Method and apparatus for pucch coverage enhancement

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide methods, apparatuses and computer program products for transmitting and receiving uplink signals on a physical control channel. A method comprises determining that a terminal device has a capability to coherently transmit an uplink signal on a physical control channel at at least a first time point and a second time point; performing a first transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel at the first time point in a first set of subcarriers; and performing a second transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel at the second time point in a second set of subcarriers.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The non-limiting and exemplary embodiments of this disclosure generally relate to the technical field of wireless communication, and more specifically, to methods, apparatus, and computer programs for coverage enhancement of uplink control channels (such as PUCCH (Physical Uplink Control Channel)). Background Technology

[0002] This section provides information to help in a better understanding of the various aspects of this disclosure. Therefore, the statements in this section should be understood in this light and should not be construed as an admission of what is or is not present in the prior art.

[0003] Uplink control channels (such as PUCCH) are used to send uplink control information from terminal devices to network nodes. When a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection is established for a specific terminal device (e.g., User Equipment (UE)), dedicated PUCCH resources are allocated to the terminal device. Currently, the PUCCH for UEs in RRC connection states has been identified as one of the bottlenecks in network coverage. Cross-timeslot channel estimation has been proposed as a candidate scheme for PUCCH coverage enhancement. Therefore, it is desirable to provide a new mechanism to support cross-timeslot channel estimation for PUCCH. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This summary is provided to introduce some concepts in a simplified form, which will be further described in the detailed description below. This summary is not intended to identify the principal or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0005] The various embodiments of this disclosure are primarily intended to provide methods, apparatus, and computer programs for supporting cross-timeslot channel estimation for uplink control channels. Other features and advantages of embodiments of this disclosure will also be understood from the following description of specific embodiments, which, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrate the principles of embodiments of this disclosure by way of example.

[0006] In a first aspect of this disclosure, a method for transmitting uplink signals over a physical control channel is provided. The method includes: determining that a terminal device has the capability to coherently transmit uplink signals over the physical control channel at at least a first time point and a second time point; performing a first transmission of the uplink signal over the physical control channel at the first time point, in a first set of subcarriers; and performing a second transmission of the uplink signal over the physical control channel at the second time point, in a second set of subcarriers.

[0007] In some embodiments, the second transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel may be a repetition of the first transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel.

[0008] In some embodiments, the ability to coherently transmit uplink signals on the physical control channel at at least a first time point and a second time point may include the ability to transmit uplink signals on the physical control channel at at least a first time point and a second time point with a phase correlation difference below a threshold.

[0009] In some embodiments, the method may further include: instructing a network node that the terminal device has the capability to coherently transmit uplink signals on the physical control channel at at least a first time point and a second time point.

[0010] In some embodiments, each of the first and second time points may include: one or more time slots; and / or one or more sub-time slots; and / or one or more multiple time slots. The second time point may immediately follow the first time point.

[0011] In some embodiments, the ability to coherently transmit uplink signals on the physical control channel at at least a first time point and a second time point can be determined based on at least one of the following: whether the first time point and the second time point are consecutive; the change in transmission power between the first time point and the second time point; the frequency offset between the center frequency of the first subcarrier set and the center frequency of the second subcarrier set; and the uplink spatial relationship between uplink control channel transmissions at the first time point and the second time point.

[0012] In some embodiments, the method may further include instructing network nodes on the number of time points in which the terminal device has the capability to coherently transmit uplink signals on the physical control channel.

[0013] In some embodiments, the method may further include receiving from a network node an indication of at what time and / or for how many time points the terminal device has the capability to coherently transmit uplink signals on the physical control channel.

[0014] In some embodiments, the method may further include receiving from a network node an indication that the terminal device has the capability to coherently transmit uplink signals on the physical control channel between which frequency hopping modes of the frequency hopping mode.

[0015] In some embodiments, the capability to coherently transmit uplink signals on the physical control channel at at least a first time point and a second time point may have one or more capability levels, and for each capability level, the number of time points in which the terminal device is capable is defined. In some embodiments, the number of time points for each capability level is defined according to one or more of the following parameters: the parameter set of the uplink control channel; the demodulation reference signal configuration of the uplink signal on the physical control channel; the number of repetitions of the uplink signal on the physical control channel; the format of the uplink signal on the physical control channel; the number of orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols of the uplink signal on the physical control channel in a time slot; whether the resources allocated to the uplink signal on the physical control channel are dedicated resources or public resources; and the type of frequency hopping.

[0016] In some embodiments, when frequency hopping is enabled, the same frequency hopping frequency can be used at the first time point and the second time point.

[0017] In some embodiments, the method may further include: determining a frequency hopping mode for the terminal device, wherein the capability to coherently transmit uplink signals on the physical control channel at least at a first time point and a second time point is determined based on the frequency hopping mode.

[0018] In some embodiments, the terminal device is able to maintain coherence of transmission at least at a first time point and a second time point.

[0019] In some embodiments, the method may further include: determining a first demodulation reference signal configuration for a first transmission of an uplink signal on a physical control channel at a first time point, and a second demodulation reference signal configuration for a second transmission of an uplink signal on a physical control channel at a second time point. At least one of the first and second demodulation reference signal configurations may indicate a corresponding transmission of an uplink signal on a physical control channel for which no demodulation reference signal resources are configured.

[0020] In some embodiments, the first transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel may have the same length as the second transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel, and in at least one of the first transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel and the second transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel, at least a portion of the symbols reserved for the demodulation reference signal may be used for uplink control information bits or dummy bits.

[0021] In some embodiments, the first transmission of uplink signals on the physical control channel may include first uplink control information having the same size as the second uplink control information included in the second transmission of uplink signals on the physical control channel. Each of the first transmission and the second transmission of uplink signals on the physical control channel may be performed in consecutive symbols at corresponding points in time.

[0022] In some embodiments, a first transmission of uplink signals on a physical control channel includes first uplink control information, and a second transmission of uplink signals on a physical control channel includes second uplink control information. The magnitudes of the first and second uplink control information can be determined respectively based on the corresponding demodulation reference signal configuration and the number of available uplink symbols at the corresponding time points. In at least one of the first and second transmissions of uplink signals on a physical control channel, at least a portion of the symbols reserved for the demodulation reference signal can be used for uplink control information bits.

[0023] In some embodiments, a first transmission of uplink signals on the physical control channel and a second transmission of uplink signals on the physical control channel can be performed within a span consisting of a set of consecutive uplink symbols.

[0024] In some embodiments, at least one of the first transmission of uplink signals on the physical control channel and the second transmission of uplink signals on the physical control channel may be segmented at time slot boundaries within the span.

[0025] In some embodiments, the method may further include: determining whether at least one of a first transmission of an uplink signal on a physical control channel and a second transmission of an uplink signal on a physical control channel is permitted to span multiple spans. If at least one of the first transmission of an uplink signal on a physical control channel and a second transmission of an uplink signal on a physical control channel is not permitted to span multiple spans, the method may further include: determining the number of uplink signal transmissions on a physical control channel within that span based on at least one of available uplink symbols in the span and the length of the uplink signal on the physical control channel. If at least one of the first transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel and the second transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel is allowed to span multiple spans, the method may further include: determining the number of spans required for the first transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel and the second transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel, based at least on the number of transmissions of the uplink signal on the physical control channel and the length of the transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel; and / or determining the minimum number of symbols in the span for the transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel, based at least on the number of available uplink symbols in the span and the length of the transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel.

[0026] In some embodiments, a first transmission of uplink signals on the physical control channel and a second transmission of uplink signals on the physical control channel can be performed continuously over one or more spans.

[0027] In some embodiments, the method may further include: determining one or more symbols in the span that are configured not to be used for uplink signal transmission on the physical control channel.

[0028] In some embodiments, the method may further include: determining the location of a demodulation reference signal for at least one of a first transmission of uplink signals on the physical control channel and a second transmission of uplink signals on the physical control channel, wherein the location is configured based on the transmission of uplink signals on the physical control channel and / or based on each segment of uplink signals on the physical control channel. The location of the demodulation reference signal in a segment may be configured based on at least one of the following factors: the length of the segment, the presence of an additional demodulation reference signal, and whether frequency hopping is enabled.

[0029] In some embodiments, the method may further include: determining a maximum number of uplink signals transmitted on the physical control channel, the maximum number being greater than a specific value.

[0030] In some embodiments, the method may further include receiving an indication of the number of uplink signals transmitted on the physical control channel from a network node.

[0031] In some embodiments, the first transmission of uplink signals on the physical control channel and the second transmission of uplink signals on the physical control channel can be configured for hybrid automatic repeat request feedback for message 4 or message B. The first transmission of uplink signals on the physical control channel and the second transmission of uplink signals on the physical control channel can be configured and / or activated in one or more of the following ways: configured and activated using System Information Block 1 (SIB1); configured using SIB1 and activated using dedicated signaling; and configured and activated using dedicated signaling. The dedicated signaling can be transmitted in one or more of the following ways: for downlink shared channel for message 4 or message B; downlink control information scheduling message 4 or message B; and dedicated radio resource control signaling when the terminal device is in connected mode.

[0032] In a second aspect of this disclosure, a method for transmitting uplink signals over a physical control channel is provided. The method includes: dividing uplink control information bits into a first portion and a second portion; transmitting the first portion in a first uplink signal over the physical control channel in a flexible time slot, the flexible time slot including both uplink symbols and downlink symbols; and transmitting the second portion in a second uplink signal over the physical control channel in at least one uplink time slot following the flexible time slot.

[0033] In some embodiments, the uplink control information bits may be divided into a first part and a second part based on the type of uplink control information bits and / or the number of uplink symbols in the flexible time slot.

[0034] In some embodiments, the method may further include: transmitting a repetition of a first uplink signal on the physical control channel in a subsequent flexible time slot; and transmitting a repetition of a second uplink signal on the physical control channel in at least one subsequent uplink time slot.

[0035] In some embodiments, a first uplink signal on the physical control channel and a second uplink signal on the physical control channel may be transmitted according to the format of the uplink signal on the physical control channel, wherein the format is defined by utilizing uplink symbols in flexible time slots and symbols in at least one uplink time slot.

[0036] In a third aspect of this disclosure, a method for receiving uplink signals on a physical control channel is provided. The method includes: determining that a terminal device has the capability to coherently transmit uplink signals on the physical control channel at at least a first time point and a second time point; receiving a first transmission of the uplink signals on the physical control channel from the terminal device at the first time point, in a first set of subcarriers; and receiving a second transmission of the uplink signals on the physical control channel from the terminal device at the second time point, in a second set of subcarriers.

[0037] In some embodiments, the second transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel may be a repetition of the first transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel.

[0038] In some embodiments, the method may further include performing channel estimation by coherently combining a first transmission of uplink signals on the physical control channel and a second transmission of uplink signals on the physical control channel.

[0039] In some embodiments, the ability to coherently transmit uplink signals on the physical control channel at at least a first time point and a second time point may include the ability to transmit uplink signals on the physical control channel at at least a first time point and a second time point with a phase correlation difference below a threshold.

[0040] In some embodiments, the method may further include: receiving from the terminal device an indication that the terminal device has the capability to coherently transmit uplink signals on the physical control channel at at least a first time point and a second time point.

[0041] In some embodiments, each of the first and second time points may include: one or more time slots; and / or one or more sub-time slots; and / or one or more multiple time slots. The second time point may immediately follow the first time point.

[0042] In some embodiments, the ability to coherently transmit uplink signals on the physical control channel at at least a first time point and a second time point can be determined based on at least one of the following: whether the first time point and the second time point are consecutive; the change in transmission power between the first time point and the second time point; the frequency offset between the center frequency of the first subcarrier set and the center frequency of the second subcarrier set; and the uplink spatial relationship between uplink control channel transmissions at the first time point and the second time point.

[0043] In some embodiments, the method may further include: receiving from the terminal device an indication of the number of time points in which the terminal device has the capability to coherently transmit uplink signals on the physical control channel.

[0044] In some embodiments, the method may further include: determining at what time and / or for how many time points the terminal device has the capability to coherently transmit uplink signals on the physical control channel; and sending an indication to the terminal device indicating at what time and / or for how many time points the terminal device has the capability to coherently transmit uplink signals on the physical control channel.

[0045] In some embodiments, the method may further include: determining which frequency hopping modes the terminal device has the capability to coherently transmit uplink signals on the physical control channel; and sending an indication to the terminal device indicating which frequency hopping modes the terminal device has the capability to coherently transmit uplink signals on the physical control channel.

[0046] In some embodiments, the ability to coherently transmit uplink signals on the physical control channel at at least a first time point and a second time point may have one or more capability levels, and for each capability level, the number of time points in which the terminal device has the capability is defined.

[0047] In some embodiments, the number of time points for each capability level can be defined based on one or more of the following parameters: the parameter set of the uplink control channel; the demodulation reference signal configuration of the uplink signal on the physical control channel; the number of repetitions of the uplink signal on the physical control channel; the format of the uplink signal on the physical control channel; the number of orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols of the uplink signal on the physical control channel in a time slot; whether the resources allocated to the uplink signal on the physical control channel are dedicated or shared resources; and the type of frequency hopping. In some embodiments, when frequency hopping is enabled, the same frequency hopping frequency can be used at the first and second time points.

[0048] In some embodiments, the method may further include: determining a frequency hopping mode for a terminal device, wherein the capability to coherently transmit uplink signals on the physical control channel at least at a first time point and a second time point is determined based on the frequency hopping mode.

[0049] In some embodiments, the method may further include: sending to a terminal device a first demodulation reference signal configuration for a first transmission of an uplink signal on a physical control channel at a first time point, and a second demodulation reference signal configuration for a second transmission of an uplink signal on a physical control channel at a second time point.

[0050] In some embodiments, at least one of the first demodulation reference signal configuration and the second demodulation reference signal configuration may indicate that no demodulation reference signal resources are configured for the corresponding transmission of uplink signals on the physical control channel.

[0051] In some embodiments, the first transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel may have the same length as the second transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel. In at least one of the first transmission and the second transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel, at least a portion of the symbols reserved for the demodulation reference signal are used for uplink control information bits or pseudo bits.

[0052] In some embodiments, the first transmission of uplink signals on the physical control channel may include first uplink control information having the same size as the second uplink control information included in the second transmission of uplink signals on the physical control channel. Each of the first transmission and the second transmission of uplink signals on the physical control channel may be performed in consecutive symbols at corresponding points in time.

[0053] In some embodiments, the first transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel may include first uplink control information, and the second transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel may include second uplink control information. The magnitudes of the first and second uplink control information may be determined based on the corresponding demodulation reference signal configuration and the number of available uplink symbols at the corresponding time points. In at least one of the first and second transmissions of the uplink signal on the physical control channel, at least a portion of the symbols reserved for the demodulation reference signal may be used for uplink control information bits.

[0054] In some embodiments, a first transmission of uplink signals on the physical control channel and a second transmission of uplink signals on the physical control channel can be received within a span consisting of a set of consecutive uplink symbols.

[0055] In some embodiments, at least one of the first transmission of uplink signals on the physical control channel and the second transmission of uplink signals on the physical control channel may be segmented at time slot boundaries within the span.

[0056] In some embodiments, the method may further include determining whether at least one of a first transmission of an uplink signal on a physical control channel and a second transmission of an uplink signal on a physical control channel is permitted to span multiple spans.

[0057] In some embodiments, the method may further include: sending an indication to a terminal device whether at least one of a first transmission of an uplink signal on a physical control channel and a second transmission of an uplink signal on a physical control channel is permitted to span multiple spans. If at least one of the first transmission of an uplink signal on a physical control channel and a second transmission of an uplink signal on a physical control channel is not permitted to span multiple spans, the method may further include: determining the number of uplink signal transmissions on a physical control channel within that span based on at least one of available uplink symbols in the span and the length of the uplink signal on the physical control channel. If at least one of the first transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel and the second transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel is allowed to span multiple spans, the method may further include: determining the number of spans required for the first transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel and the second transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel, based at least on the number of transmissions of the uplink signal on the physical control channel and the length of the transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel; and / or determining the minimum number of symbols for the transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel in that span, based at least on the number of available uplink symbols in the span and the length of the transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel.

[0058] In some embodiments, the first transmission of uplink signals on the physical control channel and the second transmission of uplink signals on the physical control channel can be received continuously over a span (Embodiment 1 in the updated Section 5.2.1).

[0059] In some embodiments, the method may further include: determining one or more symbols in the span that are configured not to be used for uplink signal transmission on the physical control channel.

[0060] In some embodiments, the method may further include: determining the location of a demodulation reference signal for at least one of a first transmission of uplink signals on the physical control channel and a second transmission of uplink signals on the physical control channel, wherein the location is configured based on the transmission of uplink signals on the physical control channel and / or based on each segment of the uplink signals on the physical control channel.

[0061] In some embodiments, the method may further include: determining a maximum number of uplink signals transmitted on the physical control channel, the maximum number being greater than a specific value. The location of the demodulation reference signal in the segment can be configured based on at least one of the following factors: the length of the segment, the presence of an additional demodulation reference signal, and whether frequency hopping is enabled.

[0062] In some embodiments, the method may further include: sending to the terminal device an indication of the number of repetitions of the uplink signal on the physical control channel.

[0063] In some embodiments, the first transmission of uplink signals on the physical control channel and the second transmission of uplink signals on the physical control channel can be configured for hybrid automatic repeat request feedback for message 4 or message B. The first transmission of uplink signals on the physical control channel and the second transmission of uplink signals on the physical control channel can be configured and / or activated in one or more of the following ways: configured and activated using System Information Block 1 (SIB1); configured using SIB1 and activated using dedicated signaling; and configured and activated using dedicated signaling. The dedicated signaling is transmitted in one or more of the following ways: for downlink shared channel for message 4 or message B; downlink control information scheduling message 4 or message B; and dedicated radio resource control signaling when the terminal device is in connected mode.

[0064] In a fourth aspect of this disclosure, a method for receiving an uplink signal on a physical control channel is provided. The method includes: receiving a first portion of uplink control information bits in a first uplink signal on the physical control channel during a flexible time slot, the flexible time slot including both uplink symbols and downlink symbols; and receiving a second portion of the uplink control information bits in a second uplink signal on the physical control channel during at least one uplink time slot following the flexible time slot.

[0065] In some embodiments, the uplink control information bits may be divided into a first part and a second part based on the type of uplink control information bits and / or the number of uplink symbols in the flexible time slot.

[0066] In some embodiments, the method may further include: receiving a repetition of a first uplink signal on the physical control channel in a subsequent flexible time slot; and receiving a repetition of a second uplink signal on the physical control channel in at least one subsequent uplink time slot.

[0067] In some embodiments, a first uplink signal on the physical control channel and a second uplink signal on the physical control channel may be received according to the format of the uplink signal on the physical control channel, wherein the format is defined by utilizing uplink symbols in a flexible timeslot and symbols in at least one uplink timeslot.

[0068] In a fifth aspect of this disclosure, an apparatus is provided. The apparatus may include a processor and a memory coupled to the processor. The memory may contain instructions executable by the processor, thereby enabling the apparatus to operate to perform any step of the method according to a first aspect of this disclosure.

[0069] In a sixth aspect of this disclosure, an apparatus is provided. The apparatus may include a processor and a memory coupled to the processor. The memory may contain instructions executable by the processor, thereby enabling the apparatus to operate to perform any step of the method according to a second aspect of this disclosure.

[0070] In a seventh aspect of this disclosure, an apparatus in a fourth network node is provided. The apparatus may include a processor and memory coupled to the processor. The memory may contain instructions executable by the processor, thereby enabling the apparatus to operate to perform any step of the method according to a third aspect of this disclosure.

[0071] In an eighth aspect of this disclosure, an apparatus in a third network node is provided. The apparatus may include a processor and memory coupled to the processor. The memory may contain instructions executable by the processor, thereby enabling the apparatus to operate to perform any step of the method according to a fourth aspect of this disclosure.

[0072] In a ninth aspect of this disclosure, a computer-readable medium is provided having computer program code embodied thereon, which, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to perform any step of the method according to a first aspect of this disclosure.

[0073] In a tenth aspect of this disclosure, a computer-readable medium is provided having computer program code embodied thereon, which, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to perform any step of the method according to a second aspect of this disclosure.

[0074] In the eleventh aspect of this disclosure, a computer-readable medium is provided having computer program code embodied thereon, which, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to perform any step of the method according to the third aspect of this disclosure.

[0075] In a twelfth aspect of this disclosure, a computer-readable medium is provided having computer program code embodied thereon, which, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to perform any step of the method according to a fourth aspect of this disclosure.

[0076] Based on the aspects and embodiments described above, cross-slot channel estimation can be accurately and effectively supported. Attached Figure Description

[0077] The above and other aspects, features, and benefits of various embodiments of this disclosure will become more apparent by way of example from the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein the same reference numerals or letters are used to designate similar or equivalent elements. The drawings shown are for the purpose of facilitating a better understanding of embodiments of this disclosure and are not necessarily drawn to scale, wherein:

[0078] Figure 1 Two PUCCH formats are shown respectively;

[0079] Figure 2 An exemplary transmission of multi-slot PUCCH repetition that overlaps temporally with single / multi-slot PUSCH repetition is shown;

[0080] Figure 3 A flowchart is shown for a method of transmitting uplink signals on a physical control channel according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0081] Figure 4 A flowchart is shown for a method of receiving uplink signals on a physical control channel according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0082] Figure 5 An example of frequency hopping mode is shown;

[0083] Figure 6 Exemplary DMRS configurations for multiple transmissions of uplink signals over the physical control channel are shown according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0084] Figure 7 Exemplary configurations of UCI and DMRS in multiple transmissions of uplink signals over the physical control channel according to some embodiments of the present disclosure are shown;

[0085] Figure 8A and Figure 8B Exemplary configurations of UCI and DMRS in multiple transmissions of uplink signals over the physical control channel according to some embodiments of the present disclosure are shown;

[0086] Figure 9 Exemplary configurations of the span according to some embodiments of this disclosure are shown;

[0087] Figure 10 Exemplary segment-based DMRS arrangements according to some embodiments of the present disclosure are shown;

[0088] Figure 11 A flowchart is shown for a method of transmitting uplink signals on a physical control channel according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0089] Figure 12 A flowchart is shown for a method of receiving uplink signals on a physical control channel according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0090] Figure 13 This is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0091] Figure 14A and Figure 14B This is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0092] Figure 15A and Figure 15B This is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0093] Figure 16 This is a block diagram illustrating a telecommunications network connected to a host computer via an intermediate network according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0094] Figure 17 This is a block diagram illustrating a host computer communicating with a UE via a base station through a partial wireless connection according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0095] Figure 18 This is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0096] Figure 19 This is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0097] Figure 20 This is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0098] Figure 21 This is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0099] Embodiments of this disclosure are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that these embodiments are discussed merely to enable those skilled in the art to better understand and implement this disclosure, and are not intended to suggest any limitation on the scope of this disclosure. References to features, advantages, or similar language throughout this specification do not imply that all features and advantages achievable through this disclosure should be present in or in any single embodiment of this disclosure. Rather, references to features and advantages are understood to mean that a particular feature, advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of this disclosure. Furthermore, the features, advantages, and characteristics described in this disclosure may be combined in one or more embodiments in any suitable manner. Those skilled in the art will recognize that this disclosure can be practiced without one or more specific features or advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages that may not be present in all embodiments of this disclosure may be recognized in certain embodiments.

[0100] As used herein, the term "communication network" refers to a network that conforms to any suitable communication standard, such as New Radio (NR), Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced, Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), High-Speed ​​Packet Access (HSPA), and so on. Furthermore, communication between terminal devices and network nodes within a communication network can be performed according to any suitable generation of communication protocol, including but not limited to first-generation (1G), second-generation (2G), 2.5G, 2.75G, third-generation (3G), 4G, 4.5G, 5G communication protocols, and / or any other currently known or future protocols.

[0101] The term "terminal device" refers to any terminal device that can access a communication network and receive services therefrom. By way of example and not limitation, a terminal device can refer to a user equipment (UE) or other suitable device. A UE can be, for example, a subscriber station, a portable subscriber station, a mobile station (MS), or an access terminal (AT). Terminal devices can include, but are not limited to, portable computers, image capture terminal devices such as digital cameras, gaming terminal devices, music storage and playback devices, mobile phones, cellular phones, smartphones, tablet computers, wearable devices, personal digital assistants (PDAs), vehicles, etc.

[0102] As another concrete example, in the Internet of Things (IoT) scenario, a terminal device can also be referred to as an IoT device, and it refers to a machine or other device that performs monitoring, sensing, and / or measurement, and transmits the results of such monitoring, sensing, and / or measurement to another terminal device and / or network device. In this case, the terminal device can be a machine-to-machine (M2M) device, which can be referred to as a machine-type communication (MTC) device in the context of the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP).

[0103] As a specific example, a terminal device can be a UE that implements the 3GPP Narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) standard. Specific examples of such machines or devices are sensors, metering devices (such as power meters), industrial machines, or household or personal appliances (such as refrigerators, televisions), and personal wearable devices (such as watches). In other scenarios, a terminal device can represent a vehicle or other equipment, such as a medical device capable of monitoring, sensing, and / or reporting its operational status or other functions associated with its operation.

[0104] As used herein, the terms “first,” “second,” etc., refer to distinct elements. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular forms “a” and “an” are intended to include the plural forms as well. As used herein, the terms “comprising,” “including,” and / or “having” specify the presence of stated features, elements, and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components, and / or combinations thereof. The term “based on” should be understood as “at least partially based on.” The terms “one embodiment” and “embodiment” should be understood as “at least one embodiment.” The term “another embodiment” should be understood as “at least one other embodiment.” Other definitions, whether explicit or implicit, may be included below.

[0105] In the following description and claims, unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains. For example, the term "terminal device" as used herein can refer to any terminal device or user equipment (UE) with wireless communication capabilities, including but not limited to mobile phones, cellular phones, smartphones or personal digital assistants (PDAs), portable computers, image capture devices such as digital cameras, gaming devices, music storage and playback devices, wearable devices, in-vehicle wireless devices, etc. In the following description, the terms "terminal device," "user equipment," and "UE" are used interchangeably. Similarly, the term "network node" can refer to any NF in the 5G core network.

[0106] Uplink signals can be transmitted on the physical control channel according to predefined formats. For example, in New Radio (NR) versions 15 and 16, several formats are specified for PUCCH configuration. For example, PUCCH configuration in format 2 includes:

[0107] (1) Frequency division multiplexing (FDM) between encoded uplink control information (UCI) and demodulation reference signal (DMRS);

[0108] (2) Encode the UCI with Reed-Muller (RM) code (when the size of UCI is no more than 11 bits) or Polar code (when the size of UCI and Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC) is greater than 11 bits) and scramble it;

[0109] (3) The number of consecutive PRBs used for PUCCH is determined by the following:

[0110] - Configure (upper limit), and / or

[0111] -UCI payload and configured maximum code rate;

[0112] (4) The number of DMRS resource elements (REs) in each physical resource block (PRB) is 4 (REs 1, 4, 7 and 10).

[0113] - The spurious noise (PN) sequence of DMRS is the same as that of the Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH);

[0114] (5) Simultaneous transmission of Ack / Nack (with / without scheduling request (SR)) and Channel State Information (CSI),

[0115] - Jointly encode Ack / Nack and CSI using the configured PRB at a maximum code rate not exceeding the configured maximum code rate; and

[0116] (6) If necessary, discard the CSI on the PUCCH according to the CSI omission rules for CSI.

[0117] For example, the PUCCH configuration in format 3 includes:

[0118] (1) 4–14 symbol length, multiple PRB widths (per frequency hop);

[0119] (2) DMRS and UCI symbols are time-division multiplexed to maintain a low peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR);

[0120] (3) The UCI bits are encoded (using Reed-Muller (RM) code (when the size of UCI is no more than 11 bits) or Polar code (when the size of UCI and CRC is greater than 11 bits)), scrambled, and transmitted using DFTS-OFDM (Discrete Fourier Transform Extended-Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) in the UCI symbols;

[0121] (4) The DMRS symbol is a constant envelope zero autocorrelation (CAZAC) sequence;

[0122] (5) Supports frequency hopping with one hop within the active uplink bandwidth portion (BWP) for the UE;

[0123] (6) Use UCI multiplexing in PUCCH format 3 or 4;

[0124] (7) Simultaneous transmission of Ack / Nack and SR;

[0125] (8) Similar to format 2, the bits of Ack / Nack appended to the state for SR are jointly encoded with all bits;

[0126] (9) Simultaneous transmission of Ack / Nack (with / without SR) and CSI;

[0127] (10) Ack / Nack (and SR) and CSI part 1 are jointly encoded using the configured maximum code rate, and CSI part 2 is encoded separately using the remaining resources;

[0128] (11) The code rate should not exceed the maximum code rate;

[0129] (12) If necessary, discard the CSI on the PUSCH according to the CSI omission rules used for CSI; and

[0130] (13) The modulation symbols of high-priority UCI (Aack / Nak + CSI part 1 or CSI part 1) are mapped around DMRS in a "frequency first, time second" manner, as symmetrically as possible.

[0131] The remaining resources are used for modulation symbols of lower priority UCI (CSI part 2).

[0132] For example, the PUCCH configuration in format 4 includes:

[0133] (1) Based on pre-DFT (Discrete Fourier Transform) OCC (Orthogonal Cover Code), it supports long PUCCHs with multiplexing capabilities for medium UCI payloads.

[0134] - Same structure as PUCCH format 3, but with multi-user multiplexing.

[0135] - Only one PRB,

[0136] - Up to four users can be reused on a single PRB using pre-DFT extension codes.

[0137] - Select cyclic shifts of DMRS from {0,3,6,9} using the pre-DFT extended code index.

[0138] Figure 1 The PUCCH formats for two long PUCCHs, with 14 and 10 symbols respectively, are shown in a time slot interval.

[0139] NR Release 15 supports slot aggregation of PUCCH signals, as specified in Chapter 9.2.6 of 3GPP TS 38.213 v.15.9.0. UCIs can be repeated on a number of slots (e.g., 2, 4, or 8, represented by the parameter nrofSlots). All UCI bits are transmitted and repeated in each slot. In the following text, the repetition of PUCCH signal transmissions may be referred to as a PUCCH repetition. Each PUCCH repetition can have the same duration or length (e.g., represented by nrofSymbols) and start symbol (represented by startingSymbolIndex) in each slot. Inter-slot frequency hopping and intra-slot frequency hopping are supported, but not simultaneously. PUCCH repetitions of formats 1, 3, and 4 can be configured individually. In the example, PUCCH repetition can be configured using the PUCCH-Config information element, as specified in 3GPP TS 38.331 v15.6.0, as shown below.

[0140] PUCCH-Config information element

[0141]

[0142] The `nrofSlots` field indicates the number of slots with the same PUCCH format (e.g., PUCCH format 1, format 3, or format 4). This is also the number of PUCCH repetitions, with one repetition scheduled per slot. When this field is not present, the UE can apply a default value of `n1`. In some examples, this field does not apply to format 2.

[0143] If the UE determines that for a PUCCH repeat transmission in a time slot, the number of symbols available in a time slot is less than the value provided by nrofSymbols for the corresponding PUCCH format for that transmission, then the UE will not transmit the PUCCH repeat in that time slot.

[0144] If the UE is provided with a semi-statically configured TDD (Time Division Duplex) mode, the PUCCH is only mapped to a time slot with an uplink or flexible symbol at the allocated PUCCH resource location. That is, the time slots do not have to be contiguous.

[0145] When a multi-slot PUSCH repetition overlaps temporally with a single-slot / multi-slot PUSCH repetition, if the timeline requirements within the overlapping slots are met, the PUSCH can be discarded without delay within the overlapping slots. Otherwise, it is considered an error case for the overlapping slots. Figure 2 The left side shows an example of overlapping multi-slot PUCCH repetitions with single-slot PUSCH repetitions within a time slot. Figure 2The right side shows an example of overlapping multi-slot PUCCH repetitions and multi-slot PUSCH repetitions within a time slot. (See example...) Figure 2 As shown, duplicate PUSCH values ​​are discarded.

[0146] UEs in a specific number (represented as) The different UCI types in the PUCCH transmission are not reused repeatedly in the time slot. It can be predefined (e.g., specified in a standard), and If a UE needs to transmit two PUCCH signals (each in one or more time slots), and the transmission of the two PUCCH signals overlaps in some of those time slots, the transmission can be performed based on the number of time slots and the UCI type priority of the corresponding UCIs in the PUCCH signals. The UCI type priorities are ordered from highest to lowest as follows: HARQ-ACK, SR, CSI with higher priority, and CSI with lower priority. The UE will transmit PUCCH signals that include UCI bits with higher UCI type priority and will not transmit PUCCH signals that include UCI bits with lower UCI type priority. If two PUCCH signals include UCI bits with the same UCI type priority, the UE will start transmitting the PUCCH signal from the earlier time slot.

[0147] Currently, when dedicated PUCCH resources are unavailable, PUCCH resources can be public resources specifically configured for message (Msg) 4 or message (MsgB) HARQ feedback in a 4-step random access procedure or a 2-step random access procedure. In this case, only PUCCH format 0 or format 1 will be used, and PUCCH repetition is not supported.

[0148] As discussed above, PUCCH for UEs in RRC connected state has been identified as one of the bottlenecks in cell coverage. PUCCH repetition is supported in NR Release 15. However, some limitations remain, such as the maximum number of PUCCH repetitions, channel estimation performed within a time slot, only one PUCCH repetition per time slot, and the lack of specific methods to improve PUCCH performance for Msg4 / BHARQ-ACK feedback.

[0149] For UEs located at the cell edge, the SNR (signal-to-noise ratio) in each PUCCH repetition is quite low. This means that channel estimation errors can be large, especially when DMRS resources for channel estimation are limited. In this case, cross-slot channel estimation may be necessary to improve channel estimation accuracy, thereby improving the performance of the PUCCH receiver.

[0150] Therefore, it is desirable to provide a new mechanism to support cross-timeslot channel estimation for transmissions over physical control channels (e.g., PUCCH) and overcome the aforementioned problems. This disclosure provides methods, apparatus, and computer program products for supporting cross-timeslot channel estimation to improve the performance of transmissions over physical control channels. This support covers determining the UE's cross-timeslot channel estimation capability, for example, regarding UE requirements for the number of time slots that can be expected to be used for cross-channel estimation. When applying cross-timeslot channel estimation, this support can further cover DMRS configuration and frequency hopping mode design. With these supports, cross-timeslot channel estimation can ensure better accuracy of channel estimation under specific radio channel conditions.

[0151] Cross-slot channel estimation can be used for multiple PUCCH repetitions across time slots. Each PUCCH repetition in a plurality of PUCCH repetitions can be scheduled in one or more time slots. For uplink channel estimation, the network node (e.g., gNB) acting as the receiver needs to know whether cross-slot channel estimation is possible, for example, whether the UE guarantees cross-slot phase continuity for DMRS, in order to use for joint channel estimation in the absence of expected blind demodulation. In some embodiments, multiple PUCCH repetitions from a UE can be transmitted in a single time slot. In this case, a PUCCH repetition from the UE is scheduled in a portion of consecutive symbols within a time slot (hereinafter referred to as a sub-slot). For example, the PUCCH repetition can have a short PUCCH format. The network node (e.g., gNB) can perform joint channel estimation among multiple PUCCH repetitions in a single time slot. This can be referred to as cross-PUCCH channel estimation in a single time slot. In this disclosure, the term "cross-slot channel estimation" is used for the sake of brevity, but the term also encompasses cross-PUCCH channel estimation in a single time slot.

[0152] In order for a network node (e.g., gNB) to improve its cross-slot channel estimation by coherently combining multiple transmissions from a UE, it is desirable for the network node to know that the UE will coherently transmit multiple transmissions. For example, preferably, the gNB can determine or be instructed that the UE will minimize the phase difference between its multiple PUCCH repetitions. In this regard, the UE can send an indication to the network node of its ability to coherently transmit multiple PUCCH repetitions. Alternatively, this capability of the UE can be specified in a communication standard or industry standard specification. This capability may include the ability to control the relative phase between the transmissions of multiple PUCCH repetitions. Various aspects of the new mechanism for supporting cross-slot channel estimation for PUCCHs are described in more detail with reference to the following embodiments.

[0153] In one embodiment, for coherent transmissions in the UE over time, the UE may indicate to the network a capability requirement that the UE is able or should be able to perform transmissions at at least at a first time point and a second time point on the same antenna port with a finite phase difference. Alternatively, this capability requirement may be defined in the specifications of an industry / communication standard. The UE transmits first content at a first time point on the same antenna port in a first set of subcarriers. The UE transmits second content at a second time point on the same antenna port in a second set of subcarriers, such that the phase difference between each subcarrier in the second set and each subcarrier in the first set is no greater than a predetermined phase difference. Each of the first content and the second content may be at least one of a physical channel and a physical signal. For example, the first content and the second content may be a PUCCH repetition.

[0154] In some embodiments, the first subcarrier set and the second subcarrier set may be the same.

[0155] In some embodiments, the first content and the second content can be the same content.

[0156] In some embodiments, the second time point may immediately follow the first time point.

[0157] In some embodiments, when the UE is scheduled on multiple carriers, the UE can transmit at a first time point and a second time point.

[0158] In some embodiments, the UE may receive from the network node an instruction to perform the transmission of first content at a first time point and the transmission of second content at a second time point at at least one of the same power level and the same precoder. This instruction may be signaling from the network node.

[0159] In some embodiments, the UE can receive an indication from a network node that identifies a first time point and a second time point among a plurality of time points. This indication may be signaling from the network node.

[0160] While embodiments of this disclosure can be implemented in exemplary 5G NR access networks, it should be understood that the embodiments of this disclosure are not limited to such access networks. For illustrative purposes, several embodiments of this disclosure will be described in the context of a PUCCH configuration having certain parameters and specific parameter values. However, those skilled in the art will understand that the specific parameter values ​​are used as examples, and the concepts and principles of several embodiments of this disclosure can be applied more generally to other parameters and parameter values.

[0161] It should be noted that some embodiments of this disclosure are described primarily with respect to the 5G specification as non-limiting examples used as certain exemplary network configurations and system deployments. Therefore, the description of the exemplary embodiments given herein specifically refers to terms directly related to them. Such terms are used only in the context of the presented non-limiting examples and embodiments and do not inherently limit this disclosure in any way. Rather, any other system configuration or radio technology can be used equivalently, provided that the exemplary embodiments described herein are applicable.

[0162] Now for reference Figure 3 This illustrates a flowchart of a method 300 for transmitting uplink signals on a physical control channel according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Method 300 can be implemented at a terminal device (e.g., a UE). Figure 3 As shown, method 300 may include: at block 302, determining that the terminal device has the capability to coherently transmit uplink signals on the physical control channel at at least a first time point and a second time point; at block 304, performing a first transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel at the first time point in a first set of subcarriers; and at block 306, performing a second transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel at the second time point in a second set of subcarriers.

[0163] In some embodiments, method 300 may further include: at block 308, instructing a network node that the terminal device has the capability to coherently transmit uplink signals on the physical control channel at at least a first time point and a second time point.

[0164] Figure 4 A flowchart of a method 400 for receiving uplink signals on a physical control channel according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. Method 400 can be implemented at a network node (e.g., a gNB). Figure 4 As shown, method 400 may include: at block 402, determining that the terminal device has the capability to coherently transmit uplink signals on the physical control channel at at least a first time point and a second time point; at block 404, receiving a first transmission of uplink signals on the physical control channel from the terminal device at the first time point in a first set of subcarriers; and at block 406, receiving a second transmission of uplink signals on the physical control channel from the terminal device at the second time point in a second set of subcarriers.

[0165] In some embodiments, method 400 may further include: at block 408, performing channel estimation by coherently combining a first transmission of uplink signals on the physical control channel and a second transmission of uplink signals on the physical control channel.

[0166] In some embodiments, method 400 may further include, at block 410, receiving from the terminal device an indication that the terminal device has the capability to coherently transmit uplink signals on the physical control channel at at least a first time point and a second time point.

[0167] The second transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel can be a repetition of the first transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel.

[0168] The ability to coherently transmit uplink signals on the physical control channel at at least a first time point and a second time point may include the ability to transmit uplink signals on the physical control channel at at least a first time point and a second time point with a phase correlation difference below a threshold. The phase correlation difference may include at least one of phase difference, phase error difference, and phase difference error. Phase difference refers to the phase difference between two transmissions. Phase error difference refers to the phase error difference between two transmissions. Phase difference error refers to the error in the phase difference between two transmissions.

[0169] Each of the first and second time points may include: one or more time slots, and / or one or more sub-time slots, and / or one or more multi-time slots. A sub-time slot consists of one or more consecutive uplink symbols within a time slot. A multi-time slot consists of one or more consecutive uplink time slots. In some embodiments, the second time point may immediately follow the first time point.

[0170] UEs can have varying capabilities to maintain phase continuity across time points (especially discontinuous time slots). Besides time points, another factor affecting phase is the UE's transmission power. Some UEs may have multiple power amplifiers (PAs) and a local oscillator. Therefore, for such UEs, the uplink transmission phase may change when uplink transmission power causes switching between multiple PAs. Frequency offset from the BWP's center frequency and uplink spatial relationships can also affect phase continuity in transmission across first and second time points.

[0171] Therefore, in some embodiments, the ability to coherently transmit uplink signals on the physical control channel at at least a first time point and a second time point is determined based on at least one of the following factors: whether the first time point and the second time point are consecutive; the change in transmission power between the first time point and the second time point; the frequency offset between the center frequencies of the first subcarrier set and the second subcarrier set; and the uplink spatial relationship between uplink control channel transmissions at the first time point and the second time point. The UE can report its ability to support cross-timeslot channel estimation to the gNB.

[0172] In one scenario, the UE can determine that its uplink signal transmission at at least at a first time point and a second time point can be performed using the same allocated PRB, the same UL transmission power, and the same uplink spatial relationship. In one example, the UE can determine that in this scenario, it cannot maintain phase continuity across a certain number (e.g., denoted as X) of consecutive time slots. The value of X can be predefined, for example, X = 1, 2, 3, or 4. The UE can also indicate the number X to the gNB. When X = 1, it can indicate the ability to maintain phase continuity across multiple PUCCHs in a single time slot. In another example, the UE can determine that in this scenario, it can maintain phase continuity across up to X consecutive time slots, but cannot maintain phase continuity between non-consecutive time slots. In yet another example, the UE can determine that in this scenario, it can maintain phase continuity across time slots regardless of whether the time slots are consecutive.

[0173] In another scenario, the UE can determine that uplink signal transmission at at least at a first time point and a second time point can be performed with different uplink transmission powers, the same allocated PRB, and the same spatial relationships. In one example, the UE can determine that in this scenario, if the uplink transmission power changes during a time point, the UE cannot maintain phase continuity. In another example, the UE can determine that in this scenario, if the uplink transmission power change during a time point is within a range that prevents handover at the PA level, the UE can maintain phase continuity. For example, a maximum power change can be set to maintain phase continuity. For example, the maximum power change could be 3 dB, meaning that if its transmission power increases by no more than 3 dB, the same phase can be maintained. The UE can also indicate this maximum power change to the gNB so that the gNB can determine the UE's ability to maintain phase continuity. In yet another example, the UE can determine that in this scenario, the UE can maintain phase continuity regardless of the transmission power difference.

[0174] In another scenario, the UE can determine that uplink signal transmissions at at least at a first time point and a second time point can be performed with the same transmission power and the same uplink spatial relationship. The UE can report to the gNB the range of phase rotation of the frequency difference between the center frequencies using the BWP with respect to the UE and the PUCCHPRB allocated for each transmission. For example, the ratio between phase rotation and frequency difference can be reported. This can indicate that phase continuity can be maintained if its phase rotation increases by no more than the radio frequency.

[0175] The time slots used for cross-slot PUCCH channel estimation can be time slots scheduled for multiple PUCCH repetitions or for PUCCH repetitions from a single UE that are scheduled separately in one or more time slots. In the latter case, each PUCCH repetition can be scheduled using its own precoder and / or uplink spatial relation.

[0176] In addition to factors in the time and power domains, the phase continuity between DMRS across multiple time slots introduces other constraints that make cross-time slot channel estimation possible. For example, the UE may need to maintain the same spatial transmission filter for PUCCH across multiple time slots.

[0177] In some embodiments, the UE may ignore the transmit power variation between time slots that are part of the PUCCH repetition.

[0178] In some embodiments, the UE can determine at what time points and / or for how many time points the terminal device has the capability to coherently transmit uplink signals on the physical control channel. In one example, the UE can determine in which time slots / repetitions or for how many time slots / repetitions it needs to maintain phase continuity. If frequency hopping is enabled, the UE can use the same PRB to determine between which specific hops it needs to maintain phase continuity. For example, the default setting could be phase coherency on all repetitions. If this exceeds the UE's capabilities, a specific smaller number of time slots are configured to maintain phase continuity. In some embodiments, the UE can receive from a network device (e.g., a gNB) an indication of at what time points and / or for how many time points the terminal device has the capability to coherently transmit uplink signals on the physical control channel, and / or an indication of between which frequency hops in a frequency hopping mode the terminal device has the capability to coherently transmit uplink signals on the physical control channel. For example, these time slots / repetitions and / or hops can be configured by the gNB via RRC / L1 signaling.

[0179] In some embodiments, the ability to coherently transmit uplink signals on the physical control channel at at least a first time point and a second time point has one or more capability levels. In an example, the UE may report its capability level to the gNB, for example, using one bit. For each capability level, the number of time points in which the terminal device is capable is defined. The number of time points (hereinafter also referred to as coherent slots) can be defined for each capability level based on one or more of the following factors:

[0180] ○ Parameter set of uplink control channel: For example, with higher subcarrier spacing, more coherent time slots may be required because higher subcarrier spacing is shorter;

[0181] ○ Uplink signal demodulation reference signal configuration on the physical control channel: For example, whether there are additional DMRS (e.g., more DMRS configured per slot), which may require fewer coherent slots (because the channel estimation per slot is sufficient);

[0182] ○ The number of repetitions of the uplink signal on the physical control channel;

[0183] ○ The format of uplink signals on the physical control channel;

[0184] ○ The number of orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols for the uplink signal in a time slot on the physical control channel;

[0185] ○ Are the resources allocated to uplink signals on the physical control channel dedicated or shared resources; and

[0186] ○ Types of frequency hopping.

[0187] As an example, for PUCCH formats 3 and 4, two different levels of cross-slot coherence capability can be defined in the two tables below. For each capability level, the required number of coherent slots can be defined for different subcarrier spacings (denoted as μ) and different numbers of DMRS symbols.

[0188] Table 1: Number of coherent time slots used for cross-time slot coherence capability 1

[0189]

[0190]

[0191] Table 2: Number of coherent time slots used for cross-time slot coherence capability 2

[0192]

[0193] The number of DMRS symbols used for PUCCH transmission using PUCCH format 3 or format 4 can be provided by the higher-level parameter additionalDMRS.

[0194] Furthermore, in some embodiments, coherent time slots may be limited to time slots that use the same frequency hopping frequency (i.e., the same PRB allocation). Time slots using the same frequency hopping frequency may be time slots that share a joint frequency indicator, or time slots that use the same frequency, even if they may have separate indicators for their respective frequencies.

[0195] In one embodiment, a frequency hopping pattern can be determined for the UE. In an example, the frequency hopping pattern for different UEs can be specifically indicated to the respective UE by the gNB, for example, via RRC or L1 signaling in the downlink control information (DCI). Using this embodiment, interference can be randomized, and PUCCH transmissions can be more robust to interference. Figure 5 An example of a frequency hopping pattern is shown for the case of 8 PUCCH repetitions and 2 different frequency hopping frequencies. In this example, the location of the coherent time slots can be determined based on the frequency hopping pattern because the locations of time slots using the same frequency hopping frequency are arranged differently for different frequency hopping patterns.

[0196] In some embodiments, the UE may report its capability and / or capability level to the gNB regarding one or more factors, such as uplink transmission power and other factors mentioned above. Based on these factors, the gNB can determine the UE's capability and / or capability level, as described above. In some other embodiments, the UE is not required to report its capability and / or capability level to support cross-timeslot channel estimation (at the receiver). The UE may commit to maintaining coherence in transmissions at least at a first time point and a second time point. For example, industry / communication standards may specify that the UE should commit to a single complex number (phase shift) over the bandwidth allocated between time slots, where the same PRB is used for the UE across time slots.

[0197] To support effective cross-slot channel estimation, according to embodiments of this disclosure, the DMRS configuration for PUCCH repetitions across multiple slots can be adjusted when cross-slot channel estimation is applied. In NR Release 15 and Release 16, a single DMRS configuration is applied for all PUCCH repetitions from a UE's UCI. Cross-slot channel estimation implies that DMRS in one slot / repetition can aid channel estimation in adjacent slots / repetitions. If the gNB predicts the radio channel is static and suitable for cross-slot channel estimation for the UE, it allows the UE to reduce or omit the DMRS resources allocated for some or all PUCCH repetitions. In this disclosure, zero DMRS in a slot within a PUCCH is also considered a DMRS configuration.

[0198] PUCCH repeats with few or no DMRS can include PUCCH repeats as specified in NR Release 15 or other types of PUCCH repeats. In this case, DMRS configuration can be configured separately for each PUCCH repeat. Subsequently, the DMRS configuration for a PUCCH repeat can include the number and location of DMRS symbols in the resource block or the frequency density and location of DMRS resource elements.

[0199] In some embodiments, the method may determine a first demodulation reference signal configuration for a first transmission of uplink signals on the physical control channel at a first time point, and a second demodulation reference signal configuration for a second transmission of uplink signals on the physical control channel at a second time point. Multiple DMRS configurations may be repeatedly configured for the PUCCH of the same UCI. The UE may be configured by the gNB with a cross-slot / repeated DMRS mode, for example, via RRC signaling or uplink DCI. Figure 6 An exemplary DMRS pattern spanning four repetitions is shown, where one repetition is sent in one time slot. In this example, the DMRS pattern could be "1 0 1 0". This means that the first time slot (slot n) and the third time slot (slot n+2) will use the default DMRS configuration, while the other two time slots will not use any DMRS.

[0200] When multiple DMRS configurations are configured for the same UCI PUCCH repetition, this implies that at least a portion of the DMRS is omitted in some of these PUCCH repetitions. Then, at least a portion of the resources or symbols reserved for the omitted DMRS can be used to transmit further information. The UE can perform the transmission in one or more of the following ways. In this disclosure, the length of a PUCCH repetition is the number of consecutive symbols used for the UCI and DMRS, if any.

[0201] In some embodiments, the UE may maintain the same length of PUCCH repetition for different DMRS configurations, wherein symbols reserved for omitted DMRS are used to transmit UCI bits or pseudo bits. In one option, different numbers of UCI bits are configured for different DMRS configurations, thereby determining the size of the UCI included in the PUCCH repetition based on the resources available for UCI (including symbols reserved for omitted DMRS in the PUCCH repetition).

[0202] In another option, the same number of UCI bits and separate zero / pseudo-bit padding or punching are configured for different DMRS configurations. Figure 7 An example of the latter option is shown. In this example, the UE is scheduled with PUCCH repetitions in 4 time slots, where S=0, L=14, K=4 (S represents the index of the starting symbol in the time slot; L represents the PUCCH repetition length, and K represents the number of PUCCH repetitions). Figure 7As shown, uplink DMRS symbols are configured in the first time slot (time slot n) and the third time slot (time slot n+2), while no uplink DMRS is configured in the other time slots. The UE can transmit PUCCH repetitions normally in time slots n and n+2, as defined in NR Release 15. In time slots n+1 and n+3, the UE transmits UCIs in 12 symbols as in time slot n, adding zeros / pseudo bits to the omitted DMRS symbols to extend the PUCCH repetitions in time slots n+1 and n+3 to 14 symbols. In another example, the UE can utilize the 2 symbols reserved for the omitted DMRS to transmit UCIs in 14 symbols in time slots n+1 and n+3. In time slots n and n+2, the UE can use puncturing to transmit UCIs of the same size as in time slots n+1 and n+3.

[0203] In some embodiments, the UE can maintain PUCCH repeats of different lengths for different DMRS configurations, where the same UCI size applies to all DMRS configurations. In this case, the UE can determine a single UCI size for all repeats at once. Each PUCCH repeat is transmitted in consecutive symbols to group together symbols reserved for omitted DMRSs for easy utilization. In one option, each repeat can begin with the first scheduled symbol in a time slot. For example, this option can be applied to time slot-based PUCCH repeats, where PUCCH repeats are scheduled by time slot. The same configuration as S=0, L=14, K=4 is used, and the number of UL DMRS symbols in each repeat is configured as 20 2 0. Figure 8A An example of this option is shown. For example... Figure 8A As shown, in slots n+1 and n+3, the UE can place the symbols reserved for the omitted DMRS together at the end of the slot, and there is only one repetition in a slot.

[0204] In another option, each PUCCH repeat can begin immediately after the previous PUCCH repeat. For example, this option can be applied to PUCCH repeats where each PUCCH repeat does not need to use the same symbols in a time slot. The same configuration as S=0, L=14, K=4 is used, and the number of UL DMRS symbols in each repeat is configured as 20 2 0. Figure 8B An example of this option is shown. For example... Figure 8B As shown, PUCCH repetitions #1 and #3 have 12 OFDM symbols but no DMRS symbols, and there are no gaps between PUCCH repetitions. Therefore, the UE can place the symbols reserved for the omitted DMRS together at the end of the four PUCCH repetitions.

[0205] In some embodiments, the UE can maintain PUCCH repetitions of different lengths for different DMRS configurations, and the UE determines different UCI sizes for each DMRS configuration. The UE can determine the UCI size in the PUCCH repetition based on the number of available uplink symbols in the time slot and the number of DMRS symbols configured for the repetition. For example, if some time slots are flexible time slots with different numbers of uplink symbols, then the number of symbols used for UCI in each time slot is equal to (the number of available UL symbols in that time slot - the number of configured DMRS symbols).

[0206] In the example, the number of UL DMRS symbols in the four repetitions is configured as 2, 0, 2, and 0, respectively. Only 12 uplink symbols are available in the initial time slot, while the other time slots have 14 uplink symbols per slot. Therefore, the UCI in the four repetitions uses 10, 14, 12, and 14 uplink symbols, respectively.

[0207] Embodiments of this disclosure can further provide enhancements to PUCCH repetition. In NR Rel-15, the PUCCH signal can... Repeated in each time slot It can be 2, 4, or 8. Each can be reused. Uplink symbols with the same index in multiple time slots. In the TDD configuration of DDDSU, if a PUCCH repetition starts from the last few symbols in a particular time slot, the next PUCCH repetition uses the same symbols in subsequent uplink time slots. However, the first few symbols in the uplink time slot are not used, and the two repetitions are not consecutive. When using cross-time slot channel estimation for PUCCH repetitions, it is easier to maintain phase continuity on PUCCH repetitions in multiple time slots if the PUCCH repetitions can be sent consecutively without gaps in between.

[0208] In this disclosure, a span is defined as a set of consecutive uplink OFDM symbols. For example, a span may include some, but not necessarily all, consecutive uplink symbols in any of the following cases:

[0209] - Flexible time slots, which include both uplink and downlink symbols;

[0210] - Flexible time slots and one or more subsequent uplink time slots;

[0211] - One or more uplink time slots.

[0212] For example, such as Figure 9As shown, there are two spans within the ten time slots. Flexible time slots are configured in a 10D2G2U architecture. The first span consists of two uplink OFDM symbols in the first flexible time slot and a subsequent uplink time slot; the second span consists of two uplink symbols in the second flexible time slot and two uplink time slots.

[0213] In some embodiments, multiple PUCCH repeats can be sent within a span. This allows PUCCH repeats to fully utilize uplink symbols and uplink time slots in the flexible time slots, thereby improving spectral efficiency. In the example, if a PUCCH repeat crosses a time slot boundary within the span, it can be segmented into multiple segments.

[0214] In some embodiments, it can be determined whether a PUCCH repeat is allowed to span multiple spans. This can be configured by the gNB, for example, via RRC / L1 signaling. If a PUCCH repeat is not allowed to span spans, the number of PUCCH repeats in a span can be configured based on at least one of the number of available uplink symbols in the span and the length of a PUCCH repeat. In this disclosure, K represents the number of PUCCH repeats, and nrofSymbols represents the length of a PUCCH repeat. nrofSymbols can be a parameter configured by RRC. In the example, the number of PUCCH repeats in a span is calculated as:

[0215] floor (number of available UL symbols for the span / nrofSymbols).

[0216] The UE can use consecutive uplink symbols starting from the first available uplink symbol in a span. If a span does not have enough available uplink symbols for K PUCCH repetitions, the UE will not use that span. The UE can then determine which uplink symbols to use in the next span.

[0217] If a PUCCH repeat is allowed to span spans, the number of spans required for K PUCCH repeats (denoted as S) can be determined based on at least one of the available uplink symbols in the span and the length of a PUCCH repeat. In the example, S is the smallest integer such that the number of available uplink symbols in S spans is equal to or greater than K*nrofSymbols. The minimum number of symbols in a span used for PUCCH transmission (denoted as X) can be determined based on at least one of the number of available uplink symbols in the span and the length of a PUCCH repeat. In the example, if Mod(the number of available uplink symbols in the span, nrofSymbols) is less than X, then X symbols in the span are not used for PUCCH transmission.

[0218] In some embodiments, multiple PUCCH repetitions can be transmitted consecutively within one or more spans. Alternatively, some uplink symbols can be configured to be unavailable and not used for PUCCH transmission. In industry / communication standard specifications, unavailable symbols can be configured or fixed by RRC / L1. In one example, some UEs may require the first uplink symbol in a span for automatic gain control (AGC). In another example, the last n symbols in a span are not used.

[0219] If a PUCCH repeat spans a slot boundary and generates several segments, the UE can be configured to arrange DMRS based on the PUCCH repeat or on each segment. In the case of DMRS arrangement based on PUCCH repeats, the DMRS arrangement for segmented PUCCH repeats is the same as for unsegmented repeats, depending on the length of the PUCCH repeat. In the case of DMRS arrangement based on each segment, the DMRS arrangement for segmented PUCCH repeats can be determined based on the length of the corresponding segment. Segment-length-based DMRS arrangement guarantees the presence of DMRS in each segment, and that the DMRS in each segment is suitable for cross-slot channel estimation.

[0220] PUCCH formats 3 and 4 range in length from 4 to 14 OFDM symbols. DMRS arrangements for each length of both PUCCH formats are specified in NR version 15. However, segmentation across time slot boundaries can result in segments of lengths from 2, 3, 4… to 13 symbols. In the example, a segment-based DMRS arrangement for segments of length 4 to 13 symbols can reuse a scheme that repeats the defined DMRS arrangement for PUCCHs of the same length. For segments of length 2 or 3 symbols, a separate scheme for the segment-based DMRS arrangement can be defined. In the example, in this case, the segment-based DMRS arrangement can be defined based on at least one of the following factors: segment length, presence of additional DMRS, and whether frequency hopping is enabled. Table 3 provides an example.

[0221] Table 3: DMRS positions for segments repeating 3 and 4 in PUCCH format

[0222]

[0223] Figure 10 An exemplary segment-based DMRS arrangement is shown, using a PUCCH format of length 5, format 3 or 4, as an example. A PUCCH repeat can be divided into two segments around the slot boundary. Figure 10As shown, the gray and white boxes indicate DMRS and UCI, respectively. With Option 1, the DMRS arrangement is the same as that used for a PUCCH repeat with a length of 5 symbols and no segmentation. With Option 2, the DMRS position in each segment is based on the indications in the "No Additional DMRS" and "No Frequency Hopping" columns in Table 3 above.

[0224] To enhance PUCCH repetition, the number of supported PUCCH repetitions can be increased. A direct solution to improve PUCCH coverage is time-domain repetition. The number of repetitions supported in NR version 15 can be 2, 4, or 8, and is configured by the RRC parameter nrofSlots. In some embodiments, the maximum number of PUCCH repetitions can be further increased to a larger number, such as 16. Additionally, intermediate numbers of PUCCH repetitions can also be supported.

[0225] The UE can receive an indication of the number of PUCCH repetitions from the gNB. The number of PUCCH repetitions can be configured using one or more of RRC and DCI signaling. In the example, the information element nrofSlots can be extended to have new values. Alternatively, a new information element containing a new candidate number of PUCCH repetitions can be defined.

[0226] In NR 4-step RACH (Random Access Channel) or 2-step RACH up to version 16, after the UE receives a PDSCH (Physical Downlink Shared Channel) signal with a UE contention resolution identifier, it sends HARQ-ACK information in the PUCCH without repetition. However, in some embodiments of this disclosure, PUCCH repetition can be applied to the Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request Feedback (HARQ-ACK) for Msg4 or MsgB. The UE can be configured with multiple PUCCH repetitions for Msg4 or MsgB HARQ-ACK feedback, for example, by at least one of the following parameters: the number of PUCCH repetitions, the resources used for PUCCH repetition, the type of PUCCH repetition (e.g., slot-based or non-slot-based), and frequency hopping related parameters. The PUCCH repetition for Msg4 HARQ-ACK feedback and the increased number of PUCCH repetitions can utilize time-domain diversity for this channel.

[0227] PUCCH repetition can be configured and / or activated in one or more of the following ways to indicate PUCCH repetition of Msg4 or MsgB in a 4-step RACH or 2-step RACH respectively:

[0228] - Use System Information Block (SIB) 1 to configure and activate;

[0229] - Configure using SIB1 and activate using dedicated signaling;

[0230] - Use dedicated signaling to configure and activate.

[0231] Dedicated signaling may be sent in one or more of the following: PDSCH for Msg4 or MsgB; DCI for scheduling Msg4 or MsgB; dedicated RRC signaling when the UE is in connected mode. An example of PDSCH for Msg4 or MsgB is a MAC (Media Access Control) PDU (Protocol Data Unit), which includes the UE contention resolution identifier MAC CE (Control Element).

[0232] In TDD, a radio frame can have flexible time slots, followed by one or more uplink time slots, such as DDDSU, DDSUU. Flexible time slots have fewer uplink symbols than uplink time slots. Therefore, different UCI data or even PUCCH formats can be transmitted in the flexible time slots and uplink time slots. In embodiments of this disclosure, the UE can split its UCI bits into two PUCCH signals to be transmitted separately in the flexible time slot and one or more subsequent uplink time slots.

[0233] Figure 11 A flowchart of a transmission method 1100 employing this approach is shown. For example... Figure 11 As shown, method 1100 may include: at block 1102, dividing uplink control information bits into a first portion and a second portion; at block 1104, transmitting the first portion in a first uplink signal on the physical control channel in a flexible time slot, the flexible time slot including both uplink symbols and downlink symbols; and at block 1106, transmitting the second portion in a second uplink signal on the physical control channel in at least one uplink time slot following the flexible time slot.

[0234] Figure 12 A flowchart illustrating the method of receiving data in this manner is shown. For example... Figure 12 As shown, method 1200 may include: at block 1202, receiving a first portion of uplink control information bits in a first uplink signal on a physical control channel in a flexible time slot, the flexible time slot including both uplink symbols and downlink symbols; and at block 1204, receiving a second portion of uplink control information bits in a second uplink signal on a physical control channel in at least one uplink time slot following the flexible time slot.

[0235] The two PUCCH signals can have the same PUCCH format or different PUCCH formats. In some embodiments, the UCI can be segmented into two PUCCH signals based on the UCI type. In one example, the UE can transmit SR and ACK for the first PUCCH signal in a flexible time slot and transmit CSI for the second PUCCH signal in one or more uplink time slots. In another example, the UE can transmit the first part of SR, ACK, and CSI for the first PUCCH signal in a flexible time slot and transmit the second part of CSI for the second PUCCH signal in one or more uplink time slots.

[0236] In some embodiments, the UCI can be split into two PUCCH signals based on the number of uplink symbols in the flexible time slot. In the example, after selecting the PUCCH format, the UE can map its UCI bits to a first PUCCH signal transmitted in the flexible time slot and map the remaining UCI bits to a second PUCCH signal transmitted in one or more uplink time slots.

[0237] In some embodiments, if PUCCH repetition is configured, the PUCCH signal in a flexible time slot can be repeated in a subsequent flexible time slot; and the PUCCH signal in an uplink time slot can be repeated in a subsequent uplink time slot. For example, in a radio frame of “DDFUUDDFUU”, the first PUCCH signal is repeated in the “F” time slot, and the second PUCCH signal is repeated in the “U” time slot.

[0238] In some embodiments, a first PUCCH signal and a second PUCCH signal can be transmitted according to a PUCCH format, wherein the PUCCH format is defined by utilizing some or all uplink symbols in a flexible timeslot and subsequent symbols in one or more uplink timeslots. In this way, the length of a PUCCH using this format can be greater than 14 symbols.

[0239] Figure 13A simplified block diagram of apparatus 1300, which may be embodied in / as a terminal device (e.g., UE) or a network node (e.g., gNB), is shown. Apparatus 1300 may include at least one processor 1301 (such as a data processor (DP)) and at least one memory (MEM) 1302 coupled to the processor 1301. Apparatus 1300 may further include a transmitter TX and a receiver RX 1303 coupled to the processor 1301. MEM 1302 stores a program (PROG) 1304. PROG 1304 may include instructions that, when executed on the associated processor 1301, enable apparatus 1300 to operate according to embodiments of the present disclosure, such as to perform one of methods 300, 400, 1100, and 1200. Combinations of at least one processor 1301 and at least one MEM 1302 may form a processing apparatus 1305 suitable for implementing various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0240] Various embodiments of this disclosure may be implemented by one or more executable computer programs selected from processor 1301, software, firmware, hardware, or combinations thereof.

[0241] MEM 1302 can be of any type suitable for the local technical environment, and by way of non-limiting example, it can be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as semiconductor-based memory devices, magnetic storage devices and systems, optical storage devices and systems, fixed memory, and removable memory.

[0242] Processor 1301 can be any type suitable for the local technical environment, and by way of non-limiting example, it can include one or more of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), and a processor based on a multi-core processor architecture.

[0243] Now for reference Figure 14A and 14B The diagram illustrates schematic block diagrams of devices 1400A and 1400B in a terminal device (such as a UE). Devices 1400A and 1400B are operable to perform reference [specific actions], respectively. Figure 3 and Figure 11 The exemplary methods 300 and / or 1100 described, as well as any other possible processes or methods.

[0244] like Figure 14AAs shown, the apparatus 1400A may include: a determining unit 1401 configured to determine that the terminal device has the capability to coherently transmit uplink signals on the physical control channel at at least a first time point and a second time point; and a transmitting unit 1402 configured to perform a first transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel at a first time point in a first set of subcarriers, and to perform a second transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel at a second time point in a second set of subcarriers.

[0245] In some embodiments, apparatus 1400A may further include a receiving unit 1403 configured to receive from a network node an indication of at what time and / or for how many time points a terminal device has the capability to coherently transmit uplink signals on the physical control channel. The receiving unit 1403 may be further configured to receive from the network node an indication of between which frequency hopping modes a terminal device has the capability to coherently transmit uplink signals on the physical control channel.

[0246] like Figure 14B As shown, apparatus 1400B may include a segmentation unit 1404 configured to segment uplink control information bits into a first portion and a second portion. Apparatus 1400B may further include a transmission unit 1405 configured to transmit the first portion in a first uplink signal on the physical control channel in a flexible time slot, the flexible time slot including both uplink and downlink symbols, and to transmit the second portion in a second uplink signal on the physical control channel in at least one uplink time slot following the flexible time slot.

[0247] In some embodiments, the units of devices 1400A and 1400B may be configured to implement the operations of the corresponding blocks of methods 300 and 1100, respectively. Therefore, the relevant descriptions provided with reference to methods 300 and 1100 also apply here, and therefore the details will not be repeated.

[0248] Now for reference Figure 15A and 15B A schematic block diagram of devices 1500A and 1500B in a network node of a wireless communication network (such as a gNB) is shown. Devices 1500A and 1500B are operable to perform reference [specific actions], respectively. Figure 4 and Figure 12 The exemplary methods 400 and 1200 described, as well as any other possible processes or methods, are described.

[0249] like Figure 15AAs shown, the apparatus 1500A may include: a determining unit 1501 configured to determine that the terminal device has the capability to coherently transmit uplink signals on the physical control channel at at least a first time point and a second time point; and a receiving unit 1502 configured to receive a first transmission of uplink signals on the physical control channel from the terminal device at the first time point in a first set of subcarriers, and to receive a second transmission of uplink signals on the second control channel from the terminal device at the second time point in a second set of subcarriers.

[0250] In some embodiments, apparatus 1500A may further include a channel estimation unit 1503 configured to perform channel estimation by coherently combining a first transmission of uplink signals on a physical control channel and a second transmission of uplink signals on a physical control channel. Apparatus 1500A may further include a transmission unit 1504 configured to transmit to a terminal device an indication indicating at what time and / or for how many time points the terminal device has the capability to coherently transmit uplink signals on the physical control channel. Transmission unit 1504 may be further configured to transmit to the terminal device an indication indicating between which frequency hopping modes the terminal device has the capability to coherently transmit uplink signals on the physical control channel.

[0251] In some embodiments, the apparatus 1500A may further include a transmitting unit 1504 configured to transmit to the terminal device an indication of at what time and / or for how many time points the terminal device has the capability to coherently transmit uplink signals on the physical control channel.

[0252] like Figure 15B As shown, the device 1500B may include a receiving unit 1505 configured to receive a first portion of uplink control information bits in a first uplink signal on the physical control channel in a flexible time slot, the flexible time slot including both uplink symbols and downlink symbols, and to receive a second portion of uplink control information bits in a second uplink signal on the physical control channel in at least one uplink time slot following the flexible time slot.

[0253] In some embodiments, the units of devices 1500A and 1500B may be configured to implement the operations of the corresponding blocks of methods 400 and 1200, respectively. Therefore, the relevant descriptions provided with reference to methods 400 and 1200 also apply, and therefore the details will not be repeated.

[0254] Figure 16 This is a block diagram illustrating a telecommunications network connected to a host computer via an intermediate network according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0255] refer to Figure 16 According to an embodiment, the communication system includes a telecommunications network 810, such as a 3GPP-type cellular network, which includes an access network 811 (such as a radio access network) and a core network 814. The access network 811 includes multiple base stations 812a, 812b, 812c, such as NBs, eNBs, gNBs, or other types of wireless access points, each base station defining a corresponding coverage area 813a, 813b, 813c. Each base station 812a, 812b, 812c can be connected to the core network 814 via a wired or wireless connection 815. A first UE 891 located in coverage area 813c is configured to wirelessly connect to or be paged by the corresponding base station 812c. A second UE 892 located in coverage area 813a can wirelessly connect to the corresponding base station 812a. Although multiple UEs 891, 892 are shown in this example, the disclosed embodiments are equally applicable to situations where a single UE is in the coverage area or a single UE is connected to the corresponding base station 812.

[0256] Telecommunications network 810 is connected to host computer 830, which may be embodied 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 cluster. Host computer 830 may be under the ownership or control of a service provider, or may be operated by or on behalf of the service provider. Connections 821 and 822 between telecommunications network 810 and host computer 830 may extend directly from core network 814 to host computer 830 or via optional intermediate network 820. Intermediate network 820 may be one or more of public, private, or hosted networks; intermediate network 820, if present, may be a backbone network or the Internet; in particular, intermediate network 820 may include two or more subnetworks (not shown).

[0257] Figure 16The communication system as a whole enables connectivity between the connected UEs 891 and 892 and the host computer 830. This connectivity can be described as an over-the-top (OTT) connection 850. The host computer 830 and the connected UEs 891 and 892 are configured to transmit data and / or signaling via the OTT connection 850, using access network 811, core network 814, any intermediate network 820, and possible further infrastructure (not shown) as intermediaries. The OTT connection 850 can be transparent in the sense that the participating communication devices traversing the OTT connection 850 are unaware of the routes for uplink and downlink communications. For example, the base station 812 may not be informed, or need not be informed, of the past routes of incoming downlink communications originating from the host computer 830 that are to be forwarded (e.g., handed over) to the connected UE 891. Similarly, the base station 812 does not need to know the future routes of outgoing uplink communications originating from the UE 891 toward the host computer 830.

[0258] Figure 17 This is a block diagram illustrating a host computer communicating with a UE via a base station through a partial wireless connection according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0259] Now refer to Figure 17 This section describes an example implementation of the UE, base station, and host computer discussed in the preceding paragraphs according to one embodiment. In the communication system 900, the host computer 910 includes hardware 915, which includes a communication interface 916 configured to establish and maintain wired or wireless connections with interfaces of different communication devices of the communication system 900. The host computer 910 further includes processing circuitry 918, which may have storage and / or processing capabilities. In particular, the processing circuitry 918 may include one or more programmable processors, application-specific integrated circuits, field-programmable gate arrays, or combinations thereof (not shown) adapted to execute instructions. The host computer 910 further includes software 911, which is stored in or accessible by the host computer 910 and executable by the processing circuitry 918. The software 911 includes a host application 912. The host application 912 is operable to provide services to a remote user (such as UE 930) via an OTT connection 950 terminated at UE 930 and host computer 910. When providing services to remote users, host application 912 can provide user data sent using OTT connection 950.

[0260] The communication system 900 further includes a base station 920 provided in a telecommunications system, the base station including hardware 925 enabling it to communicate with a host computer 910 and a UE 930. Hardware 925 may include a communication interface 926 for establishing and maintaining wired or wireless connections with different communication devices of the communication system 900, and for establishing and maintaining connections at least with areas within the coverage area served by the base station 920. Figure 17 The radio interface 927 of the UE 930 (not shown) is for the wireless connection 970. The communication interface 926 can be configured to facilitate a connection 960 to the host computer 910. The connection 960 can be direct, or it can be via the core network of a telecommunications system (…). Figure 17 (not shown) and / or via one or more intermediate networks outside the telecommunications system. In the illustrated embodiment, the hardware 925 of the base station 920 further includes processing circuitry 928, which may include one or more programmable processors, application-specific integrated circuits, field-programmable gate arrays, or combinations thereof (not shown) adapted to execute instructions. The base station 920 further has software 921 stored internally or accessible via an external connection.

[0261] The communication system 900 further includes the previously mentioned UE 930. Its hardware 935 may include a radio interface 937 configured to establish and maintain a radio connection 970 with a base station serving the coverage area where the UE 930 is currently located. The hardware 935 of the UE 930 further includes processing circuitry 938, which may include one or more programmable processors, application-specific integrated circuits, field-programmable gate arrays, or combinations thereof (not shown) suitable for executing instructions. The UE 930 further includes software 931, which is stored in or accessible by the UE 930 and executable by the processing circuitry 938. The software 931 includes a client application 932. The client application 932 is operable to provide services to human or non-human users via the UE 930 with the support of a host computer 910. In the host computer 910, a host application 912 executing may communicate with the executing client application 932 via an OTT connection 950 terminated between the UE 930 and the host computer 910. When providing services to a user, client application 932 can receive request data from host application 912 and provide user data in response to the request data. OTT connection 950 can transmit both request data and user data. Client application 932 can interact with the user to generate the user data it provides.

[0262] It should be noted that Figure 17 The host computer 910, base station 920, and UE 930 shown can be respectively connected to... Figure 16The host computer 830, base stations 812a, 812b, and 812c, and UEs 891 and 892 are similar to or identical to each other. That is to say, the internal working principles of these entities can be as follows: Figure 17 As shown, and independently, the surrounding network topology can be as follows: Figure 16 As shown.

[0263] exist Figure 17 In this diagram, OTT connection 950 is abstractly depicted to illustrate communication between host computer 910 and UE 930 via base station 920, without explicitly mentioning any intermediate devices or the precise routing of messages via these devices. The network infrastructure can determine the routing, which can be configured to be hidden from UE 930 or the service provider operating host computer 910, or both. When OTT connection 950 is active, the network infrastructure can further make dynamic decisions to change the routing (e.g., based on load balancing considerations or network reconfiguration).

[0264] The wireless connection 970 between UE 930 and base station 920 is based on the teachings of embodiments described throughout this disclosure. One or more embodiments in various embodiments improve the performance of OTT services provided to UE 930 using the wireless connection 970 to form the final segment of the OTT connection 950. More precisely, the teachings of these embodiments can improve latency and power consumption, thereby providing benefits such as lower complexity, reduced time required to access the cell, better responsiveness, and extended battery life.

[0265] For the purpose of monitoring data rates, latency, and other factors improved by one or more embodiments, a measurement process may be provided. Optional network functions may further exist for reconfiguring the OTT connection 950 between the host computer 910 and the UE 930 in response to changes in the measurement results. The measurement process and / or the network functions for reconfiguring the OTT connection 950 may be implemented in the software 911 and hardware 915 of the host computer 910, or in the software 931 and hardware 935 of the UE 930, or both. In embodiments, sensors (not shown) may be deployed in or associated with the communication equipment through which the OTT connection 950 passes; the sensors may participate in the measurement process by providing values ​​of the monitored quantities illustrated above, or by providing values ​​of other physical quantities from which the software 911, 931 can calculate or estimate the monitored quantities. Reconfiguration of the OTT connection 950 may include message formats, retransmission settings, preferred routes, etc.; reconfiguration does not need to affect the base station 920, and it may be unknown or undetectable to the base station 920. Such processes and functions are known and practiced in the art. In some embodiments, the measurement may involve proprietary UE signaling that facilitates the host computer 910 in measuring throughput, propagation time, latency, etc. The measurement can be implemented because software 911 and 931 enables messages (especially empty or "pseudo" messages) to be sent using OTT connection 950, while simultaneously monitoring propagation time, errors, etc.

[0266] Figure 18 This is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system according to an embodiment. The communication system includes a host computer, a base station, and a UE, which may be referenced... Figure 16 and Figure 17 Those described. To simplify this disclosure, this paragraph will only include those described. Figure 18 Reference numerals are used in the accompanying drawings. In step 1010, the host computer provides user data. In sub-step 1011 of step 1010 (which may be optional), the host computer provides user data by executing a host application. In step 1020, the host computer initiates a transmission carrying user data to the UE. In step 1030 (which may be optional), in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure, the base station sends the user data carried in the transmission initiated by the host computer to the UE. In step 1040 (which may also be optional), the UE executes a client application associated with the host application executed by the host computer.

[0267] Figure 19 This is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system according to an embodiment. The communication system includes a host computer, a base station, and a UE, which may be referenced... Figure 16 and Figure 17 Those described. To simplify this disclosure, this paragraph will only include those described. Figure 19Reference numerals are used in the accompanying drawings. In step 1110 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 1120, 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 can be performed via a base station. In step 1130 (which may be optional), the UE receives the user data carried in the transmission.

[0268] Figure 20 This is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system according to an embodiment. The communication system includes a host computer, a base station, and a UE, which may be referenced... Figure 16 and Figure 17 Those described. For the sake of simplicity in this disclosure, this paragraph will only include those... Figure 20 Reference numerals are used in the accompanying drawings. In step 1210 (which may be optional), the UE receives input data provided by the host computer. Additionally or alternatively, in step 1220, the UE provides user data. In sub-step 1221 of step 1220 (which may be optional), the UE provides user data by executing a client application. In sub-step 1211 of step 1210 (which may be optional), the UE executes a client application that provides user data in response to receiving input data provided by the host computer. When 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, in sub-step 1230 (which may be optional), the UE initiates the transmission of user data to the host computer. In step 1240 of the method, the host computer receives user data sent from the UE, in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure.

[0269] Figure 21 This is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system according to an embodiment. The communication system includes a host computer, a base station, and a UE, which may be referenced... Figure 16 and Figure 17 Those described. To simplify this disclosure, this paragraph will only include those described. Figure 21 Reference numerals are used in the accompanying drawings. In step 1310 (which may be optional), the base station receives user data from the UE according to the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure. In step 1320 (which may be optional), the base station initiates a transmission of the received user data to the host computer. In step 1330 (which may be optional), the host computer receives the user data carried in the transmission initiated by the base station.

[0270] Generally, various exemplary embodiments may be implemented in hardware or dedicated chips, circuits, software, logic, or any combination thereof. For example, some aspects may be implemented in hardware, while others may be implemented in firmware or software executable by a controller, microprocessor, or other computing device, although this disclosure is not limited thereto. Although various aspects of exemplary embodiments of this disclosure may be illustrated and described as block diagrams, flowcharts, or using certain other graphical representations, it is well understood that, as non-limiting examples, such blocks, apparatuses, systems, techniques, or methods described herein may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, dedicated circuits or logic, general-purpose hardware or controllers or other computing devices, or some combination thereof.

[0271] Therefore, it should be understood that at least some aspects of the exemplary embodiments of this disclosure can be practiced in various components such as integrated circuit chips and modules. Therefore, it should be understood that the exemplary embodiments of this disclosure can be implemented in devices embodied as integrated circuits, wherein the integrated circuits may include circuitry (and possibly firmware) embodying at least one or more of a data processor, a digital signal processor, baseband circuitry, and radio frequency circuitry, which may be configured to operate according to the exemplary embodiments of this disclosure.

[0272] It should be understood that at least some aspects of the exemplary embodiments of this disclosure may be embodied in computer-executable instructions (such as one or more program modules) that are executed by one or more computers or other devices. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc., that perform a particular task or implement a particular abstract data type when executed by a processor in a computer or other device. The computer-executable instructions may be stored on a computer-readable medium, such as a hard disk, optical disk, removable storage medium, solid-state memory, random access memory (RAM), etc. As those skilled in the art will understand, the functionality of a program module may be combined or distributed as needed in various embodiments. Furthermore, functionality may be embodied, wholly or partially, in firmware or hardware equivalents, such as integrated circuits, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), etc.

[0273] This disclosure includes any novel features or combinations of features expressly disclosed herein, or any generalization thereof. In view of the foregoing description, various modifications and adaptations to the foregoing exemplary embodiments of this disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, any and all modifications will still fall within the scope of the non-limiting and exemplary embodiments of this disclosure.

Claims

1. A method for transmitting uplink signals on a physical control channel, the method comprising: It is determined that the terminal device has the capability to coherently transmit the uplink signal on the physical control channel at least at a first time point and a second time point; In the first subcarrier set, the first transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel is performed at the first time point; as well as In the second subcarrier set, at the second time point, the second transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel is performed. The capability to coherently transmit the uplink signal on the physical control channel at at least the first time point and the second time point is determined based on at least one of the following: Whether the first time point and the second time point are consecutive; The change in transmission power between the first time point and the second time point; The frequency offset between the center frequency of the first subcarrier set and the center frequency of the second subcarrier set; as well as The uplink spatial relationship between the uplink control channel transmission at the first time point and the second time point.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The second transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel is a repetition of the first transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The capability to coherently transmit the uplink signal on the physical control channel at least at the first and second time points includes the capability to transmit the uplink signal on the physical control channel with a phase correlation difference below a threshold at least at the first and second time points.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising: Instructing the network node that the terminal device has the capability to coherently transmit the uplink signal on the physical control channel at least at the first time point and the second time point.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein, Each of the first time point and the second time point includes: One or more time slots; and / or One or more sub-time slots; and / or One or more time slots.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The second time point immediately follows the first time point.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising: Indicate to the network node the number of time points in which the terminal device has the capability to coherently transmit the uplink signal on the physical control channel.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising: The network node receives an indication of at what time and / or for how many time points the terminal device has the capability to coherently transmit the uplink signal on the physical control channel.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising: The terminal device receives an indication from the network node that it has the capability to coherently transmit the uplink signal on the physical control channel between which frequency hopping modes in the frequency hopping mode.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The capability to coherently transmit the uplink signal on the physical control channel at least at the first and second time points has one or more capability levels, and for each capability level, the number of time points in which the terminal device has the capability is defined.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein, Define the number of time points for each capability level based on one or more of the following parameters: The parameter set of the uplink control channel; The demodulation reference signal configuration of the uplink signal on the physical control channel; The number of repetitions of the uplink signal on the physical control channel; The format of the uplink signal on the physical control channel; The number of orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols of the uplink signal in a time slot on the physical control channel; Whether the resources allocated to the uplink signals on the physical control channel are dedicated or public resources; and Types of frequency hopping.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein, When frequency hopping is enabled, the same frequency hopping frequency is used at the first time point and the second time point.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising: Determine the frequency hopping mode for the terminal device, and Specifically, based on the frequency hopping mode, the capability to coherently transmit the uplink signal on the physical control channel at least at the first time point and the second time point is determined.

14. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The terminal device is able to maintain transmission coherence at least at the first time point and the second time point.

15. The method of claim 1, further comprising: A first demodulation reference signal configuration is determined for the first transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel at the first time point, and a second demodulation reference signal configuration is determined for the second transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel at the second time point.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein, At least one of the first demodulation reference signal configuration and the second demodulation reference signal configuration indicates that no demodulation reference signal resources are configured for the corresponding transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel.

17. The method according to claim 15 or 16, wherein, The first transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel has the same length as the second transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel, and In at least one of the first transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel and the second transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel, at least a portion of the symbols reserved for the demodulation reference signal are used as uplink control information bits or pseudo bits.

18. The method according to claim 15 or 16, wherein, The first transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel includes first uplink control information, which has the same size as the second uplink control information included in the second transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel. as well as Each of the first transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel and the second transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel is performed in consecutive symbols at the corresponding time points.

19. The method according to claim 15 or 16, wherein, The first transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel includes first uplink control information, and the second transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel includes second uplink control information. The magnitudes of the first and second uplink control information are determined based on the corresponding demodulation reference signal configuration and the number of available uplink symbols at the corresponding time points, respectively. In at least one of the first transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel and the second transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel, at least a portion of the symbols reserved for the demodulation reference signal are used for uplink control information bits.

20. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The first transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel and the second transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel are performed within a span consisting of a set of consecutive uplink symbols.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein, At least one of the first transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel and the second transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel is segmented at the time slot boundary within the span.

22. The method according to claim 20 or 21, further comprising: Determine whether at least one of the first transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel and the second transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel is allowed to span multiple spans.

23. The method according to claim 22, wherein, If at least one of the first transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel and the second transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel is not allowed to span multiple spans, the method further includes: The number of uplink signals transmitted on the physical control channel in the span is determined based on at least one of the available uplink symbols in the span and the length of the uplink signal on the physical control channel.

24. The method according to claim 22, wherein, If at least one of the first transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel and the second transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel is allowed to span multiple spans, the method further includes: The number of spans required for the first transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel and the second transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel are determined, at least based on the number of transmissions of the uplink signal on the physical control channel and the length of the transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel; and / or The minimum number of symbols in the span for the transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel is determined, based at least on the number of available uplink symbols in the span and the length of the uplink signal transmission on the physical control channel.

25. The method according to claim 20, wherein, The first transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel and the second transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel are performed continuously over one or more spans.

26. The method of claim 20, further comprising: Identify one or more symbols in the span that are configured not to be used for the transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel.

27. The method of claim 20, further comprising: Determine the location of a demodulation reference signal for at least one of the first transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel and the second transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel, wherein the location is configured based on the transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel and / or based on each segment of the uplink signal on the physical control channel.

28. The method according to claim 27, wherein, The location of the demodulation reference signal in the segment is configured based on at least one of the following factors: the length of the segment, the presence of an additional demodulation reference signal, and whether frequency hopping is enabled.

29. The method of claim 1, further comprising: Determine the maximum number of uplink signals transmitted on the physical control channel, where the maximum number is greater than a specific value.

30. The method of claim 1, further comprising: An indication of the number of uplink signals received from network nodes on the physical control channel.

31. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The first transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel and the second transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel are configured for a hybrid automatic repeat request feedback for message 4 or message B.

32. The method according to claim 31, wherein, The first transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel and the second transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel are configured and / or activated in one or more of the following ways: Use System Information Block 1 (SIB1) for configuration and activation; Configure using SIB1 and activate using dedicated signaling; and Use dedicated signaling to configure and activate.

33. The method according to claim 32, wherein, The special signaling is sent in one or more of the following: The downlink shared channel is used for message 4 or message B; Downlink control information from scheduling message 4 or message B; and Dedicated radio resource control signaling when the terminal device is in connection mode.

34. A method for receiving uplink signals on a physical control channel, the method comprising: It is determined that the terminal device has the capability to coherently transmit the uplink signal on the physical control channel at least at a first time point and a second time point; In the first subcarrier set, at the first time point, the uplink signal is received from the terminal device in the first transmission on the physical control channel. as well as In the second subcarrier set, at the second time point, the uplink signal is received from the terminal device in a second transmission on the physical control channel. The capability to coherently transmit the uplink signal on the physical control channel at at least the first time point and the second time point is determined based on at least one of the following: Whether the first time point and the second time point are consecutive; The change in transmission power between the first time point and the second time point; The frequency offset between the center frequency of the first subcarrier set and the center frequency of the second subcarrier set; as well as The uplink spatial relationship between the uplink control channel transmission at the first time point and the second time point.

35. The method according to claim 34, wherein, The second transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel is a repetition of the first transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel.

36. The method according to claim 34 or 35, further comprising: Channel estimation is performed by coherently combining the first transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel and the second transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel.

37. The method of claim 34, wherein, The capability to coherently transmit the uplink signal on the physical control channel at least at the first and second time points includes the capability to transmit the uplink signal on the physical control channel with a phase correlation difference below a threshold at least at the first and second time points.

38. The method of claim 34, further comprising: The terminal device receives an indication that it has the capability to coherently transmit the uplink signal on the physical control channel at least at the first and second time points.

39. The method according to claim 34, wherein, Each of the first time point and the second time point includes: One or more time slots; and / or One or more sub-time slots; and / or One or more time slots.

40. The method of claim 34, wherein, The second time point immediately follows the first time point.

41. The method of claim 34, further comprising: The terminal device receives an indication of the number of time points in which it has the capability to coherently transmit the uplink signal on the physical control channel.

42. The method of claim 34, further comprising: Determine at what time and / or for how many time points the terminal device has the capability to coherently transmit the uplink signal on the physical control channel; as well as Send an indication to the terminal device of the capability to coherently transmit the uplink signal on the physical control channel at which time and / or for how many time points.

43. The method of claim 34, further comprising: Determine which frequency hopping modes the terminal device has the capability to coherently transmit the uplink signal on the physical control channel; as well as Send an indication to the terminal device that the terminal device has the capability to coherently transmit the uplink signal on the physical control channel between which frequency hopping modes in the frequency hopping mode.

44. The method of claim 34, wherein, The capability to coherently transmit the uplink signal on the physical control channel at least at the first and second time points has one or more capability levels, and for each capability level, the number of time points in which the terminal device has the capability is defined.

45. The method according to claim 44, wherein, The number of time points for each capability level is defined based on one or more of the following parameters: The parameter set of the uplink control channel; The demodulation reference signal configuration of the uplink signal on the physical control channel; The number of repetitions of the uplink signal on the physical control channel; The format of the uplink signal on the physical control channel; The number of orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols of the uplink signal in a time slot on the physical control channel; Whether the resources allocated to the uplink signals on the physical control channel are dedicated or public resources; and Types of frequency hopping.

46. ​​The method of claim 34, wherein, When frequency hopping is enabled, the same frequency hopping frequency is used at the first time point and the second time point.

47. The method of claim 34, further comprising: Determine the frequency hopping mode for the terminal device, and The capability to coherently transmit the uplink signal on the physical control channel at least at the first and second time points is determined based on the frequency hopping mode.

48. The method of claim 34, further comprising: Send to the terminal device a first demodulation reference signal configuration for the first transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel at the first time point, and a second demodulation reference signal configuration for the second transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel at the second time point.

49. The method according to claim 48, wherein, At least one of the first demodulation reference signal configuration and the second demodulation reference signal configuration indicates that no demodulation reference signal resources are configured for the corresponding transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel.

50. The method according to claim 48 or 49, wherein, The first transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel has the same length as the second transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel, and In at least one of the first transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel and the second transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel, at least a portion of the symbols reserved for the demodulation reference signal are used as uplink control information bits or pseudo bits.

51. The method according to claim 48 or 49, wherein, The first transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel includes first uplink control information, which has the same size as the second uplink control information included in the second transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel. as well as Each of the first transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel and the second transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel is performed in consecutive symbols at the corresponding time points.

52. The method according to claim 48 or 49, wherein, The first transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel includes first uplink control information, and the second transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel includes second uplink control information. The magnitudes of the first and second uplink control information are determined based on the corresponding demodulation reference signal configuration and the number of available uplink symbols at the corresponding time points, respectively. In at least one of the first transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel and the second transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel, at least a portion of the symbols reserved for the demodulation reference signal are used for uplink control information bits.

53. The method according to claim 34, wherein, The first transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel and the second transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel are received within a span consisting of a set of consecutive uplink symbols.

54. The method according to claim 53, wherein, At least one of the first transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel and the second transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel is segmented at the time slot boundary within the span.

55. The method according to claim 53 or 54, further comprising: Determine whether at least one of the first transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel and the second transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel is allowed to span multiple spans.

56. The method of claim 55, further comprising: Send an indication to the terminal device indicating whether at least one of the first transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel and the second transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel is allowed to cross multiple spans.

57. The method according to claim 55, wherein, If at least one of the first transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel and the second transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel is not allowed to span multiple spans, the method further includes: The number of uplink signals transmitted on the physical control channel in the span is determined based on at least one of the available uplink symbols in the span and the length of the uplink signals on the physical control channel.

58. The method according to claim 55, wherein, If at least one of the first transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel and the second transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel is allowed to span multiple spans, the method further includes: The number of spans required for the first transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel and the second transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel are determined, at least based on the number of transmissions of the uplink signal on the physical control channel and the length of the transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel; and / or The minimum number of symbols in the span for the transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel is determined, based at least on the number of available uplink symbols in the span and the length of the uplink signal transmission on the physical control channel.

59. The method according to claim 53, wherein, The first transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel and the second transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel are received continuously within the span.

60. The method of claim 53, further comprising: Identify one or more symbols in the span that are configured not to be used for the transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel.

61. The method of claim 53, further comprising: Determine the location of a demodulation reference signal for at least one of the first transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel and the second transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel, wherein the location is configured based on the transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel and / or based on each segment of the uplink signal on the physical control channel.

62. The method of claim 34, further comprising: Determine the maximum number of uplink signals transmitted on the physical control channel, where the maximum number is greater than a specific value.

63. The method according to claim 61, wherein, The location of the demodulation reference signal in the segment is configured based on at least one of the following factors: the length of the segment, the presence of an additional demodulation reference signal, and whether frequency hopping is enabled.

64. The method of claim 34, further comprising: Send an indication to the terminal device of the number of repetitions of the uplink signal on the physical control channel.

65. The method according to claim 34, wherein, The first transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel and the second transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel are configured for a hybrid automatic repeat request feedback for message 4 or message B.

66. The method according to claim 65, wherein, The first transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel and the second transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel are configured and / or activated in one or more of the following ways: Use System Information Block 1 (SIB1) for configuration and activation; Configure using SIB1 and activate using dedicated signaling; and Use dedicated signaling to configure and activate.

67. The method of claim 66, wherein, The dedicated signaling is sent in one or more of the following ways: The downlink shared channel is used for message 4 or message B; Downlink control information from scheduling message 4 or message B; and Dedicated radio resource control signaling when the terminal device is in connection mode.

68. An apparatus for transmitting uplink signals on a physical control channel, the apparatus comprising: One or more processors; as well as Includes one or more memories containing computer program code. The one or more memories and the computer program code are configured to, together with the one or more processors, enable the device to: It is determined that the terminal device has the capability to coherently transmit the uplink signal on the physical control channel at least at a first time point and a second time point; In the first subcarrier set, the first transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel is performed at the first time point; as well as In the second subcarrier set, at the second time point, the second transmission of the uplink signal on the physical control channel is performed. The capability to coherently transmit the uplink signal on the physical control channel at at least the first time point and the second time point is determined based on at least one of the following: Whether the first time point and the second time point are consecutive; The change in transmission power between the first time point and the second time point; The frequency offset between the center frequency of the first subcarrier set and the center frequency of the second subcarrier set; as well as The uplink spatial relationship between the uplink control channel transmission at the first time point and the second time point.

69. The apparatus according to claim 68, wherein, The one or more memories and the computer program code are further configured, together with the one or more processors, to cause the apparatus to perform the method according to any one of claims 2 to 33.

70. An apparatus for receiving uplink signals on a physical control channel, the apparatus comprising: One or more processors; as well as Includes one or more memories containing computer program code. The one or more memories and the computer program code are configured to, together with the one or more processors, enable the device to: It is determined that the terminal device has the capability to coherently transmit the uplink signal on the physical control channel at least at a first time point and a second time point; In the first subcarrier set, at the first time point, the uplink signal is received from the terminal device in the first transmission on the physical control channel. as well as In the second subcarrier set, at the second time point, the uplink signal is received from the terminal device in a second transmission on the physical control channel. The capability to coherently transmit the uplink signal on the physical control channel at at least the first time point and the second time point is determined based on at least one of the following: Whether the first time point and the second time point are consecutive; The change in transmission power between the first time point and the second time point; The frequency offset between the center frequency of the first subcarrier set and the center frequency of the second subcarrier set; as well as The uplink spatial relationship between the uplink control channel transmission at the first time point and the second time point.

71. The apparatus according to claim 70, wherein, The one or more memories and the computer program code are further configured, together with the one or more processors, to cause the apparatus to perform the method according to any one of claims 35 to 67.

72. A computer-readable medium having computer program code embodied thereon, the computer program code causing the computer to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 33 when executed on a computer.

73. A computer-readable medium having computer program code embodied thereon, the computer program code causing the computer to perform the method according to any one of claims 34 to 67 when executed on a computer.

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