Downlink control signaling optimization

Abstract

Systems, methods, apparatus, and computer program products for optimizing downlink control signaling to carry more information, such as HARQ feedback enable and disable. A method may include determining at least one subset value associated with a control information field, and transmitting a configuration of the at least one subset value in DCI associated with the control information field to a user equipment.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Some example embodiments may generally relate to mobile or wireless telecommunication systems, such as 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Long Term Evolution (LTE), 5th Generation (5G) Radio Access Technology (RAT), New Radio (NR) Access Technology, 6th Generation (6G), Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN), and / or other communication systems. For example, certain example embodiments may relate to systems and / or methods for optimizing downlink control signaling to carry more information, such as hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) feedback enablement and disablement. Background Art

[0002] Examples of mobile or wireless telecommunication systems may include: radio frequency (RF) 5G RAT, universal mobile telecommunication system (UMTS) terrestrial radio access network (UTRAN), LTE evolved UTRAN (E-UTRAN), advanced LTE (LTE-A), LTE-APro, NR access technology, and / or MulteFire Alliance. 5G wireless system refers to the next generation (NG) radio system and network architecture. 5G systems are typically built on 5G NR, but 5G (or NG) networks can also be built on E-UTRA radio. NR is expected to support service categories such as enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), ultra-reliable low latency communications (URLLC), and massive machine type communications (mMTC). NR is expected to provide extreme broadband, ultra-robust, low latency connections and large-scale networks to support the Internet of Things (IoT). The next generation radio access network (NG-RAN) represents a radio access network (RAN) for 5G, which can provide radio access for NR, LTE, and LTE-A. Note that in 5G, a node that provides radio access functionality to user equipment (e.g., similar to a Node B in UTRAN, or an evolved Node B (eNB) in LTE) may be referred to as a next-generation Node B (gNB) when built on an NR radio, or a next-generation eNB (NG-eNB) when built on an E-UTRA radio. Summary of the invention

[0003] According to some of the example embodiments, a method may include determining at least one subset value associated with a control information field.The method may also include configuring at least one subset value in downlink control information associated with the control information field.

[0004] According to some example embodiments, an apparatus may include means for determining at least one subset value associated with a control information field. The apparatus may also include means for configuring at least one subset value in downlink control information associated with the control information field.

[0005] According to various example embodiments, a non-transitory computer readable medium includes program instructions that, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to at least perform a method. The method may include: determining at least one subset value associated with a control information field. The method may also include: configuring at least one subset value in downlink control information associated with the control information field.

[0006] According to some example embodiments, a computer program product may perform a method. The method may include determining at least one subset value associated with a control information field. The method may also include configuring at least one subset value in downlink control information associated with the control information field.

[0007] According to certain example embodiments, an apparatus may include at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, causing the apparatus to at least: determine at least one subset value associated with a control information field. The at least one memory and the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, may also cause the apparatus to at least: configure at least one subset value in downlink control information associated with the control information field.

[0008] According to various example embodiments, an apparatus may include: circuitry configured to perform determining at least one subset value associated with a control information field. The apparatus may also include: circuitry configured to perform configuring at least one subset value in downlink control information associated with the control information field.

[0009] According to some of the example embodiments, a method may include receiving, from a network entity, a configuration of at least one subset value in downlink control information associated with a control information field. The method may also include determining a meaning of the control information field based on the subset value.

[0010] According to some example embodiments, an apparatus may include means for receiving, from a network entity, configuration of at least one subset value in downlink control information associated with a control information field. The apparatus may also include means for determining a meaning of the control information field based on the subset value.

[0011] According to various example embodiments, a non-transitory computer-readable medium includes program instructions that, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least one method. The method may include receiving, from a network entity, a configuration of at least one subset value in downlink control information associated with a control information field. The method may also include determining, based on the subset value, a meaning of the control information field.

[0012] According to some example embodiments, a computer program product may perform a method. The method may include receiving, from a network entity, a configuration of at least one subset value in downlink control information associated with a control information field. The method may also include determining a meaning of the control information field based on the subset value.

[0013] According to certain example embodiments, an apparatus may include at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions, which when executed by the at least one processor, causes the apparatus to at least: receive, from a network entity, a configuration of at least one subset value in downlink control information associated with a control information field. The at least one memory and the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, may also cause the apparatus to at least: determine, based on the subset value, a meaning of the control information field.

[0014] According to various example embodiments, an apparatus may include: receiving circuitry configured to perform configuration of receiving at least one subset value in downlink control information associated with a control information field from a network entity. The apparatus may also include: determining circuitry configured to perform determination of a meaning of the control information field based on the subset value. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] For a proper understanding of the example embodiments, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0016] Figure 1 An example of downlink control information (DCI) N1 supporting dynamic HARQ enabling / disabling is illustrated in accordance with certain example embodiments.

[0017] Figure 2 An example of a flow chart of a method according to various example embodiments is illustrated.

[0018] Figure 3 An example of a flow chart of another method according to some example embodiments is illustrated.

[0019] Figure 4 Examples of various network devices are illustrated according to some example embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] It is readily understood that the components of certain example embodiments, as generally described and illustrated in the figures herein, may be arranged and designed in a variety of different configurations. Therefore, the following detailed description of some example embodiments of systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for optimizing downlink control signaling is not intended to limit the scope of certain example embodiments, but is representative of selected example embodiments.

[0021] Disabling HARQ feedback (such as for IoT NTNs) can provide some advantages, including improving power consumption and latency at the user equipment (UE). Disabling HARQ feedback for downlink transmissions can also alleviate HARQ stagnation for narrowband (NB)-IoT, for example, due to large round-trip times (RTTs) in NTNs. Disabling HARQ feedback for downlink (DL) transmissions can also improve uplink throughput in NTNs because more resources may be available in the uplink; however, radio link control (RLC) status reports may require more uplink (UL) resources, thus partially consuming the UL resources available by disabling HARQ feedback. However, disabling HARQ feedback may also result in some disadvantages; for example, if HARQ feedback is disabled, the Layer 1 (L1) reliability of downlink transmissions may be reduced due to the lack of HARQ feedback.

[0022] 3GPP currently does not include a narrowband physical uplink control channel (NPUCCH) in NB-IoT. Downlink (DL) HARQ feedback (ie, ACK / NACK) can be carried by a narrowband physical uplink shared channel (NPUSCH) format 2 scheduled by DCI N1, as shown in Table 1 below:

[0023]

[0024]

[0025] Compared with normal downlink data transmission, radio resource control (RRC) / media access control (MAC) signaling may have higher reliability requirements. Dynamic HARQ feedback enabling / disabling is important; specifically, enabling HARQ feedback for the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) through control signaling (such as RRC / MAC signaling) while disabling HARQ feedback for other downlink transmissions.

[0026] Enabling / disabling downlink transmission of HARQ feedback for each HARQ via UE-specific RRC signaling and for each HARQ process via system information block (SIB) signaling are both semi-static solutions, where HARQ feedback can be enabled / disabled for each HARQ process. The granularity of HARQ feedback enabling / disabling can be for each HARQ process. However, in NB-IoT, up to two HARQ processes can be supported. Therefore, when only one HARQ process is configured, these semi-static solutions can only semi-statically switch HARQ feedback enabling / disabling via RRC signaling / SIB signaling. Even if two HARQ processes are configured, HARQ feedback enabling / disabling based on each HARQ process may not provide sufficient granularity. Therefore, it is necessary to dynamically indicate HARQ feedback enabling / disabling.

[0027] Enabling / disabling HARQ feedback for downlink transmissions (whether explicitly indicated by the DCI or implicitly determined by (multiple) parameters of existing configuration / indications) can be used to dynamically indicate HARQ feedback enablement / disability. The DCI can explicitly indicate this information in a new field or reuse existing fields; however, the introduction of new fields may have a significant impact on L1 signaling. Similarly, HARQ feedback enablement / disability can be implicitly indicated by existing fields, but this may not currently be feasible because the "repetition number" or "TBS" may not reflect the total transmission time of the NPDSCH. Therefore, the enablement / disability of HARQ feedback may not be determined using these techniques.

[0028] As shown in Table 2 below, the number of repetitions N of NPDSCH Rep It can be in the range of 1 to 2048; however, in an NTN system, the number of repetitions may not change significantly but may be maintained within a certain range over a period of time.

[0029]

[0030] In addition, the network may schedule resources for NPDSCH, including determining both the number of repetitions and the modulation and coding scheme (MCS). The number of repetitions and the MCS may not be independent values ​​and may be closely related; for example, when a low MCS is used, the range of the number of repetitions may not be dynamic, but a reduced range.

[0031] Some example embodiments discussed herein address the above shortcomings by using optimization of narrowband physical downlink control channel (NPDCCH) / physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) based on the characteristics and relationships of these parameters in NTN. Redundant information of repeated digital fields or MCS fields in DCI can be reduced so that the information can be carried by reduced bits in DCI, for example, to support dynamic indication of HARQ feedback enable / disable.

[0032] Certain example embodiments described herein may have various benefits and / or advantages to overcome the above disadvantages. For example, certain example embodiments may optimize and reduce redundant information in the repeated number field in DCI N1. Thus, more information may be carried by the saved bits in the DCI, for example, to support dynamic indication of HARQ feedback enable / disable. Dynamic HARQ enable / disable may also be supported without creating any additional bits / fields in the DCI and limiting network functionality. Therefore, certain example embodiments discussed below are intended to improve computer-related technologies.

[0033] Some example embodiments discussed herein relate to an optimized solution for using the DCI N1 field (e.g., repetition number, MCS) in NPDCCH based on the relationship of these parameters in NTN. For example, by using the repetition number, the same solution can be applied to the MCS field and the enhanced machine type communication (eMTC) dedicated control channel (DCCH).

[0034] The bits / field for DCI signaling on the repetition number may be 4 bits with values ​​in the range of 1 to 2048. The repetition number may not change often, but may be kept in a certain range for a period of time. Indications may be used for these subset values ​​in the DCI, without indicating the entire range.

[0035] like Figure 1 As shown in , at step 1a, the network entity (NE) may configure a table with indices and corresponding subset values. Table 3 (below) provides an example of a repetition number table with 8 indices, each index corresponding to 8 values ​​of the repetition number.

[0036] index Subset Value 0 {1,2,4,8,16,32,64,128} 1 {2,4,8,16,32,64,128,192} 2 {4,8,16,32,64,128,192,256} 3 {8,16,32,64,128,192,256,384} 4 {16,32,64,128,192,256,384,512} 5 {32,64,128,192,256,384,512,768} 6 {64,128,192,256,384,512,768,1024} 7 {192,256,384,512,768,1024,1536,2048}

[0037] The number of indices and the number of values ​​of the repetition number can be variable and / or preconfigured. The number of values ​​in each repetition number subset can determine the number of bits required in the DCI. For example, 8 values ​​in the repetition number subset may require 3 bits in the DCI, and the remaining one bit can be used to indicate other information, such as HARQ feedback enable / disable. The network entity (NE) can determine the repetition number subset table index 1 (i.e., {2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 62, 128, 192}) to be used, for example based on the reference signal received power (RSRP) or the coverage level. Then, at step 1b, the UE can be configured with the index through RRC signaling.

[0038] At step 2, the NE may schedule NPDSCH and send DCI with 3 bits (e.g., “001”) on the repetition number and 1 bit (e.g., “1”) on HARQ enable / disable, where the repetition number may be 4 and HARQ disable may be supported.

[0039] If the NE detects a channel change and determines that the repetition number subset should be updated to index "7" in the repetition number subset table (i.e., {192, 256, 384, 512, 768, 1024, 1536, 2048}), the NE may send reconfiguration signaling to the UE at step 3. The NE may then schedule the NPDSCH and send DCI with 3 bits (e.g., "001") on the repetition number and 1 bit (e.g., "1") on HARQ enable / disable, where the repetition number may be 256 and HARQ disable may be supported.

[0040] In various example embodiments, the NE may directly configure subset values, rather than tables and indexes, as shown in step 1.

[0041] In certain example embodiments, in step 3, the NE may send the update of the repetition number subset via a MAC Control Element (CE) instead of an RRC reconfiguration.

[0042] In some example embodiments, in step 3, the NE may send an incremented / decremented index value when updating the repetition number subset.

[0043] Figure 2 The diagram illustrates a method that can be performed by a NE (such as Figure 4 An example of a flow chart of a method performed by NE 410 shown in FIG. 4 is provided. Some example embodiments may optimize the use of fields in DCIN1 in NPDCCH based on the characteristics and relationships of these parameters, such as in NTN; however, various example embodiments may also be used for eMTC PDCCH. Therefore, DCI fields (e.g., repetition number, MCS) may be reduced and optimized to allow more information to be carried by reduced bits in DCI, for example, to support dynamic indication of HARQ feedback enable / disable.

[0044] At 201, the method may include determining at least one subset value associated with a control information field. The control information field may include at least one of a repetition number field and an MCS field. As path loss increases and RSRP decreases, more repetition numbers may be required; therefore, the method may include updating the repetition number subset value to {64, 128, 192, 256, 384, 512, 768, 1024}. Similarly, as path loss decreases and / or RSRP increases, fewer repetition numbers may be required; therefore, the method may include updating the repetition number subset value to a smaller value.

[0045] In various example embodiments, the number of bits of at least one subset value associated with the control information field may be less than the number of bits of the full set. At least one remaining bit of the full value set may indicate at least one other control information field. At least one reserved bit of the full value set may indicate at least one other control information field.

[0046] In various example embodiments, at least one bit of at least one subset value may be associated with a control information field that is less than each bit of each subset value in at least one subset value. Specifically, at least one remaining bit of at least one subset value may indicate at least one other control information field, or at least one saved bit of at least one subset value may indicate at least one other control information field. The other control information field may be configured to enable or disable HARQ feedback. In addition, the first group of bits or the second group of bits may be configured to enable or disable HARQ feedback, and / or at least one subset value may be directly configured (i.e., only a single subset value is configured). At least one subset value may be selected from a complete set of values, and the number of at least one subset value is less than the size of the complete set of values. The complete set of values ​​may be predefined or preconfigured.

[0047] In some example embodiments, at 202, the method may include: sending to a user equipment a configuration of at least one subset value in downlink control information associated with a control information field. In various example embodiments, the configuration of the at least one subset value may be based on at least one of: a reported RSRP, an estimated RSRP, or a UE coverage level (i.e., coverage quality or channel status) of the UE, such as Figure 4 UE 420 shown in .

[0048] At 203, the method may include determining a change / update of one or more subset values ​​of the at least one subset value based on at least one of: a reported RSRP, an estimated RSRP, or a UE coverage level of the UE.

[0049] At 204, the method may include sending an update of at least one subset value to the UE. The update may be sent using at least one of an RRC reconfiguration message or a MAC CE. In addition, the update may include at least one of the following: an absolute index value, an increased index value, or a decreased index value.

[0050] At 205 , the method may include configuring a table including at least one subset value, the table having at least one of: at least one index, at least one corresponding subset value, and at least one supporting index.

[0051] Fewer bits may be needed to indicate the repetition number, and the remaining bits may be used to indicate other information, such as HARQ feedback enable and disable. For example, the NE may configure the repetition number subset value as {2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 62, 128, 192}, where 3 bits may be needed to indicate the repetition number, and the remaining one bit may be used to indicate other information, such as HARQ feedback enable and disable.

[0052] In various example embodiments, a table may be configured with an index, a corresponding subset value, and the supported index. In some example embodiments, at least one subset value may be directly configured.

[0053] In various example embodiments, for MCS, the actual assigned MCS level may not change dynamically; for example, the MCS level may be reduced to a subset value to be configured in the DCI, and at least one bit may be reserved for other indications, such as enabling / disabling HARQ feedback. Additionally or alternatively, the repetition number subset and MCS level selection may be conditional; for example, when the MCS is level a, the repetition number subset may be x, and when the MCS is level b, the repetition number subset may be y.

[0054] At 206, the method may include sending a configuration including at least one subset value of at least one delay value to the UE.

[0055] Figure 3 FIG. 1 illustrates a method that may be performed by a UE (such as a Figure 4 An example of a flowchart of a method performed by a UE 420 shown in FIG. 4A . Some example embodiments may optimize the use of fields in DCIN1 in NPDCCH, such as in NTN, based on the characteristics and relationships of these parameters; however, various example embodiments may also be used for eMTC PDCCH. Therefore, DCI fields (e.g., repetition number, MCS) may be reduced and optimized to allow more information to be carried by reduced bits in DCI, for example, to support dynamic indication of HARQ feedback enable / disable.

[0056] At 301, according to various example embodiments, the method may include: Figure 4NE410 shown in ) receives the configuration of at least one subset value in the DCI associated with the control information field. In some example embodiments, the received subset value can be based on configuring at least one subset value for the repetition number in the DCI. Fewer bits may be required to indicate the repetition number, and the remaining bits can be used to indicate other information, such as HARQ feedback enable and disable. In some example embodiments, at least one subset value can be configured directly. In various example embodiments, the control information field may include at least one of the repetition number field and the MCS field. In some example embodiments, at least one subset value can be received using at least one of the following: RRC reconfiguration message or MAC CE. At least one subset value may include at least one of the following: an absolute index value, an increased index value, or a decreased index value.

[0057] In various example embodiments, the subset value may be determined based on the number of repetitions, and the subset value may be changed / updated based on the UE's (such as Figure 4 The RSRP and / or coverage level reported or estimated by the UE 420 shown. Specifically, an absolute index value or an increased / decreased index value may be sent.

[0058] In various example embodiments, for MCS, the actual assigned MCS level may not change dynamically; for example, the MCS level may be reduced to a subset value to be configured in the DCI, and at least one bit may be reserved for other indications, such as enabling / disabling HARQ feedback. Additionally or alternatively, the repetition number subset and MCS level selection may be conditional; for example, when the MCS is level a, the repetition number subset may be x, and when the MCS is level b, the repetition number subset may be y.

[0059] In various example embodiments, the number of bits of at least one subset value associated with the control information field may be less than the number of bits of the complete set. At least one remaining bit of the complete value set may indicate at least one other control information field. At least one reserved bit of the complete value set may indicate at least one other control information field.

[0060] In some example embodiments, at least one bit of at least one subset value may be associated with a control information field that is less than one bit per bit of each subset value in the at least one subset value. At least one remaining bit of the at least one subset value may indicate at least one other control information field, or at least one reserved bit of the at least one subset value may indicate at least one other control information field.

[0061] At 302 , the method may include determining a meaning of the control information field based on the subset value. For example, determining the meaning may include determining an action to be taken and / or a relationship of a configuration of the at least one subset value received in 301 .

[0062] At 303, the method may include receiving at least one configuration associated with a delay value. The delay may be based on the RTT or a network configuration value.

[0063] At 304, the method may include receiving indications of HARQ feedback disabling and enabling via remaining bits.

[0064] At 305, the method may include receiving an update of at least one subset value from the NE. In various example embodiments, the update may be received using at least one of: an RRC reconfiguration message, or a MAC CE. In some example embodiments, the update may include at least one of: an absolute index value, an increased index value, or a decreased index value.

[0065] At 306, the method may include applying an update of at least one subset value with a delay after successfully decoding the DL RRC for reconfiguration or the MAC CE. For example, the method may include applying a new subset value with a delay (e.g., one RTT or a network configured value such as a maximum RTT) after the UE successfully decodes the DL RRC for reconfiguration or the MAC CE so that there is a common understanding of the subset value applied between the UE and the network due to high propagation delays.

[0066] Figure 4 An example of a system according to certain example embodiments is illustrated.In an example embodiment, a system may include a plurality of devices, such as NE 410 and / or UE 420.

[0067] NE 410 may be one or more of: a base station (such as an eNB or gNB), a serving gateway, a server, and / or any other access node, or a combination thereof.

[0068] The NE 410 may also include: at least one gNB centralized unit (CU) that may be associated with at least one gNB DU. The at least one gNB-CU and the at least one gNB-DU may communicate with each other via at least one F1 interface, at least one X1 interface, and at least one 5G core (5GC). n -C interface, and / or at least one NG interface for communication.

[0069] UE 420 may include one or more mobile devices, such as a mobile phone, a smart phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a tablet or portable media player, a digital camera, a pocket camera, a video game console, a navigation unit (such as a global positioning system (GPS) device), a desktop or laptop computer, a single positioning device (such as a sensor or smart meter), or any combination thereof. In addition, NE 410 and / or UE 420 may be one or more Citizen Broadband Radio Service Devices (CBSDs).

[0070] NE 410 and / or UE 420 may include at least one processor, represented as 411 and 421, respectively. Processors 1011 and 1021 may be embodied by any computing or data processing device, such as a central processing unit (CPU), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or a similar device. The processor may be implemented as a single controller, or multiple controllers, or processors.

[0071] As shown in 412 and 422, at least one memory may be provided in one or more devices. The memory may be fixed or removable. The memory may include computer program instructions or computer code contained therein. Memories 412 and 422 may independently be any suitable storage device, such as a non-transitory computer-readable medium. The term "non-transitory" used herein may correspond to the limitations of the medium itself (i.e., tangible, rather than a signal), rather than the limitations of data storage persistence (e.g., random access memory (RAM) versus read-only memory (ROM)). A hard disk drive (HDD), RAM, flash memory, or other suitable memory may be used. The memory may be combined on a single integrated circuit as a processor, or may be separated from one or more processors. In addition, the computer program instructions stored in the memory and that may be processed by the processor may be computer program codes in any suitable form, for example, a compiled or interpreted computer program written in any suitable programming language.

[0072] Processors 411 and 421, memories 412 and 422, and any subset thereof may be configured to provide Figure 1-Figure 3 Components corresponding to the various boxes of . Although not shown, the device may also include positioning hardware, such as GPS or micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) hardware, which can be used to determine the location of the device. Other sensors are also allowed and can be configured to determine location, altitude, speed, orientation, etc., such as a barometer, compass, etc.

[0073] like Figure 4As shown in , transceivers 413 and 423 may be provided, and one or more devices may also include at least one antenna, shown as 414 and 424, respectively. The device may have many antennas, such as an antenna array configured for multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) communication, or multiple antennas for multiple RATs. For example, other configurations of these devices may be provided. Transceivers 413 and 423 may be transmitters, receivers, both transmitters and receivers, or units or devices that may be configured for both transmission and reception.

[0074] The memory and the computer program instructions may be configured to work together with the processor of a specific device to cause a hardware device (such as a UE) to perform any of the above processes (ie, Figure 1-Figure 3 ). Thus, in certain example embodiments, a non-transitory computer readable medium may be encoded with computer instructions that, when executed in hardware, perform a process such as one of the processes described herein. Alternatively, certain example embodiments may be performed entirely in hardware.

[0075] In certain example embodiments, the apparatus may include a Figure 1-Figure 3 As used in this application, the term "circuitry" may refer to one or more or all of the following: (a) a hardware-only circuit implementation (such as an implementation in analog and / or digital circuitry only), (b) a combination of hardware circuitry and software, such as (as applicable): (i) a combination of (multiple) analog and / or digital hardware circuits and software / firmware, and (ii) any portion of (multiple) hardware processors (including (multiple) digital signal processors), software, and (multiple) memory with software, which work together to enable a device (such as a mobile phone or server) to perform various functions), and (c) (multiple) hardware circuits and / or (multiple) processors, such as (multiple) microprocessors or portions of (multiple) microprocessors, which require software (e.g., firmware) to operate, but when software is not required for operation, the software may not be present. This definition of circuitry applies to all uses of the term in this application, including in any claims. As a further example, as used in this application, the term circuitry also covers an implementation of only a hardware circuit or processor (or multiple processors) or a portion of a hardware circuit or process and its accompanying software and / or firmware. For example, the term circuitry would also cover, if applicable to a particular claim element, a baseband integrated circuit or a processor integrated circuit for a mobile device, or a similar integrated circuit in a server, cellular network device, or other computing or networking equipment.

[0076] According to some example embodiments, processors 411 and 421 and memories 412 and 422 may be included in a processing circuit system or a control circuit system, or may form a part of a processing circuit system or a control circuit system. In addition, in some example embodiments, transceivers 413 and 423 may be included in a transceiver circuit system, or may form a part of a transceiver circuit system.

[0077] In some example embodiments, an apparatus (e.g., NE 410 and / or UE 420) may include a component for performing a method, process, or any variant discussed herein. Examples of the component may include one or more processors, memories, controllers, transmitters, receivers, and / or computer program codes for causing the execution of operations.

[0078] In various example embodiments, the apparatus 410 may be controlled by the memory 412 and the processor 411 to at least determine at least one subset value associated with the control information field and configure at least one subset value in the DCI associated with the control information field.

[0079] Certain example embodiments may be directed to an apparatus comprising means for performing any of the methods described herein, including, for example, means for determining at least one subset value associated with a control information field; and means for configuring at least one subset value in a DCI associated with the control information field.

[0080] In various example embodiments, apparatus 420 may be controlled by memory 422 and processor 421 to at least receive configuration of at least one subset value in DCI associated with a control information field from a network entity, and determine a meaning of the control information field based on the subset value.

[0081] Certain example embodiments may be directed to an apparatus comprising means for performing any of the methods described herein, including, for example, means for receiving, from a network entity, configuration of at least one subset value in a DCI associated with a control information field, and means for determining a meaning of the control information field based on the subset value.

[0082] The features, structures, or characteristics of the example embodiments described throughout this specification may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more example embodiments. For example, the use of the phrases "various embodiments," "certain embodiments," "some embodiments," or other similar language throughout this specification refers to the fact that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in conjunction with the example embodiments may be included in at least one example embodiment. Therefore, the appearance of the phrases "in various embodiments," "in certain embodiments," "in some embodiments," or other similar language throughout this specification does not necessarily all refer to the same set of example embodiments, and the described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more example embodiments.

[0083] As used herein, “at least one of: ” and “at least one of ” and similar expressions (wherein a list of two or more elements is connected by “and” or “or”) refer to at least any one of these elements, or at least any two or more of these elements, or at least all of these elements.

[0084] In addition, if necessary, the above-mentioned different functions or processes can be performed in different orders and / or simultaneously with each other. In addition, if necessary, one or more of the above-mentioned functions or processes can be optional or can be combined. Therefore, the above description should be considered as an explanation of the principles and teachings of some example embodiments, rather than a limitation thereof.

[0085] Those of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that the example embodiments discussed above may be practiced with processes in a different order and / or with hardware elements in configurations different from those disclosed. Therefore, although some embodiments have been described based on these example embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that certain modifications, variations, and alternative constructions will be apparent while remaining within the spirit and scope of the example embodiments.

[0086] Partial Glossary

[0087] 3GPP: Third Generation Partnership Project

[0088] 5G: Fifth Generation

[0089] 5GC: Fifth Generation Core

[0090] 6G: Sixth Generation

[0091] ACK: Acknowledgement

[0092] AF: Application Function

[0093] AMF: Access and Mobility Management Function

[0094] ASIC: Application-Specific Integrated Circuit

[0095] CBSD: Citizens Broadband Radio Service Device

[0096] CE: Control Element

[0097] CPU: Central Processing Unit

[0098] CRC: Cyclic Redundancy Check

[0099] CU: Centralized Unit

[0100] DCCH: Dedicated Control Channel

[0101] DCI: Downlink Control Information

[0102] DL: Downlink

[0103] DU: Distributed Unit

[0104] eMBB: enhanced mobile broadband

[0105] eMTC: enhanced machine type communication

[0106] eNB: Evolved Node B

[0107] gNB: Next Generation Node B

[0108] GPS: Global Positioning System

[0109] HARQ: Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request

[0110] HDD: Hard Disk Drive

[0111] IoT: Internet of Things

[0112] L1: Layer 1

[0113] LTE: Long Term Evolution

[0114] LTE-A: Long Term Evolution Advanced

[0115] MAC: Media Access Control

[0116] MCS: Modulation Coding Scheme

[0117] MEMS: Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems

[0118] MIMO: Multiple Input Multiple Output

[0119] mMTC: massive machine type communications

[0120] NACK: Negative Acknowledgement

[0121] NB-IoT: Narrowband Internet of Things

[0122] NE: Network Entity

[0123] NG: Next Generation

[0124] NG-eNB: Next Generation Evolved Node B

[0125] NG-RAN: Next Generation Radio Access Network

[0126] NPDCCH: Narrowband Physical Downlink Control Channel

[0127] NPDSCH: Narrowband Physical Downlink Shared Channel

[0128] NPUCCH: Narrowband Physical Uplink Control Channel

[0129] NPUSCH: Narrowband Physical Uplink Shared Channel

[0130] NR: New Radio

[0131] NTN: Non-Terrestrial Network

[0132] PDA: Personal Digital Assistant

[0133] PDCCH: Physical Downlink Control Channel

[0134] PDSCH: Physical Downlink Shared Channel

[0135] QoS: Quality of Service

[0136] RAM: Random Access Memory

[0137] RAN: Radio Access Network

[0138] RAT: Radio Access Technology

[0139] RF: Radio Frequency

[0140] RLC: Radio Link Control

[0141] ROM: Read Only Memory

[0142] RRC: Radio Resource Control

[0143] RTT: Round Trip Time

[0144] RSRP: Reference Signal Received Power

[0145] SIB: System Information Block

[0146] SMF: Session Management Function

[0147] TBS: Transport Block Size

[0148] UE: User Equipment

[0149] UL: Uplink

[0150] UMTS: Universal Mobile Telecommunications System

[0151] UPF: User Plane Function

[0152] URLLC: Ultra-Reliable Low-Latency Communications

[0153] UTRAN: Universal Mobile Telecommunications System Terrestrial Radio Access Network

Claims

1. A method comprising: determining at least one subset value associated with a control information field; as well as A configuration of at least one subset value in downlink control information associated with the control information field is sent to a user equipment.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: An update of the at least one subset value is sent to the user equipment.

3. The method according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the at least one subset value is selected from a complete set of values, and the number of the at least one subset value is less than the size of the complete set of values.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the complete set of values ​​is predefined or preconfigured.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the update is sent using at least one of: a radio resource control reconfiguration message, or a medium access control control element.

6. The method of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the update comprises at least one of: an absolute index value, an increased index value, or a decreased index value.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the control information field comprises at least one of: a repetition number field, and a modulation and coding scheme field.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the number of bits of the at least one subset value associated with the control information field is less than the number of bits of the complete set, wherein At least one remaining bit of the complete value set indicates at least one other control information field, or At least one reserved bit of the complete value set indicates at least one other control information field.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the at least one other control information field is configured to enable or disable hybrid automatic repeat request feedback.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein at least one remaining bit of the complete value set is configured to enable or disable hybrid automatic repeat request feedback.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein at least one reserved bit of the complete value set is configured to enable or disable hybrid automatic repeat request feedback.

12. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, further comprising: The configuration includes a table of at least one subset value, the table having at least one of: at least one index, at least one corresponding subset value, and at least one supporting index.

13. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the at least one subset value is directly configured.

14. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the configuration of the at least one subset value is based on at least one of: a reported reference signal received power, an estimated reference signal received power, or a user equipment coverage level.

15. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 14, further comprising: A change in one or more of the at least one subset values ​​is determined based on at least one of: a reported reference signal received power, an estimated reference signal received power, or a user equipment coverage level.

16. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 15, further comprising: A configuration of the at least one subset value including at least one delay value is sent to a user equipment.

17. A method comprising: receiving, from a network entity, configuration of at least one subset value in downlink control information associated with a control information field; as well as Based on the subset value, a meaning of the control information field is determined.

18. The method according to claim 17, further comprising: An update of the at least one subset value is received from the network entity.

19. The method of any one of claims 17 or 18, wherein the update is received using at least one of: a radio resource control reconfiguration message, or a medium access control control element.

20. The method of any one of claims 17 to 19, wherein the update comprises at least one of: an absolute index value, an increased index value, or a decreased index value.

21. The method according to any one of claims 17 to 20, wherein the control information field comprises at least one of: a repetition number field, and a modulation and coding scheme field.

22. The method of any one of claims 17 to 21, wherein at least one bit of the at least one subset value is associated with a control information field that is smaller than each bit of each subset value of the at least one subset value, wherein at least one remaining bit of the at least one subset value indicates at least one other control information field, or The at least one reserved bit of the at least one subset value indicates at least one other control information field.

23. The method according to any one of claims 17 to 22, wherein the at least one other control information field is configured to enable or disable hybrid automatic repeat request feedback.

24. The method according to any one of claims 17 to 23, wherein the remaining bits of the at least one subset value are configured to enable or disable hybrid automatic repeat request feedback.

25. The method according to any one of claims 17 to 24, wherein the reserved bit of the at least one subset value is configured to enable or disable hybrid automatic repeat request feedback.

26. The method according to any one of claims 17 to 25, further comprising: An indication of hybrid automatic repeat request feedback disabling and enabling is received via the remaining bits.

27. The method according to any one of claims 17 to 26, further comprising: A configuration of a table is received having at least one of: at least one index, at least one corresponding subset value, or at least one supporting index.

28. A method according to any one of claims 17 to 27, wherein the at least one subset value is directly configured.

29. The method according to any one of claims 17 to 28, further comprising: At least one configuration associated with a delay value is received.

30. The method of any one of claims 17 to 29, wherein the delay is based on a round trip time or a network configuration value.

31. The method according to any one of claims 17 to 30, further comprising: After successful decoding of a downlink radio resource control or medium access control control element for reconfiguration, an update of at least one subset value with a delay is applied.

32. The method according to any one of claims 17 to 31, wherein the at least one subset value is received using at least one of: a radio resource control reconfiguration message, or a medium access control control element.

33. The method of any one of claims 17 to 32, wherein the at least one subset value comprises at least one of: an absolute index value, an increasing index value, or a decreasing index value.

34. An apparatus comprising: at least one processor; as well as at least one memory storing instructions, which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: determining at least one subset value associated with a control information field; as well as A configuration of at least one subset value in downlink control information associated with the control information field is sent to a user equipment.

35. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the at least one memory and the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to at least: An update of the at least one subset value is sent to the user equipment.

36. An apparatus according to any one of claims 34 or 35, wherein the at least one subset value is selected from a complete set of values, and the number of the at least one subset values ​​is less than the size of the complete set of values.

37. An apparatus according to any one of claims 34 to 36, wherein the complete set of values ​​is predefined or preconfigured.

38. The apparatus of any one of claims 34 to 37, wherein the update is sent using at least one of: a radio resource control reconfiguration message, or a medium access control control element.

39. The apparatus of any one of claims 34 to 38, wherein the update comprises at least one of: an absolute index value, an increased index value, or a decreased index value.

40. The apparatus of any one of claims 34 to 39, wherein the control information field comprises at least one of: a repetition number field, and a modulation and coding scheme field.

41. The apparatus of any one of claims 34 to 40, wherein the number of bits of the at least one subset value associated with the control information field is less than the number of bits of the full set, wherein At least one remaining bit of the complete value set indicates at least one other control information field, or At least one reserved bit of the complete value set indicates at least one other control information field.

42. The apparatus according to any one of claims 34 to 41, wherein the at least one other control information field is configured to enable or disable hybrid automatic repeat request feedback.

43. The apparatus of any one of claims 34 to 42, wherein at least one remaining bit of the complete set of values ​​is configured to enable or disable hybrid automatic repeat request feedback.

44. The apparatus of any one of claims 34 to 43, wherein at least one reserved bit of the complete value set is configured to enable or disable hybrid automatic repeat request feedback.

45. The apparatus of any one of claims 34 to 44, wherein the at least one memory and the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to at least: The configuration includes a table of at least one subset value, the table having at least one of: at least one index, at least one corresponding subset value, and at least one supporting index.

46. ​​An apparatus according to any one of claims 34 to 45, wherein the at least one subset value is directly configured.

47. The apparatus of any one of claims 34 to 46, wherein configuration of the at least one subset value is based on at least one of: a reported reference signal received power, an estimated reference signal received power, or a user equipment coverage level.

48. The apparatus of any one of claims 34 to 47, wherein the at least one memory and the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to at least: A change in one or more of the at least one subset values ​​is determined based on at least one of: a reported reference signal received power, an estimated reference signal received power, or a user equipment coverage level.

49. The apparatus of any one of claims 34 to 48, wherein the at least one memory and the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to at least: A configuration of the at least one subset value including at least one delay value is sent to a user equipment.

50. An apparatus comprising: at least one processor; as well as at least one memory storing instructions, which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: receiving, from a network entity, configuration of at least one subset value in downlink control information associated with a control information field; and Based on the subset value, a meaning of the control information field is determined.

51. The apparatus of claim 50, wherein the at least one memory and the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to at least: An update of the at least one subset value is received from the network entity.

52. The apparatus of claim 50 or 51, wherein the update is received using at least one of: a radio resource control reconfiguration message, or a medium access control control element.

53. An apparatus according to any one of claims 50 to 52, wherein the update comprises at least one of: an absolute index value, an increased index value, or a decreased index value.

54. The apparatus of any one of claims 50 to 53, wherein the control information field comprises at least one of: a repetition number field, and a modulation and coding scheme field.

55. The apparatus of any one of claims 50 to 54, wherein at least one bit of the at least one subset value is associated with a control information field that is smaller than each bit of each subset value of the at least one subset value, wherein at least one remaining bit of the at least one subset value indicates at least one other control information field, or The at least one reserved bit of the at least one subset value indicates at least one other control information field.

56. The apparatus according to any one of claims 50 to 55, wherein the at least one other control information field is configured to enable or disable hybrid automatic repeat request feedback.

57. The apparatus of any one of claims 50 to 56, wherein remaining bits of the at least one subset value are configured to enable or disable hybrid automatic repeat request feedback.

58. The apparatus according to any one of claims 50 to 57, wherein the reserved bit of the at least one subset value is configured to enable or disable hybrid automatic repeat request feedback.

59. The apparatus of any one of claims 50 to 58, wherein the at least one memory and the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to at least: An indication of hybrid automatic repeat request feedback disabling and enabling is received via the remaining bits.

60. The apparatus of any one of claims 50 to 59, wherein the at least one memory and the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to at least: A configuration of a table is received having at least one of: at least one index, at least one corresponding subset value, or at least one supporting index.

61. An apparatus according to any one of claims 50 to 60, wherein the at least one subset value is directly configured.

62. The apparatus of any one of claims 50 to 61, wherein the at least one memory and the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to at least: At least one configuration associated with a delay value is received.

63. An apparatus according to any one of claims 50 to 62, wherein the delay is based on a round trip time or a network configuration value.

64. The apparatus of any one of claims 50 to 63, wherein the at least one memory and the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to at least: After successful decoding of a downlink radio resource control or medium access control control element for reconfiguration, an update of at least one subset value with a delay is applied.

65. The apparatus of any one of claims 50 to 64, wherein the at least one subset value is received using at least one of: a radio resource control reconfiguration message, or a medium access control control element.

66. The apparatus of any one of claims 50 to 65, wherein the at least one subset value comprises at least one of: an absolute index value, an increasing index value, or a decreasing index value.

67. An apparatus comprising: means for determining at least one subset value associated with a control information field; as well as Means for sending to a user equipment a configuration of at least a subset value in downlink control information associated with said control information field.

68. The apparatus of claim 67, further comprising: Means for sending an update of the at least one subset value to a user equipment.

69. An apparatus according to any one of claims 67 or 68, wherein the at least one subset value is selected from a complete set of values, and the number of the at least one subset values ​​is less than the size of the complete set of values.

70. An apparatus according to any one of claims 67 to 69, wherein the complete set of values ​​is predefined or preconfigured.

71. The apparatus of any one of claims 67 to 70, wherein the update is sent using at least one of: a radio resource control reconfiguration message, or a medium access control control element.

72. The apparatus of any one of claims 67 to 71, wherein the update comprises at least one of: an absolute index value, an increased index value, or a decreased index value.

73. The apparatus of any one of claims 67 to 72, wherein the control information field comprises at least one of: a repetition number field, and a modulation and coding scheme field.

74. The apparatus of any one of claims 67 to 73, wherein the number of bits of the at least one subset value associated with the control information field is less than the number of bits of the full set, wherein At least one remaining bit of the complete value set indicates at least one other control information field, or At least one reserved bit of the complete value set indicates at least one other control information field.

75. The apparatus of any one of claims 67 to 74, wherein the at least one other control information field is configured to enable or disable hybrid automatic repeat request feedback.

76. The apparatus of any one of claims 67 to 75, wherein at least one remaining bit of the complete set of values ​​is configured to enable or disable hybrid automatic repeat request feedback.

77. The apparatus of any one of claims 67 to 76, wherein at least one reserved bit of the complete set of values ​​is configured to enable or disable hybrid automatic repeat request feedback.

78. The apparatus of any one of claims 67 to 77, further comprising: Means for configuring a table comprising at least one subset value, the table having at least one of: at least one index, at least one corresponding subset value, and at least one supporting index.

79. An apparatus according to any one of claims 67 to 78, wherein the at least one subset value is directly configured.

80. The apparatus of any one of claims 67 to 79, wherein configuration of the at least one subset value is based on at least one of: a reported reference signal received power, an estimated reference signal received power, or a user equipment coverage level.

81. The apparatus of any one of claims 67 to 80, further comprising: Means for determining a change in one or more of the at least one subset values ​​based on at least one of: a reported reference signal received power, an estimated reference signal received power, or a user equipment coverage level.

82. The apparatus of any one of claims 67 to 81, further comprising: Means for sending a configuration of said at least one subset of values ​​including at least one delay value to a user equipment.

83. An apparatus comprising: means for receiving, from a network entity, a configuration of at least a subset value in downlink control information associated with a control information field; as well as Means for determining a meaning of said control information field based on said subset value.

84. The apparatus of claim 83, further comprising: Means for receiving an update of the at least one subset value from the network entity.

85. The apparatus of any one of claims 83 or 84, wherein the update is received using at least one of: a radio resource control reconfiguration message, or a medium access control control element.

86. The apparatus of any one of claims 83 to 85, wherein the update comprises at least one of: an absolute index value, an increased index value, or a decreased index value.

87. The apparatus of any one of claims 83 to 86, wherein the control information field comprises at least one of: a repetition number field, and a modulation and coding scheme field.

88. The apparatus of any one of claims 83 to 87, wherein at least one bit of the at least one subset value is associated with a control information field that is less than each bit of each subset value in the at least one subset value, wherein at least one remaining bit of the at least one subset value indicates at least one other control information field, or The at least one reserved bit of the at least one subset value indicates at least one other control information field.

89. The apparatus of any one of claims 83 to 88, wherein the at least one other control information field is configured to enable or disable hybrid automatic repeat request feedback.

90. The apparatus of any one of claims 83 to 89, wherein remaining bits of the at least one subset value are configured to enable or disable hybrid automatic repeat request feedback.

91. The apparatus of any one of claims 83 to 90, wherein the reserved bit of the at least one subset value is configured to enable or disable hybrid automatic repeat request feedback.

92. The apparatus of any one of claims 83 to 91, further comprising: Means for receiving an indication of hybrid automatic repeat request feedback disabling and enabling via the remaining bits.

93. The apparatus of any one of claims 83 to 92, further comprising: Means for receiving a configuration of a table having at least one of: at least one index, at least one corresponding subset value, or at least one supporting index.

94. An apparatus according to any one of claims 83 to 93, wherein the at least one subset value is directly configured.

95. The apparatus of any one of claims 83 to 94, further comprising: Means for receiving at least one configuration associated with a delay value.

96. An apparatus according to any one of claims 83 to 95, wherein the delay is based on a round-trip time or a network configuration value.

97. The apparatus of any one of claims 83 to 96, further comprising: Means for applying an update of at least one subset value with a delay after successfully decoding a downlink radio resource control or medium access control control element for reconfiguration.

98. The apparatus of any one of claims 83 to 97, wherein the at least one subset value is received using at least one of: a radio resource control reconfiguration message, or a medium access control control element.

99. The apparatus of any one of claims 83 to 98, wherein the at least one subset value comprises at least one of: an absolute index value, an increasing index value, or a decreasing index value.

100. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions, which, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 33.

101. An apparatus comprising circuitry configured to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 33.

102. A computer program comprising instructions which, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform a method according to any one of claims 1 to 33.

Images