Control signaling for pucch reliability enhancement

Abstract

Embodiments of apparatuses, systems, and methods are provided herein for a user equipment device (UE) to perform PUCCH repetition based on signaling from at least one base station. The UE can be connected to at least one base station. The UE can receive, from the at least one base station, signaling configuring a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) transmission. The signaling can indicate a plurality of PUCCH resources for PUCCH repetition. The signaling can indicate a plurality of beams for PUCCH repetition. Based on the signaling from the at least one base station, the UE can transmit the PUCCH multiple times using the plurality of PUCCH resources and the plurality of beams.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to wireless devices, and more specifically to apparatuses, systems, and methods for on-demand system information acquisition. BACKGROUND

[0002] The use of wireless communication systems is expanding rapidly. Wireless devices, and in particular user equipment devices (UEs), have become widespread. Moreover, there are various applications (or apps) hosted on user equipment that perform or rely on wireless communication, such as apps that provide messaging, email, browsing, video streaming, short videos, voice streaming, real-time gaming, or other various online services.

[0003] Reliability increases in these communication systems are desirable. SUMMARY

[0004] Embodiments of apparatuses, systems, and methods are provided herein for a user equipment device (UE) to perform PUCCH repetition based on signaling from at least one base station.

[0005] The UE can be connected to at least one base station. The UE can receive, from the at least one base station, signaling that configures a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) transmission. The signaling can indicate a plurality of PUCCH resources for PUCCH repetition. The signaling can indicate a plurality of beams for PUCCH repetition. Based on the signaling from the at least one base station, the UE can transmit the PUCCH multiple times using the plurality of PUCCH resources and the plurality of beams.

[0006] In some embodiments, a non-transitory memory medium can include program instructions executable by a UE that, when executed, cause the UE to perform at least a portion or all of the operations described above. In some embodiments, a method performed by a UE can include the UE performing the operations described above. In some embodiments, a method performed by a base station or network element can include the base station or network element performing corresponding operations.

[0007] This Summary is intended to provide a brief overview of some of the subject matter described in this document. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the above-described features are only examples and should not be employed to limit the scope or spirit of the subject matter described herein in any way. Other features, aspects, and advantages of the subject matter described herein will become apparent from the following DETAILED DESCRIPTION, Figures, and Claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0008] A better understanding of the disclosed embodiments can be obtained from the following detailed description in conjunction with the following drawings, of which:

[0009] Figure 1An exemplary wireless communication system is shown in accordance with some embodiments;

[0010] Figure 2 A base station (BS) in communication with a user equipment (UE) device is shown in accordance with some embodiments;

[0011] Figure 3 An exemplary block diagram of a UE is shown in accordance with some embodiments;

[0012] Figure 4 An exemplary block diagram of a BS is shown in accordance with some embodiments;

[0013] Figure 5 An exemplary block diagram of cellular communication circuitry is shown in accordance with some embodiments;

[0014] Figure 6 And Figure 7 An example of a 5G NR base station (gNB) is shown in accordance with some embodiments;

[0015] Figure 8 An exemplary wireless network in communication with a UE is shown in accordance with some embodiments;

[0016] Figure 9 An exemplary PUCCH resource configuration is shown in accordance with some embodiments;

[0017] Figure 10 An exemplary PUCCH repetition for acknowledgement across two beams is shown;

[0018] Figures 11 to 13 An example of PUCCH and PUSCH collision resolution is shown in accordance with some embodiments; and

[0019] Figure 14 is a flowchart showing an example method for PUCCH control signaling in accordance with some embodiments.

[0020] While the application is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the drawings and detailed description thereto are not intended to limit the application to the particular form disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the application as defined by the appended claims. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] Acronyms

[0022] The following acronyms are used in this patent application:

[0023] UE: user equipment

[0024] BS: base station

[0025] ENB: eNodeB (base station)

[0026] LTE: Long Term Evolution

[0027] UMTS: Universal Mobile Telecommunications System

[0028] RAT: Radio Access Technology

[0029] RAN: Radio Access Network

[0030] E-UTRAN: Evolved UMTS Terrestrial RAN

[0031] CN: Core Network

[0032] EPC: Evolved Packet Core

[0033] MME: Mobility Management Entity

[0034] HSS: Home Subscriber Server

[0035] SGW: Serving Gateway

[0036] PS: Packet Switched

[0037] CS: Circuit Switched

[0038] EPS: Evolved Packet Switched System

[0039] RRC: Radio Resource Control

[0040] IE: Information Element

[0041] QoS: Quality of Service

[0042] QoE: Quality of Experience

[0043] TFT: Traffic Flow Template

[0044] RSVP: Resource Reservation Protocol

[0045] API: Application Programming Interface

[0046] Terminology

[0047] The following is a glossary of terms used in this patent application:

[0048] Memory Medium - any of various types of memory devices or storage devices. The term "memory medium" is intended to include an installation medium, e.g., CD- ROM, floppy disks, or tape device; computer system memory or random access memory such as DRAM, DDR RAM, SRAM, EDO RAM, Rambus RAM, etc.; non-volatile memory such as flash memory, magnetic media, e.g., hard disk drives or optical storage; registers, or other like storage devices, etc. The memory medium can also include other types of storage medium or combinations thereof. Moreover, the memory medium can be located in a first computer in which the programs are executed, or be located in a second different computer which connects to the first computer over a network, e.g., using the Internet. In the latter scenario, the second computer can provide the program instructions to the first computer for execution. The term "memory medium" can include two or more memory mediums which can reside in different locations, e.g., in different computers over a network.

[0049] Computer System - various types of computing systems or processing systems including a personal computer system (PC), a mainframe computer system, a workstation, a network appliance, an internet appliance, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a television system, a grid computing system, or other device or combinations of devices. In general, the term "computer system" can be broadly defined to encompass any device (or combination of devices) having at least one processor that executes instructions from a memory medium.

[0050] User Equipment (UE) (or "UE Device") - any of various types of computer systems or devices that have a wireless interface and that are mobile or portable and that can perform wireless communications. Examples of UE devices include mobile telephones, smart phones, tablet computers, etc. A UE device can also be referred to as a mobile station, a terminal, an access terminal, a subscriber unit, a station, etc. TM TM TM TM TM TM TM TM ​​​​​​​wearable devices (e.g., smart watches, smart glasses), laptop computers, PDAs, portable Internet devices, music players, data storage devices, other handheld devices, automobiles and / or motor vehicles, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) (e.g., drones), UAV controllers (UACs), etc. Generally, the term “UE” or “UE device” can be broadly defined to encompass any electronic, computing, and / or

[0051] processing element— refers to various elements or combinations of elements that are capable of performing a function in a device, such as a user equipment or a cellular network device. A processing element can include, for example, a processor and associated memory, portions or circuits of individual processor cores, entire processor cores, processor arrays, circuits such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), programmable hardware elements such as a FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), and any of various combinations thereof.

[0052] Figure 1 and Figure 2 — communication system

[0053] Figure 1 A simplified exemplary wireless communication system according to some embodiments is shown. Note that Figure 1 The system of FIG. 1 is merely one example of a possible system, and features of this disclosure can be implemented in any of various systems as desired.

[0054] As shown, the exemplary wireless communication system includes a base station 102, which communicates over a transmission medium with one or more user devices 106A, user device 106B, etc., to user device 106N. Each of the user devices can be referred to herein as a “user equipment” (UE). Thus, the user devices 106 are referred to as UEs or UE devices.

[0055] The base station (BS) 102 can be a transceiver base station (BTS) or cell site (“cellular base station”), and can include hardware enabling it to

[0056] The communication area (or coverage area) of a base station can be referred to as a "cell." Base stations 102 and UEs 106 can be configured to communicate

[0057] As shown, base stations 102 can also be equipped to communicate with a network 100 (e.g., with a core network of a cellular service provider, a telecommunication network such as the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), and / or the Internet, among various possibilities). As

[0058] Base stations 102 and other similar base stations operating according to the same or a different cellular communication standard can thus provide a network of cells that together can provide continuous or near-continuous overlapping service to UEs 106A-106N and similar devices via one or more cellular communication standards.

[0059] Thus, although base stations 102 can act as a "serving cell" for UEs 106A-106N as Figure 1 illustrated in FIG. 1, each UE 106 can also be capable of receiving signals from (and possibly within communication range of) one or more other cells (possibly provided by other base stations 102B-102N), which can be referred to as "neighboring cells." Such cells can also be capable of facilitating communication between user devices and / or between user devices and the network 100. Such cells can include "macro" cells, "micro" cells, "pico" cells, and / or any of various other sizes of cells providing service areas of various granularities. Other configurations are also possible.

[0060] In some implementations, the base stations 102 can be next generation base stations, e.g., 5G New Radio (5G NR) base stations, or “gNBs.” In some implementations, gNBs can connect to a traditional evolved packet core (EPC) network and / or to a NR core (NRC) network. Further, a gNB cell can include one or more transmission and reception points (TRPs). Further, a UE capable of operating according to 5G NR can connect to one or more TRPs within one or more gNBs.

[0061] Note that the UE 106 is capable of communicating using multiple wireless communication standards. For example, in addition to at least one cellular communication protocol (e.g., GSM, UMTS (associated with, e.g., WCDMA or TD-SCDMA air interfaces), LTE, LTE-A, 5G NR, HSPA, 3GPP2 CDMA2000 (e.g., lxRTT, lxEV-DO, HRPD, eHRPD), etc.), the UE 106 can be configured to communicate using wireless networking (e.g., Wi-Fi) and / or peer-to-peer wireless communication protocols (e.g., Bluetooth, Wi-Fi peer-to-peer, etc.). If desired, the UE 106 can also or alternatively be configured to communicate using one or more global navigation satellite systems (GNSS, e.g., GPS or GLONASS), one or more mobile television broadcasting standards (e.g., Advanced Television Systems Committee - Mobile / Handheld (ATSC-M / H)), and / or any other wireless communication protocol. Other combinations of wireless communication standards (including more than two wireless communication standards) are also possible.

[0062] Figure 2 A user equipment 106 (e.g., one of devices 106A-106N) in communication with base station 102 in accordance with some embodiments is shown. The UE 106 can be a device with cellular communication capability such as a mobile phone, a handheld device, a computer or a tablet computer, or virtually any type of wireless device.

[0063] The UE 106 can include a processor configured to execute program instructions stored in memory. The UE 106 can perform any of the method embodiments described herein by executing such stored instructions. Alternatively, or in addition, the UE 106 can include programmable hardware elements, such as a field programmable gate array (FPGA) configured to perform any of the method embodiments described herein, or any portion of any of the method embodiments described herein.

[0064] The UE 106 can include one or more antennas to communicate using one or more wireless communication protocols or technologies. In some embodiments, the UE 106 can be configured to communicate using, for example, CDMA2000 (lxRTT, lxEV-DO, HRPD, eHRPD), or LTE using a single shared radio, and / or GSM using a single shared radio, or LTE. The shared radio can be coupled to a single antenna, or can be coupled to multiple antennas (e.g., for multiple-input, multiple-output or "MIMO" antenna systems) for performing wireless communication. Generally, a radio can include any combination of a baseband processor, analog RF signal processing circuitry (e.g., including filters, mixers, oscillators, amplifiers, etc.), or digital processing circuitry (e.g., for digital modulation as well as other digital processing). Similarly, the radio can implement one or more receive and transmit chains using the aforementioned hardware. For example, the UE 106 can share one or more parts of a receive and / or transmit chain between multiple wireless communication technologies such as those discussed above.

[0065] In some embodiments, the UE 106 can include any number of antennas, and can be configured to transmit and / or receive directional wireless signals (e.g., beams) using the antennas. Similarly, the BS 102 can also include any number of antennas, and can be configured to transmit and / or receive directional wireless signals (e.g., beams) using the antennas. To receive and / or transmit such directional signals, the antennas of the UE 106 and / or BS 102 can be configured to apply different "weights" to the different antennas. The process of applying these different weights can be referred to as "precoding."

[0066] In some embodiments, the UE 106 can include separate transmit and / or receive chains (e.g., including separate antennas and other radio components) for each wireless communication protocol that it is configured to communicate using. As another possibility, the UE 106 can include one or more radios that are shared between multiple wireless communication protocols, as well as one or more radios that are used exclusively by a single wireless communication protocol. For example, the UE 106 can include a shared radio for communicating using either of LTE or 5G NR (or LTE or lxRTT, or LTE or GSM), and separate radios for communicating using each of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Other configurations are also possible.

[0067] Figure 3 Block diagram of a UE

[0068] Figure 3 An exemplary simplified block diagram of a communication device 106 according to some embodiments is shown. Note that not all of the components can be used in all embodiments.Figure 3 The block diagram of the communication device of FIG. 1 is but one example of a possible communication device. Depending on the embodiment, the communication device 106 can be a user equipment (UE) device, a mobile device or mobile station, a wireless device or wireless station, a desktop computer or computing device, a mobile computing device (e.g., laptop, notebook, or portable computing device), a tablet and / or combinations of devices, among other devices, in accordance with embodiments. As shown, the communication device 106 can include a set of components 300 configured to perform core functionality. For example, the set of components can be implemented as a system on a chip (SOC), which can include portions for various purposes. Alternatively, the set of components 300 can be implemented to be separate or integrated components for the various purposes. The set of components 300 can be coupled (e.g., communicatively; directly or indirectly) to various other circuitry of the communication device 106.

[0069] For example, the communication device 106 can include various types of memory, such as including NAND flash 310, an input / output interface such as a connector I / F 320 (e.g., for connecting to a computer system; a dock; a charging station; an input device, such as a microphone, camera, keyboard; an output device, such as a speaker; and the like), a display 360, which can be integrated with or external to the communication device 106, and cellular communication circuitry 330, such as for 5G NR, LTE, GSM, and the like, and short-to-medium range wireless communication circuitry 329 (e.g., Bluetooth TM and WLAN circuitry). In some embodiments, the communication device 106 can include wired communication circuitry (not shown), such as a network interface card, for example, for Ethernet.

[0070] The cellular communication circuitry 330 can be coupled (e.g., communicatively; directly or indirectly) to one or more antennas, such as the antennas 335 and 336 shown. The short-to-medium range wireless communication circuitry 329 can also be coupled (e.g., communicatively; directly or indirectly) to one or more antennas, such as the antennas 337 and 338 shown. Alternatively, the short-to-medium range wireless communication circuitry 329 can be coupled (e.g., communicatively; directly or indirectly) to antennas 335 and 336 in addition to or instead of being coupled (e.g., communicatively; directly or indirectly) to antennas 337 and 338. The short-to-medium range wireless communication circuitry 329 and / or the cellular communication circuitry 330 can include multiple receive chains and / or multiple transmit chains for receiving and / or transmitting multiple spatial streams, such as in a multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) configuration.

[0071] In some embodiments, cellular communication circuitry 330 can include dedicated receive chains (which include and / or are communicatively, directly or indirectly coupled to dedicated processors and / or radio components) for multiple RATs (e.g., a first receive chain for LTE and a second receive chain for 5G NR), as further described below. Further, in some embodiments, cellular communication circuitry 330 can include a single transmit chain that can be switched between radio components dedicated to a particular RAT. For example, a first radio component can be dedicated to a first RAT, such as LTE, and can communicate with a dedicated receive chain as well as a transmit chain shared with additional radio components, such as a second radio component that can be dedicated to a second RAT (e.g., 5G NR) and can communicate with a dedicated receive chain as well as the shared transmit chain.

[0072] Communication device 106 can also include and / or be configured for use with one or more user interface elements. User interface elements can include any of a variety of elements such as a display 360 (which can be a touch screen display), a keyboard (which can be a discrete keyboard or can be implemented as part of a touch screen display), a mouse, a microphone, and / or a speaker, one or more cameras, one or more buttons, and / or any of a variety of other elements capable of providing information to a user and / or receiving or interpreting user input.

[0073] Communication device 106 can also include one or more smart cards 345 having SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) functionality, such as one or more UICC cards (Universal Integrated Circuit Card) 345.

[0074] As shown, SOC 300 can include a processor 302, which can execute program instructions for communication device 106, and display circuitry 304, which can perform graphics processing and provide display signals to display 360. Processor 302 can also be coupled to memory management unit (MMU) 340, which can be configured to receive addresses from the processor 302 and translate those addresses to locations in memory (e.g., memory 306, read only memory (ROM) 350, NAND flash memory 310) or to other circuits or devices (such as display circuitry 304, short range wireless communication circuitry 229, cellular communication circuitry 330, connector I / F 320, and / or display 360). MMU 340 can be configured to perform memory protection and page table translation or set up. In some embodiments, MMU 340 can be included as part of processor 302.

[0075] As described above, the communication device 106 can be configured to communicate using wireless and / or wired communication circuitry. The communication device 106 can be configured to transmit a request to attach to a first network node operating according to a first RAT, and to transmit an indication that the wireless device is capable of maintaining substantially concurrent connectivity with the first network node and a second network node operating according to a second RAT. The wireless device can also be configured to transmit a request to attach to the second network node. The request can include an indication that the wireless device is capable of maintaining substantially concurrent connectivity with the first and second network nodes. Further, the wireless device can be configured to receive an indication that dual connectivity (DC) with the first and second network nodes has been established.

[0076] As described herein, the communication device 106 can include hardware and software components for implementing features for performing transmissions using multiplexing according to multiple radio access technologies in the same frequency carrier (e.g., and / or multiple frequency carriers) and various other techniques described herein. For example, the processor 302 of the communication device 106 can be configured to implement part or all of the features described herein by executing program instructions stored in a memory medium (e.g., a non-transitory computer-readable memory medium). Alternatively (or in addition), the processor 302 can be configured as a programmable hardware element, such as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) or ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). Alternatively (or in addition) the processor 302 of the communication device 106 can be configured, in conjunction with one or more other components 300, 304, 306, 310, 320, 329, 330, 340, 345, 350, 360, to implement part or all of the features described herein.

[0077] Further, as described herein, the processor 302 can include one or more processing elements. Thus, the processor 302 can include one or more integrated circuits (ICs) that are configured to perform the functions of the processor 302. In addition, each integrated circuit can include circuitry (e.g., a first circuit, a second circuit, etc.) that is configured to perform the functions of the one or more processors 302.

[0078] Furthermore, as described in this invention, the cellular communication circuit 330 and the short-range wireless communication circuit 329 may each include one or more processing elements and / or processors. In other words, one or more processing elements / processors may be included in the cellular communication circuit 330, and similarly, one or more processing elements / processors may be included in the short-range wireless communication circuit 329. Therefore, the cellular communication circuit 330 may include one or more integrated circuits (ICs) configured to perform the functions of the cellular communication circuit 330. Furthermore, each integrated circuit may include circuitry (e.g., a first circuit, a second circuit, etc.) configured to perform the functions of the cellular communication circuit 330. Similarly, the short-range wireless communication circuit 329 may include one or more ICs configured to perform the functions of the short-range wireless communication circuit 329. Furthermore, each integrated circuit may include circuitry (e.g., a first circuit, a second circuit, etc.) configured to perform the functions of the short-range wireless communication circuit 329.

[0079] Figure 4 —Block diagram of a base station

[0080] Figure 4 An exemplary block diagram of a base station 102 according to some embodiments is shown. It should be noted that... Figure 4 The base station shown is merely one example of a possible base station. As illustrated, base station 102 may include a processor 404 capable of executing program instructions specific to base station 102. Processor 404 may also be coupled to a memory management unit (MMU) 440 or other circuitry or device, which may be configured to receive addresses from processor 404 and translate those addresses into locations in memory (e.g., memory 460 and read-only memory (ROM) 450).

[0081] Base station 102 may include at least one network port 470. Network port 470 may be configured to be coupled to a telephone network and provide access rights as described above. Figure 1 and Figure 2 The telephone network described herein includes multiple devices such as UE device 106.

[0082] Network port 470 (or an additional network port) may also be configured, or alternatively configured, to be coupled to a cellular network, such as the core network of a cellular service provider. The core network may provide mobility-related services and / or other services to multiple devices, such as UE device 106. In some cases, network port 470 may be coupled to a telephone network via the core network, and / or the core network may provide the telephone network (e.g., in other UE devices served by the cellular service provider).

[0083] In some implementations, the base station 102 can be a next generation base station, e.g., a 5G New Radio (5G NR) base station, or “gNB.” In such implementations, the base station 102 can connect to a traditional evolved packet core (EPC) network and / or to an NR core (NRC) network. Further, the base station 102 can be considered a 5G NR cell and can include one or more transition and reception points (TRPs). Moreover, a UE capable of operating according to 5G NR can connect to one or more TRPs within one or more gNBs.

[0084] The base station 102 can include at least one antenna 434, and possibly multiple antennas. The radio 430 and the at least one antenna 434 can be configured to function as a wireless transceiver and can be further configured to communicate with UE devices 106. The antenna 434 can communicate with the radio 430 via a communication link 432. The communication link 432 can be a receive chain, a transmit chain, or both. The radio 430 can be configured to communicate via various wireless communication standards, including but not limited to 5G NR, LTE, LTE-A, GSM, UMTS, CDMA2000, Wi-Fi, etc.

[0085] The base station 102 can be configured to communicate wirelessly using multiple wireless communication standards. In some cases, the base station 102 can include multiple radios that can enable the base station 102 to communicate according to multiple wireless communication technologies. For example, as one possibility, the base station 102 can include an LTE radio for performing communications according to LTE and a 5G NR radio for performing communications according to 5G NR. In this case, the base station 102 can be capable of operating as both an LTE base station and a 5G NR base station. As another possibility, the base station 102 can include a multi-mode radio capable of performing communications according to any of multiple wireless communication technologies, e.g., 5G NR and Wi-Fi, LTE and Wi-Fi, LTE and UMTS, LTE and CDMA2000, UMTS and GSM, etc.

[0086] As further described herein, BS 102 may include hardware and software components for implementing or supporting specific implementations of the features described herein. The processor 404 of base station 102 may be configured to implement or support some or all of the methods described herein, for example, by executing program instructions stored on a memory medium (e.g., a non-transitory computer-readable memory medium). Alternatively, processor 404 may be configured as a programmable hardware element such as a FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or as an ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit), or a combination thereof. Alternatively (or in addition), in conjunction with one or more of other components 430, 432, 434, 440, 450, 460, and 470, the processor 404 of base station 102 may be configured to implement or support some or all of the features described herein.

[0087] Furthermore, as described in this invention, one or more processors 404 may include one or more processing elements. Therefore, processor 404 may include one or more integrated circuits (ICs) configured to perform the functions of processor 404. Additionally, each integrated circuit may include circuitry (e.g., a first circuit, a second circuit, etc.) configured to perform the functions of one or more processors 404.

[0088] Furthermore, as described in this invention, the radio component 430 may include one or more processing elements. Therefore, the radio component 430 may include one or more integrated circuits (ICs) configured to perform the functions of the radio component 430. Additionally, each integrated circuit may include circuitry (e.g., a first circuit, a second circuit, etc.) configured to perform the functions of the radio component 430.

[0089] Figure 5 —Block diagram of cellular communication circuit

[0090] Figure 5 An exemplary simplified block diagram of a cellular communication circuit according to some embodiments is shown. It should be noted that... Figure 5 The block diagram of the cellular communication circuit is merely one example of possible cellular communication circuits; other circuits, such as those including or coupled to sufficient antennas for different RATs to perform uplink activities using individual antennas, are also possible. According to the implementation, the cellular communication circuit 330 may be included in a communication device such as the communication device 106 described above. As mentioned above, among other devices, the communication device 106 may be a user equipment (UE) device, a mobile device or mobile station, a wireless device or wireless station, a desktop computer or computing device, a mobile computing device (e.g., a laptop computer, notebook computer, or portable computing device), a tablet computer, and / or a combination of these devices.

[0091] Cellular communication circuit 330 may (e.g., communicatively; directly or indirectly) be coupled to one or more antennas, such as ( Figure 3 Antennas 335a-335b and 336 are shown in the diagram. In some embodiments, the cellular communication circuit system 330 may include dedicated receive chains for multiple RATs (e.g., a first receive chain for LTE and a second receive chain for 5G NR), which include and / or (e.g., communicatively grounded, directly or indirectly) coupled to a dedicated processor and / or radio components. For example, as shown... Figure 5 As shown, the cellular communication circuit 330 may include a modem 510 and a modem 520. The modem 510 may be configured for communication according to a first RAT (e.g., such as LTE or LTE-A), and the modem 520 may be configured for communication according to a second RAT (e.g., such as 5G NR).

[0092] As shown, modem 510 may include one or more processors 512 and memory 516 communicating with processors 512. Modem 510 may communicate with radio frequency (RF) front end 530. RF front end 530 may include circuitry for transmitting and receiving radio signals. For example, RF front end 530 may include receiver circuitry (RX) 532 and transmitter circuitry (TX) 534. In some embodiments, receiver circuitry 532 may communicate with downlink (DL) front end 550, which may include circuitry for receiving radio signals via antenna 335a.

[0093] Similarly, modem 520 may include one or more processors 522 and memory 526 communicating with processor 522. Modem 520 may communicate with RF front end 540. RF front end 540 may include circuitry for transmitting and receiving radio signals. For example, RF front end 540 may include receiving circuitry 542 and transmitting circuitry 544. In some embodiments, receiving circuitry 542 may communicate with DL front end 560, which may include circuitry for receiving radio signals via antenna 335b.

[0094] In some embodiments, the switch 570 can couple the transmit circuitry 534 to an uplink (UL) front end 572. In addition, the switch 570 can couple the transmit circuitry 544 to the UL front end 572. The UL front end 572 can include circuitry for transmitting radio signals via the antenna 336. Thus, when the cellular communication circuitry 330 receives an instruction to transmit according to a first RAT (e.g., supported via the modem 510), the switch 570 can be switched to a first state that allows the modem 510 to transmit signals according to the first RAT (e.g., via a transmit chain including the transmit circuitry 534 and the UL front end 572). Similarly, when the cellular communication circuitry 330 receives an instruction to transmit according to a second RAT (e.g., supported via the modem 520), the switch 570 can be switched to a second state that allows the modem 520 to transmit signals according to the second RAT (e.g., via a transmit chain including the transmit circuitry 544 and the UL front end 572).

[0095] In some embodiments, the cellular communication circuitry 330 can be configured to transmit, via the first modem, a request to attach to a first network node operating according to a first RAT when the switch is in the first state, and transmit, via the first modem, an indication that the wireless device is capable of maintaining substantially concurrent connectivity with the first network node and a second network node operating according to a second RAT when the switch is in the first state. The wireless device can also be configured to transmit, via the second radio, a request to attach to the second network node when the switch is in the second state. The request can include an indication that the wireless device is capable of maintaining substantially concurrent connectivity with the first and second network nodes. In addition, the wireless device can be configured to receive, via the first radio, an indication that dual connectivity with the first and second network nodes has been established.

[0096] As described herein, the modem 510 can include hardware and software components for implementing features described herein for performing transmissions using multiplexing according to multiple radio access technologies in the same frequency carrier, as well as various other techniques described herein. For example, the processor 512 can be configured to implement part or all of the features described herein by executing program instructions stored in a memory medium (e.g., a non-transitory computer-readable memory medium). Alternatively (or in addition), the processor 512 can be configured as a programmable hardware element(s), such as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). Alternatively (or in addition) the processor 512, in conjunction with one or more of the other components 530, 532, 534, 550, 570, 572, 335, and 336, can be configured to implement part or all of the features described herein.

[0097] In some embodiments, the processors 512, 522, etc. can be configured to implement or support part or all of the methods described herein, e.g., by executing program instructions stored on a memory medium (e.g., a non-transitory computer-readable memory medium). Alternatively, or additionally, the processors 512, 522, etc. can be configured as programmable hardware elements, such as by being configured as an FPGA (field programmable gate array), or as an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit). Alternatively, or additionally, the processors 512, 522, etc. can be configured to implement part or all of the methods described herein, by being configured as a combination of one or more of the following: a programmable hardware element, an ASIC, an FPGA, a microprocessor, a controller, a microcontroller, etc.

[0098] As described herein, the modem 520 can include hardware and software components for implementing features for performing transmissions using multiplexing according to multiple radio access technologies in the same frequency carrier, as well as various other techniques described herein. The processor 522 can be configured to implement part or all of the features described herein, e.g., by executing program instructions stored on a memory medium (e.g., a non-transitory computer-readable memory medium). Alternatively (or additionally), the processor 522 can be configured as a programmable hardware element, such as an FPGA (field programmable gate array), or as an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit). Alternatively (or additionally), the processor 522 can be configured, in conjunction with one or more other components 540, 542, 544, 550, 570, 572, 335, and 336, to implement part or all of the features described herein.

[0099] Figures 6 to 7 5G NR Architecture

[0100] In some implementations, the fifth generation (5G) wireless communication will initially be deployed in parallel with other wireless communication standards (e.g., LTE). For example, Figure 6 A possible standalone (SA) implementation of a next generation core (NGC) network 606 and 5G NR base stations (e.g., gNB 604) is shown, dual connectivity between LTE and 5G New Radio (5G NR or NR), such as according to Figure 7 An example non-standalone (NSA) architecture is shown, which has been specified as part of initial deployments of NR. Thus, as Figure 7As shown, the Evolved Packet Core (EPC) network 600 can continue to communicate with the current LTE base station (e.g., eNB 602). Furthermore, eNB 602 can communicate with 5G NR base stations (e.g., gNB 604) and can transfer data between the core network 600 and gNB 604. In some cases, gNB 604 may also have at least a user plane reference point with the EPC network 600. Therefore, the EPC network 600 can be used (or reused), and gNB 604 can serve as additional capacity for user equipment, for example, to provide increased downlink throughput for the UE. In other words, LTE can be used for control plane signaling, and NR can be used for user plane signaling. Therefore, LTE can be used to establish connections to the network, and NR can be used for data services. It should be understood that many other non-independent architecture variations are possible.

[0101] Figure 8 —Wireless communication system

[0102] Figure 8 A simplified example of a wireless communication system is shown. UE 106 can communicate with a wireless network (e.g., a radio access network (RAN)) that may include one or more base stations (BS) 102 and provide connectivity to a core network (CN) 100 (such as an evolved packet core (EPC)). Base station 102 may be an eNodeB and / or gNB (e.g., a 5G or NR base station) or other types of base stations. UE 106 can communicate wirelessly with base station 102. Base station 102 can then be coupled to core network 100. As shown, CN 100 may include a Mobility Management Entity (MME) 322, a Home Subscriber Server (HSS) 324, and a Serving Gateway (SGW) 326. CN 100 may also include various other devices well known to those skilled in the art.

[0103] The operations described in this document as being performed by a wireless network can be... Figure 8 The operations described herein may be performed by one or more of the network devices shown, such as base station 102 or CN 100, and / or MME 322, HSS 324, or SGW 326 in CN 100, and one or more other possible devices. The operations performed by the radio access network (RAN) described herein may be performed, for example, by base station 102, or by other components of the RAN that can be used to connect the UE and the CN.

[0104] PUCCH reliability enhancement

[0105] In some embodiments, a base station (e.g., gNB) can indicate spatial relation information on a per PUCCH resource basis or on a per PUCCH resource group basis. For example, a base station can configure one spatial information for a PUCCH resource, e.g., using RRC signaling.

[0106] A PUCCH resource can be used to carry uplink control information (UCI), including HARQ-ACK, channel state information (CSI), and / or scheduling request (SR), among others. CSI can include any of the following: CRI, SSBRI, RI, PMI, CRI, LI, L1-RSRP, L1-SINR, etc.

[0107] In some embodiments, a UE can use a beam indicated by the spatial relation information for a PUCCH transmission. Alternatively, a base station can configure multiple spatial relation information for a PUCCH resource, e.g., using RRC signaling. Thus, a base station can use additional signaling (e.g., MAC CE) to activate one of the spatial relation information for a PUCCH resource. Then, a UE can use the activated beam for a PUCCH transmission.

[0108] To improve the robustness and reliability of PUCCH transmission, in some embodiments, a PUCCH can be transmitted repeatedly, e.g., using multiple beams. However, there are various ways to multiplex PUCCH repetitions, provide signaling to indicate the beam used for each PUCCH repetition, and / or cope with the collision between PUCCH and PUSCH transmissions.

[0109] In some embodiments, PUCCH repetitions can be multiplexed according to various schemes. For example, PUCCH repetitions can be multiplexed using time division multiplexing (TDM). In this case, PUCCH repetitions can be multiplexed within a slot or across multiple slots, which can be configured in a pre-defined manner or can be configured by higher layer signaling. In addition, the offset between each repetition can also be pre-defined or configured by higher layer signaling.

[0110] In some embodiments, PUCCH repetitions can be multiplexed according to frequency division multiplexing (FDM). In this case, different starting physical resource blocks (PRBs) can be configured for different repetitions. The time duration and / or time domain DMRS pattern can be the same or different as needed.

[0111] In some embodiments, PUCCH repetitions can be multiplexed according to spatial division multiplexing (SDM). In this case, different scrambling IDs can be configured for different repetitions.

[0112] According to various embodiments, the multiplexing scheme and / or the number of repetitions for one PUCCH transmission occasion can be configured by higher layer signaling, e.g., RRC or MAC CE and / or DCI.

[0113] For repeated PUCCH transmission, UCI reporting can be carried by multiple PUCCH resources. In addition, more than one spatial relation or transmission configuration indication (TCI) state can be configured for a PUCCH resource or a PUCCH resource group.

[0114] In some embodiments, for periodic / semi-persistent CSI reporting or scheduling request, more than one PUCCH resource can be RRC configured. In one example, RRC signaling can be configured according to the message shown in Figure 9 In some embodiments, the PUCCH resources should be configured with the same format. In the shown example, each PUCCH CSI resource can be configured by including uplinkBandwidthPartID and pucch-Resource, which can include a sequence. The resource configuration can include schedulingRequestResourceID, schedulingRequestID; and resource, which can include a sequence, for example. For each resource indicated in the resource configuration shown in Figure 9 There can be a PUCCH CSI resource configured as shown in Figure 9

[0115] In some embodiments, for aperiodic PUCCH, which can be triggered by PDCCH, for example, higher layer signaling (e.g., RRC or MAC CE and / or DCI signaling) can indicate more than one PUCCH resource. Additionally or alternatively, an additional PUCCH resource indicator can be introduced in DCI. For example, the PUCCH resource for other PUCCH repetitions can be determined by the additional PUCCH resource indicator and / or control channel element (CCE) index value.

[0116] Alternatively or additionally, the PUCCH resource indicator, for example, in DCI, can be mapped to more than one PUCCH resource. For example, the mapping between PUCCH resource indicator and PUCCH resource can be configured by higher layer signaling or can be predefined, as needed. As another possibility, the PUCCH resource can be determined by the CCE index.

[0117] In some embodiments, the slot offset of each PUCCH resource can be configured by higher layer signaling and / or DCI.

[0118] Figure 10 Examples are provided for aperiodic PUCCH repetition (e.g., for acknowledgement). In Figure 10 ​In the example, the PDCCH indicates resources 1 and 2 via the PUCCH resource indicator. Data is then transmitted via the PDSCH. Therefore, the UE can use PUCCH resource 1 in beam 1 and PUCCH resource 2 in beam 2 to transmit acknowledgments (which are repeated across both beams).

[0119] In some implementations, signaling (e.g., MAC CE) may activate more than one spatial relation or TCI state for a PUCCH resource or a set of PUCCH resources. For example, spatial relations or TCI states activated by MAC CE may be selected based on those configured by higher-level signaling (e.g., RRC signaling). In one implementation, the number of PUCCH repetitions may be determined by the number of spatial relations or TCI states activated and / or indicated by signaling (e.g., by MAC CE).

[0120] In one implementation, uplink power control parameters can be derived based on parameters associated with either spatial relation or TCI state. Alternatively or additionally, uplink power control for each PUCCH repetition can be performed independently, for example, based on power control parameters associated with each spatial relation or TCI state.

[0121] When more than one spatial relation or TCI state is active for a PUCCH, such as having the lowest resource ID, various implementation schemes can be used. For example, for a PUSCH scheduled, for example, by DCI format 0_0, one of the PUCCH's spatial relation or TCI state can be used to determine the PUSCH beam. In one implementation, the spatial relation or TCI state with the lowest or highest ID can be used to determine the PUSCH beam. In one implementation, the first or last spatial relation or TCI state (e.g., indicated in the MAC CE) can be used to determine the PUSCH beam. In one implementation, the index used to determine the spatial relation or TCI state of the PUSCH beam can be configured by higher-layer signaling and / or DCI. For example, the CCE index of the PDCCH can be used to determine this index.

[0122] When one or a subset of the PUCCH repetitions conflicts with the PUSCH, any implementation scheme from various implementation schemes may be used. Figure 11 In the example, all PUCCH duplicates can be discarded, and the UCI can be carried by the PUSCH. Figure 12 In the example, overlapping PUCCH duplicates can be discarded, and UCI can be carried by PUSCH. Figure 13 In the example, overlapping PUCCH duplicates can be discarded, and UCI can be carried by PUSCH.

[0123] Figure 14 -PUCCH repeat

[0124] Figure 14 Example techniques for PUCCH repetition are shown. Figure 14 Aspects of the method can be implemented by a wireless device such as the UE 106, which communicates with one or more base stations (e.g., BS 102) as shown in the figures and as described with respect to the figures, or more generally, in connection with any of the computer systems or devices shown in the figures and other circuitry, systems, devices, elements, or components shown in the figures and other devices as desired. For example, one or more processors (or processing elements) of the UE (e.g., the one or more processors 402, one or more baseband processors, one or more processors associated with communication circuitry, etc.) can cause the UE to perform some or all of the illustrated method elements. Note that while at least some elements of the method are described using terminology related to using communication techniques and / or features associated with 3GPP specification documents, such description is not intended to limit the present disclosure, and aspects of the method can be used in any suitable wireless communication system as desired. In various implementations, some of the method elements shown can be performed concurrently, in a different order than shown, may

[0125] According to some embodiments, in 1402, the UE 106 can establish communication with the network 100. The communication can be via any number of TRPs (e.g., any number of BSs 102). It should be understood that multiple TRPs can be controlled or coordinated by a single network element of the network 100 (e.g., a core network 606 or 600 or an element of a radio access network (RAN)). For example, one TRP can be a macro cell and another TRP can be a small cell. One or more TRPs can operate according to any of various wireless standards and / or using any combination of frequency resources. For example, one TRP can be associated with licensed access and another TRP can be associated with unlicensed access. The UE can be configured to receive PDCCH or PDSCH from one or more base stations or TRPs in the following steps.

[0126] In 1404, the UE can receive, from the at least one base station, signaling configuring physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) repetition. For example, the signaling can configure multiple PUCCH resources for PUCCH repetition. Additionally or alternatively, the signaling can indicate multiple TCI states or beams for performing PUCCH repetition.

[0127] The signaling can be performed in any of various ways. For example, at least some of the plurality of PUCCH resources can be indicated using higher layer signaling (e.g., RRC or MAC signaling). Additionally or alternatively, the PUCCH resources can be indicated using DCI (e.g., within a PDCCH). In general, any combination of initial higher layer signaling (e.g., RRC and / or MAC signaling) and subsequent signaling (e.g., DCI) can be used to indicate the plurality of PUCCH resources and / or the plurality of beams. For example, an initial one or more PUCCH resources can be specified by higher layer signaling, and DCI can activate additional resources. Additionally or alternatively, DCI can select a subset of a pool of PUCCH resources for PUCCH repetition. Thus, the signaling of 1404 can be done in a single instance, or can be provided over a time span using multiple different messages and / or communications. For example, higher layer signaling can occur at a first time, and lower layer (or physical layer) signaling can occur at a later time, in combination specifying the PUCCH resource and / or beam configuration (or TCI state), as desired.

[0128] In some embodiments, the signaling can include initial higher layer signaling specifying the plurality of PUCCH resources. The signaling can also include medium access control (MAC) signaling indicating the plurality of beams. In some embodiments, the number of repetitions of the PUCCH is based on the number of indicated beams, but can be specified in any desired manner (e.g., independent of the number of indicated beams). In some embodiments, the signaling can include DCI within a PDCCH indicating at least one of the plurality of PUCCH resources.

[0129] In one embodiment, the signaling can include higher layer signaling (e.g., RRC and / or MAC signaling) indicating at least a first PUCCH resource, and the signaling can also include downlink control information (DCI) indicating at least one additional PUCCH resource at a later time.

[0130] In some embodiments, the signaling includes medium access control (MAC) signaling indicating a respective PUCCH resource for each of the plurality of beams. For example, the MAC signaling (or any type of signaling) can indicate which beam uses which PUCCH resource, or in general, a correspondence between PUCCH resources and desired beams, as desired.

[0131] The signaling can also indicate a transmission scheme for the PUCCH repetitions. For example, the PUCCH repetitions can be repeated in a time manner (e.g., TDM) as desired, where the repetitions occur within a slot or across multiple slots (e.g., sequential slots). An offset can be specified by the above signaling (e.g., higher layer signaling) and / or can be predefined as desired. Generally, any of the provided possible configurations can be predefined, signaled by higher layer signaling (e.g., RRC and / or MAC signaling), and / or signaled by lower layer signaling (e.g., DCI).

[0132] Similarly, the PUCCH repetitions can be repeated according to frequency (e.g., FDM). Different starting physical resource blocks (PRBs) can be configured for different repetitions. Additionally, the time duration and / or the time domain DMRS pattern can be the same. The PUCCH repetitions can also be repeated according to SDM, e.g., where different scrambling IDs can be configured for different repetitions. Thus, the multiplexing scheme and / or the number of repetitions for the PUCCH transmission occasions can be configured by higher layer signaling (e.g., RRC and / or MAC signaling), lower layer signaling (e.g., DCI), and / or can be predefined.

[0133] At 1406, the UE transmits the PUCCH multiple times based on the signaling from the at least one base station in 1404. For example, the UE can transmit the same PUCCH using the multiple PUCCH resources and / or over the multiple beams (repeated transmissions).

[0134] The PUCCH can include any of various desired information, such as uplink control information (UCI), acknowledgement / negative acknowledgement (e.g., HARQ-ACK), channel state information (CSI), scheduling request (SR), and / or any desired uplink information.

[0135] In some cases, at least one of the PUCCH repetitions can collide with a PUSCH transmission. If possible, the UE can be able to transmit both simultaneously. However, in some UE configurations, this can not be possible (e.g., based on the available transmission chains of the UE). Thus, the UE can have to resolve the collision. In one embodiment, the UE can drop at least the colliding PUCCH repetition based on the collision, while transmitting the PUSCH during the slot for the colliding PUCCH. The UE can drop (not transmit) both repetitions during the collision, even though the PUSCH only collides with one of them, although this is not required. In either case, the PUSCH can be modified to include at least some of the information that would have been transmitted in the PUCCH, e.g., UCI information, although this can be delayed to a later PUCCH transmission if desired (e.g., based on the urgency of the information to be transmitted).

[0136] Exemplary Embodiments

[0137] Embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented in any of various forms. For example, some embodiments can be implemented as a computer-implemented method, a computer- readable storage medium, or a computer system. Other embodiments can be implemented using one or more custom-designed hardware devices such as ASICs. Still other embodiments can be implemented using one or more programmable hardware elements such as FPGAs.

[0138] In some embodiments, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium can be configured such that it stores program instructions and / or data, where if the program instructions are executed by a computer system, the computer system is caused to perform a method, such as any of the method embodiments described herein, or any combination of the method embodiments described herein, or any subset of any of the method embodiments described herein, or any combination of such subsets.

[0139] In some embodiments, a device (e.g., a UE) can be configured to include a processor (or a set of processors) and a memory medium, where the memory medium stores program instructions, where the processor is configured to read and execute the program instructions from the memory medium, where the program instructions are executable to implement any of the various method embodiments described herein (or any combination of the method embodiments described herein, or any subset of any of the method embodiments described herein, or any combination of such subsets). The device can be implemented in any of various forms.

[0140] The following paragraphs provide example embodiments.

[0141] In some embodiments, an apparatus comprises one or more processors configured to cause a user equipment (UE) to: connect to at least one base station; receive, from the at least one base station, signaling configuring a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) transmission, where the signaling configures a plurality of PUCCH resources for PUCCH repetition; and transmit the PUCCH multiple times using the plurality of PUCCH resources based on the signaling from the at least one base station, where the transmissions are performed using a plurality of beams.

[0142] In some embodiments, the signaling further indicates the plurality of beams.

[0143] In some embodiments, the signaling comprises initial higher layer signaling specifying the plurality of PUCCH resources, and the signaling further comprises medium access control (MAC) signaling indicating the plurality of beams.

[0144] In some implementations, a number of repetitions of the PUCCH is based on a number of indicated beams.

[0145] In some implementations, the signaling includes downlink control information (DCI) indicating at least one PUCCH resource of the plurality of PUCCH resources.

[0146] In some implementations, the signaling includes higher layer signaling indicating a first PUCCH resource, the signaling further including downlink control information (DCI) indicating at least one additional PUCCH resource at a later time, and the plurality of PUCCH resources including the first PUCCH resource and the at least one additional PUCCH resource.

[0147] In some implementations, the one or more processors are further configured to: determine that a first PUCCH repetition collides with a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) transmission; and drop, based on the collision, at least the first PUCCH repetition.

[0148] In some implementations, the PUCCH includes uplink control information (UCI), and the one or more processors are further configured to: transmit, based on the dropping at least the first PUCCH repetition, the UCI in the PUSCH transmission.

[0149] In some implementations, a user equipment device (UE) includes: wireless communication circuitry; and one or more processors coupled to the wireless communication circuitry, wherein the one or more processors are configured to cause the user equipment (UE) to: connect to at least one base station; receive, from the at least one base station, signaling configuring a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) transmission, wherein the signaling indicates a plurality of transmission configuration indication (TCI) states for PUCCH repetition; and transmit the PUCCH multiple times using multiple beams based on the plurality of TCI states.

[0150] In some implementations, the signaling further indicates a plurality of PUCCH resources, wherein the transmitting the PUCCH multiple times uses the plurality of PUCCH resources.

[0151] In some implementations, the signaling includes initial higher layer signaling specifying the plurality of PUCCH resources, wherein the signaling further includes medium access control (MAC) signaling indicating the plurality of TCI states.

[0152] In some implementations, a number of repetitions of the PUCCH is based on a number of indicated TCI states.

[0153] In some embodiments, the signaling comprises downlink control information (DCI) indicating at least one PUCCH resource of the plurality of PUCCH resources.

[0154] In some embodiments, the signaling comprises higher layer signaling indicating a first PUCCH resource, and wherein the signaling further comprises downlink control information (DCI) indicating at least one additional PUCCH resource at a later time.

[0155] In some embodiments, the one or more processors are further configured to: determine that a first PUCCH repetition collides with a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) transmission; and drop at least the first PUCCH repetition based on the collision.

[0156] In some embodiments, the PUCCH comprises uplink control information (UCI), and the one or more processors are further configured to: transmit the UCI in the PUSCH transmission based on the at least dropping the first PUCCH repetition.

[0157] In some embodiments, a method for operating a user equipment (UE) comprises, by the UE: connecting to at least one base station; receiving, from the at least one base station, at least one message configuring a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) transmission, wherein the at least one message indicates a plurality of PUCCH resources, wherein the at least one message indicates a plurality of beams, wherein the at least one message configures the UE to perform a PUCCH repetition using the plurality of PUCCH resources and the plurality of beams; transmitting, based on the at least one message, a first PUCCH transmission using a first PUCCH resource and a first beam; and transmitting, based on the at least one message, a second PUCCH transmission using a second PUCCH resource and a second beam, wherein the second PUCCH transmission is a repetition of the first PUCCH transmission.

[0158] In some embodiments, the at least one message comprises a first one or more radio resource control (RRC) messages specifying at least one of the plurality of PUCCH resources.

[0159] In some embodiments, the at least one message comprises downlink control information (DCI) specifying at least one PUCCH resource for the PUCCH transmission.

[0160] In some embodiments, the at least one message comprises medium access control (MAC) signaling indicating a respective PUCCH resource for each beam of the plurality of beams.

[0161] In some embodiments, an apparatus includes an antenna, a radio coupled to the antenna, and a processing element coupled to the radio. The apparatus can be configured to implement any of the method embodiments described above.

[0162] In some embodiments, a memory medium can store program instructions that, when executed, cause an apparatus to implement any of the method embodiments described above.

[0163] In some embodiments, an apparatus includes at least one processor (e.g., in communication with a memory), the processor configured to implement any of the method embodiments described above.

[0164] In some embodiments, a method includes any action or combination of actions as substantially described herein in the and the claims.

[0165] In some embodiments, a method is performed as substantially described herein with reference to each of the figures contained herein, or any combination thereof, with reference to each of the paragraphs in the , or any combination thereof, with reference to each of the figures and / or , or any combination thereof, or with reference to each of the claims, or any combination thereof.

[0166] In some embodiments, a wireless device is configured to perform any of the actions or combination of actions as substantially described herein in the, the figures, and / or the claims.

[0167] In some embodiments, a wireless device includes any of the means or combination of means as substantially described herein in the and / or the figures.

[0168] In some embodiments, a non-transitory computer-readable medium can store instructions that, when executed, cause performance of any of the actions or combination of actions as substantially described herein in the and / or the figures.

[0169] In some embodiments, an integrated circuit is configured to perform any of the actions or combination of actions as substantially described herein in the and / or the figures.

[0170] In some embodiments, a mobile station is configured to perform any of the actions or combination of actions as substantially described herein in the and / or the figures.

[0171] In some embodiments, a mobile station includes any of the components or combinations of components as described herein in the DETAILED DESCRIPTION and / or the drawings included in the mobile station.

[0172] In some embodiments, a mobile device is configured to perform any of the actions or combinations of actions as substantially described herein in the DETAILED DESCRIPTION and / or the drawings.

[0173] In some embodiments, a mobile device includes any of the components or combinations of components as described herein in the DETAILED DESCRIPTION and / or the drawings included in the mobile device.

[0174] In some embodiments, a network node is configured to perform any of the actions or combinations of actions as substantially described herein in the DETAILED DESCRIPTION and / or the drawings.

[0175] In some embodiments, a network node includes any of the components or combinations of components as described herein in the DETAILED DESCRIPTION and / or the drawings included in the mobile device.

[0176] In some embodiments, a base station is configured to perform any of the actions or combinations of actions as substantially described herein in the DETAILED DESCRIPTION and / or the drawings.

[0177] In some embodiments, a base station includes any of the components or combinations of components as described herein in the DETAILED DESCRIPTION and / or the drawings included in the mobile device.

[0178] In some embodiments, a 5G NR network node or base station is configured to perform any of the actions or combinations of actions as substantially described herein in the DETAILED DESCRIPTION and / or the drawings.

[0179] In some embodiments, a 5G NR network node or base station includes any of the components or combinations of components as described herein in the DETAILED DESCRIPTION and / or the drawings included in the mobile device.

[0180] It is well understood that the use of personally identifiable information should follow privacy policies and practices that are generally recognized as meeting or exceeding industry or governmental requirements for maintaining the privacy of users. In particular, personally identifiable information data should be managed and handled in a way to minimize risks of unintentional or unauthorized access or use, and the nature of authorized use should be clearly indicated to users.

[0181] Any of the methods for operating a user equipment (UE) described herein can be the basis for a corresponding method for operating a base station by interpreting each message / signal X received by the UE in the downlink as a message / signal X transmitted by the base station and each message / signal Y transmitted by the UE in the uplink as a message / signal Y received by the base station.

[0182] While the above implementations have been described in considerable detail, numerous variations and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art once the above disclosure is fully appreciated. It is intended that the following claims be construed to include all such variations and modifications as falling within the true spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A method for operating a user equipment (UE), comprising: From the UE: Connect to at least one base station; Receive configuration of physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) resources from the at least one base station, wherein the configuration indicates PUCCH transmission repetition and wherein a plurality of spatial relationships are configured for the PUCCH transmission repetition; Receive a Media Access Control (MAC) control element (CE) for activating more than one of the multiple spatial relationships for the PUCCH resource; The PUCCH transmission repeats are transmitted on the PUCCH resource using the plurality of spatial relationships, wherein one of the plurality of spatial relationships is used to transmit the corresponding PUCCH repeats, and the repeats are time-division multiplexed within a time slot or across multiple time slots; as well as When more than one spatial relation is activated for the PUCCH resource and the PUCCH resource is the PUCCH resource with the lowest resource ID, the spatial relation transmitted by the Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH) scheduled by the Downlink Control Information (DCI) format 0_0 is determined as the lowest spatial relation ID activated for the PUCCH resource.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: Receives a Media Access Control (MAC) control element indicating the activation of the plurality of spatial relationships for the PUCCH resource.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: Power control is performed on the corresponding PUCCH transmission based on the power control parameters for one of the plurality of spatial relationships.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein power control is performed independently for each of the plurality of spatial relationships.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the number of repetitions of PUCCH is based on the number of the plurality of spatial relationships.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the configuration configures a plurality of PUCCH resources, and wherein the downlink control information (DCI) indicates at least one of the plurality of PUCCH resources.

7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: It was determined that the first PUCCH repetition conflicted with the transmission of the Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH). as well as Based on the conflict, at least the first PUCCH repeat is discarded.

8. An apparatus for operating user equipment (UE), comprising: One or more processors, wherein the one or more processors are configured to cause the UE to: Connect to at least one base station; Receive configuration of physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) resources from the at least one base station, wherein the configuration indicates PUCCH transmission repetition and wherein a plurality of spatial relationships are configured for the PUCCH transmission repetition; Receive a Media Access Control (MAC) control element (CE) for activating more than one of the multiple spatial relationships for the PUCCH resource; The PUCCH transmission repeats are transmitted on the PUCCH resource using the plurality of spatial relationships, wherein one of the plurality of spatial relationships is used to transmit the corresponding PUCCH repeats, and the repeats are time-division multiplexed within a time slot or across multiple time slots; as well as When more than one spatial relation is activated for the PUCCH resource and the PUCCH resource is the PUCCH resource with the lowest resource ID, the spatial relation transmitted by the Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH) scheduled by the Downlink Control Information (DCI) format 0_0 is determined as the lowest spatial relation ID activated for the PUCCH resource.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to cause the UE to: Receives a Media Access Control (MAC) control element indicating the activation of the plurality of spatial relationships for the PUCCH resource.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to cause the UE to: Power control is performed on the corresponding PUCCH transmission based on the power control parameters for one of the plurality of spatial relationships.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein power control is performed independently for each of the plurality of spatial relationships.

12. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the number of repetitions of PUCCH is based on the number of the plurality of spatial relationships.

13. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the configuration configures a plurality of PUCCH resources, and wherein downlink control information (DCI) indicates at least one of the plurality of PUCCH resources.

14. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to cause the UE to: The first PUCCH repetition was determined to be a conflict with the Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH) transmission; and Based on the aforementioned conflict, at least the first PUCCH repeat should be discarded.

15. A non-transitory computer-accessible memory medium storing program instructions, said program instructions being executable by at least one processor of a user equipment (UE) to cause the UE to: Connect to at least one base station; Receive configuration of physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) resources from the at least one base station, wherein the configuration indicates PUCCH transmission repetition and wherein a plurality of spatial relationships are configured for the PUCCH transmission repetition; Receive a Media Access Control (MAC) control element (CE) for activating more than one of the multiple spatial relationships for the PUCCH resource; The PUCCH transmission repeats are transmitted on the PUCCH resource using the plurality of spatial relationships, wherein one of the plurality of spatial relationships is used to transmit the corresponding PUCCH repeats, and the repeats are time-division multiplexed within a time slot or across multiple time slots; as well as When more than one spatial relation is activated for the PUCCH resource and the PUCCH resource is the PUCCH resource with the lowest resource ID, the spatial relation transmitted by the Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH) scheduled by the Downlink Control Information (DCI) format 0_0 is determined as the lowest spatial relation ID activated for the PUCCH resource.

16. The non-transitory computer-accessible memory medium of claim 15, wherein the instructions are further executable to cause the UE to: Receives a Media Access Control (MAC) control element indicating the activation of the plurality of spatial relationships for the PUCCH resource.

17. The non-transitory computer-accessible memory medium of claim 15, wherein the instructions are further executable to cause the UE to: Power control is performed on the corresponding PUCCH transmission based on the power control parameters for one of the plurality of spatial relationships.

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