Systems and methods related to sub-slot physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) repetition

Abstract

Systems and methods related to slot physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) repetition are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method performed by a wireless communication device for sub-slot PUCCH repetition includes receiving, from a base station, one or more sub-slot PUCCH repetition configurations; and transmitting two or more sub-slot PUCCH repetitions according to one sub-slot PUCCH repetition configuration of the one or more sub-slot PUCCH repetition configurations. In this way, sub-slot PUCCH transmission can be made more reliable or have better coverage.

Description

[0001] Related applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application (serial number 62 / 986348) filed on March 6, 2020, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0003] This disclosure relates to the transmission of Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) with repetition in a cellular communication system. Background Technology

[0004] The New Radio (NR) standard in the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) is designed to provide services for multiple use cases, such as enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), ultra-reliable low-latency communications (URLLC), and machine-type communications (MTC). Each of these services has different technical requirements. For example, the general requirement for eMBB is high data rates accompanied by moderate latency and moderate coverage, while URLLC services require low latency and high-reliability delivery but may be geared towards moderate data rates.

[0005] One solution for low-latency data transmission is shorter transmission intervals. In NR, in addition to transmissions within time slots, microslot transmissions are also allowed to reduce latency. Microslots are a concept used in scheduling. In the downlink (DL), a microslot can include 2, 4, or 7 Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) symbols, while in the uplink (UL), a microslot can be any number of OFDM symbols from 1 to 14. It should be noted that the concepts of time slots and microslots are not specific to any particular service, meaning that microslots can be used for eMBB, URLLC, or other services.

[0006] Figure 1 This shows a schematic diagram of radio resources in NR.

[0007] Downlink control information

[0008] In the 3GPP NR standard, downlink control information (DCI) transmitted in the Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) is used to indicate DL data rate related information, UL related information, power control information, time slot format indication, etc. Each control signal has a different format of DCI associated with it, and the user equipment (UE) identifies them based on different Radio Network Temporary Identifiers (RNTIs).

[0009] The UE is configured by higher-layer signaling to monitor DCIs with different periodicities in different resources. DCI formats 1_0, 1_1, and 1_2 are used to schedule DL data transmitted in the Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) and contain time and frequency resources for DL ​​transmission, as well as modulation and coding information, Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) information, etc.

[0010] HARQ Feedback

[0011] The process for receiving DL transmissions involves the UE first monitoring and decoding the PDCCH in time slot n, which points to the DL data transmission scheduled in time slot n+k0, where k0 is greater than or equal to 0. The UE then decodes the data in the corresponding PDSCH. Finally, based on the decoding result, the UE sends an acknowledgment (ACK) or negative acknowledgment (NACK) to the NR base station (gNB) in time slot n+k0+k1. Note that in the case of time slot aggregation, n+k0 will be replaced by the time slot where the PDSCH ends, so that the ACK / NACK is sent in the time slots K1 times after the time slot where the PDSCH ends. K0 and K1 are both indicated in the downlink DCI. The resources used to send ACK / NACK are indicated by the PUCCH resource indicator (PRI) field in the DCI, where the PRI field points to a PUCCH resource configured by the higher layer.

[0012] Depending on the DL / UL slot configuration or whether carrier aggregation or per-code block group (CBG) transmission is used in the DL, feedback from several PDSCHs may need to be multiplexed into a single feedback. This is accomplished by constructing a HARQ-ACK codebook. In NR, the UE can be configured to multiplex ACK / NACK (A / N) bits using a semi-static or dynamic codebook.

[0013] Type 1 or semi-static codebooks consist of a sequence of bits, where each symbol contains A / N bits that may be allocated from a time slot, carrier, or transport block (TB). Multiple bits are generated per time slot and TB when the UE is configured with a CBG and / or Time Domain Resource Allocation (TDRA) table with multiple entries. It is important to note that the codebook is derived regardless of the actual PDSCH scheduling. The size and format of the semi-static codebook are pre-configured based on the parameters mentioned. A disadvantage of semi-static HARQ-ACK codebooks is that their size is fixed and one bit is reserved in the feedback matrix regardless of whether a transmission occurs.

[0014] For UEs with a TDRA table configured with multiple time-domain resource configuration items, the table is reduced (i.e., items are removed based on a specific algorithm) to derive a TDRA table containing only non-overlapping time-domain configurations. Then, in the HARQ codebook, one bit is reserved for each non-overlapping item (assuming the UE can support the reception of multiple PDSCHs in one time slot).

[0015] To avoid reserving unnecessary bits in the semi-static HARQ codebook, in NR, the UE can be configured to use either a Type 2 or dynamic HARQ codebook, where the A / N bits are only present if the corresponding scheduled transmission exists. To avoid any confusion between the gNB and the UE regarding the number of PDSCHs (to which the UE must send feedback), a counter downlink allocation indicator (DAI) field exists in the DL assignment. This field represents the aggregated number of {serving cell, PDCCH timing} pairs, where PDSCHs are scheduled to the UE up to the current PDCCH. In addition, there is another field called the total DAI, which, when present, shows the total number of all PDCCH {serving cell, PDCCH timing} up to (and including) the current PDCCH monitoring timing. The timing for sending HARQ feedback is determined based on both the PDSCH transmission slot (K0) with reference to the PDCCH slot and the PUCCH slot containing HARQ feedback (K1).

[0016] Figure 2 The timeline is shown in a simple scenario with two PDSCHs and one feedback. In this example, there are a total of four configured PUCCH resources, and PRI indicates that PUCCH 2 is used for HARQ feedback. The following explains how PUCCH 2 is selected from the four configured PUCCH resources (based on the process in 3GPP NR Release 15).

[0017] In NR Release 15, a UE can be configured with up to four PUCCH resource sets for transmitting HARQ-ACK information. Each PUCCH resource set is associated with a range of uplink control information (UCI) payload bits containing HARQ-ACK bits. The first set is always associated with one or two HARQ-ACK bits and therefore contains only PUCCH formats 0 or 1, or both. The range of payload values ​​(minimum to maximum) for the other sets (if configured) is provided by the configuration, except that the maximum value of the last set (where the default value is used) and the minimum value of the second set are 3. The first set can contain up to 32 PUCCH resources in formats 0 or 1. The other sets contain up to 8 bits in formats 2, 3, or 4.

[0018] As previously described, the UE determines the time slot in the PUCCH used for the transmission of HARQ-ACK bits, which corresponds to the PDSCH scheduled or activated by the DCI via a K1 value, provided by a field in the configuration or corresponding DCI. The UE forms a codebook from the HARQ-ACK bits of the associated PUCCH in the same time slot via the corresponding K1 value.

[0019] The UE determines the PUCCH resource set such that the codebook size is within the corresponding range of the payload values ​​associated with that set.

[0020] The UE determines which set of PUCCH resources is in by associating the fields in the last DCI of the corresponding PDSCH, provided that the set is configured with a maximum of eight PUCCH resources. If the set is the first set and is configured with more than eight resources, the PUCCH resources in that set are determined by the fields in the last DCI associated with the corresponding PDSCH and the implicit rules (based on CCE).

[0021] PUCCH resources used for HARQ-ACK transmission can overlap in time with other PUCCH resources used for Channel State Information (CSI) and / or Scheduling Request (SR) transmission and PUSCH transmission in the time slot. In the case of overlapping PUCCH and / or PUSCH resources, the UE first resolves the overlap between PUCCH resources (if any) by determining the PUCCH resource carrying all UCIs (including HARQ-ACK bits) to comply with the UCI multiplexing timeline requirements. The UCI in the determined PUCCH resource may have partial or complete CSI bit loss (if any). Then, the UE resolves the overlap between PUCCH and PUSCH resources (if any) by multiplexing the UCIs on the PUSCH resource (if the UCI multiplexing timeline requirements are met).

[0022] PUCCH duplicated in release 15

[0023] In NR Release 15, PUCCH repetition on multiple slots is supported. This is useful, for example, for increased coverage. Only long PUCCH formats (i.e., formats 1, 3, and 4) are supported. The number of repetitions (2, 4, or 8 slots) is semi-statically configured by the `nrofSlots` parameter in the `PUCCH-FormatConfig` parameter of the `PUCCH-config` information element (IE). The same resource allocation (e.g., the same number of consecutive symbols, the same start symbol) is used for each repetition on multiple slots. For a full description, see section 9.2.6 of 3GPP Technical Specification (TS) 38.213.

[0024] Sub-slot HARQ-ACK

[0025] In NR Release 16, HARQ-ACK feedback was enhanced to support more than one PUCCH carrying HARQ-ACK in a time slot for different services and for potentially faster HARQ-ACK feedback for URLLC. This led to the introduction of a new HARQ-ACK timing on a sub-time slot basis, namely, the K1 indication on a sub-time slot basis. The sub-time slot configuration of the PUCCH carrying HARQ-ACK can be configured from two options (i.e., "2-symbol * 7" and "7-symbol * 2", for sub-time slot lengths of 2 and 7 symbols, respectively). The K1 indication is the same as in Release 15, i.e., K1 is indicated in the PDSCH scheduled by DCI. To determine the HARQ-ACK timing, there is an association between the PDSCH and the sub-time slot configuration; if the scheduled PDSCH ends in sub-time slot n, the corresponding HARQ-ACK is reported in sub-time slot n+K1. In a sense, the sub-slot-based HARQ-ACK timing works similarly to the release 15 slot-based process HARQ-ACK timing by replacing the unit K1 from slot to sub-slot.

[0026] There are some limitations on the PDCCH resources used for sub-slot HARQ-ACK. Specifically, only one PUCCH resource configuration can be used for all word slots within a slot. Also, no sub-slot PUCCH resource can cross sub-slot boundaries.

[0027] Figure 3 An example is shown where each PDSCH is associated with a specific sub-slot used for HARQ feedback through the use of a K1 value in sub-slot units. Specifically, Figure 3 An example of a K1 indication is shown, which is based on a sub-slot with a “7-symbol*2” configuration for two PUCCHs in two sub-slots, the two PUCCHs carrying HARQ feedback for PDSCH transmission.

[0028] HARQ-ACK priority indication

[0029] In Release 16, two levels of physical layer (PHY) priorities can be indicated in the DCI for HARQ-ACK corresponding to dynamic scheduling PDSCH or in the Radio Resource Control (RRC) for HARQ-ACK corresponding to DL semi-persistent scheduling (SPS). This priority indication can be used to determine the priority of the HARQ-ACK codebook for collision handling.

[0030] NR release 16 supports up to two HARQ-ACK codebooks that will be built simultaneously with different priorities. This includes cases where one is slot-based and the other is sub-slot-based, both are slot-based, or both are sub-slot-based. Summary of the Invention

[0031] This document discloses systems and methods involving slotted physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) repetition. In one embodiment, a method performed by a wireless communication device for sub-slotted PUCCH repetition includes receiving one or more sub-slotted PUCCH repetition configurations from a base station; and transmitting two or more sub-slotted PUCCH repetitions according to one of the one or more sub-slotted PUCCH repetition configurations. In this manner, sub-slotted PUCCH transmission can be made more reliable or have better coverage.

[0032] In one embodiment, receiving the one or more sub-slot PUCCH repetition configurations includes receiving one or more semi-static sub-slot PUCCH repetition configurations. In one embodiment, the one or more semi-static sub-slot PUCCH repetition configurations are associated with one or more PUCCH formats. In one embodiment, the method further includes receiving downlink control information scheduled to be transmitted to the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) of the wireless communication device and containing an indication of a specific PUCCH format for the two or more sub-slot PUCCH repetitions, the specific PUCCH format being one of the one or more PUCCH formats, wherein transmitting the two or more sub-slot PUCCH repetitions includes transmitting the two or more sub-slot PUCCH repetitions according to a corresponding semi-static sub-slot PUCCH repetition configuration associated with the specific PUCCH format of the one or more semi-static sub-slot PUCCH repetition configurations.

[0033] In one embodiment, the one or more semi-static sub-slot PUCCH repetition configurations are each associated with one or more PUCCH resources. In one embodiment, the method further includes receiving downlink control information scheduled to be transmitted to the PDSCH of the wireless communication device and containing an indication of a specific PUCCH resource for the two or more sub-slot PUCCH repetitions, the specific PUCCH resource being a PUCCH resource of the one or more PUCCH resources, wherein transmitting the two or more sub-slot PUCCH repetitions comprises: transmitting the two or more sub-slot PUCCH repetitions according to a corresponding semi-static sub-slot PUCCH repetition configuration associated with the specific PUCCH resource of the one or more semi-static sub-slot PUCCH repetition configurations.

[0034] In one embodiment, receiving the one or more sub-slot PUCCH repetition configurations includes: receiving dynamic sub-slot PUCCH repetition configurations for PUCCH transmission including the two or more sub-slot PUCCH repetitions. In one embodiment, receiving the dynamic sub-slot PUCCH repetition configuration includes: receiving downlink control information scheduled for PDSCH transmission to the wireless communication device and containing the dynamic sub-slot PUCCH repetition configuration or an indication of the dynamic sub-slot PUCCH repetition configuration. In one embodiment, transmitting the two or more sub-slot PUCCH repetitions includes: transmitting the two or more sub-slot PUCCH repetitions according to the dynamic sub-slot PUCCH repetition configuration. In one embodiment, the dynamic sub-slot PUCCH repetition configuration includes: a field in the downlink control information indicating the number of sub-slot PUCCH repetitions. In one embodiment, the method further includes receiving a configuration of a set of possible sub-slot PUCCH repeat configurations, wherein the dynamic sub-slot PUCCH repeat configuration includes a value that selects one possible sub-slot PUCCH repeat configuration from the set of possible sub-slot PUCCH repeat configurations as the dynamic sub-slot PUCCH repeat configuration.

[0035] In one embodiment, receiving the dynamic sub-slot PUCCH repetition configuration includes: receiving downlink control information, the downlink control information being scheduled to be transmitted to the PDSCH of the wireless communication device and including a PUCCH resource indicator (PRI) indicating a specific PUCCH resource, wherein the dynamic sub-slot PUCCH repetition configuration includes a pre-configured number of repetitions for the specific PUCCH resource.

[0036] In one embodiment, the dynamic sub-slot PUCCH repeat configuration includes a number of repeats defined in units of time slots. In another embodiment, the dynamic sub-slot PUCCH repeat configuration includes a number of repeats defined in units of sub-slots.

[0037] In one embodiment, the downlink control information further includes an indication of Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) Acknowledgment (ACK) timing, and the indication of HARQ ACK timing is applied to the first sub-slot PUCCH repeat from the two or more sub-slot PUCCH repeats. In one embodiment, subsequent sub-slot PUCCH repeats from the two or more sub-slot PUCCH repeats occupy subsequent, continuously available sub-slots.

[0038] In one embodiment, the one or more sub-slot PUCCH repeat configuration includes two or more HARQACK timing values ​​for the two or more sub-slot PUCCH repeats, respectively.

[0039] In one embodiment, each sub-slot PUCCH repeat from the two or more sub-slot PUCCH repeats uses the same resource allocation across two or more consecutive, available sub-slots in the time domain.

[0040] In one embodiment, each sub-slot PUCCH repeat from the two or more sub-slot PUCCH repeats is included within the corresponding sub-slot. In another embodiment, at least one sub-slot PUCCH repeat from the two or more sub-slot PUCCH repeats crosses a sub-slot boundary. In another embodiment, at least one sub-slot PUCCH repeat from the two or more sub-slot PUCCH repeats crosses a slot boundary. In another embodiment, the PUCCH resource of one sub-slot PUCCH repeat from the two or more sub-slot PUCCH repeats crosses a slot boundary, and the one sub-slot PUCCH repeat from the two or more sub-slot PUCCH repeats is truncated within the slot boundary. In another embodiment, the PUCCH resource of one sub-slot PUCCH repeat from the two or more sub-slot PUCCH repeats crosses a slot boundary, and the one sub-slot PUCCH repeat from the two or more sub-slot PUCCH repeats is truncated within the slot boundary.

[0041] In one embodiment, the two or more sub-slot PUCCH repeats are performed back-to-back in a manner with no symbol gap between the two or more sub-slot PUCCH repeats.

[0042] In one embodiment, at least one sub-slot PUCCH repeat of the two or more sub-slot PUCCH repeats is extended to reach the sub-slot boundary.

[0043] In one embodiment, transmitting the two or more sub-timeslot PUCCH repetitions includes: using frequency hopping to transmit the two or more sub-timeslot PUCCH repetitions. In one embodiment, the frequency hopping is inter-timeslot frequency hopping, inter-timeslot frequency hopping, or intra-timeslot frequency hopping. In one embodiment, the method further includes receiving a frequency hopping configuration indicating whether to perform frequency hopping for sub-timeslot PUCCH repetitions, wherein using frequency hopping to transmit the two or more sub-timeslot PUCCH repetitions includes: using frequency hopping to transmit the two or more sub-timeslot PUCCH repetitions according to the frequency hopping configuration. In one embodiment, the frequency hopping configuration indicates that inter-timeslot frequency hopping will be applied to sub-timeslot PUCCH repetitions. In one embodiment, the frequency hopping configuration includes an inter-timeslot frequency hopping configuration and an inter-timeslot frequency hopping configuration, and the wireless communication device ignores the inter-timeslot frequency hopping configuration in response to the frequency hopping configuration including the inter-timeslot frequency hopping configuration.

[0044] In one embodiment, transmitting the two or more sub-slot PUCCH repeats includes determining, for a sub-slot PUCCH repeat from one of the two or more sub-slot PUCCH repeats, that a conflict exists for that sub-slot PUCCH repeat, and, in response to determining that a conflict exists for that sub-slot PUCCH repeat, taking one or more actions to avoid the conflict. In one embodiment, the one or more actions include stopping the transmission of the sub-slot PUCCH repeat. In one embodiment, the sub-slot PUCCH repeat is included in the number of transmitted sub-slot PUCCH repeats. In another embodiment, the sub-slot PUCCH repeat is not included in the number of transmitted sub-slot PUCCH repeats.

[0045] In one embodiment, transmitting the two or more sub-slot PUCCH repeats includes determining, for a sub-slot PUCCH repeat from the two or more sub-slot PUCCH repeats, that the sub-slot PUCCH repeat crosses a slot boundary, and, in response to determining that the sub-slot PUCCH repeat crosses a slot boundary, truncating the sub-slot PUCCH repeat to fit within the slot boundary.

[0046] In one embodiment, transmitting the two or more sub-slot PUCCH repeats includes, for a sub-slot PUCCH repeat from the two or more sub-slot PUCCH repeats, determining that the sub-slot PUCCH repeat crosses a slot boundary, and, in response to determining that the sub-slot PUCCH repeat crosses a slot boundary, segmenting the sub-slot PUCCH repeat into a first segment ending at or before the slot boundary and a second segment beginning at or after the slot boundary.

[0047] In one embodiment, the one or more sub-slot PUCCH repeat configurations include one or more sub-slot PUCCH repeat configurations respectively associated with one or more priority levels or a set or more sets of priority levels. Additionally, the method further includes receiving information that explicitly or implicitly indicates the priority levels of the two or more sub-slot PUCCH repeats, and transmitting the two or more sub-slot PUCCH repeats includes: transmitting the two or more sub-slot PUCCH repeats according to one sub-slot PUCCH repeat configuration of the one or more sub-slot PUCCH repeat configurations, the one sub-slot PUCCH repeat configuration being associated with the indicated priority levels of the two or more sub-slot PUCCH repeats or associated with a set of priority levels including the indicated priority levels of the two or more sub-slot PUCCH repeats.

[0048] In one embodiment, the one or more sub-slot PUCCH repeat configurations each include information indicating the number of sub-slot PUCCH repeats to be transmitted.

[0049] A corresponding embodiment of a wireless communication device for sub-slot PUCCH repetition, the wireless communication device being adapted to receive one or more sub-slot PUCCH repetition configurations from a base station, and to transmit two or more sub-slot PUCCH repetitions according to one of the one or more sub-slot PUCCH repetition configurations.

[0050] In another embodiment, a wireless communication device for sub-slot PUCCH repetition includes one or more transmitters, one or more receivers, and a processing circuitry module associated with the one or more transmitters and the one or more receivers. The processing circuitry module is configured to cause the wireless communication device to receive one or more sub-slot PUCCH repetition configurations from a base station, and to transmit two or more sub-slot PUCCH repetitions based on one of the one or more sub-slot PUCCH repetition configurations.

[0051] In one embodiment, a method performed by a base station for sub-slot PUCCH repetition includes providing one or more sub-slot PUCCH repetition configurations to a wireless communication device, and receiving PUCCH transmissions from the wireless communication device according to one of the one or more sub-slot PUCCH repetition configurations.

[0052] In one embodiment, providing the one or more sub-slot PUCCH repeat configurations includes: providing the wireless communication device with one or more semi-static sub-slot PUCCH repeat configurations. In one embodiment, the one or more semi-static sub-slot PUCCH repeat configurations are associated with one or more PUCCH formats. In one embodiment, the one or more semi-static sub-slot PUCCH repeat configurations are associated with one or more PUCCH resources.

[0053] In one embodiment, providing the one or more sub-slot PUCCH repetition configurations includes: providing the wireless communication device with a dynamic sub-slot PUCCH repetition configuration for PUCCH transmission including the repetition of the two or more sub-slot PUCCHs. In one embodiment, providing the dynamic sub-slot PUCCH repetition configuration includes: providing the wireless communication device with downlink control information, the downlink control information being scheduled to be transmitted to the PDSCH of the wireless communication device and containing the dynamic sub-slot PUCCH repetition configuration or an indication of the dynamic sub-slot PUCCH repetition configuration. In one embodiment, providing the dynamic sub-slot PUCCH repetition configuration includes: providing the wireless communication device with downlink control information, the downlink control information being scheduled to be transmitted to the PDSCH of the wireless communication device and containing a PRI indicating a specific PUCCH resource, wherein the dynamic sub-slot PUCCH repetition configuration includes a pre-configured number of repetitions for the specific PUCCH resource.

[0054] In one embodiment, scheduling downlink control information transmitted to the downlink of the wireless communication device associated with the two or more sub-slot PUCCH repetitions includes: an indication of HARQ ACK timing, and the indication of HARQ ACK timing applies to the first sub-slot PUCCH repetition from the two or more sub-slot PUCCH repetitions. In one embodiment, subsequent sub-slot PUCCH repetitions from the two or more sub-slot PUCCH repetitions occupy subsequent, continuously available sub-slots.

[0055] In one embodiment, the one or more sub-slot PUCCH repeat configuration includes two or more HARQACK timing values ​​for repeating the two or more sub-slot PUCCH respectively.

[0056] In one embodiment, each sub-slot PUCCH repeat from the two or more sub-slot PUCCH repeats uses the same resource allocation across two or more consecutive, available sub-slots in the time domain.

[0057] In one embodiment, each sub-slot PUCCH repeat from the two or more sub-slot PUCCH repeats is included within the corresponding sub-slot.

[0058] In one embodiment, at least one sub-slot PUCCH repeat from the two or more sub-slot PUCCH repeats crosses a sub-slot boundary.

[0059] In one embodiment, at least one sub-slot PUCCH repeat from the two or more sub-slot PUCCH repeats crosses a slot boundary.

[0060] In one embodiment, the PUCCH resource for one sub-slot PUCCH repetition of the two or more sub-slot PUCCH repetitions crosses the sub-slot boundary, and the one sub-slot PUCCH repetition of the two or more sub-slot PUCCH repetitions is truncated within the sub-slot boundary.

[0061] In one embodiment, the PUCCH resource for one sub-slot PUCCH repetition of the two or more sub-slot PUCCH repetitions crosses a slot boundary, and the one sub-slot PUCCH repetition of the two or more sub-slot PUCCH repetitions is truncated within the slot boundary.

[0062] In one embodiment, the two or more sub-slot PUCCH repeats are performed back-to-back in a manner with no symbol gap between the two or more sub-slot PUCCH repeats.

[0063] In one embodiment, at least one sub-slot PUCCH repeat of the two or more sub-slot PUCCH repeats is extended to reach the sub-slot boundary.

[0064] In one embodiment, transmitting the two or more sub-slot PUCCH repetitions includes: using frequency hopping to receive the two or more sub-slot PUCCH repetitions. In one embodiment, the frequency hopping is inter-slot frequency hopping, inter-slot frequency hopping, or intra-slot frequency hopping.

[0065] In one embodiment, the one or more sub-slot PUCCH repeat configurations each include information indicating the number of sub-slot PUCCH repeats.

[0066] A corresponding embodiment of the base station is also disclosed. In one embodiment, a base station for sub-slot PUCCH repetition is adapted to provide one or more sub-slot PUCCH repetition configurations to a wireless communication device, and to receive PUCCH transmissions from the wire communication device according to one sub-slot PUCCH repetition configuration based on the one or more sub-slot PUCCH repetition configurations.

[0067] In one embodiment, a base station for sub-slot PUCCH repetition includes a processing circuit module configured to provide one or more sub-slot PUCCH repetition configurations to a wireless communication device, and to receive PUCCH transmissions from the wire communication device based on one of the one or more sub-slot PUCCH repetition configurations. Attached Figure Description

[0068] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form part of this specification, illustrate several aspects of this disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of this disclosure.

[0069] Figure 1 This shows schematic radio resources in the New Radio (NR) interface;

[0070] Figure 2 An example Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) timeline is shown for a simple case with two Physical Downlink Shared Channels (PDSCH) and one feedback.

[0071] Figure 3 An example of a K1 indication is shown, which is based on a sub-slot with a “7-symbol*2” configuration for two Physical Uplink Control Channels (PUCCHs) in two sub-slots, the two PUCCHs carrying HARQ feedback transmitted by the PDSCH.

[0072] Figure 4 An example of a cellular communication system is shown, in which embodiments of this disclosure can be implemented;

[0073] Figure 5 This illustration shows the operation of a user equipment (UE) and a base station providing slot-based PUCCH repetition according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0074] Figure 6A An example is shown illustrating the operation of a base station and a UE according to some embodiments of the present disclosure in order to provide semi-static slot-based PUCCH repetition configuration;

[0075] Figure 6B An example is shown illustrating the operation of a base station and a UE according to some other embodiments of the present disclosure in order to provide semi-static slot-based PUCCH repetition configuration;

[0076] Figure 7 An example is shown of how an indication of the number of repetitions of a sub-gap PUCCH repeat in a PUCCH-Resource is included according to an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0077] Figure 8An example is shown illustrating the operation of a base station and a UE according to some embodiments of the present disclosure in order to provide dynamic time-slot-based PUCCH repetition configuration;

[0078] Figure 9 The number of repetitions of the indicated K1 instruction and the sub-gap PUCCH repeat according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0079] Figure 10 A plurality of K1 indications repeating in the sub-gap PUCCH are shown according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0080] Figure 11 An example is shown in which the same PUCCH resource configuration is used for two sub-gap PUCCH repetitions;

[0081] Figure 12 An example is shown of extending the PUCCH resource for a certain PUCCH repeat to form a “back-to-back” PUCCH repeat according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0082] Figure 13 An example of inter-sub-gap frequency hopping of a PUCCH without intra-sub-gap frequency hopping is shown according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0083] Figure 14 An example of inter-gap frequency hopping in PUCCH without inter-subgap frequency hopping is shown according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0084] Figure 15 An example is shown of inter-sub-gap frequency hopping of a PUCCH according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, with additional intra-sub-gap frequency hopping.

[0085] Figure 16 The operation of a base station and a UE according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is illustrated in order to provide slot-based PUCCH repetition;

[0086] Figure 17 This is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a UE according to an embodiment of the present disclosure for transmitting slot-based PUCCH repetitions with conflict avoidance;

[0087] Figure 18 An example of a truncated PUCCH resource according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown, the PUCCH resource spanning a slot boundary;

[0088] Figure 19 An example of a PUCCH segmentation for a PUCCH transmission across a time slot boundary is shown according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0089] Figure 20This is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a UE for transmitting slot-based PUCCH repetitions in consideration of slot boundary crossing, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0090] Figure 21 The following are embodiments of the present disclosure illustrating operations for providing slot-based PUCCH repeating base station and UE with priority indication;

[0091] Figures 22 to 24 This is a schematic block diagram of an example embodiment of a network node;

[0092] Figure 25 and 26 This is a schematic block diagram of an example embodiment of a wireless device;

[0093] Figure 27 Example embodiments of a communication system are shown, wherein embodiments of this disclosure can be implemented;

[0094] Figure 28 Show Figure 27 Example embodiments of host computers, base stations, and UEs;

[0095] Figures 29 to 32 It is a flowchart, which is shown in a communication system (such as...) Figure 27 Example embodiments of methods implemented in a communication system. Detailed Implementation

[0096] Some embodiments of the embodiments contemplated herein will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, other embodiments are included within the scope of the subject matter disclosed herein, and the disclosed subject matter should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein; these embodiments are provided by way of example in order to convey the scope of the subject matter to those skilled in the art.

[0097] The embodiments described below illustrate information to enable those skilled in the art to implement the embodiments and show the best mode of implementation. Those skilled in the art will understand the concepts of this disclosure and will acknowledge that the application of these concepts is not specifically disclosed herein when reading the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that these concepts and applications fall within the scope of this disclosure.

[0098] Generally, all terms used herein shall be interpreted according to their ordinary meaning in the relevant art, unless a different meaning is explicitly given and / or implied by the context in which it is used. All references to an element, device, component, part, step, etc., are open-ended and are interpreted as referring to at least one instance of the element, device, component, part, step, etc., unless otherwise expressly stated. The steps of any method disclosed herein need not be performed in the exact order disclosed, unless a step is explicitly described as occurring after or before another step and / or implied that a step must occur after or before another step. Any feature of any embodiment of the embodiments disclosed herein may be suitably applied to any other embodiment. Similarly, any advantage of any embodiment of the embodiments may be applied to any other embodiment, and vice versa. Other objects, features, and advantages of the appended embodiments will be apparent from the following description.

[0099] Radio node: As used in this article, a “radio node” is a radio access node or a radio communication device.

[0100] Radio Access Node: As used herein, a “radio access node” or “radio network node” or “radio access network node” is any node in a radio access network (RAN) of a cellular communication network that operates to wirelessly transmit and / or receive signals. Some examples of radio access nodes include, but are not limited to, base stations (e.g., New Radio (NR) base stations (gNBs) in 3GPP 5G NR networks or enhanced or evolved Node Bs (eNBs) in 3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE) networks), high-power or macro base stations, low-power base stations (e.g., micro base stations, pico base stations, home eNBs, or the like), relay nodes, network nodes that implement partial functionality of base stations (e.g., network nodes that implement gNB central units (gNB-CUs) or gNB distributed units (gNB-DUs), or network nodes that implement partial functionality of some other type of radio access node.

[0101] Core Network Node: As used herein, a “core network node” is any type of node in the core network or any node that implements core network functions. Some examples of core network nodes include, for example, a Mobility Management Entity (MME), a Packet Data Network Gateway (P-GW), a Service Capability Opening Function (SCEF), a Home Subscriber Server (HSS), or the like. Some other examples of core network nodes include nodes that implement the following functions: Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), User Plane Function (UPF), Session Management Function (SMF), Authentication Server Function (AUSF), Network Slice Selection Function (NSSF), Network Opening Function (NEF), Network Function (NF) Repository Function (NRF), Policy Control Function (PCF), Unified Data Management Function (UDM), or the like.

[0102] Communication device: As used herein, a “communication device” is any type of device having access to an access network. Some examples of communication devices include, but are not limited to: mobile phones, smartphones, sensor devices, meters, vehicles, home appliances, medical appliances, media players, cameras, or any type of consumer electronics, such as, but not limited to, televisions, radios, lighting fixtures, tablet computers, laptops, or personal computers (PCs). A communication device can be a portable, handheld, computer-integrated, or vehicle-mounted mobile device capable of transmitting voice and / or data via wireless or wired connections.

[0103] Wireless communication device: One type of communication device is a wireless communication device, which can be any type of wireless device having access to (i.e., served by) a wireless network (e.g., a cellular network). Some examples of wireless communication devices include, but are not limited to, user equipment (UE) devices, machine-type communication (MTC) devices, and Internet of Things (IoT) devices in 3GPP networks. Such wireless communication devices can be, or can be integrated into, mobile phones, smartphones, sensor devices, meters, vehicles, home appliances, medical appliances, media players, cameras, or any type of consumer electronics, such as, but not limited to, televisions, radios, lighting fixtures, tablet computers, laptops, or PCs. Wireless communication devices can be portable, handheld, computer-integrated, or vehicle-mounted mobile devices capable of transmitting voice and / or data via a wireless connection.

[0104] Network node: As used in this article, a “network node” is any node that is part of the core network or RAN of a cellular communication network / system.

[0105] It should be noted that the descriptions presented herein focus on 3GPP cellular communication systems, and therefore, 3GPP terminology or similar terms are frequently used. However, the concepts disclosed herein are not limited to 3GPP systems.

[0106] It should be noted that the term “cell” may be referenced in the description herein; however, specifically for the 5G NR concept, beams may be used instead of cells, and therefore it is important to note that the concepts described herein are equally applicable to both cells and beams.

[0107] There are currently one or more challenges with Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) transmission (e.g., in 3GPP NR). Constraining PUCCH transmission to be contained within sub-slots reduces coverage compared to allowing longer PUCCH transmissions. PUCCH repetition or allowing sub-slot PUCCHs to cross sub-slot boundaries has been proposed as potential solutions. However, for PUCCH repetition, it remains unclear how to handle PUCCH resources for repetition and how to indicate the number of repetitions. For PUCCHs crossing sub-slot boundaries, it remains unclear how to handle the potential cross-slot boundary PUCCH resources of the last sub-slot within a time slot.

[0108] Certain aspects of this disclosure and embodiments thereof provide solutions to the foregoing or other challenges. The proposed solutions allow for the repetition of dynamically indicated sub-slot PUCCHs with a repetition number and any potential conflicts in processing repetitive PUCCH resources.

[0109] Embodiments of methods for handling PUCCH resources across time slot boundaries are also disclosed (e.g., by truncating the resource at the time slot boundary or by segmenting the PUCCH transmission into two PUCCH transmissions at the time slot boundary).

[0110] The embodiments disclosed herein allow PUCCH transmission to span more than one sub-slot (when resolving potential collision issues).

[0111] Certain embodiments may provide one or more of the following technical advantages. Embodiments of the solutions proposed herein allow for more reliable or better coverage of sub-gap PUCCH transmission.

[0112] Figure 4An example of a cellular communication system 400 is shown, in which embodiments of this disclosure can be implemented. In the embodiments described herein, the cellular communication system 400 is a 5G system (5GS) including a next-generation radio access network (NG-RAN) that uses NR radio access technology (RAT). In this example, the RAN includes base stations 402-1 and 402-2, and for the NG-RAN, the NG-RAN includes NR base stations (gNBs) and optionally, next-generation eNBs (ng-eNBs) (i.e., LTE RAN nodes connected to the 5GC) control corresponding (macro)cells 404-1 and 404-2. In this document, base stations 402-1 and 402-2 are generally referred to collectively as base station 402 and individually as base station 402. Similarly, in this document, (macro)cells 404-1 and 404-2 are generally referred to collectively as (macro)cells 404 and individually as (macro)cell 404. The RAN may also include multiple low-power nodes 406-1 to 406-4 that control the corresponding small cells 408-1 to 408-4. The low-power nodes 406-1 to 406-4 can be small base stations (such as pico or femto base stations) or remote radio head units (RRHs) or similar. In particular, not shown, one or more small cells of small cells 408-1 to 408-4 may alternatively be provided by base station 402. In this document, low-power nodes 406-1 to 406-4 are generally referred to collectively as low-power nodes 406 and individually as low-power nodes 406. Similarly, in this document, small cells 408-1 to 408-4 are generally referred to collectively as small cells 408 and individually as small cells 408. The cellular communication system 400 also includes a core network 410 referred to in 5GS as the 5G core (5GC). Base station 402 (and optionally, low-power node 406) is connected to core network 410.

[0113] Base station 402 and low-power node 406 provide services to wireless communication devices 412-1 to 412-5 in their respective cells 404 and 408. In this document, wireless communication devices 412-1 to 412-5 are generally referred to collectively as wireless communication devices 412, and individually as wireless communication device 412. In the following description, wireless communication device 412 is often a UE, but this disclosure is not limited to UEs.

[0114] A more detailed description of embodiments of the solutions proposed herein is now provided. It should be noted that when multiple “headings” are used to provide the following description, the embodiments described under these headings may be used individually or in any desired combination.

[0115] I. Sub-slot PUCCH repetition

[0116] The following embodiments are provided to support PUCCH repetition over multiple consecutive sub-slots.

[0117] Figure 5 The operation of UE 412 and base station 402 providing slot-based PUCCH repetition according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is illustrated. As shown, base station 402 provides sub-slot PUCCH repetition configuration to UE 412 (step 500). As described in detail below, the sub-slot PUCCH repetition configuration may be a semi-static configuration (see section I(a) below) or a dynamic configuration (see section I(b) below). The sub-slot PUCCH repetition configuration may include, for example, information indicating the number of repetitions of the sub-slot PUCCH repetition configuration and / or the number of sub-slots of the sub-slot PUCCH repetition configuration. However, further details are provided below. UE 412 then transmits PUCCH transmission with sub-slot repetition according to the sub-slot PUCCH repetition configuration (step 502).

[0118] a. Semi-statically configured per PUCCH format or per PUCCH resource

[0119] In a non-limiting embodiment, sub-slot-based PUCCH repetition is semi-statically configured (e.g., Radio Resource Control (RRC) configuration) for each PUCCH format by a new parameter (e.g., a new RRC parameter `nrofSubSlots` in the PUCCH-FormatConfig, distinct from the `nrofSlots` parameter) for each PUCCH format. Different PUCCH formats may be assigned different values ​​to this new parameter. For the remainder of this discussion, this new parameter is the `nrofSubSlots` parameter described above. In this embodiment, for a given PUCCH-Config, all PUCCH resources of a given format use the same `nrofSubSlots` value. For example, for a given PUCCH-Config, all PUCCH resources of format 1 (with different `PUCCH-ResourceSetId`) use the same `nrofSubSlots` provided in the PUCCH-FormatConfig for format 1. Similarly, all PUCCH resources of format 2 (with different `PUCCH-ResourceSetId`) use the same `nrofSubSlots` provided in the PUCCH-FormatConfig for format 2.

[0120] In a non-limiting embodiment, the UE is not expected to be configured with both sub-slots and slot PUCCH repetition in PUCCH-FormatConfig.

[0121] The following shows an example RRC configuration.

[0122]

[0123] Figure 6A An example of the operation of a base station 402 and a UE 412 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure to provide a semi-static, slot-based PUCCH repetition configuration is shown. Optional steps are indicated by dashed lines / dashed boxes. As shown, the base station 402 sends a semi-static sub-slot PUCCH repetition configuration to the UE 412 (step 600A). As discussed above, in one embodiment, the semi-static sub-slot PUCCH repetition configuration is provided via RRC signaling (e.g., via the parameter nrofSubSlots in PUCCH-FormatConfig). Also as discussed above, the configuration may include individual sub-slot PUCCH repetition configurations (e.g., individual nrofSubSlots values) for multiple PUCCH formats. The base station 402 also sends a DCI message to the UE 412 that schedules PDSCH transmission and contains an indication of the specific PUCCH format to be used for transmission for the associated HARQ ACK-NACK (step 602A). Base station 402 transmits the scheduled PDSCH transmission to UE 412 (step 604A). At UE 412, UE 412 transmits a PUCCH transmission with sub-slot PUCCH repetition according to a selected sub-slot PUCCH repetition configuration (step 606A). As discussed above, in one embodiment, the selected sub-slot PUCCH repetition configuration is one of the semi-statically configured sub-slot PUCCH repetition configurations provided for the PUCCH format indicated in the DCI. It should be noted that other aspects of the semi-static configuration involving sub-slot PUCCH repetition configurations described above also apply to… Figure 6A It is applicable.

[0124] In another embodiment, one or more semi-static sub-slot PUCCH repeat configurations are associated with one or more PUCCH resources. In other words, in another embodiment, different PUCCH resources can be assigned different semi-static sub-slot PUCCH repeat configurations (e.g., for different numbers of sub-slots for PUCCH repeat).

[0125] Figure 6BAn example of the operation of a base station 402 and a UE 412 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure to provide a semi-static, slot-based PUCCH repetition configuration is shown. Optional steps are indicated by dashed lines / dashed boxes. As shown, the base station 402 sends a semi-static sub-slot PUCCH repetition configuration to the UE 412 (step 600B). As discussed above, in one embodiment, the semi-static sub-slot PUCCH repetition configuration is provided via RRC signaling (e.g., via the parameter nrofSubSlots in PUCCH-FormatConfig). Also as discussed above, the configuration may include individual sub-slot PUCCH repetition configurations (e.g., individual nrofSubSlots values) for multiple PUCCH resources. The base station 402 also sends a DCI message to the UE 412 that schedules PDSCH transmission and includes an indication of the specific PUCCH resource to be used for transmission for the associated HARQ ACK-NACK (step 602B). Base station 402 transmits the scheduled PDSCH transmission to UE 412 (step 604B). At UE 412, UE 412 transmits a PUCCH transmission with sub-slot PUCCH repetition according to a selected sub-slot PUCCH repetition configuration (step 606B). As discussed above, in one embodiment, the selected sub-slot PUCCH repetition configuration is one of the semi-statically configured sub-slot PUCCH repetition configurations provided for the PUCCH resources indicated in the DCI. It should be noted that other aspects of the semi-static configuration involving sub-slot PUCCH repetition configurations described above also apply to… Figure 6B It is applicable.

[0126] b. Dynamically indicated in DCI

[0127] In one non-limiting embodiment, sub-slot PUCCH repetition is dynamically indicated. In a particular embodiment, sub-slot PUCCH repetition is dynamically indicated in the DCI that schedules PDSCH or activates DL SPS.

[0128] In one version of the above embodiments, the indication in the DCI format (e.g., formats 1_0, 1_1, and 1_2) for scheduling PDSCH or activating DL SPS is via a new separate field. The indication can include the number of repetitions. In one embodiment, the new separate field is added only to non-backoff DCI formats (e.g., formats 1_1 and 1_2), while for backoff DCI formats, the number of sub-gap PUCCH repetitions is predefined in the specification or provided via another parameter (e.g., a higher-layer signaling parameter, such as, for example, an RRC parameter).

[0129] In another embodiment, parameters (e.g., higher-level parameters, such as RRC parameters) are configured to provide a set of possible values ​​for the number of sub-slot repetitions, such as `nrofSubSlotsSet` {1, 2, 4, 8}. The DCI field then selects a value from said set of possible values. For example, a 2-bit DCI field (i.e., as an example, the "nrofSubSlot indicator") can select a value from four possible values. Additionally, the presence and / or field size of the "nrofSubSlot indicator" can be RRC-configurable; for example, the DCI field size can be configured to be 0, 1, or 2 bits.

[0130] In another version of the above embodiments, the indication is made by selecting a specific PUCCH resource item from the configured PUCCH resources through the PUCCH Resource Indicator (PRI) field. An example of a configuration containing a repetitive number of PUCCH resources is shown in... Figure 7 The middle part is given. Figure 7 This illustrates an example of how to include an indication of the number of repetitions for a sub-gap PUCCH repeat in a PUCCH-Resource. Specifically, a new RRC parameter (e.g., repetitionNum) is added to the PUCCH-Resource, which forms the PUCCH resource in the PUCCH resource set. If the PUCCH-ResourceId containing this number of repetitions is selected by PRI in the DCI, the PUCCH transmission is repeated the number indicated.

[0131] In a non-limiting embodiment, the number of repetitions can be in units of sub-slots or slots. Therefore, PUCCH transmissions are repeated across multiple word slots or slots depending on the indication. For example, if the PUCCH configuration is provided with a sub-slot configuration, such as subslotLengthForPUCCH-r16 being set to 'n2' or 'n7', then repetition is interpreted as repetition across adjacent, available sub-slots. Otherwise, if no sub-slot configuration is provided (and therefore the default slot-based PUCCH is used), then repetition is interpreted as repetition across adjacent, available slots.

[0132] In a non-limiting embodiment, if the UE is configured with a PUCCH resource having a certain PUCCH format containing an indication of the number of repetitions, such as repetitionNum in PUCCH-Resource, then the UE is not expected to have nrofSubSlots configured in PUCCH-FormatConfig for that PUCCH format.

[0133] Figure 8An example of the operation of a base station 402 and a UE 412 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure to provide dynamic, slot-based PUCCH repetition configuration is illustrated. Optional steps are indicated by dashed lines / dashed boxes. As shown, the base station 402 may optionally send one or more (preferably two or more) semi-static sub-slot PUCCH repetition configurations to the UE 412 (step 800). As discussed above, in one embodiment, the semi-static sub-slot PUCCH repetition configuration is provided via RRC signaling (e.g., via the parameter repetitionNum in PUCCH-Resource). The base station 402 also sends a DCI message to the UE 412 that schedules PDSCH transmission and contains an indication of the sub-slot PUCCH repetition to be used for transmission for the associated HARQ ACK-NACK (step 802). As discussed above, in some other embodiments, the DCI includes the sub-slot PUCCH repetition configuration (e.g., the number of sub-slots or the number of repetitions). As discussed above, in some other embodiments, the DCI includes an indication (e.g., an index number) of a sub-slot PUCCH repetition configuration to be used (from step 800) that is semi-statically configured. Base station 402 transmits the scheduled PDSCH transmission to UE 412 (step 604). At UE 412, UE 412 transmits a PUCCH transmission with sub-slot PUCCH repetition according to the sub-slot PUCCH repetition configuration indicated by the DCI (step 806). As discussed above, in one embodiment, the selected sub-slot PUCCH repetition configuration is one of the semi-statically configured sub-slot PUCCH repetition configurations provided for the PUCCH format indicated in the DCI. It should be noted that other aspects of the dynamic configuration of sub-slot PUCCH repetition configurations described above also apply to… Figure 8 It is applicable.

[0134] c. HARQ-ACK timing used for sub-slot PUCCH repetition

[0135] In a non-limiting embodiment, if the UE is instructed / configured to report a HARQ-ACK with a repeating sub-slot PUCCH, an indication for the HARQ-ACK timing K1 (e.g., in the DCI of step 602 or the DCI of step 802) is applied to the repeating first PUCCH. See Figure 9 , Figure 9 The K1 indicator and the number of repetitions of the sub-gap PUCCH are shown. The K1 value is applied only to the first repetition. The remaining repetitions follow the consecutive sub-gap.

[0136] Subsequent repetitions of PUCCH occupy subsequent, continuously available sub-slots.

[0137] In a non-limiting embodiment, for a UE instructed / configured to report HARQ-ACKs with sub-slot PUCCH repetitions, multiple values ​​of the indicated HARQ-ACK timing K1 (e.g., in the DCI of step 602 or the DCI of step 802) are indicated to the UE for different PUCCH transmissions in the repetitions. In this case, the number of sub-slot PUCCH repetitions may also be implied from the number of indicated K1 values. See [link to documentation]. Figure 10 , Figure 10 Multiple K1 indicators are shown for sub-slot PUCCH repetitions. Each K1 value is applied to each PUCCH repetition. In this example, the number of sub-slot PUCCH repetitions can be implied from the number of indicated K1 values.

[0138] d. Resource usage

[0139] In a non-limiting embodiment, each repetition of the sub-slot PUCCH repeat across multiple consecutive, available sub-slots uses the same resource allocation in the time domain (e.g., the number of consecutive symbols and the start symbol in the sub-slot). The PUCCH resources are indicated by the PRI field in the DCI (e.g., in the DCI of step 602 or the DCI of step 802). See [link to DCI]. Figure 11 , Figure 11 The same PUCCH resource configuration is shown to be used for two sub-gap PUCCH repetitions.

[0140] In one version of the above embodiments, a PUCCH resource configured for sub-slot PUCCH repetition is included within the sub-slot.

[0141] In another version of the above embodiments, PUCCH resources configured for sub-slot PUCCH repetition are allowed to cross sub-slot boundaries.

[0142] In another embodiment, the repetition of PUCCH can span time slot boundaries. Sub-time slot repetitions of PUCCH are counted on a sub-time slot basis. Therefore, it can begin at a sub-time slot position in time slot j and end at the same or different sub-time slot position in time slot k (k>j). Figure 11 As shown, the PUCCH repeats from the second sub-slot of slot j to the first sub-slot of slot (j+1).

[0143] In cases where the indicated PUCCH resource used for PUCCH repetition crosses a sub-slot boundary and / or a slot boundary, the PUCCH resource is truncated within the sub-slot and / or slot boundary.

[0144] In a non-limiting embodiment, sub-slot PUCCH repetition is performed back-to-back in a manner without any symbol gaps between repetitions. Back-to-back PUCCH repetition can be configured semi-statically. Once configured, the PUCCH resources used for sub-slot PUCCH repetition are extended in the time domain (if applicable) to the end and / or beginning of the sub-slot. The newly extended PUCCH resources are then used for PUCCH transmission within the sub-slot, where the UE procedure for reporting HARQ-ACK on the PUCCH is updated with the new PUCCH resources. The PUCCH format remains the same. See [link to documentation]. Figure 12 , Figure 12 This illustrates an example of extending the PUCCH resource for a given PUCCH repeat to form a “back-to-back” PUCCH repeat. Here, the indicated PUCCH resource is shorter than the sub-slot length. If a back-to-back PUCCH repeat is configured, the PUCCH resource for the first repeat is extended in the time domain to span the entire sub-slot due to the symbol gap that will exist between the two repeats.

[0145] In one version of the above embodiments, only PUCCH resources with long PUCCH formats 1, 3, and 4 can be extended. For formats that allow UE multiplexing (e.g., formats 1 and 4), the parameters timeDomainOCC, occ_Length, and occ-Index can remain the same or can be changed (according to certain rules in the specification).

[0146] e. Sub-slot PUCCH frequency hopping

[0147] In a non-limiting embodiment, the UE is configured by a new RRC parameter (e.g., intersubslotFrequencyHopping) to perform frequency hopping for PUCCH repetition across different subslots. If the UE is configured to perform frequency hopping for PUCCH repetition across different subslots, the UE performs frequency hopping between adjacent subslots.

[0148] For frequency hopping used for PUCCH repetition across different sub-slots, the same mechanism based on different starting physical resource blocks (PRBs) as that used for PUCCH transmission over multiple slots in NR Release 15 can be used. That is, the UE transmits PUCCH starting from the first PRB (provided by the starting PRB) in sub-slots with an even number of sub-slots and starting from the second PRB (provided by the second Hop PRB) in sub-slots with an odd number of sub-slots. The sub-slot indicated to the UE for the first PUCCH transmission is numbered 0, and each subsequent sub-slot is counted regardless of whether the UE transmits PUCCH in the repetitive PUCCHN sub-slot until the UE transmits PUCCH in the repetitive PUCCHN sub-slot.

[0149] In a non-limiting embodiment, if the UE is configured to perform frequency hopping for PUCCH repetition across different sub-slots, the UE is not expected to be configured to perform frequency hopping for PUCCH transmission within a sub-slot. This is in Figure 13 Examples are shown in the text. In particular, Figure 13 This illustrates an example of inter-sub-gap frequency hopping of the PUCCH without intra-sub-gap frequency hopping. Within the sub-gap, the PUCCH repeats for a duration of 4 symbols. The sub-gap duration is 7 symbols.

[0150] In a non-limiting embodiment, if the UE is configured by intersubslotFrequencyHopping to perform frequency hopping for PUCCH repetition across different subslots, the UE ignores the frequency hopping configuration of intersubslotFrequencyHopping.

[0151] In a non-limiting embodiment, if the UE is configured to perform PUCCH repetition across different sub-slots and the UE is configured only by intersubslotFrequencyHopping, then the UE performs frequency hopping for each slot. Frequency hopping for PUCCH across multiple slots in NR Release 15 is applied to a set of sub-slots within different slots. That is, the first PRB for PUCCH repetition in each sub-slot within the same slot is the same. This is in Figure 14 Examples are shown in the text. In particular, Figure 14 This illustrates an example of inter-pUCCH frequency hopping without inter-sub-slot frequency hopping. Within a sub-slot, the PUCCH repeats for a duration of 4 symbols. The sub-slot duration is 7 symbols.

[0152] In another embodiment, if the PUCCH format spans a relatively large number of symbols (e.g., 4-7 symbols) within a sub-gap, frequency hopping within the sub-gap can also be configured. This is in Figure 15 Examples are shown in the text. In particular, Figure 15 This illustrates an example of frequency hopping between PUCCH sub-slots, accompanied by additional frequency hopping within sub-slots. Within a sub-slot, the PUCCH repeats for a duration of 7 symbols, accompanied by frequency hopping within a sub-slot approximately in the middle of the PUCCH repeat. The sub-slot duration is 7 symbols.

[0153] Figure 16The operation of base station 402 and UE 412 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is illustrated to provide slot-based PUCCH repetition. As shown, base station 402 provides UE 412 with a frequency hopping configuration applicable to sub-slot PUCCH repetition (step 1600), as described above. Base station 402 also provides UE 412 with a sub-slot PUCCH repetition configuration (step 1602). As described above, the sub-slot PUCCH repetition configuration may be a semi-static configuration (see section I(a) above) or a dynamic configuration (see section I(b) above). The sub-slot PUCCH repetition configuration may include, for example, information indicating the number of repetitions and / or the number of sub-slots in the sub-slot PUCCH repetition configuration. However, further details are provided above. UE 412 then transmits PUCCH transmission with sub-slot repetition based on the sub-slot PUCCH repetition configuration and the frequency hopping configuration (as described above) (step 1604).

[0154] f. Conflict resolution

[0155] If one or more symbols occupied by a PUCCH sub-gap repeat are deemed unavailable, that PUCCH sub-gap repeat will not be transmitted. The dropping of PUCCH sub-gap repeats is performed on a sub-slot-by-sub-slot basis; that is, dropping one PUCCH repeat does not automatically cause other PUCCH repeats to be dropped. One or more symbols may be unavailable for several reasons, such as...

[0156] a) DL symbols or time slots resulting from the semi-static configuration of TDD UL / DL mode;

[0157] b) DL symbols or time slots caused by TDD UL / DL modes dynamically emitted via SFI signals;

[0158] c) DL symbols or time slots configured with invalid symbol modes;

[0159] d) Symbols used as gaps due to uplink-to-downlink or downlink-to-uplink transmissions;

[0160] e) Symbols or sub-slots or time slots occupied by other, higher-priority uplink transmissions.

[0161] In a non-limiting embodiment, if a sub-slot PUCCH repeat conflicts with other UL transmissions, the PUCCH transmission in that sub-slot is discarded. The remaining portion of the PUCCH repeat, if any, is transmitted.

[0162] In a non-limiting embodiment, if a sub-slot PUCCH repeat falls into an invalid sub-slot (which belongs to a DL slot, either semi-statically configured by TDD mode or dynamically indicated by SFI), the PUCCH transmission in that sub-slot is discarded. The remainder of the PUCCH repeat, if any, is transmitted.

[0163] In a non-limiting embodiment, sub-slots are counted as part of the repetition count, regardless of whether the PUCCH is transmitted in that sub-slot.

[0164] In another non-limiting embodiment, sub-slots are counted as part of the repetition count (only if the PUCCH is transmitted in that sub-slot).

[0165] In a non-limiting embodiment, if one or more sub-slot PUCCH repetitions conflict with PUSCH transmission, the HARQ-ACKs prepared for those PUCCHs are multiplexed onto the PUSCH. This multiplexing can be performed based on the priorities of the PUCCH and PUSCH.

[0166] In a non-limiting embodiment, if a sub-slot PUCCH repetition conflicts with other sub-slot PUCCH repetitions, then PUCCH multiplexing or PUCCH prioritization (discarding one of the two or more PUCCHs) for that sub-slot is performed based on the priority of the two or more PUCCHs.

[0167] In a non-limiting embodiment, if a sub-slot PUCCH repetition conflicts with other sub-slot PUCCHs of the same priority, the PUCCH corresponding to the earlier PDSCH (e.g., an earlier started PDSCH or a PDSCH scheduled by an earlier PDCCH) is discarded.

[0168] Figure 17This is a flowchart illustrating the operation of UE 412 according to an example of the embodiments described above for transmitting a slot-based PUCCH repeat with conflict avoidance. Optional steps are indicated by dashed lines / dashed boxes. As shown, UE 4112 determines whether there is a conflict for a first slot-based PUCCH repeat (as described above) (step 1700). If so, UE 412 takes one or more actions to avoid the conflict (as described above) (1702). For example, in some embodiments, UE 412 does not transmit the slot-based repeat. As another example, in some embodiments, UE 412 does not transmit the slot-based repeat, but the slot-based repeat is still counted in the number of sub-slots / repeats to be transmitted. As another example, in some embodiments, UE 412 does not transmit the slot-based repeat, and the slot-based repeat is not counted in the number of sub-slots / repeats to be transmitted.

[0169] Returning to step 1700, if no conflict exists, UE 412 transmits a slot-based PUCCH repetition (step 1704). Then, regardless of whether it proceeds from step 1702 or 1704, UE 412 determines whether this is the last slot-based PUCCH repetition (step 1706). If not, the process proceeds to the next slot-based PUCCH repetition (step 1708) and then returns to step 1700 and repeats. Once the last repetition is reached, the process ends.

[0170] II. Sub-slot PUCCH crossing time slot boundaries

[0171] To increase the coverage of sub-slot PUCCHs, another approach is to allow PUCCH transmission across sub-slot boundaries. However, the end of the last sub-slot within a time slot corresponds to a time slot boundary, which may require different handling. Possible solutions for handling PUCCH transmissions across sub-slots and / or time slot boundaries are provided below.

[0172] In a non-limiting embodiment, PUCCH transmission is permitted to cross sub-slot boundaries, but not slot boundaries. If a PUCCH resource to be transmitted in the last sub-slot of a slot would cross a slot boundary, then the PUCCH resource is truncated within the slot. See [link to relevant documentation]. Figure 18 .in particular, Figure 18 This shows an example of a truncated PUCCH resource that spans a slot boundary.

[0173] In a non-limiting embodiment, PUCCH transmission is permitted to cross sub-slot boundaries, including slot boundaries. If a PUCCH resource in the last sub-slot of a slot will cross a slot boundary, the PUCCH is segmented into two PUCCH resources, one ending at the slot boundary and the other beginning exactly after the slot boundary. See [link to documentation]. Figure 19 .in particular, Figure 19 An example of a PUCCH segment for a PUCCH transmission that spans a time slot boundary is shown.

[0174] In one version of the above embodiments, segmentation is performed only if the resulting PUCCH after segmentation has a PUCCH length of 4 symbols or more. The PUCCH format of each segment remains the same as the initially indicated PUCCH.

[0175] For the above segmentation scenarios, in the case of PUCCH repetition in sub-slots, the actual number of PUCCH repetitions can differ from the indicated / configured number (referred to as the nominal number). For example, a segmentation of PUCCH transmission across slot boundaries can result in two actual PUCCH transmissions.

[0176] Figure 20 This is a flowchart illustrating the operation of UE 412 for transmitting slot-based PUCCH repetitions in consideration of slot boundary crossings, according to an example of the embodiments described above. Optional steps are indicated by dashed / dashed boxes. As shown, UE 4112 determines whether a first slot-based PUCCH repetition crosses a slot boundary (step 2000). If so, UE 412 truncates the slot-based PUCCH repetition to fit within the slot boundary or segments the slot-based PUCCH repetition into two segments – one before the slot boundary and one after the slot boundary (as described above) (step 2002). UE 412 then transmits the truncated repetition or the segmented repetition (step 2004). Returning to step 2000, if the repetition does not cross a slot boundary, UE 412 transmits the slot-based PUCCH repetition (step 2006). Then, regardless of whether it proceeds from step 2004 or 2006, UE 412 determines whether this is the last slot-based PUCCH repetition (step 2008). If not, the process proceeds to the next slot-based PUCCH repetition (step 2010) and then returns to step 2000 and repeats. Once the last repetition is reached, the process ends.

[0177] III. Repetition based on priority indicators

[0178] Dynamic or semi-static priority indicators associated with PUCCH transmissions can be used to enable or disable repetition. In the following text, different priority levels can be indicated via bit-map or RRC configuration.

[0179] In one example, the repetition factor (e.g., K) is configured by a higher priority. If a PUCCH transmission is configured with a higher priority (e.g., in the case of a CSI or SR transmission within a PUCCH), or if it is indicated as high priority by the DCI (e.g., in the case of a HARQ-ACK transmission within a PUCCH), the corresponding PUCCH transmission will be repeated K times. Otherwise, it is assumed that K = 1 for the corresponding PUCCH transmission. In another example, a low priority indication (dynamically or semi-statically) can indicate K repetitions.

[0180] In another example, multiple repetition factors are configured by a higher layer, where each repetition factor is associated with a priority. For example, a UE can be configured with repetition factors n1 and n2, where n1 and n2 correspond to two levels or priorities, such as high and low, respectively. For example, if a PUCCH transmission is configured with a high priority (e.g., in the case of CSI or SR transmissions within a PUCCH), the corresponding PUCCH transmission will be repeated K = n2 times. Otherwise, it is assumed that there will be K = n1 repetitions for the corresponding PUCCH transmission. In another example, a low priority indicator (dynamically or semi-statically) can indicate K = n2 repetitions, and a high priority indicator can indicate K = n1 repetitions.

[0181] In another non-limiting example, a set of high (or low) PUCCH priorities can indicate a repetition coefficient and another set of high (or low) PUCCH priorities can indicate another repetition coefficient.

[0182] In another example, the priority used to determine the number of repetitions of PUCCH transmissions can be implicit, for example, based on a UCI type with UCI type priority (HARQ-ACK>SR>CSI with higher priority>CSI with lower priority).

[0183] For a PUCCH repetition with a repetition factor K, the repetition can occur within K consecutive time slots / sub-slots. In another non-limiting example, the repetition can occur within K back-to-back PUCCH transmissions in a set of consecutive time slots / sub-slots.

[0184] If the corresponding PUCCH transmission cannot be in a time slot / sub-time slot, then that time slot / sub-time slot is counted as a duplicate, similar to PUSCH gap aggregation in Rel-15.

[0185] In another example, if the corresponding PUCCH transmission is not possible in a time slot / sub-time slot, then that time slot / sub-time slot is similar to PUCCH gap aggregation in Rel-15 and is not counted as a duplicate.

[0186] Figure 21Operation of a base station 402 and a UE 412 for providing slot-based PUCCH repetition with priority indication, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, is illustrated. As shown, the base station 402 provides the UE 412 with multiple sub-slot PUCCH repetition configurations (as described above) for one or more priority levels or one or more sets of priority levels (step 2100). As described above, the sub-slot PUCCH repetition configuration may be a semi-static configuration, but is not limited to a semi-static configuration. The sub-slot PUCCH repetition configuration may include, for example, information indicating the number of repetitions of the sub-slot PUCCH repetition configuration and / or the number of sub-slots of the sub-slot PUCCH repetition configuration. However, further details are provided above. The base station 402 also provides the UE 412 with information that explicitly or implicitly indicates the priority level of PUCCH transmission with sub-slot repetition (step 2102). This information may take various forms, as described above. UE 412 then transmits PUCCH transmissions with sub-slot repetitions according to the sub-slot PUCCH repetition configuration associated with the indicated priority level (step 2104).

[0187] IV. Additional aspects relating to all embodiments and solutions

[0188] Figure 22This is a schematic block diagram of a radio access node 2200 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Optional features are indicated by dashed boxes. The radio access node 2200 may be, for example, a base station 402 or 406, or a network node implementing all or part of the functionality of the base station 402 or gNB described herein. As shown, the radio access node 2200 includes a control system 2202, which includes one or more processors 2204 (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), field-programmable gate array (FPGA), and / or the like), a memory 2206, and a network interface 2208. The one or more processors 2204 mentioned herein are also referred to as a processing circuitry. Additionally, the radio access node 2200 may include one or more radio units 2210, each of the one or more radio units including one or more transmitters 2212 and one or more receivers 2214 coupled to one or more antennas 2216. The radio unit 2210 may refer to a radio interface circuitry module or a portion thereof. In some embodiments, the radio unit(s) 2210 are located outside the control system 2202 and connected to the control system 2202 via, for example, a wired connection (e.g., fiber optic cable). However, in some other embodiments, the radio unit(s) 2210 and the antenna(s) 2216 are potentially integrated with the control system 2202. The one or more processors 2204 operate to provide one or more functions of the radio access node 2200 as described herein (e.g., one or more functions of the base station 402 described above). In some embodiments, the functions(s) are implemented in software stored (e.g., in memory 2206) and executed by the one or more processors 2204.

[0189] Figure 23 This is a schematic block diagram illustrating a virtualized embodiment of a radio access node 2200 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. This discussion is equally applicable to other types of network nodes. Furthermore, other types of network nodes may have similar virtualization architectures. Again, optional features are indicated by dashed boxes.

[0190] As used herein, a “virtualized” radio access node is an implementation of radio access node 2200, wherein at least a portion of the functionality of radio access node 2200 (e.g., via one or more virtual machines executing on one or more physical processing nodes in one or more networks) is implemented as one or more virtual components. As illustrated in this example, radio access node 2200 may include a control system 2202 and / or the one or more radio units 2210, as described above. Control system 2202 may be connected to the one or more radio units 2210 via, for example, fiber optic cable or the like. Radio access node 2200 includes one or more processing nodes 2300 connected to or included as part of network 2302. If present, control system 2202 or the one or more radio units are connected to the one or more processing nodes 2300 via network 2302. Each processing node 2300 includes one or more processors 2304 (e.g., CPU, ASIC, FPGA, and / or the like), memory 2306, and network interface 2308.

[0191] In this example, the functions 2310 of the radio access node 2200 described herein (e.g., one or more functions of the base station 402 described above) are implemented in any desired manner on the one or more processing nodes 2300 or distributed across the one or more processing nodes 2300 and the control system 2202 and / or (one or more) radio units 2210. In some specific embodiments, some or all of the functions 2310 of the radio access node 2200 described herein are implemented as virtual components, which are executed by one or more virtual machines implemented in one or more virtual environments hosted by the one or more processing nodes 2300. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, additional signaling or communication between the one or more processing nodes 2300 and the control system 2202 is used to execute at least some of the desired functions 2310. Note that in some embodiments, the control system 2202 may not be included, in which case the one or more radio units 2210 communicate directly with the one or more processing nodes 2300 via one or more suitable network interfaces.

[0192] In some embodiments, a computer program comprising instructions, when executed by at least one processor, causes the at least one processor to perform the functionality of a radio access node 2200 or node (e.g., processing node 2300) that implements one or more functions of radio access node 2200 2310 in a virtual environment (according to any embodiment of the embodiments described herein). In some embodiments, a carrier comprising the aforementioned computer program product is provided. The carrier is one of the following: an electronic signal, an optical signal, a radio signal, or a computer-readable medium (e.g., a non-transitory computer-readable medium, such as memory).

[0193] Figure 24 This is a schematic block diagram of a radio access node 2200 according to some other embodiments of the present disclosure. The radio access node 2200 includes one or more modules 2400, each of which is implemented in software. The modules(s)2400 provide the functionality of the radio access node 2200 described herein (e.g., one or more functionalities of the base station 402 described above). This discussion is equally applicable to... Figure 23 The processing node 2300, wherein the module 2400 may be implemented on one processing node of the processing node 2300 or distributed across multiple processing nodes 2300 and / or distributed across the (one or more) processing nodes 2300 and the control system 2202.

[0194] Figure 25This is a schematic block diagram of a wireless communication device 2500 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The wireless communication device 2500 may be the UE 412 described above. As shown, the wireless communication device 2500 includes one or more processors 2502 (e.g., CPU, ASIC, FPGA, and / or the like), a memory 2504, and one or more transceivers 2506, said one or more transceivers including one or more transmitters 2508 and one or more receivers 2510 coupled to one or more antennas 2512. The transceiver(s) 2506 includes a radio front-end circuit module connected to said antenna(s) 2512, which modulates the signals communicated between said antenna(s) 2512 and said processor(s), as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. The processor 2502 is also referred to herein as a processing circuit module. The transceiver 2506 is also referred to herein as a radio circuit module. In some embodiments, the functionality of the wireless communication device 2500 described above (e.g., one or more of the functionality of the UE 412 described above) may be fully or partially implemented in software (e.g., stored in memory 2504 and executed by said processor(s) 2502). It should be noted that the wireless communication device 2500 may include features not present in the software. Figure 25 Additional components shown include one or more user interface components (e.g., including displays, buttons, touchscreens, microphones, speakers (one or more) and / or such input / output interfaces and / or any other components that allow information to be input to and / or output from the wireless communication device 2500), power supplies (e.g., batteries and associated power circuit modules), etc.

[0195] In some embodiments, a computer program comprising instructions, when executed by at least one processor, causes the at least one processor to perform the functionality of the wireless communication device 2500 (according to any embodiment of the embodiments described herein). In some embodiments, a carrier comprising the aforementioned computer program product is provided. The carrier is one of the following: an electronic signal, an optical signal, a radio signal, or a computer-readable medium (e.g., a non-transitory computer-readable medium, such as a memory).

[0196] Figure 26 This is a schematic block diagram of a wireless communication device 2500 according to some other embodiments of the present disclosure. The wireless communication device 2500 includes one or more modules 2600, each of which is implemented in software. The modules(s)2600(s) provide the functionality of the wireless communication device 2600 described herein (e.g., one or more functionalities of the base station 402 described above).

[0197] Reference Figure 27 According to one embodiment, the communication system includes a telecommunications network 2700 (such as a 3GPP-type cellular network), which includes an access network 2702 (such as a RAN) and a core network 2704. The access network 2702 includes multiple base stations 2706A, 2706B, and 2706C, such as NBs, eNBs, gNBs, or other types of radio access points (APs), each defining a corresponding coverage area 2706A, 2706B, and 2706C. Each base station 2706A, 2706B, and 2706C can be connected to the core network 2704 via a wired or wireless connection 2710. A first UE 2712 located in coverage area 2708C is configured to wirelessly connect to or be paged by the corresponding base station 2706C. A second UE 2714 located in coverage area 2708A can wirelessly connect to the corresponding base station 2706A. Although multiple UEs 2712 and 2714 are shown in this example, the disclosed embodiments are equally applicable to situations where a single UE is located in a coverage area or where a single UE is connected to the corresponding base station 2706.

[0198] Telecommunications network 2700 is itself connected to host computer 2716, which may be implemented in the hardware and / or software of a standalone server, a cloud-implemented server, a distributed server, or as a processing resource in a server farm. Host computer 2716 may be owned or controlled by a service provider, or may be operated by or on behalf of the service provider. Connections 2718 and 2720 between telecommunications network 2700 and host computer 2716 may extend directly from core network 2704 to host computer 2716, or may be made via optional intermediate network 2722. Intermediate network 2722 may be one or more of public, private, or hosted networks; intermediate network 2722 (if any) may be a backbone network or the Internet; in particular, intermediate network 2722 may include two or more subnetworks (not shown).

[0199] Figure 27The overall communication system enables connectivity between the connected UEs 2712 and 2714 and the host computer 2716. This connectivity can be described as an over-the-top (OTT) connection 2724. The host computer 2716 and the connected UEs 2712 and 2714 are configured to transmit data and / or signaling via the OTT connection 2724 using the access network 2702, core network 2704, any intermediate network 2722, and other possible infrastructure (not shown) acting as intermediaries. The OTT connection 2724 can be transparent in the sense that the participating communication devices within it are unaware of the routing of uplink and downlink communications. For example, the base station 2706 may not be informed, or need not be informed, about past routing for inbound downlink communications containing data originating from the host computer 2716 intended to be forwarded (e.g., switched) to the connected UE 2712. Similarly, base station 2706 does not need to know the future routing of outgoing uplink communication from UE 2712 to host computer 2716.

[0200] Now refer to Figure 28 This section describes an example implementation of the UE, base station, and host computer described above, according to one embodiment. In the communication system 2800, the host computer 2802 includes hardware 2804, which includes a communication interface 2806 configured to establish and maintain wired or wireless connections with interfaces of different communication devices of the communication system 2800. The host computer 2802 further includes a processing circuitry module 2808, which may have storage and / or processing capabilities. In particular, the processing circuitry module 2808 may include one or more programmable processors, ASICs, FPGAs, or combinations of these devices (not shown) suitable for executing instructions. The host computer 2802 further includes software 2810, which is stored in the host computer 2802 or is accessible to the host computer 2802 and executable by the processing circuitry module 2808. The software 2810 includes a host application 2812. Host application 2812 is operable to provide services to remote users, such as UE 2814 connected via OTT connection 2816 terminated between UE 2814 and host computer 2802. In providing services to remote users, host application 2812 can provide user data transmitted using OTT connection 2816.

[0201] The communication system 2800 further includes a base station 2818, provided in a telecommunications system, and includes hardware 2820 enabling it to communicate with a host computer 2802 and a UE 2814. Hardware 2820 may include: a communication interface 2822 for establishing and maintaining wired or wireless connections with different communication devices of the communication system 2800; and a radio interface 2824 for establishing and maintaining at least a wireless connection 2826 with the UE 2814, the UE 2814 being located within the coverage area served by the base station 2818. Figure 28 (Not shown in the image). The communication interface 2822 can be configured to facilitate a connection 2828 to the host computer 2802. The connection 2828 can be direct, or it can be via the core network of a telecommunications system (…). Figure 28 (Not shown) and / or via one or more intermediate networks outside the telecommunications system. In the illustrated embodiment, the hardware 2820 of base station 2818 further includes a processing circuit module 2830, which may include one or more programmable processors, ASICs, FPGAs, or combinations of these devices (not shown) suitable for executing instructions. Base station 2818 further has software 2832, which is either internally stored or accessible via an external connection.

[0202] The communication system 2800 further includes the previously mentioned UE 2814. The hardware 2834 of the UE 2814 may include a radio interface 2836 configured to establish and maintain a wireless connection 2826 with a base station serving the coverage area currently occupied by the UE 2814. The hardware 2834 of the UE 2814 further includes a processing circuitry module 2838, which may include one or more programmable processors, ASICs, FPGAs, or combinations of these devices (not shown) suitable for executing instructions. The UE 2814 further includes software 2840, which is stored in or accessible to the UE 2814 and executable by the processing circuitry module 2838. The software 2840 includes a client application 2842. The client application 2842 may be operable to provide services to human or non-human users via the UE 2814 with the support of a host computer 2802. In host computer 2802, host application 2812 can communicate with client application 2842 via OTT connection 2816 terminated between UE 2814 and host computer 2802. When providing services to a user, client application 2842 can receive request data from host application 2812 and provide user data in response to the request data. OTT connection 2816 can transmit request data and user data. Client application 2842 can interact with the user to generate the user data it provides.

[0203] Please note, Figure 28 The host computer 2802, base station 2818, and UE 2814 shown can be respectively connected to Figure 27 The host computer 2716, base station 2706A, 2706B, 2706C, and UE 2712 and 2714 are similar to or the same. That is, the internal workings of these entities can be as follows: Figure 28 As shown, and independently, the surrounding network topology can be Figure 27 The topology.

[0204] Figure 28 The diagram abstractly depicts OTT connection 2816 to illustrate communication between host computer 2802 and UE 2814 via base station 2818, without explicitly mentioning any intermediate devices or the precise routing of messages via these devices. The network infrastructure can determine routing options configured to be hidden from UE 2814, the service provider operating host computer 2802, or both. While OTT connection 2816 is active, the network infrastructure can further make decisions, dynamically altering the routing options (e.g., based on network load balancing considerations or reconfiguration).

[0205] The wireless connection 2826 between UE 2814 and base station 2818 conforms to the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure. One or more embodiments of the various embodiments use OTT connection 2816 to improve the performance of OTT services provided to UE 2814, wherein wireless connection 2826 forms the final segment.

[0206] For the purpose of monitoring data rate, latency, and other factors for improvement in one or more of the embodiments, a measurement process may be provided. Optional network functionality may further exist for reconfiguring the OTT connection 2816 between the host computer 2802 and the UE 2814 in response to changes in measurement results. The measurement process and / or the network functionality for reconfiguring the OTT connection 2816 may be implemented in the software 2810 and hardware 2804 of the host computer 2802, or in the software 2840 and hardware 2834 of the UE 2814, or both. In embodiments, sensors (not shown) may be deployed in or associated with communication devices within the OTT connection 2816; the sensors may participate in the measurement process by providing values ​​of the monitored quantities exemplified above, or by providing values ​​of other physical quantities from which the software 2810, 2840 may calculate or estimate the monitored quantities. Reconfiguration of the OTT connection 2816 may include message formatting, retransmission settings, preferred routing, etc.; reconfiguration does not affect the base station 2818, and it may be unknown or undetectable to the base station 2818. Such processes and functionalities may be known and practiced in the art. In some embodiments, measurements may involve proprietary UE signaling that facilitates measurements of throughput, propagation time, latency, and the like by the host computer 2802. Measurements are possible because software 2810 and 2840 use the OTT connection 2816 to transmit messages, particularly empty or 'false' messages, while it monitors propagation time, errors, etc.

[0207] Figure 29 This is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system according to one embodiment. The communication system includes a host computer, a base station, and a UE, which may be referenced... Figure 27 and Figure 28 The aforementioned host computers, base stations, and UEs. For the sake of brevity, this section will only contain descriptions of... Figure 29 The accompanying drawings are referenced. In step 2900, the host computer provides user data. In sub-step 2902 of step 2900 (which may be optional), the host computer provides user data by executing a host application. In step 2904, the host computer initiates a transmission carrying user data to the UE. According to the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure, in step 2906 (which may be optional), the base station transmits user data to the UE, the user data being carried in the transmission initiated by the host computer. In step 2908 (which may also be optional), the UE executes a client application associated with the host application executed by the host computer.

[0208] Figure 30 This is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system according to one embodiment. The communication system includes a host computer, a base station, and a UE, which may be referenced... Figure 27 And the host computers, base stations, and UEs shown in the figures. For the sake of simplicity, this section will only contain descriptions of... Figure 30 The accompanying drawings are referenced. In step 3000 of the method, the host computer provides user data. In an optional sub-step (not shown), the host computer provides user data by executing a host application. In step 3002, the host computer initiates a transmission carrying user data to the UE. According to the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure, the transmission may be carried out via a base station. In step 3004 (which may be optional), the UE receives the user data carried in the transmission.

[0209] Figure 31 This is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system according to one embodiment. The communication system includes a host computer, a base station, and a UE, which may be referenced... Figure 27 and Figure 28 The aforementioned host computers, base stations, and UEs. For the sake of brevity, this section will only contain descriptions of... Figure 31 The accompanying drawings are referenced. In step 3100 (which may be optional), the UE receives input data provided by the host computer. Alternatively, in step 3102, the UE provides user data. In sub-step 3104 of step 3100 (which may be optional), the UE provides user data by executing a client application. In sub-step 3106 of step 3102 (which may be optional), the UE executes a client application that responds to the received input data provided by the host computer to provide user data. In providing user data, the executed client application may further consider user input received from the user. Regardless of the specific manner in which user data is provided, the UE provides the transmission of user data to the host computer in sub-step 3108 (which may be optional). According to the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure, in step 3110 of the method, the host computer receives user data transmitted from the UE.

[0210] Figure 32 This is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system according to one embodiment. The communication system includes a host computer, a base station, and a UE, which may be referenced... Figure 27 and Figure 28 The aforementioned host computers, base stations, and UEs. For the sake of brevity, this section will only contain descriptions of... Figure 32The accompanying drawings are referenced. In step 3200 (which may be optional), the base station receives user data from the UE in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure. In step 3202 (which may be optional), the base station initiates a transmission of the received user data to the host computer. In step 3204 (which may be optional), the host computer receives the user data carried in the transmission initiated by the base station.

[0211] Any suitable steps, methods, features, functions, or benefits disclosed herein may be performed by one or more functional units or modules of one or more virtual devices. Each virtual device may include multiple such functional units. These functional units may be implemented via processing circuitry modules, which may include one or more microprocessors or microcontrollers and may include digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific digital logic, and other digital hardware such as these. The processing circuitry modules may be configured to execute program code stored in memory, which may include one or more types of memory, such as read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), cache memory, flash memory devices, optical storage devices, etc. The program code stored in the memory includes program instructions for executing one or more telecommunications and / or data communication protocols and instructions for executing one or more techniques described herein. In some implementations, according to one or more embodiments of this disclosure, the processing circuitry modules may be used to cause corresponding functional units to perform corresponding functions.

[0212] While the processes in the figures may illustrate a particular sequence of operations performed by certain embodiments of this disclosure, it should be understood that such sequence is illustrative (e.g., alternative embodiments may perform operations in a different order, combine certain operations, overlap certain operations, etc.).

[0213] Some example embodiments of this disclosure are as follows:

[0214] Group A Examples

[0215] Example 1: A method performed by a wireless communication device (412) for repeating a sub-slot physical uplink control channel (PUCCH), the method comprising: receiving (500) one or more sub-slot PUCCH repeat configurations from a base station (402); and transmitting (502) two or more sub-slot PUCCH repeats according to one of the one or more sub-slot PUCCH repeat configurations.

[0216] Example 2: The method of Example 1, wherein receiving (500) the one or more sub-slot PUCCH repeat configurations includes receiving (600) one or more semi-static sub-slot PUCCH repeat configurations.

[0217] Example 3: The method of Example 2, wherein the one or more semi-static sub-slot PUCCH repeat configurations are respectively associated with one or more PUCCH formats.

[0218] Example 4: The method of Example 3 further includes: receiving (602) downlink control information, the downlink control information being scheduled to be transmitted to the Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) of the wireless communication device (412) and containing an indication of a specific PUCCH format for the repetition of the two or more sub-slot PUCCHs, the specific PUCCH format being a PUCCH format of the one or more PUCCH formats; wherein transmitting (502) the repetition of the two or more sub-slot PUCCHs includes: transmitting (502) the repetition of the two or more sub-slot PUCCHs according to a corresponding semi-static sub-slot PUCCH repetition configuration associated with the specific PUCCH format of the one or more semi-static sub-slot PUCCH repetition configuration.

[0219] Example 4A: The method of Example 2, wherein the one or more semi-static sub-slot PUCCH repeat configurations are respectively associated with one or more PUCCH resources.

[0220] Example 4B: The method of Example 4A further includes: receiving downlink control information, the downlink control information being scheduled to be transmitted to the Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) of the wireless communication device (412) and containing an indication of a specific PUCCH resource for the repetition of the two or more sub-slot PUCCHs, the specific PUCCH resource being a PUCCH resource of the one or more PUCCH resources; wherein transmitting the repetition of the two or more sub-slot PUCCHs includes: transmitting the repetition of the two or more sub-slot PUCCHs according to a corresponding semi-static sub-slot PUCCH repetition configuration associated with the specific PUCCH resource of the one or more semi-static sub-slot PUCCH repetition configuration.

[0221] Example 5: The method of Example 1, wherein receiving (500) the one or more sub-slot PUCCH repeat configurations includes: receiving (802) dynamic sub-slot PUCCH repeat configurations for PUCCH transmission with sub-slot repeats.

[0222] Example 6: The method of Example 5, wherein receiving (802) the dynamic sub-slot PUCCH repetition configuration includes: receiving (802) downlink control information, the downlink control information being scheduled to be transmitted to the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) of the wireless communication device (412) and containing the dynamic sub-slot PUCCH repetition configuration or an indication of the dynamic sub-slot PUCCH repetition configuration.

[0223] Example 7: The method of Example 5 or 6, wherein transmitting (502) the two or more sub-slot PUCCH repeats comprises: transmitting (502) the two or more sub-slot PUCCH repeats according to the dynamic sub-slot PUCCH repeat configuration.

[0224] Example 8: The method of Example 4, 4B or 6, wherein the downlink control information further includes an indication for HARQ ACK timing (e.g. K1), and the indication for HARQ ACK timing is applied to the first sub-slot PUCCH repetition from the two or more sub-slot PUCCH repetitions.

[0225] Example 9: The method of Example 8, wherein a subsequent sub-slot PUCCH repetition from the two or more sub-slot PUCCH repetitions occupies the subsequent, continuously available sub-slots.

[0226] Example 10: The method of Example 4, 4B or 6, wherein the dynamic configuration includes two or more K1 values ​​for repetition of the two or more sub-slot PUCCH respectively.

[0227] Example 11: The method of any one of Examples 1 to 10, wherein each sub-slot PUCCH repeat from the two or more sub-slot PUCCH repeats uses the same resource allocation across two or more consecutive, available sub-slots in the time domain.

[0228] Example 12: The method of any one of Examples 1 to 11, wherein at least one sub-slot PUCCH repeat of the two or more sub-slot PUCCH repeats is extended to reach the sub-slot boundary.

[0229] Example 13: A method of any one of Examples 1 to 12, wherein transmitting (502) the two or more sub-slot PUCCH repeats comprises: using frequency hopping to transmit (502) the two or more sub-slot PUCCH repeats.

[0230] Example 14: The method of Example 13, wherein the frequency hopping is inter-time slot frequency hopping, inter-time slot frequency hopping, or intra-time slot frequency hopping.

[0231] Example 15: A method of any of Examples 1 to 14, wherein transmitting (502) the two or more sub-slot PUCCH repeats includes, for a sub-slot PUCCH repeat from one of the two or more sub-slot PUCCH repeats: determining (1700; yes) that a conflict exists for the sub-slot PUCCH repeat; and in response to determining (1700; yes) that a conflict exists for the sub-slot PUCCH repeat, performing (1702) one or more actions to avoid the conflict.

[0232] Example 16: The method of Example 15, wherein the one or more actions include preventing the transmission of the sub-slot PUCCH from repeating.

[0233] Example 17: The method of Example 16, wherein the sub-slot PUCCH repetition is included in the number of transmitted sub-slot PUCCH repetitions.

[0234] Example 18: The method of Example 16, wherein the sub-slot PUCCH repetitions are not counted in the number of transmitted sub-slot PUCCH repetitions.

[0235] Example 19: A method of any of Examples 1 to 18, wherein transmitting (502) the two or more sub-slot PUCCH repeats includes, for a sub-slot PUCCH repeat from the two or more sub-slot PUCCH repeats: determining (2000; yes) that the sub-slot PUCCH repeat crosses a slot boundary; and in response to determining (2000; yes) that the sub-slot PUCCH repeat crosses a slot boundary, truncating (2002) the sub-slot PUCCH repeat to fit within the slot boundary.

[0236] Example 20: A method of any one of Examples 1 to 18, wherein transmitting (502) the two or more sub-slot PUCCH repeats includes, for a sub-slot PUCCH repeat from the two or more sub-slot PUCCH repeats: determining (2000; yes) that the sub-slot PUCCH repeat crosses a slot boundary; and in response to determining (2000; yes) that the sub-slot PUCCH repeat crosses a slot boundary, segmenting (2002) the sub-slot PUCCH repeat into a first segment ending at or before the slot boundary and a second segment beginning at or after the slot boundary.

[0237] Example 21: A method of any of Examples 1 to 20, wherein: the one or more sub-slot PUCCH repeat configurations include one or more sub-slot PUCCH repeat configurations respectively associated with one or more priority levels or a set or more sets of priority levels; the method further includes receiving (2102) information, the information explicitly or implicitly indicating the priority level of the two or more sub-slot PUCCH repeats; and transmitting (502) the two or more sub-slot PUCCH repeats includes: transmitting (2104) the two or more sub-slot PUCCH repeats according to a sub-slot PUCCH repeat configuration of the one or more sub-slot PUCCH repeat configurations, the sub-slot PUCCH repeat configuration being associated with the indicated priority level of the two or more sub-slot PUCCH repeats or associated with a set of priority levels including the indicated priority level of the two or more sub-slot PUCCH repeats.

[0238] Example 22: A method of any one of Examples 1 to 21, wherein the sub-slot PUCCH repetition configuration includes information indicating the number of sub-slot PUCCH repetitions to be transmitted.

[0239] Example 23: The method of any of the previous embodiments further includes: providing user data; and forwarding the user data to a host computer via transmission to the base station.

[0240] Group B Implementation Examples

[0241] Example 24: A method performed by a base station (402) for repeating a sub-slot physical uplink control channel (PUCCH), the method comprising: providing (500) one or more sub-slot PUCCH repeating configurations to a wireless communication device (412); and receiving (502) PUCCH transmissions from the wireless communication device (412) according to one of the one or more sub-slot PUCCH repeating configurations.

[0242] Example 25: The method of any of the previous embodiments further includes: obtaining user data; and forwarding the user data to a host computer or wireless device.

[0243] Group C Implementation Examples

[0244] Example 26: A wireless communication device for repeating the Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) in a sub-slot, the wireless communication device comprising: a processing circuit module configured to perform any step of any embodiment of the Group A embodiments; and a power supply circuit module configured to provide power to the wireless communication device.

[0245] Example 27: A base station for repeating the Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) in a sub-slot, the base station comprising: a processing circuit module configured to perform any step of any embodiment of the Group B embodiments; and a power supply circuit module configured to provide power to the base station.

[0246] Example 28: A User Equipment (UE) for sub-timeslot Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) repetition, the UE comprising: an antenna configured to transmit and receive radio signals; a radio front-end circuit module connected to the antenna and a processing circuit module, and configured to modulate the signal communicated between the antenna and the processing circuit module; the processing circuit module configured to perform any step of any embodiment of the Group A embodiments; an input interface connected to the processing circuit module and configured to allow information processed by the processing circuit module to be input into the UE; an output interface connected to the processing circuit module and configured to output information processed by the processing circuit module from the UE; and a battery connected to the processing circuit module and configured to provide power to the UE.

[0247] Example 29: A communication system includes a host computer, the host computer comprising: a processing circuit module configured to provide user data; and a communication interface configured to forward the user data to a cellular network for transmission to a user equipment (UE); wherein the cellular network includes a base station having a radio interface and a processing circuit module, the processing circuit module of the base station being configured to perform any step of any embodiment of the Group B embodiments.

[0248] Example 30: The communication system of the previous embodiment further includes the base station.

[0249] Example 31: A communication system of any of the first two examples, further comprising the UE, wherein the UE is configured to communicate with the base station.

[0250] Example 32: A communication system of any of the first three examples, wherein: the processing circuit module of the host computer is configured to execute a host application, thereby providing the user data; and the UE includes a processing circuit module configured to execute a client application associated with the host application.

[0251] Example 33: A method implemented in a communication system, the communication system including a host computer, a base station, and a user equipment (UE), the method comprising: providing user data to the host computer; and initiating a transmission carrying the user data to the UE via a cellular network including the base station, wherein the base station performs any step of any embodiment of the Group B embodiments.

[0252] Example 34: The method of the previous embodiment further includes transmitting the user data at the base station.

[0253] Example 35: A method of any of the first two examples, wherein the user data is provided on the host computer by executing a host application, the method further comprising executing a client application associated with the host application on the UE.

[0254] Example 36: A user equipment (UE) configured to communicate with a base station, the UE including a radio interface and a processing circuit module configured to perform the method of any of the preceding three examples.

[0255] Example 37: A communication system includes a host computer, the host computer comprising: a processing circuit module configured to provide user data; and a communication interface configured to forward the user data to a cellular network for transmission to a user equipment (UE); wherein the UE includes a radio interface and the processing circuit module, and components of the UE are configured to perform any step of any embodiment of the Group A embodiments.

[0256] Example 38: A communication system of the previous embodiment, wherein the cellular network further includes a base station configured to communicate with the UE.

[0257] Example 39: A communication system of any of the first two examples, wherein: the processing circuit module of the host computer is configured to execute a host application, thereby providing the user data; and the processing circuit module of the UE is configured to execute a client application associated with the host application.

[0258] Example 40: A method implemented in a communication system, the communication system including a host computer, a base station, and a user equipment (UE), the method comprising: providing user data to the host computer; and initiating a transmission carrying the user data to the UE via a cellular network including the base station, wherein the UE performs any step of any embodiment of the Group A embodiments.

[0259] Example 41: The method of the previous embodiment further includes the UE receiving the user data from the base station.

[0260] Example 42: A communication system includes a host computer, the host computer comprising: being configured to receive user data transmitted from a user equipment (UE) to a base station; wherein the UE includes a radio interface and a processing circuit module, and components of the UE are configured to perform any step of any embodiment of the Group A embodiments.

[0261] Example 43: The communication system of the previous embodiment further includes the UE.

[0262] Example 44: A communication system of any of the first two examples further includes the base station, wherein the base station includes a radio interface configured to communicate with the UE and a communication interface configured to forward the user data carried by the transmission from the UE to the base station to the host computer.

[0263] Example 45: A communication system of any of the first three examples, wherein: the processing circuit module of the host computer is configured to execute a host application; and the processing circuit module of the UE is configured to execute a client application associated with the host application, thereby providing the user data.

[0264] Example 46: A communication system of any of the first four examples, wherein: the processing circuit module of the host computer is configured to execute a host application, thereby providing request data; and the processing circuit module of the UE is configured to execute a client application associated with the host application, thereby providing the user data (in response to the request data).

[0265] Example 47: A method implemented in a communication system, the communication system including a host computer, a base station, and a user equipment (UE), the method comprising: receiving user data transmitted from the UE to the base station at the host computer, wherein the UE performs any step of any embodiment of the Group A examples.

[0266] Example 48: The method of the previous embodiment further includes the UE providing the user data to the base station.

[0267] Example 49: The method of the first two examples further includes: executing a client application on the UE, thereby providing the user data for transmission; and executing a host application on the host computer in conjunction with the client application.

[0268] Example 50: The method of the first three examples further includes: executing a client application on the UE; and receiving input data of the client application on the UE, the input data being provided on the host computer by executing a host application associated with the client application, wherein the user data to be transmitted is provided by the client application (in response to the input data).

[0269] Example 51: A communication system includes a host computer, the host computer including a communication interface configured to receive user data transmitted from a user equipment (UE) to a base station, wherein the base station includes a radio interface and a processing circuit module, the processing circuit module of the base station being configured to perform any step of any embodiment of the Group B embodiments.

[0270] Example 52: The communication system of the previous embodiment further includes the base station.

[0271] Example 53: A communication system of any of the first two examples, further comprising the UE, wherein the UE is configured to communicate with the base station.

[0272] Example 54: A communication system of any of the first three examples, wherein: the processing circuit module of the host computer is configured to execute a host application; and the UE is configured to execute a client application associated with the host application, thereby providing the user data for reception by the host computer.

[0273] Example 55: A method implemented in a communication system, the communication system including a host computer, a base station, and a user equipment (UE), the method comprising: the host computer receiving user data from the base station, the user data originating from a transmission already received by the base station from the UE, wherein the UE performs any step of any embodiment of the Group A examples.

[0274] Example 56: The method of any embodiment of the preceding embodiment further includes receiving the user data from the UE at the base station.

[0275] Example 57: The method of any of the first two examples further includes initiating the transmission of received user data to the host computer from the base station.

[0276] Those skilled in the art will recognize improvements and modifications to the embodiments of this disclosure. All such improvements and modifications are considered to be within the scope of the concepts disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A method performed by a wireless communication device for repetition of the sub-slot Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH), the method comprising: Receiving one or more sub-slot PUCCH repetition configurations from a base station, wherein receiving the one or more sub-slot PUCCH repetition configurations includes: receiving dynamic sub-slot PUCCH repetition configurations for PUCCH transmission including two or more sub-slot PUCCH repetitions, wherein the dynamic sub-slot PUCCH repetition configurations include a number of repetitions defined on a sub-slot basis; and The two or more sub-slot PUCCH repeats are transmitted according to one of the one or more sub-slot PUCCH repeat configurations.

2. The method as described in claim 1, wherein, Receiving the dynamic sub-slot PUCCH repetition configuration includes: receiving downlink control information, the downlink control information being scheduled to be transmitted to the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) of the wireless communication device and containing the dynamic sub-slot PUCCH repetition configuration or an indication of the dynamic sub-slot PUCCH repetition configuration.

3. The method as described in claim 1, wherein, Transmitting the two or more sub-slot PUCCH repeats includes: transmitting the two or more sub-slot PUCCH repeats according to the dynamic sub-slot PUCCH repeat configuration.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein, The dynamic sub-slot PUCCH repetition configuration includes a field in the downlink control information that indicates the number of sub-slot PUCCH repetitions.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising: The configuration of the set of possible sub-slot PUCCH reconfigurations; The dynamic sub-slot PUCCH repeat configuration includes a value that selects one possible sub-slot PUCCH repeat configuration from the set of possible sub-slot PUCCH repeat configurations as the dynamic sub-slot PUCCH repeat configuration.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein, Receiving the dynamic sub-slot PUCCH repetition configuration includes: receiving downlink control information, the downlink control information being scheduled to be transmitted to the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) of the wireless communication device and including a PUCCH resource indicator (PRI) indicating a specific PUCCH resource for the repetition of the two or more sub-slot PUCCHs, wherein the dynamic sub-slot PUCCH repetition configuration includes a pre-configured number of repetitions for the specific PUCCH resource.

7. The method of claim 2, wherein, The downlink control information further includes an indication for HARQ ACK timing, and the indication for HARQ ACK timing is applied to the first sub-slot PUCCH repetition from the two or more sub-slot PUCCH repetitions.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein, Subsequent sub-slot PUCCH repetitions from the two or more sub-slot PUCCH repetitions occupy the subsequent, continuously available sub-slots.

9. The method of claim 2, wherein, The one or more sub-slot PUCCH repeat configuration includes two or more HARQ ACK timing values ​​for the two or more sub-slot PUCCH repeats, respectively.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein, Each sub-slot PUCCH repeat from the two or more sub-slot PUCCH repeats uses the same resource allocation across two or more consecutive, available sub-slots in the time domain.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein, Each sub-slot PUCCH repeat from the two or more sub-slot PUCCH repeats is included within the corresponding sub-slot.

12. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein, At least one sub-slot PUCCH repeat from the two or more sub-slot PUCCH repeats crosses the sub-slot boundary.

13. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein, At least one sub-slot PUCCH repeat from the two or more sub-slot PUCCH repeats crosses a slot boundary.

14. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein, The PUCCH resource for one sub-slot PUCCH repetition of the two or more sub-slot PUCCH repetitions crosses the sub-slot boundary, and the one sub-slot PUCCH repetition of the two or more sub-slot PUCCH repetitions is truncated within the sub-slot boundary.

15. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein, The PUCCH resource for one sub-slot PUCCH repetition of the two or more sub-slot PUCCH repetitions crosses the slot boundary, and the one sub-slot PUCCH repetition of the two or more sub-slot PUCCH repetitions is truncated within the slot boundary.

16. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein, The two or more sub-slot PUCCH repetitions are performed in a back-to-back manner with no symbol gap between the two or more sub-slot PUCCH repetitions.

17. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein, At least one sub-slot PUCCH repetition of the two or more sub-slots PUCCH repetitions is extended to reach the sub-slot boundary.

18. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein, Transmitting the two or more sub-slot PUCCH repetitions includes using frequency hopping to transmit the two or more sub-slot PUCCH repetitions.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein, The frequency hopping refers to inter-time slot frequency hopping, inter-time slot frequency hopping, or intra-time slot frequency hopping.

20. The method of claim 18, further comprising: Receiving an indication of whether to perform a frequency hopping configuration for sub-slot PUCCH repetition, wherein using frequency hopping to transmit the two or more sub-slot PUCCH repetitions includes: using frequency hopping to transmit the two or more sub-slot PUCCH repetitions according to the frequency hopping configuration.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein, The frequency hopping configuration indicates that inter-slot frequency hopping will be applied to sub-slot PUCCH repetition.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein, The frequency hopping configuration includes an inter-sub-slot frequency hopping configuration and an inter-slot frequency hopping configuration, and the wireless communication device ignores the inter-slot frequency hopping configuration in response to the frequency hopping configuration including the inter-sub-slot frequency hopping configuration.

23. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein, Transmitting the two or more sub-slot PUCCH repetitions includes, for the sub-slot PUCCH repetitions from the two or more sub-slot PUCCH repetitions: A conflict has been identified as a repetition of the PUCCH in this sub-slot; and In response to determining that a conflict exists for the repetition of PUCCH in the sub-slot, one or more actions are taken to avoid the conflict.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein, One or more actions include preventing the transmission of the sub-slot PUCCH from repeating.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein, The sub-slot PUCCH repetition is counted in the number of sub-slot PUCCH repetitions transmitted.

26. The method of claim 24, wherein, The sub-slot PUCCH repetition is not counted in the number of sub-slot PUCCH repetitions transmitted.

27. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein, Transmitting the two or more sub-slot PUCCH repetitions includes, for the sub-slot PUCCH repetitions from the two or more sub-slot PUCCH repetitions: Determine the PUCCH repetition across time slot boundaries for this sub-slot; and In response to determining that the sub-slot PUCCH repeats across the slot boundary, the sub-slot PUCCH repeats are truncated to fit within the slot boundary.

28. The method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein, Transmitting the two or more sub-slot PUCCH repetitions includes, for the sub-slot PUCCH repetitions from the two or more sub-slot PUCCH repetitions: Determine the PUCCH repetition across time slot boundaries for this sub-slot; and In response to determining that the sub-slot PUCCH repeats across the slot boundary, the sub-slot PUCCH repeat is segmented into a first segment ending at or before the slot boundary and a second segment beginning at or after the slot boundary.

29. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein: The one or more sub-slot PUCCH repeat configurations include one or more sub-slot PUCCH repeat configurations respectively associated with one or more priority levels or one or more sets of priority levels; The method further includes receiving information that explicitly or implicitly indicates the priority level of the repetition of the two or more sub-slot PUCCH; as well as Transmitting the two or more sub-slot PUCCH repeats includes: transmitting the two or more sub-slot PUCCH repeats according to a sub-slot PUCCH repeat configuration of the one or more sub-slot PUCCH repeats configuration, the sub-slot PUCCH repeat configuration being associated with the indicated priority level of the two or more sub-slot PUCCH repeats or with a set of priority levels that include the indicated priority level of the two or more sub-slot PUCCH repeats.

30. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein, Each of the one or more sub-slot PUCCH repeat configurations includes information indicating the number of sub-slot PUCCH repeats to be transmitted.

31. A wireless communication apparatus for repetition of the sub-slot physical uplink control channel (PUCCH), the wireless communication apparatus being suitable for: Receiving one or more sub-slot PUCCH repetition configurations from a base station, wherein receiving the one or more sub-slot PUCCH repetition configurations includes: Receive dynamic sub-slot PUCCH repetition configuration for PUCCH transmission including two or more sub-slot PUCCH repetitions, wherein the dynamic sub-slot PUCCH repetition configuration includes a number of repetitions defined on a sub-slot basis; and The two or more sub-slot PUCCH repeats are transmitted according to one of the one or more sub-slot PUCCH repeat configurations.

32. The wireless communication device as claimed in claim 31, wherein, The wireless communication device is further adapted to perform the method as described in any one of claims 2 to 30.

33. A wireless communication device for repetition of the sub-timeslot physical uplink control channel (PUCCH), the wireless communication device comprising: One or more transmitters; One or more receivers; as well as A processing circuit module associated with the one or more transmitters and the one or more receivers, the processing circuit module being configured to cause the wireless communication device to: Receiving one or more sub-slot PUCCH repetition configurations from a base station, wherein receiving the one or more sub-slot PUCCH repetition configurations includes: receiving dynamic sub-slot PUCCH repetition configurations for PUCCH transmission including two or more sub-slot PUCCH repetitions, wherein the dynamic sub-slot PUCCH repetition configurations include a number of repetitions defined on a sub-slot basis; and The two or more sub-slot PUCCH repeats are transmitted according to one of the one or more sub-slot PUCCH repeat configurations.

34. The wireless communication device as claimed in claim 33, wherein, The processing circuit module is further configured to cause the wireless communication device to perform the method as described in any one of claims 2 to 30.

35. A method performed by a base station for repetition of the Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) in a sub-slot, the method comprising: Providing a wireless communication device with one or more sub-slot PUCCH repetition configurations, wherein providing the one or more sub-slot PUCCH repetition configurations includes: providing the wireless communication device with a dynamic sub-slot PUCCH repetition configuration for PUCCH transmission including two or more sub-slot PUCCH repetitions, wherein the dynamic sub-slot PUCCH repetition configuration includes a number of repetitions defined in units of sub-slots; and The PUCCH transmission is received from the wireless communication device according to one or more sub-slot PUCCH repeat configurations.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein, Providing the dynamic sub-slot PUCCH repetition configuration includes: providing downlink control information to the wireless communication device, the downlink control information being scheduled to be transmitted to the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) of the wireless communication device and containing the dynamic sub-slot PUCCH repetition configuration or an indication of the dynamic sub-slot PUCCH repetition configuration.

37. The method of claim 35, wherein, Providing the dynamic sub-slot PUCCH repetition configuration includes: providing downlink control information to the wireless communication device, the downlink control information being scheduled to be transmitted to the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) of the wireless communication device and including a PUCCH resource indicator (PRI) indicating a specific PUCCH resource for the repetition of the two or more sub-slot PUCCHs, wherein the dynamic sub-slot PUCCH repetition configuration includes a pre-configured number of repetitions for the specific PUCCH resource.

38. The method of claim 35, wherein, The downlink control information transmitted to the downlink of the wireless communication device in connection with the scheduling of the two or more sub-slot PUCCH repetitions includes: an indication for HARQ ACK timing, and the indication for HARQ ACK timing is applied to the first sub-slot PUCCH repetition from the two or more sub-slot PUCCH repetitions.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein, Subsequent sub-slot PUCCH repetitions from the two or more sub-slot PUCCH repetitions occupy the subsequent, continuously available sub-slots.

40. The method of any one of claims 35 to 37, wherein, The one or more sub-slot PUCCH repeat configuration includes two or more HARQ ACK timing values ​​for the two or more sub-slot PUCCH repeats, respectively.

41. The method according to any one of claims 35 to 39, wherein, Each sub-slot PUCCH repeat from the two or more sub-slot PUCCH repeats uses the same resource allocation across two or more consecutive, available sub-slots in the time domain.

42. The method of any one of claims 35 to 39, wherein, Each sub-slot PUCCH repeat from the two or more sub-slot PUCCH repeats is included within the corresponding sub-slot.

43. The method of any one of claims 35 to 39, wherein, At least one sub-slot PUCCH repeat from the two or more sub-slot PUCCH repeats crosses the sub-slot boundary.

44. The method of any one of claims 35 to 39, wherein, At least one sub-slot PUCCH repeat from the two or more sub-slot PUCCH repeats crosses a slot boundary.

45. The method of any one of claims 35 to 39, wherein, The PUCCH resource for one sub-slot PUCCH repetition of the two or more sub-slot PUCCH repetitions crosses the sub-slot boundary, and the one sub-slot PUCCH repetition of the two or more sub-slot PUCCH repetitions is truncated within the sub-slot boundary.

46. ​​The method of any one of claims 35 to 39, wherein, The PUCCH resource for one sub-slot PUCCH repetition of the two or more sub-slot PUCCH repetitions crosses the slot boundary, and the one sub-slot PUCCH repetition of the two or more sub-slot PUCCH repetitions is truncated within the slot boundary.

47. The method of any one of claims 35 to 39, wherein, The two or more sub-slot PUCCH repetitions are performed in a back-to-back manner with no symbol gap between the two or more sub-slot PUCCH repetitions.

48. The method of any one of claims 35 to 39, wherein, At least one sub-slot PUCCH repetition of the two or more sub-slots PUCCH repetitions is extended to reach the sub-slot boundary.

49. The method of any one of claims 35 to 39, wherein, Receiving the two or more sub-slot PUCCH repetitions includes: using frequency hopping to receive the two or more sub-slot PUCCH repetitions.

50. The method of claim 49, wherein, The frequency hopping refers to inter-time slot frequency hopping, inter-time slot frequency hopping, or intra-time slot frequency hopping.

51. The method according to any one of claims 35 to 39, wherein, Each of the one or more sub-slot PUCCH repeat configurations includes information indicating the number of sub-slot PUCCH repeats.

52. A base station for repetition of the sub-timeslot physical uplink control channel (PUCCH), the base station being suitable for: Providing one or more sub-slot PUCCH repetition configurations to a wireless communication device, wherein providing the one or more sub-slot PUCCH repetition configurations includes: Provide the wireless communication device with a dynamic sub-slot PUCCH repetition configuration for PUCCH transmission including two or more sub-slot PUCCH repetitions, wherein the dynamic sub-slot PUCCH repetition configuration includes a number of repetitions defined in units of sub-slots; and The line communication device receives the PUCCH transmission from a sub-slot PUCCH reconfiguration based on the one or more sub-slot PUCCH reconfigurations.

53. The base station as described in claim 52, wherein, The base station is further adapted to perform the method as described in any one of claims 36 to 51.

54. A base station for repetition of the sub-timeslot Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH), the base station comprising a processing circuit module configured such that the base station: Providing one or more sub-slot PUCCH repetition configurations to a wireless communication device, wherein providing the one or more sub-slot PUCCH repetition configurations includes: Provide the wireless communication device with a dynamic sub-slot PUCCH repetition configuration for PUCCH transmission including two or more sub-slot PUCCH repetitions, wherein the dynamic sub-slot PUCCH repetition configuration includes a number of repetitions defined in units of sub-slots; and The line communication device receives the PUCCH transmission from a sub-slot PUCCH reconfiguration based on the one or more sub-slot PUCCH reconfigurations.

55. The base station as described in claim 54, wherein, The processing circuit module is further configured to cause the base station to perform the method as described in any one of claims 36 to 51.

56. A computer program product comprising computer program instructions, which, when executed by at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1-30, 35-51.

57. A computer-readable medium storing computer program instructions, which, when executed by at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1-30, 35-51.

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