LBT operation.

[0048] With the puncturing method, the part of the TB mapped to the subbands with failed LBT is punctured. The benefit of this method is that the UE implementation is simple. However, too much data being punctured can lead to failed TB decoding at the gNB side.

[0049] Moreover, when supporting URLLC services over unlicensed spectrum, it does make sense to allocate a very wide spectrum in the frequency domain and a quite short duration in the time domain in order to meet the requirements of short latency and high data rate. However, due to unpredictable LBT procedure, when URLLC is to be transmitted on the carrier and LBT fails, URLLC cannot be transmitted, which can not meet the latency requirement; on the other hand, due to hidden node interference, when URLLC is transmitted on the carrier and LBT succeeds, the reliability of URLLC can not meet the reliability requirement.

[0050] In addition, when multiple DCI formats are used to schedule multiple PUSCHs or PDSCHs on multiple subbands, where LBT is performed separately on each subband, the control signaling overhead is high, which can lead to PDCCH capacity blocking.

[0051] In the present disclosure, several solutions are proposed to solve the above technical problems. Specifically, several alternatives are proposed for multiple PUSCH scheduling over unlicensed spectrum in order to further improve data transmission reliability and save control signaling overhead.

[0052] One preferred embodiment of the present disclosure is related to scheduling multiple PUSCHs / PDSCHs on multiple subbands or multiple carriers, e.g., a single DCI format, with multiple PUSCHs / PDSCHs having the same time domain resource allocation. The maximum number of PUSCHs that can be scheduled by a single DCI format is configured by RRC signaling, which can be 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 16, 32, etc.

[0053] In Rel-14 LTE eLAA, staggered based waveform is adopted for unlicensed spectrum. For frequency domain resource allocation, both the staggering and the subband need to be indicated. For NR-U 20MHz bandwidth in NR-U, Radio Access Network Working Group 1 (RAN1) has agreed to use 10 staggering for 15kHz subcarrier spacing and 5 staggering for 30kHz subcarrier spacing.

[0054] For 15KHz subcarrier spacing, assuming 10 staggering is contiguously allocated, the indication based on resource indication value (RIV) indicates the index of the starting staggering and the total number of contiguous staggering, thus 6 bits are needed for contiguous staggering allocation by RIV. For 30kHz subcarrier spacing, there are 5 staggering, and bitmap based indication is used to indicate the staggering, thus 5 bits are needed for bitmap based indication.

[0055] Assuming the assigned subbands are also contiguous, thus RIV based indication is used to indicate the assigned contiguous subbands. Assuming there are M subbands in total in the active uplink bandwidth part (BWP), then bits are needed to indicate the assigned contiguous subbands.

[0056] Thus, to indicate the assigned staggering and assigned subbands of the active UL BWP using 15kHz subcarrier spacing, 6 bits are needed, and for 30kHz subcarrier, 5 bits are needed.

[0057] When multiple PUSCHs or multiple PDSCHs on multiple carriers are scheduled by a single DCI format, RIV method can also be used to indicate the scheduled carriers. Assuming Z carriers are configured, then bits are needed to indicate the RIV value.

[0058] Based on the above frequency domain resource allocation, the present disclosure proposes a method to map the scheduled PUSCHs / PDSCHs to the assigned subbands on one carrier or the assigned carriers. The principle is to ensure that each PUSCH has almost equal number of subbands, e.g., any PUSCH occupies at most one more subband compared to any other PUSCH.

[0059] Figure 3(a) illustrates an embodiment of a DCI format scheduling multiple PUSCHs / PDSCHs, each with one subband or one carrier, according to the preferred embodiment of the present disclosure. For simplicity, the following only describes PUSCHs occupying subbands, it should be noted that the embodiment is also applicable to PDSCHs occupying subbands, PDSCHs occupying carriers, and PUSCHs occupying carriers. As explained above, in the present disclosure, staggered-based waveform is employed, thus, the term "occupying" here means that the scheduled PUSCH uses the stagger in the subband or carrier in the frequency domain, rather than using all frequency resources in the subband or carrier in the frequency domain.

[0060] In Figure 3(a), there are four PUSCHs denoted using reference numerals 3000, 3001, 3002, and 3003; and there are four subbands denoted using reference numerals 300-0, 300-1, 300-2, and 300-3. In this embodiment, the number of scheduled PUSCHs is always equal to the number of assigned subbands. Thus, since the number of actually scheduled PUSCHs is equal to the number of assigned subbands, it is not necessary to indicate the number of actually scheduled PUSCHs in the UL grant. Each scheduled PUSCH is confined within the region of the associated subband, and not across the subband boundary in the frequency domain. For example, PUSCH 3000 is confined within the region of subband 300-0. Rate matching is performed independently for each PUSCH in the associated subband, and LBT is performed independently in each of the assigned subbands. For example, rate matching of PUSCH 3000 is performed in subband 300-0, and LBT of subbands 300-0, 300-1, 300-2, and 300-3 is performed independently.

[0061] Figure 3(b) illustrates an embodiment of a DCI format scheduling multiple PUSCHs / PDSCHs, each with one or more subbands or one or more carriers, according to the preferred embodiment of the present disclosure. For simplicity, the following only describes PUSCHs occupying subbands, it should be noted that the embodiment is also applicable to PDSCHs occupying subbands, PDSCHs occupying carriers, and PUSCHs occupying carriers.

[0062] Suppose there are M subbands and N PUSCHs, and M > N, then one or more scheduled PUSCHs can occupy more than one subband in the frequency domain. In this embodiment, the number of actually scheduled PUSCHs N is indicated in the UL grant, and is represented using bits, where N max is the maximum number of schedulable PUSCHs scheduled by a single UL grant, and N max is configured by RRC signaling.

[0063] As discussed above, the present disclosure is intended to ensure that each PUSCH has almost equal number of subbands, and involves the following three parameters calculated as follows:

[0064] x = mod(M, N),

[0065]

[0066]

[0067] each of the first x PUSCHs among the N scheduled PUSCHs occupies y l subbands; and each of the remaining N-x PUSCHs occupies y2subbands. The first PUSCH occupies the first to y l subbands, the second PUSCH occupies the (y1+1)th to (2xyl)th subbands,... the xth PUSCH occupies the ((x-1)xy1+1)th to (xxy1)th subbands, the (x+1)th PUSCH occupies the (xxy1+1)th to (xxy1+y2)th subbands,... and the last PUSCH occupies the last y2subbands.

[0068] For example, in FIG. 3(b), the number of subbands M = 4, and the number of PUSCHs N = 3, then x = 1, y1= 2, y2= 1. Therefore, the first PUSCH occupies two subbands, i.e., the PUSCH 3000 occupies subbands 300-0 and 300-1, and the remaining two PUSCHs (PUSCH 3001 and PUSCH 3002) occupy subband 300-2 and subband 300-3, respectively. For another example, assume M = 8, N = 3, then x = 2, y1= 3, y2= 2. Therefore, each of the first two PUSCHs occupies three subbands, and the last PUSCH occupies the remaining two subbands. More specifically, the first PUSCH occupies the first three subbands, the second PUSCH occupies the next three subbands, and the last PUSCH occupies the last two subbands.

[0069] Alternatively, each of the last x PUSCHs among the N scheduled PUSCHs occupies y lPUSCHs, and each of the first N-x PUSCHs occupies y2 subbands. For example, in FIG. 3(c), the number of subbands M = 4, and the number of PUSCHs N = 3, then x = 1, y1 = 2, y2 = 1. Therefore, the last PUSCH occupies the last two subbands, i.e., PUSCH 3002 occupies subband 300-2 and 300-3, and the first two PUSCHs (PUSCH 3000 and PUSCH 3001) occupy subband 300-0 and subband 300-1, respectively. For another example, assume M = 8, N = 3, then x = 2, y1 = 3, y2 = 2. Therefore, each of the last two PUSCHs occupies three subbands, and the remaining PUSCH occupies the remaining two subbands. More specifically, the last PUSCH occupies the last three subbands, the second last PUSCH occupies the next three subbands, and the first PUSCH occupies the first two subbands.

[0070] Rate matching is performed independently for each PUSCH in the one or more associated subbands. LBT is performed independently in each of the assigned subbands. By the above method, it can be ensured that each PUSCH has almost equal number of subbands.

[0071] It should be noted that it is unreasonable to schedule more than one PUSCH in frequency domain within one subband in the same slot. Therefore, in the present disclosure, the number of subbands M is always greater than or equal to the number of PUSCHs N, in short: M ≥ N.

[0072] In the present disclosure, for resource mapping, a frequency first-time later approach is performed independently within each scheduled PUSCH on the assigned one or more subbands. The same time domain resource allocation indicated in the UL grant is adopted for each assigned subband.

[0073] Regarding transport block (TB) allocation on PUSCH, there are several methods. In one embodiment, multiple TBs are allocated on multiple scheduled PUSCHs for control signaling overhead reduction, and one TB has an associated PUSCH. Therefore, each TB is carried by the associated PUSCH on the associated subband. New data indication (NDI) and redundancy version (RV) are present in the UL grant of each of the scheduled PUSCHs. The hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) process ID in the UL grant applies to the first PUSCH, e.g., the PUSCH on the lowest subband index of the assigned subbands, then the HARQ process ID of other scheduled PUSCHs is incremented in order, if the index of the PUSCH exceeds 16, then the modulo 16 operation is performed on the index.

[0074] In another embodiment, only one TB is allocated on multiple scheduled PUSCHs for reliability purpose. Introduce RRC signaling to configure the feature of one TB repetition for a UE in each assigned subband. When the feature is configured, the UE assumes one dedicated bit is present in UL grant or use a new RNTI to detect UL grant. Thus, a single TB has multiple transmission opportunities in frequency domain.

[0075] When only one of the assigned subbands passes the LBT procedure, the TB is transmitted in only that subband.

[0076] When more than one subband passes the LBT procedure, the TB can be repeated in all assigned subbands with successful LBT results. In other words, the same TB is repeated in multiple subbands of one carrier, so that the transmission reliability can be greatly improved. Alternatively, the TB can be transmitted in only one subband with successful LBT result, for example, the subband can be the subband with the lowest or highest subband index of all subbands with successful LBT results.

[0077] For UL grant scheduling multiple PUSCHs on multiple subbands, the same payload size is maintained compared to legacy UL grant scheduling a single PUSCH on one or more subbands. There are some embodiments to distinguish the two UL grant formats:

[0078] The first method uses a new radio network temporary identity (RNTI), e.g., MultiPUSCH-on-multiSubbands-RNTI. The new RNTI is used to scramble the CRC of the DCI scheduling multiple PUSCHs on multiple subbands.

[0079] The second embodiment is implemented with UL grant indicating the number of actually scheduled PUSCHs. When the UL grant indicates scheduling only one PUSCH, it implies that the BS schedules one PUSCH on one or more subbands, which is similar to legacy UL grant; when the UL grant indicates scheduling more than one PUSCH, it implies that the BS schedules more than one PUSCH on multiple subbands, which is different from legacy UL grant.

[0080] The third method is implemented with one dedicated bit in DCI format, which indicates whether the scheduled TB is to be repeated on each of the assigned subbands or to be transmitted on the assigned subbands without repetition in frequency domain.

[0081] Another preferred embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a single DCI format scheduling a single PUSCH / PDSCH on multiple subbands or carriers of unlicensed spectrum. Figure 4An embodiment of a DCI format scheduling one PUSCH / PDSCH with TB repetition in each assigned subband or carrier is illustrated according to the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure. For simplicity, the following uses PUSCH and subband as an example.

[0082] In Figure 4 , one TB 4000 is dynamically scheduled by one UL grant on a single PUSCH occupying more than one subband: subband 400-0, 400-1, 400-2 and 400-3. The TB 4000 is repeated in each of the assigned subbands: subband 400-0, 400-1, 400-2 and 400-3. Each repetition of the TB is confined within the region of the associated subband and not across the subband boundary in the frequency domain. Rate matching is employed to align the TB resource mapping in each subband. LBT is performed independently in each of the assigned subbands. As long as one of the assigned subbands passes the LBT procedure, the TB will be transmitted in that subband.

[0083] When more than one subband passes the LBT procedure, the transmission of the TB should be repeated in all the assigned subbands with successful LBT results. For example, in Figure 4 , four subbands 400-0, 400-1, 400-2 and 400-3 have successful LBT results and the TB 4000 is repeatedly transmitted on the four subbands. In this way, one TB has multiple transmission opportunities in multiple subbands of one carrier and can be repeated in multiple subbands, so that the transmission reliability can be greatly improved. Alternatively, the TB should be transmitted in only one subband with successful LBT result, for example, this subband can be the subband with the lowest or highest subband index of all the subbands with successful LBT results. For example, in Figure 4 , the TB 4000 is transmitted in only subband 400-0.

[0084] For one UL grant scheduling a single PUSCH carrying one TB repeated in multiple subbands, the same payload size is maintained compared to the legacy UL grant scheduling a single PUSCH carrying one TB on one or more subbands. There are several embodiments to differentiate the two UL grant formats.

[0085] The first embodiment uses a new RNTI, for example, TB-repetition-on-multi-subbands-RNTI. The new RNTI is used to scramble the CRC of the DCI scheduling a single PUSCH for TB repetition on multiple subbands.

[0086] The second method uses one dedicated bit in DCI format, which indicates whether the scheduled TB will be repeated on each of the assigned sub-bands or transmitted on the assigned sub-bands without repetition in the frequency domain.

[0087] A feature of introducing RRC signaling to configure one TB repetition for the UE in each of the assigned sub-bands is introduced. When the feature is configured, the UE assumes that the aforementioned dedicated bit is present in the UL grant or a new RNTI is used to detect the UL grant. If only one sub-band is assigned, the TB is transmitted only on the assigned sub-band.

[0088] For resource mapping, the frequency-first time-second manner is performed independently within each of the assigned sub-bands. In this way, as long as any one of the assigned sub-bands passes LBT, the BS has a 90% probability of successfully decoding the TB. The UL grant indicates the same time domain resource allocation for each assigned sub-band.

[0089] Yet another preferred embodiment of the present disclosure relates to multiple configured grant (CG)-PUSCHs / semi-persistent scheduling (SPS)-PDSCHs on multiple LBT sub-bands or carriers on unlicensed spectrum, the CG-PUSCHs are configured by RRC signaling. The multiple CG-PUSCHs have the same time domain resource allocation, and the number of CG-PUSCHs is configured by RRC signaling, which can be 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 16, 32, etc.

[0090] In this embodiment, both time domain resources and frequency domain resources are configured by RRC. The same time domain resource allocation is adopted for each assigned sub-band.

[0091] Based on the above frequency domain resource allocation, the present disclosure proposes a method to map CG-PUSCHs to assigned sub-bands. The principle is to ensure that each CG-PUSCH has almost equal number of sub-bands, i.e., any CG-PUSCH occupies at most one more sub-band compared to any other CG-PUSCH.

[0092] Figure 3(a) also illustrates an embodiment of RRC signaling scheduling multiple CG-PUSCH / SPS-PDSCH, where each CG-PUSCH / SPS-PDSCH has one subband or one carrier, according to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure. For simplicity, the following only refers to CG-PUSCH occupying one subband, it should be noted that the embodiments can also be applied to CG-PUSCH occupying one carrier, SPS-PDSCH occupying one subband, and SPS-PDSCH occupying one carrier. In Figure 3(a), there are four CG-PUSCHs denoted using reference numerals 3000, 3001, 3002, 3003; and there are four subbands denoted using reference numerals 300-0, 300-1, 300-2, and 300-3. In this embodiment, the number of CG-PUSCHs is always equal to the number of assigned subbands. Therefore, it is not necessary to indicate the number of configured CG-PUSCHs in the UL grant, because the number of CG-PUSCHs is equal to the number of assigned subbands. Each CG-PUSCH is confined within the region of the associated subband, and not across the subband boundary in the frequency domain. For example, CG-PUSCH 3000 is confined within the region of subband 300-0. Rate matching is performed independently for each CG-PUSCH in the associated subband, and LBT is performed independently in each of the assigned subbands. For example, rate matching for CG-PUSCH 3000 is performed in subband 300-0, and LBT for subbands 300-0, 300-1, 300-2, and 300-3 is performed independently.

[0093] Figure 3(b) also illustrates an embodiment of RRC signaling scheduling multiple CG-PUSCH / SPS-PDSCH, where each CG-PUSCH / SPS-PDSCH has one or more subbands or one or more carriers, according to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0094] Assuming there are M subbands and N CG-PUSCHs, and M > N, then one or more CG-PUSCHs can occupy more than one subband in the frequency domain. As explained above, in the present disclosure, an interleaved-based waveform is employed, therefore, the term “occupy” means that the CG-PUSCH uses interleaving in the subband in the frequency domain, rather than using all frequency resources in the subband in the frequency domain.

[0095] As discussed above, the present disclosure aims to ensure that each CG-PUSCH has almost equal number of subbands, and involves the following three parameters calculated as follows:

[0096] x = mod(M, N),

[0097]

[0098]

[0099] Each of the first x CG-PUSCHs among N CG-PUSCHs occupies y l subbands; and each of the remaining Nx CG-PUSCHs occupies y2 subbands. The first CG-PUSCH occupies the first to y1th subbands, the second CG-PUSCH occupies the (y1+1)th to (2×y1)th subbands, … the xth CG-PUSCH occupies the ((x-1)×y1+1)th to (x×y1)th subbands, the (x+1)th CG-PUSCH occupies the (x×y1+1)th to (x×y1+y2)th subbands, … and the last CG-PUSCH occupies the last y2 subbands.

[0100] For example, in FIG3( b ), the number of subbands M = 4 and the number of CG-PUSCHs N = 3, then x = 1, y1 = 2, y2 = 1. Therefore, the first CG-PUSCH occupies two subbands, i.e., CG-PUSCH 3000 occupies subbands 300-0 and 300-1, and the remaining two CG-PUSCHs (CG-PUSCH 3001 and CG-PUSCH 3002) occupy subbands 300-2 and 300-3, respectively. For another example, assuming M = 8 and N = 3, then x = 2, y1 = 3, y2 = 2. Therefore, each of the first two CG-PUSCHs occupies three subbands, and the last PUSCH occupies the remaining two subbands. More specifically, the first CG-PUSCH occupies the first three subbands, the second PUSCH occupies the second three subbands, and the last PUSCH occupies the last two subbands.

[0101] Alternatively, each of the last x CG-PUSCHs among the N CG-PUSCHs occupies y l subbands; and each of the first Nx CG-PUSCHs occupies y2 subbands. For example, in Figure 3(c), the number of subbands M = 4 and the number of CG-PUSCHs N = 3, then x = 1, y1 = 2, y2 = 1. Therefore, the last CG-PUSCH occupies two subbands, that is, CG-PUSCH 3002 occupies subbands 300-2 and 300-3, and the first two CG-PUSCHs (CG-PUSCH 3000 and CG-PUSCH 3001) occupy subband 300-0 and subband 300-1, respectively. For another example, assuming M = 8, N = 3, then x = 2, y1 = 3, y2 = 2. Therefore, each of the last two CG-PUSCHs occupies three subbands, and the first CG-PUSCH occupies the first two subbands.

[0102] Rate matching is performed independently for each CG-PUSCH in one or more associated subbands. LBT is performed independently in each of the assigned subbands. By the above method, it can be ensured that each CG-PUSCH has almost equal number of subbands.

[0103] It should be noted that it is not reasonable to configure more than one CG-PUSCH in multiple frequency domains within one subband in the same time slot. Therefore, in the present disclosure, the number of subbands M is always greater than or equal to the number of CG-PUSCHs N, in short: M≥N.

[0104] In the present disclosure, for resource mapping, a frequency-first time- later approach is performed independently within each configured CG-PUSCH on the assigned one or more subbands. The same time domain resource allocation indicated in the UL grant is adopted for each assigned subband.

[0105] Regarding transport block (TB) allocation on configured CG-PUSCHs, there are several methods. In one embodiment, multiple TBs are allocated on multiple CG-PUSCHs for control signaling overhead reduction. Therefore, each TB is carried by the associated CG-PUSCH on the associated subband. HARQ process ID, new data indication (NDI), and redundancy version (RV) are present in the CG-UCI of each of the configured CG-PUSCHs.

[0106] In another embodiment, for reliability purposes, only one TB is allocated on multiple configured CG-PUSCHs. RRC signaling is introduced to configure the feature of one TB repetition in each assigned subband for the UE. When the feature is configured, the UE assumes that one dedicated bit is present in the UL grant or uses a new RNTI to detect the UL grant. Therefore, the single TB has multiple transmission opportunities in the frequency domain.

[0107] When only one of the assigned subbands passes the LBT procedure, the TB will be transmitted only in that subband.

[0108] When more than one subband passes the LBT procedure, the transmission of the TB can be repeated in all assigned subbands with successful LBT results. In other words, the same TB is repeated in multiple subbands of one carrier, so that the transmission reliability can be greatly improved. Alternatively, the TB can be transmitted only in one subband with successful LBT result, for example, the subband can be the subband with the lowest or highest subband index of all subbands with successful LBT results.

[0109] Yet another preferred embodiment of the present disclosure relates to single CG-PUSCH / SPS-PDSCH on multiple LBT subbands on unlicensed spectrum, and the CG-PUSCH is configured by RRC signaling.

[0110] InFigure 4 In one embodiment, one CG-PUSCH is configured on more than one subband: subbands 400-0, 400-1, 400-2, and 400-3, and one TB 4000 is repeated in each of the assigned subbands: subbands 400-0, 400-1, 400-2, and 400-3. Each repetition of the TB is confined within the region of the associated subband and not across the subband boundaries in the frequency domain. Rate matching is employed to align the TB resource mapping in each subband. LBT is performed independently in each of the assigned subbands. As long as one of the assigned subbands passes the LBT procedure, the TB will be transmitted in that subband.

[0111] When more than one subband passes the LBT procedure, the transmission of the TB should be repeated in all the assigned subbands with successful LBT results. For example, in Figure 4 In one embodiment, four subbands 400-0, 400-1, 400-2, and 400-3 have successful LBT results, and the TB 4000 is repeatedly transmitted on the four subbands. In this way, one TB has multiple transmission opportunities in multiple subbands of one carrier and can be repeated in multiple subbands, so that the transmission reliability can be greatly improved. Alternatively, the TB should be transmitted only in one subband with a successful LBT result, for example, this subband can be the subband with the lowest or highest subband index of all subbands with successful LBT results. For example, in Figure 4 In one embodiment, the TB 4000 is transmitted only in subband 400-0.

[0112] For resource mapping, the frequency-first time-then manner is performed independently within each of the assigned subbands. In this way, as long as any one of the assigned subbands passes the LBT, the BS has a 90% probability of successfully decoding the TB. The UL grant indicates the same time domain resource allocation for each assigned subband.

[0113] Figure 5A method performed by a UE for wireless communication according to the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure is illustrated. In step 501, the UE receives a signal scheduling a first number of PUSCHs on a second number of frequency resources, where the first number of PUSCHs are scheduled with a same time domain resource. For example, in FIG. 3(a), the UE receives a downlink control information (DCI), i.e., a UL grant, which schedules three PUSCHs on four subbands on one carrier or on four carriers. For another example, the UE can receive RRC signaling which configures a maximum number of PUSCHs or a number of CG-PUSCHs. In step 502, the UE transmits one or more PUSCHs of the first number of PUSCHs on the second number of frequency resources. For example, in FIG. 3(a), the UE transmits three PUSCHs on four subbands or four carriers. The UE can transmit less than three PUSCHs on four subbands or four carriers.

[0114] In one embodiment, the DCI contains an indicator indicating a value of the first number. The maximum number of PUSCHs that the DCI can schedule is configured by RRC signaling. In other words, the number of PUSCHs actually scheduled is indicated in the UL grant, which needs bits, where N max is the RRC configured maximum number of PUSCHs that a single UL grant can schedule.

[0115] In the present disclosure, the number of PUSCHs is not greater than the number of subbands on one carrier or the number of carriers. Therefore, one or more scheduled PUSCHs can occupy more than one subband in the frequency domain. To ensure that each PUSCH has almost equal number of subbands or carriers, one mapping rule between subbands or carriers and PUSCHs is as follows:

[0116] Assuming there are M subbands or carriers and N PUSCHs, then each of the first x PUSCHs of the N PUSCHs is transmitted on y1 subbands or carriers of the M subbands or carriers, and each of the remaining PUSCHs of the N PUSCHs is transmitted on y2 subbands or carriers of the M subbands or carriers, where x is equal to the remainder of M divided by N, y1 is determined by rounding up the quotient of M divided by N, and y2 is determined by rounding down the quotient. For example, in FIG. 3(b), the number of subbands M = 4 and the number of CG-PUSCHs N = 3, then x = 1, y1 = 2, y2 = 1. Therefore, the first CG-PUSCH occupies two subbands, i.e., CG-PUSCH 3000 occupies subband 300-0 and 300-1, and the remaining two CG-PUSCHs (CG-PUSCH 3001 and CG-PUSCH 3002) occupy subband 300-2 and subband 300-3, respectively.

[0117] Another mapping rule between subbands or carriers and PUSCHs is as follows: each of the last x PUSCHs among N PUSCHs is transmitted on y1 subbands or carriers among M subbands or carriers, and each of the first N-x PUSCHs among N PUSCHs is transmitted on y2 subbands or carriers among M subbands or carriers, where x is equal to the remainder of M divided by N, y1 is determined by rounding up the quotient of M divided by N, and y2 is determined by rounding down the quotient. For example, in FIG. 3(c), the number of subbands M = 4, and the number of CG-PUSCHs N = 3, then x = 1, y1 = 2, and y2 = 1. Therefore, the last CG-PUSCH occupies two subbands, i.e., CG-PUSCH 3002 occupies subband 300-2 and 300-3, and the remaining CG-PUSCHs (CG-PUSCH 3000 and CG-PUSCH 3001) occupy subband 300-0 and subband 300-1, respectively.

[0118] In another embodiment, the number of PUSCHs is equal to the number of subbands on one carrier or the number of carriers. Each PUSCH is transmitted on the associated subband or carrier.

[0119] Regarding TB allocation on scheduled PUSCHs, each of the first number of PUSCHs can carry a corresponding TB or the same TB.

[0120] In one embodiment, the CRC of the DCI is scrambled by a new RNTI, e.g., MultiPUSCH-on-multiSubbands-RNTI, which is configured by RRC signaling.

[0121] In another embodiment, the signal includes a dedicated bit indicating whether the TB is to be repeated on each of the assigned subbands with successful LBT results or is to be transmitted on the assigned subbands without repeating the TB in the frequency domain with successful LBT results. For example, in Figure 4 In FIG. 4(c), TB 4000 is repeatedly transmitted on subbands 400-0, 400-1, 400-2, and 400-3.

[0122] In yet another embodiment, the signal schedules one PUSCH on the subbands, where one TB is repeatedly transmitted on each of the subbands.

[0123] Figure 6 Another method performed by a UE for wireless communication in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure is described.

[0124] In step 601, the UE receives a signal scheduling a first number of PDSCHs on a second number of frequency resources, where the first number of PDSCHs are scheduled with a same time domain resource. For example, in FIG. 3(a), the UE receives a downlink control information (DCI), i.e., a DL grant, which schedules three PDSCHs on four subbands on one carrier or on four carriers. For another example, the UE can receive RRC signaling which configures a maximum number of PDSCHs that a single DL grant can schedule or configures a number of SPS-PDSCHs. In step 602, the UE receives one or more PDSCHs of the first number of PDSCHs on the second number of frequency resources. For example, in FIG. 3(a), the UE receives three PDSCHs on four subbands or four carriers. The UE can receive less than three PDSCHs on four subbands or four carriers.

[0125] In one embodiment, the DCI contains an indicator indicating a value of the first number. A maximum number of PDSCHs that the DCI can schedule is configured by RRC signaling. In other words, a number of PDSCHs actually scheduled is indicated in the DL grant, which needs bits, where N max is the RRC configured maximum number of PDSCHs that a single DL grant can schedule.

[0126] In this disclosure, the number of PDSCHs is no more than the number of subbands on one carrier or the number of carriers. Therefore, one or more scheduled PDSCHs can occupy more than one subband in the frequency domain. To ensure that each PDSCH has almost equal number of subbands or carriers, one mapping rule between subbands or carriers and PDSCHs is as follows:

[0127] Assuming there are M subbands or carriers and N PDSCHs, each of the first x PDSCHs of the N PDSCHs is transmitted on y1 subbands or carriers of the M subbands or carriers, and each of the remaining PDSCHs of the N PDSCHs is transmitted on y2 subbands or carriers of the M subbands or carriers, where x is equal to a remainder of M divided by N, y1 is determined by rounding up a quotient of M divided by N, and y2 is determined by rounding down the quotient. For example, in FIG. 3(b), the number of subbands M = 4 and the number of PDSCHs N = 3, then x = 1, y1 = 2, and y2 = 1. Therefore, the first PDSCH occupies two subbands, i.e., PDSCH 3000 occupies subband 300-0 and 300-1, and the remaining two PDSCHs (PDSCH 3001 and PDSCH 3002) occupy subband 300-2 and subband 300-3, respectively.

[0128] Another mapping rule between subbands or carriers and PDSCHs is as follows: y1 subbands or carriers of the M subbands or carriers are allocated to the first PDSCH, and y2 subbands or carriers of the M subbands or carriers are allocated to the remaining PDSCHs, where y1 is determined by rounding up a quotient of M divided by N, and y2 is determined by rounding down the quotient. For example, in FIG. 3(b), the number of subbands M = 4 and the number of PDSCHs N = 3, then y1 = 2 and y2 = 1. Therefore, the first PDSCH occupies two subbands, i.e., PDSCH 3000 occupies subband 300-0 and 300-1, and the remaining two PDSCHs (PDSCH 3001 and PDSCH 3002) occupy subband 300-2 and subband 300-3, respectively.l each of the last x PDSCHs of the N PDSCHs is transmitted on one subband or carrier, and each of the remaining PDSCHs of the N PDSCHs is transmitted on y2 of the M subbands or carriers, where x is equal to a remainder of M divided by N, y1 is determined by rounding up a quotient of M divided by N, and y2 is determined by rounding down the quotient. For example, in FIG. 3(c), the number of subbands M = 4, and the number of PDSCHs N = 3, then x = 1, y1 = 2, and y2 = 1. Therefore, the last PDSCH occupies two subbands, i.e., PDSCH 3002 occupies subband 300-2 and 300-3, and the remaining PDSCHs (PDSCH 3000 and PDSCH 3001) occupy subband 300-0 and subband 300-1, respectively.

[0129] In another embodiment, the number of PDSCHs is equal to the number of subbands on one carrier or the number of carriers. Each PDSCH is transmitted on the associated subband or carrier.

[0130] Regarding TB allocation on scheduled PDSCHs, each of the first number of PDSCHs can carry a corresponding TB or the same TB.

[0131] In one embodiment, the CRC of the DCI is scrambled by a new RNTI, e.g., MultiPDSCH-on-multiSubbands-RNTI, and the new RNTI is configured by RRC signaling.

[0132] In another embodiment, the signal includes a dedicated bit indicating whether the TB is to be repeated on each of the assigned subbands with successful LBT results or is to be transmitted on the assigned subbands without repeating the TB in the frequency domain with successful LBT results. For example, in Figure 4 In FIG. 4(c), TB 4000 is repeatedly transmitted on subbands 400-0, 400-1, 400-2, and 400-3.

[0133] In yet another embodiment, the signal schedules one PDSCH on the subbands, where one TB is repeatedly transmitted on each of the subbands.

[0134] Figure 7 A method performed by a BS for wireless communication in accordance with preferred embodiments of the present disclosure is described.

[0135] In step 701, the BS transmits a signal scheduling a first number of PUSCHs on a second number of frequency resources, where the first number of PUSCHs are scheduled with a same time domain resource. For example, in FIG. 3(a), the BS transmits a downlink control information (DCI), i.e., a UL grant, which schedules three PUSCHs on four subbands on one carrier or on four carriers. For another example, the BS can transmit RRC signaling which configures a maximum number of PUSCHs or configures a number of CG-PUSCHs. In step 702, the BS receives one or more of the first number of PUSCHs on the second number of frequency resources. For example, in FIG. 3(a), the BS receives three PUSCHs on four subbands or four carriers. The BS can receive less than three PUSCHs on four subbands or four carriers.

[0136] Figure 8 Another method performed by a BS for wireless communication according to a preferred embodiment of the disclosure is described.

[0137] In step 801, the BS transmits a signal scheduling a first number of PDSCHs on a second number of frequency resources, where the first number of PDSCHs are scheduled with a same time domain resource. For example, in FIG. 3(a), the BS transmits a downlink control information (DCI), i.e., a DL grant, which schedules three PDSCHs on four subbands on one carrier or on four carriers. For another example, the BS can transmit RRC signaling which configures a maximum number of PDSCHs or configures a number of SPS-PDSCHs. In step 802, the BS transmits one or more of the first number of PDSCHs on the second number of frequency resources. For example, in FIG. 3(a), the BS transmits three PDSCHs on four subbands or four carriers. The BS can transmit less than three PDSCHs on four subbands or four carriers.

[0138] Figure 9 A block diagram of a UE according to an embodiment of the disclosure is described. The UE 101 can include receiving circuitry, a processor, and transmitting circuitry. In one embodiment, the UE 101 can include a non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon computer-executable instructions; receiving circuitry; transmitting circuitry; and a processor coupled to the non-transitory computer-readable medium, the receiving circuitry, and the transmitting circuitry.

[0139] The computer-executable instructions can be programmed to implement a method (e.g. Figure 5The computer-executable instructions can be programmed to implement a method (e.g., the method in FIG. 6) with the receiving circuitry, the transmission circuitry, and the processor. That is, upon execution of the computer-executable instructions, the receiving circuitry can receive, on a second number of frequency resources, signals scheduling a first number of PUSCHs, where the first number of PUSCHs are scheduled with a same time domain resource; and the transmission circuitry transmits one or more of the first number of PUSCHs on the second number of frequency resources.

[0140] The computer-executable instructions can be programmed to implement a method (e.g., the method in FIG. 6) with the receiving circuitry, the transmission circuitry, and the processor. That is, upon execution of the computer-executable instructions, the receiving circuitry can receive, on a second number of frequency resources, signals scheduling a first number of PUSCHs, where the first number of PUSCHs are scheduled with a same time domain resource; and the transmission circuitry transmits one or more of the first number of PUSCHs on the second number of frequency resources. Figure 6 The computer-executable instructions can be programmed to implement a method (e.g., the method in FIG. 6) with the receiving circuitry, the transmission circuitry, and the processor. That is, upon execution of the computer-executable instructions, the receiving circuitry can receive, on a second number of frequency resources, signals scheduling a first number of PDSCHs, where the first number of PDSCHs are scheduled with a same time domain resource; and the receiving circuitry receives one or more of the first number of PDSCHs on the second number of frequency resources.

[0141] Figure 10 A block diagram illustrating a BS according to embodiments of the present disclosure is described. The BS 102 can include receiving circuitry, a processor, and transmission circuitry. In one embodiment, the BS can include a non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon computer-executable instructions; receiving circuitry; transmission circuitry; and a processor coupled to the non-transitory computer-readable medium, the receiving circuitry, and the transmission circuitry.

[0142] The computer-executable instructions can be programmed to implement a method (e.g., the method in FIG. 6) with the receiving circuitry, the transmission circuitry, and the processor. That is, upon execution of the computer-executable instructions, the receiving circuitry can receive, on a second number of frequency resources, signals scheduling a first number of PUSCHs, where the first number of PUSCHs are scheduled with a same time domain resource; and the transmission circuitry transmits one or more of the first number of PUSCHs on the second number of frequency resources. Figure 7 The computer-executable instructions can be programmed to implement a method (e.g., the method in FIG. 6) with the receiving circuitry, the transmission circuitry, and the processor. That is, upon execution of the computer-executable instructions, the receiving circuitry can receive, on a second number of frequency resources, signals scheduling a first number of PUSCHs, where the first number of PUSCHs are scheduled with a same time domain resource; and the transmission circuitry transmits one or more of the first number of PUSCHs on the second number of frequency resources.

[0143] The computer-executable instructions can be programmed to implement a method (e.g., the method in FIG. 6) with the receiving circuitry, the transmission circuitry, and the processor. That is, upon execution of the computer-executable instructions, the receiving circuitry can receive, on a second number of frequency resources, signals scheduling a first number of PUSCHs, where the first number of PUSCHs are scheduled with a same time domain resource; and the transmission circuitry transmits one or more of the first number of PUSCHs on the second number of frequency resources. Figure 8 The computer-executable instructions can be programmed to implement a method (e.g., the method in FIG. 6) with the receiving circuitry, the transmission circuitry, and the processor. That is, upon execution of the computer-executable instructions, the receiving circuitry can receive, on a second number of frequency resources, signals scheduling a first number of PDSCHs, where the first number of PDSCHs are scheduled with a same time domain resource; and the transmission circuitry transmits one or more of the first number of PDSCHs on the second number of frequency resources.

[0144] The methods of the present disclosure can be implemented on a programmed processor. However, the controller, flow charts, and modules can also be implemented on a general-purpose or special purpose computer, a programmed microprocessor or microcontroller and peripheral integrated circuit elements, an integrated circuit, a hardware electronic or logical circuit such as a discrete element circuit, a programmable logic device, or the like. In general, processes according to the present disclosure can be implemented using any device or elements, which is capable of implementing the methodology illustrated in the flow charts.

[0145] While the present disclosure has been described with reference to specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to a person skilled in the art. For example, various components of the embodiments described can be interchanged, added or removed in other embodiments. Also, not all of the elements illustrated in each figure are required for operation of the disclosed embodiments. For example, those skilled in the art of the disclosed embodiments will be able to devise many implementations without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Thus, the embodiments of the present disclosure as set forth herein are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

[0146] In the present disclosure, relational terms such as“first,”“second,” and the like can be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The term“comprises” or “comprising,” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but can include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element preceded by“a” or“one” does not, without further constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus including the recited element. Furthermore, the term“another” is defined as at least a second or more. The terms“including,”“having,” and the like, as used herein, are defined as“comprising.”

Claims

1. A method for scheduling physical uplink shared channels (PUSCHs), comprising: receiving a signal scheduling a first number of PUSCHs on a second number of frequency resources, wherein the first number of PUSCHs are scheduled with a same time domain resource; and transmitting one or more of the first number of PUSCHs on the second number of frequency resources, wherein the first number is less than the second number; wherein each of a first x of the first number of PUSCHs is transmitted on yl of the second number of frequency resources, and each of a remaining of the first number of PUSCHs is transmitted on y2 of the second number of frequency resources, where x is equal to a remainder of the second number divided by the first number, yl is determined by rounding up a quotient of the second number divided by the first number, and y2 is determined by rounding down the quotient, or wherein each of a last x of the first number of PUSCHs is transmitted on yl of the second number of frequency resources, and each of a remaining of the first number of PUSCHs is transmitted on y2 of the second number of frequency resources, where x is equal to a remainder of the second number divided by the first number, yl is determined by rounding up a quotient of the second number divided by the first number, and y2 is determined by rounding down the quotient.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the signal is a downlink control information (DCI) for scheduling one or more PUSCHs.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the signal is radio resource control (RRC) signaling and the first number of PUSCHs are configured by the RRC signaling.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the second number of frequency resources comprises a second number of sub-bands on one carrier.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the second number of frequency resources comprises a second number of carriers.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein the DCI includes an indicator indicating a value of the first number.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein a maximum number of PUSCHs that the DCI can schedule is configured by RRC signaling.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the first number is equal to the second number.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein each of the first number of PUSCHs is transmitted on an associated frequency resource of the second number of frequency resources.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the first number of PUSCHs carries a transport block (TB).

11. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the first number of PUSCHs carries a same TB.

12. The method of claim 2, wherein a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) of the DCI is scrambled by a new radio network temporary identifier (RNTI) configured through RRC signaling.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the signal includes a special bit indicating whether a TB is to be transmitted repeatedly on each of the second number of frequency resources with a successful listen-before-talk (LBT) result or a single TB is to be transmitted on one of the second number of frequency resources with a successful LBT result.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the signal schedules one PUSCH on the second number of frequency resources, wherein a TB is repeatedly transmitted on each of the second number of frequency resources.

15. A method for scheduling physical downlink shared channels (PDSCHs), comprising: receiving a signal scheduling a first number of PDSCHs on a second number of frequency resources, wherein the first number of PDSCHs are scheduled with a same time domain resource; and receiving one or more of the first number of PDSCHs on the second number of frequency resources, wherein the first number is less than the second number; wherein each of a first x of the first number of PDSCHs is received on yl of the second number of frequency resources and each of a remaining of the first number of PDSCHs is transmitted on y2 of the second number of frequency resources, where x is equal to a remainder of the second number divided by the first number, yl is determined by rounding up a quotient of the second number divided by the first number, and y2 is determined by rounding down the quotient, or wherein each of a last x of the first number of PDSCHs is received on yl of the second number of frequency resources and each of a remaining of the first number of PDSCHs is transmitted on y2 of the second number of frequency resources, where x is equal to a remainder of the second number divided by the first number, yl is determined by rounding up a quotient of the second number divided by the first number, and y2 is determined by rounding down the quotient.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the signal is a downlink control information (DCI) for scheduling one or more PDSCHs.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the signal is radio resource control (RRC) signaling and the first number of PDSCHs are configured through the RRC signaling.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the second number of frequency resources comprises a second number of sub-bands on one carrier.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the second number of frequency resources comprises a second number of carriers.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein the DCI includes an indicator indicating a value of the first number.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein a maximum number of PDSCHs that the DCI can schedule is configured by RRC signaling.

22. The method of claim 15, wherein the first number is equal to the second number.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein each of the first number of PDSCHs is transmitted on an associated frequency resource of the second number of frequency resources.

24. The method of claim 15, wherein each of the first number of PDSCHs carries a transport block (TB).

25. The method of claim 15, wherein each of the first number of PDSCHs carries a same TB.

26. The method of claim 16, wherein a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) of the DCI is scrambled by a new radio network temporary identifier (RNTI) configured by RRC signaling.

27. The method of claim 15, wherein the signal includes one dedicated bit to indicate whether a TB is to be transmitted repeatedly on each of the second number of frequency resources with a successful listen-before-talk (LBT) result or a single TB is to be transmitted on one of the second number of frequency resources with a successful LBT result.

28. The method of claim 15, wherein the signal schedules one PDSCH on the second number of frequency resources, wherein one TB is transmitted repeatedly on each of the second number of frequency resources.

29. A method for scheduling physical uplink shared channels (PUSCHs), comprising: transmitting a signal scheduling a first number of PUSCHs on a second number of frequency resources, wherein the first number of PUSCHs are scheduled with a same time domain resource; and receiving one or more of the first number of PUSCHs on the second number of frequency resources, wherein the first number is less than the second number; wherein each of a first x of the first number of PUSCHs is received on yl of the second number of frequency resources, and each of a remaining of the first number of PUSCHs is transmitted on y2 of the second number of frequency resources, where x is equal to a remainder of the second number divided by the first number, yl is determined by rounding up a quotient of the second number divided by the first number, and y2 is determined by rounding down the quotient, or wherein each of a last x of the first number of PUSCHs is received on yl of the second number of frequency resources, and each of a remaining of the first number of PUSCHs is transmitted on y2 of the second number of frequency resources, where x is equal to a remainder of the second number divided by the first number, yl is determined by rounding up a quotient of the second number divided by the first number, and y2 is determined by rounding down the quotient.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the signal is downlink control information (DCI) scheduling one or more PUSCHs.

31. The method of claim 29, wherein the signal is radio resource control (RRC) signaling and the first number of PUSCHs is configured by the RRC signaling.

32. The method of claim 29, wherein the second number of frequency resources comprises a second number of subbands on one carrier.

33. The method of claim 29, wherein the second number of frequency resources comprises a second number of carriers.

34. A method for scheduling physical downlink shared channels (PDSCHs), comprising: transmitting a signal scheduling a first number of PDSCHs on a second number of frequency resources, wherein the first number of PDSCHs are scheduled with a same time domain resource; and transmitting one or more of the first number of PDSCHs on the second number of frequency resources, wherein the first number is less than the second number; wherein each of a first x of the first number of PDSCHs is transmitted on yl of the second number of frequency resources and each of a remaining of the first number of PDSCHs is transmitted on y2 of the second number of frequency resources, where x is equal to a remainder of the second number divided by the first number, yl is determined by rounding up a quotient of the second number divided by the first number, and y2 is determined by rounding down the quotient, or wherein each of a last x of the first number of PDSCHs is transmitted on yl of the second number of frequency resources and each of a remaining of the first number of PDSCHs is transmitted on y2 of the second number of frequency resources, where x is equal to a remainder of the second number divided by the first number, yl is determined by rounding up a quotient of the second number divided by the first number, and y2 is determined by rounding down the quotient.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein the signal is downlink control information (DCI) scheduling one or more PDSCHs.

36. The method of claim 34, wherein the signal is radio resource control (RRC) signaling and the first number of PDSCHs is configured by the RRC signaling.

37. The method of claim 34, wherein the second number of frequency resources comprises a second number of subbands on one carrier.

38. The method of claim 34, wherein the second number of frequency resources comprises a second number of carriers.

39. An apparatus, comprising: a non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon computer executable instructions; receiving circuitry; transmitting circuitry; and a processor coupled to the non-transitory computer readable medium, the receiving circuitry, and the transmitting circuitry, wherein the computer-executable instructions cause the processor to implement the method of any of claims 1-28.

40. An apparatus comprising: a non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon computer- executable instructions; receiving circuitry; transmitting circuitry; and a processor coupled to the non-transitory computer-readable medium, the receiving circuitry, and the transmitting circuitry, wherein the computer-executable instructions cause the processor to implement the method of any of claims 29-38.

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