Method and apparatus for communication network

Abstract

Various embodiments of the present disclosure disclose a method and apparatus for a communication network. A method of operating a wireless device (900) in a communication network is described. The method comprises obtaining (1100) a time domain resource allocation (TDRA) list from a network node of the communication network. The method further comprises receiving (1102) downlink control information, DCI, which schedules a physical downlink shared channel, PDSCH, for reception by the wireless device, and selecting (1104) a TDRA from the list of TDRAs based on the received DCI. The method further comprises determining (1106) a PDSCH transmission scheme comprising one or more transmission points, TRP, based on the number of PDSCH transmission repetitions configured for the selected TDRA.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the patent application with application number 202080079620.2 filed on November 6, 2020 and invention name “Signaling of Multi-TRP Schemes in Wireless Communication Systems”. Technical Field

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to communications, and more particularly to communication methods and related devices and nodes supporting wireless communications. Background Art

[0003] The new generation of mobile wireless communication systems (5G) or New Radio (NR) supports a diverse set of use cases and a diverse set of deployment scenarios. NR uses CP-OFDM (Cyclic Prefix Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) in the downlink (i.e. from the network node, gNB, eNB or base station to the user equipment or UE) and both CP-OFDM and DFT-spread OFDM (DFT-S-OFDM) in the uplink (i.e. from the UE to the gNB). In the time domain, the NR downlink and uplink physical resources are organized into equal-sized subframes, each of 1ms. The subframes are further divided into multiple slots of equal duration.

[0004] The time slot length depends on the subcarrier spacing. Subcarrier spacing Δf = 15kHz, each subframe has only one time slot, and each time slot always consists of 14 OFDM symbols, regardless of the subcarrier spacing.

[0005] Typical data scheduling in NR is based on each time slot. Figure 1 An example is shown in , where the first two symbols contain the Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) and the remaining 12 symbols contain the Physical Data Channel (PDCH), either PDSCH (Physical Downlink Data Channel) or PUSCH (Physical Uplink Data Channel).

[0006] Different subcarrier spacing values ​​are supported in NR. The supported subcarrier spacing (SCS) values ​​(also called different numerologies) are given by Δf = (15 × 2 α )kHz, where α∈(0,1,2,4,8). Δf=15kHz is the basic subcarrier spacing also used in LTE, and the corresponding slot duration is 1ms. For a given SCS, the corresponding slot duration is

[0007] In the frequency domain physical resource definition, the system bandwidth or bandwidth part (BWP) is divided into resource blocks (RBs), each of which corresponds to 12 consecutive subcarriers. The basic NR physical time-frequency resource grid is as follows: Figure 2As shown, only one resource block (RB) within a 14-symbol slot is shown. One OFDM subcarrier during one OFDM symbol interval forms one resource element (RE).

[0008] Downlink transmissions can be scheduled dynamically, i.e., in each slot, the gNB sends downlink control information (DCI) via PDCCH, which information relates to which UE the data will be sent to and on which RBs and OFDM symbols in the indicated downlink slot. In NR, PDCCH is usually sent in the first few OFDM symbols in each slot. UE data is carried on PDSCH. The UE first detects and decodes the PDCCH, and if the decoding is successful, it decodes the corresponding PDSCH based on the control information decoded in the PDCCH. Uplink data transmission can also be dynamically scheduled using PDCCH. Similar to the downlink, the UE first decodes the uplink grant in PDCCH, and then sends data via PUSCH based on the control information decoded in the uplink grant (e.g., modulation order, coding rate, uplink resource allocation, etc.).

[0009] In some cases, the gNB may need to dynamically switch between different PDSCH transmission schemes because some services need to be received with high reliability, while other services can be received with normal reliability but with higher spectral efficiency. Therefore, when scheduling a UE for PDSCH reception, the gNB needs to dynamically switch between different PDSCH transmission schemes. Summary of the invention

[0010] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a method for operating a wireless device in a communication network is described. The method includes: obtaining a time domain resource allocation TDRA list from a network node of the communication network. The method also includes: receiving downlink control information DCI that schedules a physical downlink shared channel PDSCH to be received by the wireless device, and selecting a TDRA from the TDRA list based on the received DCI. The method also includes: determining a PDSCH transmission scheme including one or more transmission points TRP based on the number of PDSCH transmission repetitions configured for the selected TDRA. A wireless device is also described, which includes a processing circuit and a memory coupled to the processing circuit, the memory including instructions that, when executed by the processing circuit, cause the wireless device to implement operations according to the method.

[0011] A method of operating a radio access network node RAN in a communication network according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is also described. The method includes: providing a list of time domain resource allocations TDRAs to a wireless device operating in the communication network, each TDRA including information indicating the number of PDSCH transmission repetitions configured for the selected TDRA. The method also includes: sending downlink control information DCI for scheduling a physical downlink shared channel PDSCH for reception by the wireless device, the DCI indicating which TDRA the wireless device is to select from the TDRA list to receive PDSCH transmissions from one or more transmission points TRP operating in the communication network. The method also includes: scheduling PDSCH transmissions from the one or more TRPs according to the PDSCH transmission scheme associated with the TDRA indicated by the DCI. A RAN node is also described, comprising a processing circuit and a memory coupled to the processing circuit, the memory including instructions that, when executed by the processing circuit, cause the RAN node to implement operations according to the method. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The accompanying drawings illustrate certain non-limiting embodiments of the inventive concept, and are included to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this application. In the drawings:

[0013] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the NR time domain structure with 15kHz subcarrier spacing;

[0014] Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating an NR physical resource grid;

[0015] Figure 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of data transmission through multiple TRPs to improve reliability according to some embodiments of the inventive concept;

[0016] Figure 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an SDM PDSCH transmission scheme according to some embodiments of the inventive concept;

[0017] Figure 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an FDM PDSCH transmission scheme 2a according to some embodiments of the inventive concept;

[0018] Figure 6 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an FDM PDSCH transmission scheme 2b according to some embodiments of the inventive concept;

[0019] Figure 7 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a TDM PDSCH transmission scheme 3 according to some embodiments of the inventive concept;

[0020] Figure 8 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a TDM PDSCH transmission scheme 4 according to some embodiments of the inventive concept;

[0021] Fig. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a wireless device UE according to some embodiments of the inventive concept;

[0022] Fig.10 is a block diagram illustrating a radio access network RAN ​​node (e.g., a base station eNB / gNB) according to some embodiments of the inventive concept;

[0023] Fig.11 is a flow chart illustrating the operation of a wireless device according to some embodiments of the inventive concept;

[0024] Fig.12 is an example flow chart illustrating selection of a PDSCH scheme according to some embodiments of the inventive concept;

[0025] Fig.13 is an example flow chart illustrating selection of a PDSCH scheme when there is no repetition field in TDRA according to some embodiments of the inventive concept;

[0026] Fig.14 is an example flow chart illustrating selection of PDSCH scheme 2a, 2b or 3 enabled by RRC according to some embodiments of the inventive concept;

[0027] Fig.15 is an example flow chart illustrating selection of PDSCH scheme 2a or 2b enabled by RRC according to some embodiments of the inventive concept;

[0028] Fig.16 is a flow chart illustrating the operation of a radio access network node according to some embodiments of the inventive concept;

[0029] Fig.17 is a block diagram of a wireless network according to some embodiments;

[0030] Fig.18 is a block diagram of a user equipment according to some embodiments;

[0031] Fig.19 is a block diagram of a virtualization environment according to some embodiments;

[0032] Fig. 20 is a block diagram of a telecommunications network connected to a host computer via an intermediate network according to some embodiments;

[0033] Fig.21 is a block diagram of a host computer communicating with a user device over a partially wireless connection via a base station according to some embodiments;

[0034] Fig. 22 is a block diagram of a method implemented in a communication system including a host computer, a base station, and a user equipment according to some embodiments;

[0035] Fig.23 is a block diagram of a method implemented in a communication system including a host computer, a base station, and a user equipment according to some embodiments;

[0036] Fig.24 is a block diagram of a method implemented in a communication system including a host computer, a base station, and a user equipment according to some embodiments; and

[0037] Fig.25 is a block diagram of a method implemented in a communication system including a host computer, a base station, and a user equipment according to some embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] The inventive concept will be described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which examples of embodiments of the inventive concept are shown. However, the inventive concept can be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments described herein. On the contrary, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the inventive concept to those skilled in the art. It should also be noted that these embodiments are not mutually exclusive. Components in one embodiment may be defaulted to being present / used in another embodiment.

[0039] The following description presents various embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. These embodiments are presented as teaching examples and should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the disclosed subject matter. For example, the specific details of the embodiments may be modified, omitted or expanded without departing from the scope of the subject matter.

[0040] Fig. 9 900 (also referred to as a mobile terminal, a mobile communication terminal, a wireless communication device, a wireless terminal, a mobile device, a wireless communication terminal, a user equipment, a UE, a user equipment node / terminal / device, etc.), which is configured to provide wireless communications according to embodiments of the inventive concept. (For example, the wireless device UE 900 may be provided as described below with respect to Fig.17 As shown in the figure, the wireless device UE may include an antenna 907 (eg, corresponding to Fig.17 antenna QQ111), and transceiver circuit 901 (also referred to as a transceiver, for example, corresponding to Fig.17 An interface QQ114) includes a transmitter and a receiver configured to provide communication with a base station of a radio access network (eg, corresponding to Fig.17The wireless device UE may also include a processing circuit 906 (also referred to as a processor, e.g., corresponding to a processor) coupled to the transceiver circuit. Fig.17 Processing circuit QQ120), and memory circuit 908 (also referred to as memory, e.g., corresponding to) coupled to the processing circuit Fig.17 The memory circuit 908 may include a computer-readable program code that, when executed by the processing circuit 906, causes the processing circuit to perform operations according to the embodiments disclosed herein. According to other embodiments, the processing circuit 906 may be defined to include a memory, so that a separate memory circuit is not required. The wireless device UE may also include an interface (e.g., a user interface) coupled to the processing circuit 906, and / or the wireless device UE may be incorporated into a vehicle.

[0041] As discussed herein, the operations of the wireless device UE may be implemented by the processing circuit 906 and / or the transceiver circuit 902. For example, the processing circuit 906 may control the transceiver circuit 902 to send communications to a radio access network node (also referred to as a base station) via the transceiver circuit 902 over a radio interface, and / or receive communications from a RAN node via the transceiver circuit 902 over a radio interface. In addition, modules may be stored in the memory circuit 908, and these modules may provide instructions such that when the instructions of the modules are executed by the processing circuit 906, the processing circuit 906 implements corresponding operations (e.g., the operations discussed below with respect to example embodiments related to wireless devices).

[0042] Fig.10 is a block diagram illustrating elements of a radio access network (RAN) node 1000 (also referred to as a network node, base station, eNodeB / eNB, gNodeB / gNB, etc.) of a radio access network (RAN) configured to provide cellular communications according to an embodiment of the inventive concept. (For example, the RAN node 1000 may be provided as described below with respect to Fig.17 As shown in the figure, the RAN node may include a transceiver circuit 1002 (also referred to as a transceiver, for example, corresponding to Fig.17 The RAN node may include a network interface circuit 1004 (also referred to as a network interface, e.g., corresponding to a wireless communication interface 1004). Fig.17The network node may also include a processing circuit 1002 (also referred to as a processor, for example, corresponding to the processing circuit QQ170) coupled to the transceiver circuit and a memory circuit 1008 (also referred to as a memory, for example, corresponding to the memory) coupled to the processing circuit. Fig.17 The memory circuit 1008 may include a computer readable program code that, when executed by the processing circuit 1006, causes the processing circuit to perform operations according to the embodiments disclosed herein. According to other embodiments, the processing circuit 1006 may be defined to include a memory, thereby eliminating the need for a separate memory circuit.

[0043] As discussed herein, the operations of the RAN node may be implemented by the processing circuit 1006, the network interface 1004, and / or the transceiver 1002. For example, the processing circuit 1006 may control the transceiver 1002 to send downlink communications to one or more mobile terminals UE via the transceiver 1002 over the radio interface, and / or receive uplink communications from one or more mobile terminals UE via the transceiver 1002 over the radio interface. Similarly, the processing circuit 1006 may control the network interface 1004 to send communications to one or more other network nodes via the network interface 1004 and / or receive communications from one or more other network nodes via the network interface. In addition, modules may be stored in the memory 1008, and these modules may provide instructions so that when the processing circuit 1006 executes the instructions of the module, the processing circuit 1006 implements the corresponding operations (e.g., the operations discussed below with respect to the example embodiments related to the RAN node).

[0044] When a UE is scheduled by DCI to receive PDSCH, the time domain resource (TDRA) allocation field value m of the DCI provides a row index m+1 for the allocation table. The determination of the resource allocation table used is defined in subclause 5.1.2.1.1 of 3GPP TS 38.214v15.6.0. When DCI is detected in the UE-specific search space for PDCCH, the PDSCH time domain resource allocation is a TDRA list configured by RRC according to the RRC parameter pdsch-TimeDomainAllocationList provided in the UE-specific PDSCH configuration pdsch-Config. Each TDRA entry in the TDRA list defines the time slot offset K0 between the PDSCH and the PDCCH that schedules the PDSCH, the start and length indicator SLIV, and the PDSCH mapping type (type A or type B) assumed in PDSCH reception. Examples of TDRA entries in the TDRA list are shown in Table 1.

[0045]

[0046] Table 1: Example of TDRA entries configured by pdsch-TimeDomainAllocationList.

[0047] The demodulation reference signal (DMRS) is used for coherent demodulation of the physical layer data channels PDSCH (DL) and PUSCH (UL) and the physical layer downlink control channel PDCCH. The DMRS is confined to the resource blocks carrying the associated physical layer data channels and is mapped to the allocated resource elements (REs) of the OFDM time-frequency grid in NR, enabling the receiver to efficiently handle time / frequency selective fading radio channels. A PDSCH or PUSCH can have one or more DMRS, each associated with an antenna port. Thus, DMRS is also called a DMRS port. The DMRS port for PDSCH or PUSCH is indicated in the DCI that schedules PDSCH or PUSCH.

[0048] The mapping of DMRS to RE is configurable in both the frequency domain and the time domain, and there are two types of mapping in the frequency domain (configuration type 1 or type 2). REs in the frequency domain are grouped into CDM groups, each CDM group containing a subset of subcarriers. DMRS mapping in the time domain can be based on single-symbol mapping or dual-symbol mapping, the latter meaning that DMRS is mapped in pairs according to two adjacent symbols.

[0049] DMRS antenna ports are mapped to resource elements within only one CDM group. For single-symbol DMRS, two antenna ports may be mapped to each CDM group, and for dual-symbol DMRS, four antenna ports may be mapped to each CDM group. Therefore, the maximum number of DMRS ports for DMRS type 1 is four or eight. The maximum number of DMRS ports for DM-RS type 2 is six or twelve. The mapping between DMRS ports and CDM groups is shown in Table 2a for Type 1 DMRS and Table 2b for Type 2 DMRS.

[0050]

[0051] Table 2a: PDSCH DM-RS port p and associated CDM groups for configuration type 1.

[0052]

[0053] Table 2b: PDSCH DM-RS port p and associated CDM groups for configuration type 2.

[0054] Several signals can be sent from different antenna ports of the same base station. When measured at the receiver, these signals can have the same large-scale characteristics, such as in terms of Doppler shift / spread, average delay spread or average delay. These antenna ports are then called quasi-co-location (QCL). The network can then signal the UE that the two antenna ports are QCL. If the UE knows that the two antenna ports are QCL for a specific parameter (such as Doppler spread), the UE can estimate the parameter based on a reference signal sent by one of the antenna ports and use the estimate when receiving another reference signal or physical channel of the other antenna port. Typically, the first antenna port is represented by a measurement reference signal such as CSI-RS (referred to as source RS), and the second antenna port is a demodulation reference signal (DMRS) (referred to as target RS) for PDSCH or PDCCH reception.

[0055] In NR, the QCL relationship between the DMRS ports and other reference signals in PDSCH is described by TCI states. The UE can be configured by RRC signaling with M TCI states, where M is up to 128 in frequency range 2 (FR2) for PDSCH reception and up to 8 in FR1, depending on UE capabilities. Each TCI state contains QCL information. One or two TCI states can be dynamically signaled to the UE in the TCI field in the DCI that schedules the PDSCH.

[0056] Reliable data transmission using multiple panels or transmission points (TRPs) is proposed in 3GPP for Rel-16, where data packets can be sent through multiple TRPs to achieve diversity. Ultra-reliable low latency (URLLC) data transmission can occur over multiple transmission points. Figure 3 An example is shown in which two PDSCHs carry the same coded data payload but have the same or different redundancy versions, allowing the UE to soft combine the two PDSCHs for more reliable reception. The two PDSCHs can be frequency division multiplexed (FDM) in the same time slot or time division multiplexed (TDM) in different time slots or in mini-slots within a time slot.

[0057] In 3GPP, different schemes are identified for PDSCH transmission of multiple TRPs scheduled by a single DCI, including:

[0058] Scheme 1a (SDM): n (n<=Ns) TCI states in a single time slot, with overlapping time and frequency resource allocation.

[0059] Each transmission opportunity is a layer or a set of layers of the same TB, and each layer or each set of layers is associated with one TCI and one DMRS port set.

[0060] • A single codeword with one RV is used across all spatial layers or layer sets. From the UE perspective, different coded bits are mapped to different layers or layer sets following the same mapping rules as in Rel-15.

[0061] · Figure 4 An example of an SDM scheme with a single CW (Scheme 1a) is shown, where a PDSCH with two spatial layers (one for each TRP) is sent to the UE.

[0062] Scheme 2 (FDM): n (n<=Nf) TCI states in a single time slot, with non-overlapping frequency resource allocation.

[0063] • Each non-overlapping frequency resource allocation is associated with one TCI state.

[0064] • The same single / multiple DMRS ports are associated with all non-overlapping frequency resource allocations.

[0065] · Option 2a:

[0066] o A single codeword with one RV is used across the entire resource allocation. From the UE's perspective, a common RB mapping (such as codeword to layer mapping in Rel-15) is applied across the entire resource allocation.

[0067] ο Figure 5 An example of an FDM scheme with a single CW is shown (scheme 2a), where PDSCH is transmitted in RB#0, 1, 4, 5, 8, 9 from TRP1 and in RB#2, 3, 6, 7, 10, 11 from TRP2.

[0068] ● Option 2b:

[0069] o A single codeword with one RV is used for each non-overlapping frequency resource allocation. The RV corresponding to each non-overlapping frequency resource allocation may be the same or different.

[0070] οSpecify additional UE capabilities to inform the gNB: whether the UE is able to support CW soft combining.

[0071] ο Figure 6 An example of an FDM scheme with 2 CWs is shown (Scheme 2b), where PDSCH#1 with CW#1 is transmitted from TRP1 with RB#0,1,4,5,8,9, and PDSCH#2 with CW#2 is transmitted from TRP2 with RB#2,3,6,7,10,11.

[0072] Scheme 3 (TDM, based on mini-time slots): n (n<=Nt1) TCI states in a single time slot, with non-overlapping time resource allocation.

[0073] ●Each transmission opportunity of TB has a TCI and a RV, and the time granularity is micro-time slot.

[0074] All transmission opportunities within a time slot use a common MCS with the same single or multiple DMRS ports.

[0075] • In a transmission opportunity, the RV / TCI status can be the same or different.

[0076] Maximum number of transmission layers per transmission opportunity

[0077] o Up to two layers of transmission

[0078] ● Resource allocation in the frequency domain:

[0079] o Frequency domain resource allocation across multiple repetitions, same as Rel-15

[0080] ● Up to 2 TCI states repeated across multiple PDSCHs.

[0081] ● Figure 7 An example of Scheme 3 is shown, where PDSCH repetition occurs in mini-slots of 4 OFDM symbols within a slot. Each PDSCH may be associated with the same or different RV.

[0082] Scheme 4 (TDM, time slot based): n (n<=Nt2) TCI states with K (n<=K) different time slots.

[0083] Each transmission opportunity of a TB has one TCI and one RV.

[0084] • All transmission opportunities across K time slots use a common MCS with the same single or multiple DMRS ports.

[0085] ●In a transmission opportunity, the RV / TCI status can be the same or different.

[0086] Maximum number of transmission layers per transmission opportunity

[0087] o Up to two layers of transmission

[0088] Resource allocation in the frequency domain:

[0089] o Same frequency domain resource allocation across multiple repetitions as Rel-15.

[0090] Up to 2 TCI states repeated across PDSCH, select one from the following options:

[0091] ●An example of solution 4 is Figure 8As shown in FIG. 4 , 4 PDSCHs for the same TB are transmitted in 4 consecutive time slots through 2 TRPs. Each PDSCH is associated with a different RV.

[0092] Scheme 3 is similar to scheme 4, but the repetition is done in mini-slots within a timeslot. These schemes are called multi-TRP (M-TRP) URLLC schemes based on a single DCI.

[0093] In RAN1#98bis, some signaling for one or more schemes was agreed upon:

[0094] For Scheme 3, the number of transmission opportunities is implicitly determined by the number of TCI states indicated by the code point, and one TCI state indicates one transmission opportunity and two states indicate two transmission opportunities. For Scheme 4, the TDRA indication is enhanced by using the PDSCH-TimeDomainResourceAllocation field to additionally indicate the number of PDSCH transmission opportunities. The maximum number of repetitions will be further studied. For the distinction between the M-TRP URLLC schemes based on a single DCI in Scheme 2a / 2b / 3, from the UE's perspective, new RRC parameters are introduced to enable one or more schemes in Scheme 2a / 2b / 3.

[0095] As shown above, for URLLC and multi-TRP operation, multiple transmission schemes are defined, such as schemes 2a, 2b, and 3. The gNB may need to dynamically switch between different transmission schemes because some services need to be received with high reliability, while other services can be received with normal reliability but with higher spectral efficiency. However, there is a problem in determining how to dynamically switch between different schemes when scheduling UEs.

[0096] According to the embodiments described herein, in order to solve this problem, in the DCI containing the scheduling assignment for the UE, a combination of multiple fields, a TDRA table, an antenna port indication table, and a TCI code point indication is jointly used to implicitly indicate the transmission scheme for PDSCH transmission. In one example, the repetition field in the TDRA is used to signal Scheme 3 and Scheme 4. More specifically, if there is a repetition field in the TDRA indicated in the DCI, the number of repetitions is one, and two TCI states are indicated in the DCI, then Scheme 3 is selected. Otherwise, if the number of repetitions is greater than one, and two TCI states are indicated in the DCI, then Scheme 4 is selected.

[0097] In another example, if a repetition field is present in the TDRA indicated in the DCI and one TCI state is indicated in the DCI, a single TRP transmission scheme is used. If the number of repetitions n is greater than 1, the PDSCH will be repeated in n consecutive time slots. In another example, if the repetition field does not exist and one TCI state is indicated in the DCI, Rel-15 single TRP transmission is used. If the repetition field does not exist and DMRS ports in two CDM groups and two TCI states are indicated in the DCI, scheme 1a is used. Otherwise, if DMRS ports in one CDM group and two TCI states are indicated in the DCI, scheme 2a or 2b is used.

[0098] The inventive concept described herein enables dynamic indication of the transmission scheme without introducing any new DCI fields or RRC parameters, so the DCI payload remains unchanged, which is an advantage. It also allows dynamic indication of the number of repetitions in a single TRP transmission. The inventive concept described herein also supports a hybrid scheme of indicating scheme 1a and scheme 4, which has the advantage of increased diversity with multiple layers per repetition.

[0099] According to some embodiments of the inventive concept, reference will now be made to Fig.11 Flowchart discussion (using Fig. 9 The operation of the wireless device UE 900 is implemented by the structure of the block diagram. For example, the module can be stored in Fig. 9 The modules may be stored in the memory 908 of the wireless device, and these modules may provide instructions, so that when the instructions of the modules are executed by the corresponding wireless device processing circuit 906, the processing circuit 906 implements the corresponding operations of the flowchart.

[0100] Fig.11 A method of operating a wireless device in a communication network according to an embodiment of the inventive concept is shown. Fig.11 The method includes receiving 1100 a time domain resource allocation TDRA list from a network node of a communication network. For example, the wireless device UE900 may receive a list of time domain resource allocations TDRA from a network node (such as but not limited to Fig.10 The RAN node 1000 shown receives the TDRA list. Fig.11 The method is also shown to include receiving 1102 downlink control information DCI, the DCI scheduling a physical downlink shared channel PDSCH for reception by the wireless device. Continuing with the previous example, the wireless device UE 900 may receive downlink control information DCI, the DCI scheduling a physical downlink shared channel PDSCH for reception by the wireless device UE 900. The DCI may be received from a network node such as a RAN node 1100.

[0101] Fig.11The method is also shown to include: selecting 1104 a TDRA from a TDRA list based on the received DCI. Continuing with the previous example, the wireless device UE 900 may select a TDRA from a TDRA list based on the received DCI. Additional embodiments regarding the wireless device UE 900 selecting a TDRA from a TDRA list are described in further detail below. Fig.11 The method is further shown to include: determining 1106 a PDSCH transmission scheme including one or more transmission points TRPs based on the number of PDSCH transmission repetitions configured for the selected TDRA. Continuing with the previous example, the wireless device UE 900 can determine a PDSCH transmission scheme including one or more TRPs based on the number of PDSCH transmission repetitions configured for the selected TDRA. Additional embodiments regarding the determination of PDSCH transmissions will be described in further detail below.

[0102] In some embodiments, a new TDRA is configured for the UE from the network, wherein at least one entry in the TDRA table indicates the number of repetitions. Secondly, the UE is scheduled for downlink data, and the PDCCH DCI indicates scheduling resources including entries from the TDRA table. According to an embodiment, the received DCI indicates multiple transmission configuration indicator TCI states. In some embodiments, selecting a TDRA from the TDRA list includes: selecting a TDRA from the TDRA list based on the number of TCI states indicated in the received DCI. In some embodiments, selecting a TDRA from the TDRA list includes: selecting a TDRA from the TDRA list based on the time domain resource allocation bit field in the received DCI. Additional examples and implementations of the time domain resource allocation bit field are described above. The received DCI may also indicate the number of code multiplexing CDM groups associated with one or more demodulation reference signal DMRS ports. According to some other embodiments, the method may include: selecting a TDRA from the TDRA list based on the number of CDM groups associated with the one or more DRMS ​​ports.

[0103] For example, if the number of PDSCH repetitions in the indicated TDRA indicated in the DCI scheduling the PDSCH is 1, the DCI indicates two TCI states, and the DCI indication is limited to DMRS ports within one CDM group (these are all indicated in the same DCI), then the combination indicates to the UE that Scheme 3 is selected, that is, the scheduled PDSCH will be sent according to Scheme 3, where two PDSCH transmissions are performed in the same time slot.

[0104] Optionally, if the number of PDSCH repetitions in the indicated TDRA indicated in the DCI scheduling the PDSCH is greater than 1, the DCI indicates two TCI states, and the DCI indication is limited to DMRS ports within one CDM group (these are all indicated in the same DCI), then the combination indicates to the UE that Scheme 4 is selected, i.e., the scheduled PDSCH will be sent according to Scheme 4, where the number of PDSCH transmission opportunities across time slots is as indicated by the TDRA.

[0105] According to an embodiment, each TDRA in the TDRA list is associated with information indicating the number of PDSCH transmission repetitions configured for the TDRA. An example is shown in Table 3, where the table captures the TDRAs configured by the RRC parameter PDSCH-TimeDomainResourceAllocationList. Each entry in the "PDSCH repetition number (n)" column corresponds to an information field in each TDRA configured by PDSCH-TimeDomainResourceAllocationList.

[0106]

[0107] Table 3: Example of extended PDSCH time domain resource allocation table with PDSCH repetition number.

[0108] According to an embodiment, the method may include determining the PDSCH transmission scheme by selecting the PDSCH transmission scheme from a plurality of different PDSCH transmission schemes for PDSCH transmissions from a plurality of TRPs scheduled by a single DCI. For example, using a single DCI, the wireless device UE 900 may select the PDSCH transmission scheme from a plurality of different PDSCH transmission schemes described herein from one or more TRPs in Table 3 shown above. According to some embodiments, the plurality of different PDSCH transmission schemes include one or more of the following PDSCH transmission schemes for PDSCH transmissions from a plurality of TRPs: As Ben As stated in the article PDSCH transmission scheme 1a, PDSCH transmission scheme 2, PDSCH transmission scheme 3 and PDSCH transmission scheme 4. The plurality of different PDSCH transmission schemes may also include a hybrid PDSCH transmission scheme in which PDSCH transmission scheme 1a is repeated in one of two slots or four slots according to an embodiment.

[0109] According to some embodiments, the method may further include determining the PDSCH transmission scheme by: selecting PDSCH transmission scheme 3 based on the PDSCH transmission repetition number being equal to 1 and the DCI indicating two TCI states and one CDM group. For example, when the 3rd row in Table 3 is indicated in the TDRA field in the DCI, and two TCI states and DMRS ports in one CDM group are indicated in the same DCI, scheme 3 is used for PDSCH. According to some other embodiments, the method may further include determining the PDSCH transmission scheme by: selecting PDSCH transmission scheme 4 based on the PDSCH transmission repetition number being greater than 1 and the DCI indicating two TCI states and one CDM group. In another example, if the 4th row or the 5th row of Table 3 is indicated, and two TCI states and DMRS ports in one CDM group are indicated in the same DCI, scheme 4 is used with repetition 2 or 4, respectively. In another example, if the 1st row, the 2nd row, or the 6th row to the Nth row in Table 3 are indicated, neither scheme 3 nor scheme 4 is used for transmission.

[0110] According to some embodiments, the method may include determining the PDSCH transmission scheme by selecting a single TRP PDSCH transmission scheme based on the number of PDSCH transmission repetitions for the selected TDRA being equal to 1 and the DCI indicating one TCI state. For example, if row 3 in Table 3 is indicated in the TDRA field in the DCI, but one TCI state is indicated instead of two TCI states in the same DCI, Rel-15 single TRP PDSCH transmission is used. In some other embodiments, the method may include determining the PDSCH transmission scheme by selecting a single TRP PDSCH transmission scheme based on the number of PDSCH transmission repetitions for the selected TDRA being greater than 1 and the DCI indicating one TCI state. For example, if row 4 or row 5 in Table 3 is indicated, but only one TCI state is indicated in the same DCI, PDSCH repetitions on a single TRP are used with 2 or 4 repetitions, respectively.

[0111] In some other embodiments, the method may include determining the PDSCH transmission scheme by: selecting a hybrid PDSCH transmission scheme based on the number of PDSCH transmission repetitions being greater than 1 and the DCI indicating two TCI states and two CDM groups. For example, if row 4 or row 5 in Table 3 is indicated, and there are two TCI states in the DCI but DMRS ports in two CDM groups, a hybrid scheme of scheme 1a and scheme 4 is used, where scheme 1a is repeated in 2 slots or 4 slots, respectively.

[0112] Fig.12The above embodiments and examples are summarized in the flowchart in, which shows the selection process of various PDSCH schemes when the PDSCH repetition number field is present in TDRA. In addition, Scheme 3 can be disabled (or not enabled) by the network for the UE. In the case of indicating 2 TCI states and indicating 1 CDM group and repeating once in TDRA, the UE should ignore the scheduling allocation because this will correspond to an invalid scheduling allocation. Therefore, Scheme 3 can be additionally enabled by RRC configuration in the dynamic switching algorithm described in this document. This indication allows dynamic switching between transmission schemes based on the availability of scheduling resources in one or more TRPs and the type of service.

[0113] In addition, if there is no PDSCH repetition number field in a row, ie, "Not Configured" in the "PDSCH Repetition Number" column in Table 3 shown above, some other embodiments will be described in detail below.

[0114] In one embodiment, if one TCI state is indicated in the DCI, the Rel-15 single TRP scheme is used. In some other embodiments, the method may include determining the PDSCH transmission scheme by: selecting scheme 1a based on information indicating that no PDSCH transmission repetition is configured for the selected TDRA and the DCI indicating two TCI states and two CDM groups. For example, if DMRS ports in two CDM groups and two TCI states are indicated, scheme 1a is used.

[0115] In some other embodiments, the method may include determining the PDSCH transmission scheme in the following manner: based on information indicating that PDSCH transmission repetition is not configured for the selected TDRA and DCI indicating two TCI states and one CDM group, select one of schemes 2a or 2b. For example, if a DMRS port in a CDM group and two TCI states are indicated, scheme 2a or scheme 2b is used. In this embodiment, schemes 2a and / or 2b are enabled by RRC. Schemes 2a or 2b can be separately indicated by directly enabling the use of RRC configuration or by additional implicit selection of DCI. For example, if both schemes 2a / 2b are enabled by RRC, which of schemes 2a / 2b is used for the scheduled PDSCH can be distinguished by the CDM group of the DMRS port indicated by the same DCI.

[0116] According to some other embodiments, the method may include determining the PDSCH transmission scheme in the following manner: based on information indicating that PDSCH transmission repetition is not configured for the selected TDRA and DCI indicating two TCI states and one CDM group, selecting Scheme 3. For example, if the "PDSCH repetition number" field does not exist in the row in Table 3, and a DMRS port in a CDM group and two TCI states are indicated, one of Schemes 2a, 2b, and 3 is used, provided that the scheme is first enabled by RRC signaling. Schemes 2a / 2b / 3 can be indicated separately by RRC configuration or implicitly by DCI. In another embodiment, between Scheme 3 and Scheme 2a / 2b, this is notified by RRC signaling, and between Schemes 2a and 2b, this is dynamically indicated by DCI.

[0117] According to some embodiments, as described above, the method may include determining a PDSCH transmission scheme, including determining that the PDSCH transmission scheme is enabled by a radio resource control, RRC. Figures 13 to 15 The above examples are summarized for the cases where RRC enables one of schemes 2a and 2b, one of schemes 2a / 2b / 3, and both schemes 2a and 2b, respectively. Fig.13 Example indications of various schemes are shown when there is no PDSCH repetition number field in TDRA and scheme 2a or 2b is enabled by RRC. Fig.14 Example indications of various schemes are shown when there is no PDSCH repetition number field in TDRA and scheme 2a, 2b or 3 is enabled by RRC. Fig.15 Example indications of various schemes are shown when there is no PDSCH repetition number field in TDRA and both schemes 2a and 2b are enabled by RRC.

[0118] According to some embodiments of the inventive concept, reference will now be made to Fig.16 The flowchart discusses the RAN node 1000 (using Fig.10 For example, the module can be stored in Fig.10 The modules are stored in the memory 1008, and these modules can provide instructions, so that when the instructions of the modules are executed by the corresponding RAN node processing circuit 1006, the processing circuit 1006 implements the corresponding operations of the flowchart.

[0119] Fig.16 A method of operating a Radio Access Network node RAN in a communication network according to an embodiment of the inventive concepts described herein is shown. Fig.16The method is shown to include: sending 1600 a list of time domain resource allocation TDRAs to a wireless device operating in a communication network, each TDRA including information indicating a number of PDSCH transmission repetitions configured for a selected TDRA. For example, the RAN 1000 may send a list of TDRAs to a wireless device UE 900 operating in a communication network, each TDRA including information indicating a number of PDSCH transmission repetitions configured for a selected TDRA. Fig.16 The method is also shown to include scheduling 1606 PDSCH transmissions from one or more TRPs according to the PDSCH transmission scheme associated with the TDRA indicated by the DCI. Continuing with the previous example, the RAN 1000 may schedule PDSCH transmissions from the one or more TRPs according to the PDSCH transmission scheme associated with the TDRA indicated by the DCI.

[0120] According to some embodiments, the method of operating the RAN may include scheduling PDSCH transmissions from the one or more TRPs according to a PDSCH transmission scheme by selecting a PDSCH transmission scheme from a plurality of different PDSCH transmission schemes for PDSCH transmissions from the one or more TRPs scheduled by a single DCI. For example, the RAN 1000 may select one of the above-mentioned PDSCH transmission schemes according to the one or more TRPs listed in Table 3 above sent to the wireless device UE 900.

[0121] Example embodiments are discussed below.

[0122] Embodiment 1: A method for operating a wireless device in a communication network, the method comprising:

[0123] receiving a time domain resource allocation TDRA list from a network node of the communication network;

[0124] receiving downlink control information DCI, the DCI scheduling a physical downlink shared channel PDSCH to be received by the wireless device;

[0125] selecting a TDRA from the TDRA list based on the received DCI; and

[0126] Based on the number of PDSCH transmission repetitions configured for the selected TDRA, a PDSCH transmission scheme including one or more transmission points TRP is determined.

[0127] Embodiment 2: The method according to embodiment 1, wherein each TDRA in the TDRA list is associated with information indicating the number of PDSCH transmission repetitions configured for the TDRA.

[0128] Embodiment 3: A method according to any one of embodiments 1-2, wherein the received DCI indicates the number of transmission configuration indicator TCI states; and

[0129] The selecting the TDRA from the TDRA list includes: selecting the TDRA from the TDRA list based on the number of TCI states indicated in the received DCI.

[0130] Embodiment 4: A method according to any one of embodiments 1-3, wherein the received DCI indicates the number of code domain multiplexing (CDM) groups associated with one or more demodulation reference signal (DMRS) ports; and

[0131] The selecting the TDRA from the TDRA list includes: selecting the TDRA from the TDRA list based on the number of CDM groups associated with the one or more DMRS ports.

[0132] Embodiment 5: The method according to any one of embodiments 1-4, wherein determining the PDSCH transmission scheme comprises: determining to enable the PDSCH transmission scheme through a radio resource control RRC.

[0133] Embodiment 6: A method according to any one of embodiments 1-5, wherein determining the PDSCH transmission scheme comprises: selecting a PDSCH transmission scheme from a plurality of different PDSCH transmission schemes for PDSCH transmissions from a plurality of TRPs scheduled by a single DCI.

[0134] Embodiment 7: A method according to any one of embodiments 1-6, wherein the multiple different PDSCH transmission schemes include the following one or more PDSCH transmission schemes defined by the Third Generation Partnership Project 3GPP for PDSCH transmission from multiple TRPs: PDSCH transmission scheme 1a, PDSCH transmission scheme 2, PDSCH transmission scheme 3, PDSCH transmission scheme 4.

[0135] Embodiment 8: The method according to any one of embodiments 1-7, wherein one of the plurality of different PDSCH transmission schemes comprises a hybrid PDSCH transmission scheme, wherein PDSCH transmission scheme 1a is repeated in one of two or four time slots.

[0136] Embodiment 9: A method according to any one of embodiments 1-8, wherein determining the PDSCH transmission scheme comprises: selecting PDSCH transmission scheme 3 based on the number of PDSCH transmission repetitions being equal to 1 and the DCI indicating two TCI states and one CDM group.

[0137] Embodiment 10: A method according to any one of embodiments 1-8, wherein determining the PDSCH transmission scheme comprises: selecting PDSCH transmission scheme 4 based on the fact that the number of PDSCH transmission repetitions is greater than 1 and the DCI indicates two TCI states and one CDM group.

[0138] Embodiment 11: A method according to any one of embodiments 1-8, wherein determining the PDSCH transmission scheme comprises: selecting the hybrid PDSCH transmission scheme based on the fact that the number of PDSCH transmission repetitions is greater than 1 and the DCI indicates two TCI states and two CDM groups.

[0139] Embodiment 12: A method according to any one of embodiments 1-8, wherein determining the PDSCH transmission scheme comprises: selecting scheme 1a based on information indicating that PDSCH transmission repetition is not configured for the selected TDRA and DCI indicating two TCI states and two CDM groups.

[0140] Embodiment 13: A method according to any one of embodiments 1-8, wherein determining the PDSCH transmission scheme comprises: selecting one of schemes 2a or 2b based on information indicating that PDSCH transmission repetition is not configured for the selected TDRA and a DCI indicating two TCI states and one CDM group.

[0141] Embodiment 14: A method according to any one of embodiments 1-8 and 13, wherein scheme 2a or 2b is enabled by RRC.

[0142] Embodiment 15: A method according to any one of embodiments 1-8, wherein determining the PDSCH transmission scheme comprises: selecting Scheme 3 based on information indicating that PDSCH transmission repetition is not configured for the selected TDRA and DCI indicating two TCI states and one CDM group.

[0143] Embodiment 16: A method according to any one of embodiments 1-8 and 15, wherein scheme 3 is enabled by RRC.

[0144] Embodiment 17: The method according to Embodiment 1, wherein determining the PDSCH transmission scheme comprises: selecting a single TRP PDSCH transmission scheme based on the number of PDSCH transmission repetitions for the selected TDRA being equal to 1 and the DCI indicating a TCI state.

[0145] Embodiment 18: A method according to Embodiment 1, wherein determining the PDSCH transmission scheme comprises: selecting a single TRP PDSCH transmission scheme based on that the number of PDSCH transmission repetitions for the selected TDRA is greater than 1 and the DCI indicates a TCI state.

[0146] Embodiment 19. A wireless device (300), comprising:

[0147] processing circuit (303); and

[0148] A memory (305) coupled to the processing circuit, wherein the memory includes instructions that, when executed by the processing circuit, cause the wireless device to perform operations according to any one of embodiments 1-18.

[0149] Embodiment 20. A wireless device (300) adapted to implement any one of embodiments 1-18.

[0150] Embodiment 21. A computer program comprising program code executed by a processing circuit (303) of a wireless device (300), wherein execution of the program code causes the wireless device (300) to perform operations according to any one of embodiments 1-18.

[0151] Embodiment 22. A computer program product, comprising a non-transitory storage medium, wherein the non-transitory storage medium comprises a program code executed by a processing circuit (303) of a wireless device (300), wherein the execution of the program code enables the wireless device (300) to implement operations according to any one of embodiments 1-18.

[0152] Embodiment 23. A method of operating a radio access network node RAN in a communication network, the method comprising:

[0153] sending a list of time domain resource allocations TDRAs to wireless devices operating in the communication network, each TDRA including information indicating a number of PDSCH transmission repetitions configured for the selected TDRA;

[0154] sending downlink control information, DCI, for scheduling a physical downlink shared channel, PDSCH, for reception by the wireless device, the DCI indicating which TDRA from the TDRA list the wireless device is to select to receive PDSCH transmissions from one or more transmission points, TRPs, operating in the communication network; and

[0155] The PDSCH transmissions from the one or more TRPs are scheduled according to a PDSCH transmission scheme associated with the TDRA indicated by the DCI.

[0156] Embodiment 24: The method according to embodiment 23, wherein each TDRA in the TDRA list is associated with information indicating the number of PDSCH transmission repetitions configured for the TDRA.

[0157] Embodiment 25: A method according to any one of embodiments 23-24, wherein the DCI indicates the number of transmission configuration indicator TCI states, and the number of transmission configuration indicator TCI states is used by the wireless device to select the TDRA from the TDRA list based on the number of TCI states indicated in the received DCI.

[0158] Embodiment 26: A method according to any one of embodiments 23-25, wherein the DCI indicates the number of code domain multiplexing CDM groups associated with one or more demodulation reference signal DMRS ports, and the number of code domain multiplexing CDM groups is used by the wireless device to select the TDRA from the TDRA list based on the number of the CDM groups associated with the one or more DMRS ports.

[0159] Embodiment 27: The method according to any one of embodiments 23-26 further includes: enabling the PDSCH transmission scheme through radio resource control RRC.

[0160] Embodiment 28: A method according to any one of embodiments 23-28, wherein scheduling the PDSCH transmission from the one or more TRPs according to the PDSCH transmission scheme includes: selecting a PDSCH transmission scheme from a plurality of different PDSCH transmission schemes for the PDSCH transmission from the one or more TRPs scheduled by a single DCI.

[0161] Embodiment 29: A method according to any one of embodiments 23-28, wherein the multiple different PDSCH transmission schemes include one or more of the following PDSCH transmission schemes defined by the Third Generation Partnership Project 3GPP for PDSCH transmission from multiple TRPs: PDSCH transmission scheme 1a, PDSCH transmission scheme 2, PDSCH transmission scheme 3, PDSCH transmission scheme 4.

[0162] Embodiment 30: A method according to any one of embodiments 23-29, wherein one of the plurality of different PDSCH transmission schemes comprises a hybrid PDSCH transmission scheme in which PDSCH transmission scheme 1a is repeated in one of two or four time slots.

[0163] Embodiment 31: A radio access network RAN ​​node (400), comprising:

[0164] processing circuit (403); and

[0165] A memory (405) coupled to the processing circuit, wherein the memory includes instructions that, when executed by the processing circuit, cause the RAN node to implement operations according to any one of embodiments 23-30.

[0166] Embodiment 32: A radio access network RAN ​​node (400), suitable for implementing any one of embodiments 23-30.

[0167] Embodiment 33: A computer program, comprising a program code executed by a processing circuit (403) of a radio access network RAN ​​node (400), wherein the execution of the program code causes the RAN node (400) to implement the operation according to any one of embodiments 23-30.

[0168] Embodiment 34: A computer program product comprising a non-transitory storage medium, wherein the non-transitory storage medium comprises a program code executed by a processing circuit (403) of a radio access network RAN ​​node (400), wherein the execution of the program code enables the RAN node (400) to implement operations according to any one of embodiments 23-30.

[0169] Various abbreviations / acronyms used in this disclosure are explained below.

[0170] Abbreviation Explanation

[0171] CP-OFDM Cyclic Prefix Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing

[0172] DFT-S-OFDM Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT) Spread Orthogonal Frequency Division

[0173] PDCH Physical Data Channel

[0174] SCS supported carrier spacing

[0175] RB Resource Block

[0176] RE Resource Element

[0177] DCI Downlink Control Information

[0178] TDRA Time Domain Resource Allocation

[0179] SLIV start and length indicator

[0180] CDM Code Domain Multiplexing

[0181] QCL Quasi-Co-sited

[0182] CSI-RS Channel State Information Reference Signal

[0183] TCI Transport Configuration Identifier

[0184] FR1 Frequency range used for 5G-NR1

[0185] URLLC Ultra-Reliable Low Latency

[0186] TRP Transmission Point

[0187] RV Redundancy Version

[0188] FDM frequency domain multiplexing

[0189] TB Transfer Block

[0190] MCS Modulation Coding Scheme

[0191] Additional explanation is provided below.

[0192] Generally, all terms used herein will be interpreted according to their common meaning in the relevant technical field, unless different meanings are clearly given and / or different meanings are implied from the context in which they are used. Unless otherwise clearly stated, all references to one / one / the elements, devices, assemblies, components, steps, etc. will be openly interpreted as referring to at least one example in an element, device, assembly, component, step, etc. The steps of any method disclosed herein do not have to be implemented in the exact order disclosed, unless a step is clearly described as after or before another step, and / or it is implied that a step must be after or before another step. As long as it is appropriate, any feature of any embodiment disclosed herein may be applied to any other embodiment. Similarly, any advantage of any embodiment may be applied to any other embodiment, and vice versa. According to the following description, other purposes, features and advantages of the attached embodiments will be apparent.

[0193] Some embodiments contemplated herein will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, other embodiments are also included within the scope of the subject matter disclosed herein, and the disclosed subject matter should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments described herein; on the contrary, these embodiments are provided by way of example to convey the scope of the subject matter to those skilled in the art.

[0194] Fig.17 A wireless network in accordance with some embodiments is shown.

[0195] Although the subject matter described herein may be implemented in any suitable type of system using any suitable components, the embodiments disclosed herein are described with respect to wireless networks, e.g. Fig.17 For simplicity, Fig.17The wireless network of only depicts network QQ106, network nodes QQ160 and QQ160b, and WD QQ110, QQ110b and QQ110c (also referred to as mobile terminals). In practice, the wireless network may also include any additional elements suitable for supporting communication between wireless devices or between a wireless device and another communication device (e.g., a landline, a service provider, or any other network node or terminal device). In the components shown, network node QQ160 and wireless device (WD) QQ110 are described with additional details. The wireless network may provide communication and other types of services to one or more wireless devices to facilitate wireless devices to access and / or use services provided by or via the wireless network.

[0196] A wireless network may include and / or interface with any type of communication, telecommunication, data, cellular, and / or radio network or other similar type of system. In some embodiments, a wireless network may be configured to operate according to a particular standard or other type of predetermined rules or procedures. Thus, particular embodiments of a wireless network may implement communication standards such as Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), Long Term Evolution (LTE), and / or other suitable 2G, 3G, 4G, or 5G standards; wireless local area network (WLAN) standards such as IEEE 802.11 standards; and / or any other suitable wireless communication standards such as Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMax), Bluetooth, Z-Wave, and / or ZigBee standards.

[0197] The network QQ106 may include one or more backhaul networks, core networks, IP networks, public switched telephone networks (PSTN), packet data networks, optical networks, wide area networks (WANs), local area networks (LANs), wireless local area networks (WLANs), wired networks, wireless networks, metropolitan area networks, and other networks to enable communication between devices.

[0198] The network node QQ160 and WD QQ110 include various components described in more detail below. These components work together to provide network node and / or wireless device functionality, such as providing wireless connections in a wireless network. In different embodiments, the wireless network may include any number of wired or wireless networks, network nodes, base stations, controllers, wireless devices, relay stations, and / or any other components or systems that may facilitate or participate in the communication of data and / or signals over a wired or wireless connection.

[0199] As used herein, a network node refers to a device that is capable of, configured, arranged and / or operable to communicate directly or indirectly with a wireless device and / or with other network nodes or devices in a wireless network to enable and / or provide wireless access to a wireless device and / or implement other functions (e.g., management) in a wireless network. Examples of network nodes include, but are not limited to, access points (APs) (e.g., radio access points), base stations (BSs) (e.g., radio base stations, node Bs, evolved node Bs (eNBs), and NR node Bs (gNBs)). Base stations can be classified based on the amount of coverage they provide (or, in a different way of expression, their transmit power levels), and can then also be referred to as femto base stations, pico base stations, micro base stations, or macro base stations. A base station may be a relay node or a relay donor node that controls a relay. A network node may also include one or more (or all) components of a distributed radio base station, such as a central digital unit and / or a remote radio unit (RRU), sometimes referred to as a remote radio head (RRH). Such a remote radio unit may be integrated with an antenna as an antenna-integrated radio, or may not be integrated with an antenna as an antenna-integrated radio. Components of a distributed radio base station may also be referred to as nodes in a distributed antenna system (DAS). Further examples of network nodes include multi-standard radio (MSR) equipment (e.g., MSR BS), network controllers (e.g., radio network controllers (RNC) or base station controllers (BSC)), base transceiver stations (BTS), transmission points, transmission nodes, multi-cell / multicast coordination entities (MCEs), core network nodes (e.g., MSCs, MMEs), O&M nodes, OSS nodes, SON nodes, positioning nodes (e.g., E-SMLCs), and / or MDTs. As another example, a network node may be a virtual network node, as described in more detail below. However, more generally, a network node may represent any suitable device (or group of devices) that is capable of, configured, arranged, and / or operable to enable and / or provide access to a wireless network by a wireless device or to provide a specific service to a wireless device that has accessed a wireless network.

[0200] exist Fig.17 In FIG. 1 , the network node QQ160 includes a processing circuit QQ170, a device readable medium QQ180, an interface QQ190, an auxiliary device QQ184, a power supply QQ186, a power supply circuit QQ187, and an antenna QQ162. Fig.17The network node QQ160 shown in the example wireless network of can represent a device including the combination of hardware components shown, but other embodiments can include network nodes with different combinations of components. It should be understood that the network node includes any appropriate combination of hardware and / or software required to implement the tasks, features, functions, and methods disclosed herein. In addition, although the components of the network node QQ160 are described as a single box located in a larger box, or nested in multiple boxes, in practice, the network node may include multiple different physical components that constitute a single illustrated component (for example, the device readable medium QQ180 may include multiple separate hard drives and multiple RAM modules).

[0201] Similarly, the network node QQ160 may include multiple physically separate components (e.g., NodeB components and RNC components, or BTS components and BSC components, etc.), each of which may have its own components. In a specific scenario where the network node QQ160 includes multiple separate components (e.g., BTS and BSC components), one or more of the separate components may be shared between several network nodes. For example, a single RNC may control multiple NodeBs. In this case, each unique NodeB and RNC pair may be considered a single separate network node in certain instances. In some embodiments, the network node QQ160 may be configured to support multiple radio access technologies (RATs). In such an embodiment, some components may be repeated (e.g., separate device-readable media QQ180 for different RATs), and some components may be reused (e.g., the same antenna QQ162 may be shared by RATs). The network node QQ160 may also include multiple groups of different illustrated components for different wireless technologies integrated into the network node QQ160, such as GSM, WCDMA, LTE, NR, WiFi, or Bluetooth wireless technologies. These wireless technologies may be integrated into the same or different chips or chipsets and other components within network node QQ 160 .

[0202] The processing circuit QQ170 is configured to perform any determination, calculation, or similar operation (e.g., certain acquisition operations) provided by the network node as described herein. These operations performed by the processing circuit QQ170 may include processing information acquired by the processing circuit QQ170, for example, converting the acquired information into other information, comparing the acquired information or the converted information with information stored in the network node, and / or performing one or more operations based on the acquired information or the converted information and making determinations as a result of the processing.

[0203] The processing circuit QQ170 may include a combination of one or more of the following: a microprocessor, a controller, a microcontroller, a central processing unit, a digital signal processor, an application specific integrated circuit, a field programmable gate array, or any other suitable computing device, resource, or a combination of hardware, software, and / or encoded logic operable to provide network node QQ160 functionality alone or in conjunction with other network node QQ160 components (e.g., device readable medium QQ180). For example, the processing circuit QQ170 may execute instructions stored in the device readable medium QQ180 or in a memory within the processing circuit QQ170. Such functionality may include providing any of the various wireless features, functions, or benefits discussed herein. In some embodiments, the processing circuit QQ170 may include a system on a chip (SOC).

[0204] In some embodiments, the processing circuit QQ170 may include one or more of a radio frequency (RF) transceiver circuit QQ172 and a baseband processing circuit QQ174. In some embodiments, the radio frequency (RF) transceiver circuit QQ172 and the baseband processing circuit QQ174 may be located on separate chips (or chipsets), boards, or units, such as a radio unit and a digital unit. In alternative embodiments, part or all of the RF transceiver circuit QQ172 and the baseband processing circuit QQ174 may be located on the same chip or chipset, board, or unit.

[0205] In certain embodiments, some or all of the functionality provided by a network node, base station, eNB, or other such network device described herein may be implemented by processing circuit QQ170 executing instructions stored on a device-readable medium QQ180 or on a memory within processing circuit QQ170. In alternative embodiments, some or all of the functionality may be provided by processing circuit QQ170 without executing instructions stored on a separate or discrete device-readable medium (e.g., in a hardwired manner). In any of those embodiments, processing circuit QQ170 may be configured to implement the described functionality regardless of whether instructions stored on a device-readable storage medium are executed. The benefits provided by such functionality are not limited to individual processing circuits QQ170 or other components of network node QQ160, but are enjoyed by network node QQ160 as a whole, and / or by end users and wireless networks generally.

[0206] The device-readable medium QQ180 may include any form of volatile or non-volatile computer-readable memory, including but not limited to persistent memory, solid-state memory, remotely mounted memory, magnetic media, optical media, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), mass storage media (e.g., hard disk), removable storage media (e.g., flash drive, compact disk (CD), or digital video disk (DVD)), and / or any other volatile or non-volatile, non-transitory device-readable and / or computer-executable storage device that stores information, data, and / or instructions that can be used by the processing circuit QQ170. The device-readable medium QQ180 may store any suitable instructions, data, or information, including computer programs, software, applications including one or more of logic, rules, codes, tables, etc., and / or other instructions that can be executed by the processing circuit QQ170 and utilized by the network node QQ160. The device-readable medium QQ180 may be used to store any calculations performed by the processing circuit QQ170 and / or any data received via the interface QQ190. In some embodiments, processing circuitry QQ170 and device readable medium QQ180 may be considered to be integrated.

[0207] Interface QQ190 is used for wired or wireless communication of signaling and / or data between network node QQ160, network QQ106 and / or WD QQ110. As shown, interface QQ190 includes port / terminal QQ194, so as to send data to network QQ106 and receive data from network QQ106, for example, via a wired connection. Interface QQ190 also includes radio front-end circuit QQ192, which can be coupled to antenna QQ162, or in some embodiments, to a part of antenna QQ162. Radio front-end circuit QQ192 includes filter QQ198 and amplifier QQ196. Radio front-end circuit QQ192 can be connected to antenna QQ162 and processing circuit QQ170. Radio front-end circuit can be configured to adjust the signal communicated between antenna QQ162 and processing circuit QQ170. Radio front-end circuit QQ192 can receive digital data to be sent to other network nodes or WDs via wireless connection. The radio front end circuit QQ192 may convert the digital data into a radio signal having appropriate channel and bandwidth parameters using a combination of filters QQ198 and / or amplifiers QQ196. The radio signal may then be transmitted via antenna QQ162. Similarly, when receiving data, antenna QQ162 may collect the radio signal, which may then be converted into digital data by the radio front end circuit QQ192. The digital data may be transmitted to the processing circuit QQ170. In other embodiments, the interface may include different components and / or different combinations of components.

[0208] In certain alternative embodiments, the network node QQ160 may not include a separate radio front end circuit QQ192, and instead the processing circuit QQ170 may include the radio front end circuit and may be connected to the antenna QQ162 without the separate radio front end circuit QQ192. Similarly, in some embodiments, all or part of the RF transceiver circuit QQ172 may be considered part of the interface QQ190. In other embodiments, the interface QQ190 may include one or more ports or terminals QQ194, the radio front end circuit QQ192, and the RF transceiver circuit QQ172 as part of a radio unit (not shown), and the interface QQ190 may communicate with the baseband processing circuit QQ174 as part of a digital unit (not shown).

[0209] Antenna QQ162 may include one or more antennas or antenna arrays configured to send and / or receive wireless signals. Antenna QQ162 may be coupled to the radio front end circuit QQ190 and may be any type of antenna capable of wirelessly sending and receiving data and / or signals. In some embodiments, antenna QQ162 may include one or more omnidirectional, sector or panel antennas operable to send / receive radio signals between, for example, 2 GHz and 66 GHz. Omnidirectional antennas may be used to send / receive radio signals in any direction, sector antennas may be used to send / receive radio signals from a device within a specific area, and panel antennas may be line of sight antennas for sending / receiving radio signals on a relatively straight line. In some instances, the use of more than one antenna may be referred to as MIMO. In some embodiments, antenna QQ162 may be separated from network node QQ160 and may be connected to network node QQ160 via an interface or port.

[0210] Antenna QQ162, interface QQ190 and / or processing circuit QQ170 may be configured to implement any receiving operation and / or certain acquisition operations described herein as being implemented by a network node. Any information, data and / or signal may be received from a wireless device, another network node and / or any other network device. Similarly, antenna QQ162, interface QQ190 and / or processing circuit QQ170 may be configured to implement any sending operation described herein as being implemented by a network node. Any information, data and / or signal may be sent to a wireless device, another network node and / or any other network device.

[0211] The power circuit QQ187 may include or be coupled to a power management circuit and is configured to provide power to the components of the network node QQ160 for implementing the functionality described herein. The power circuit QQ187 may receive power from a power source QQ186. The power source QQ186 and / or the power circuit QQ187 may be configured to provide power to the various components of the network node QQ160 in a form suitable for the respective components (e.g., at the voltage and current levels required by each respective component). The power source QQ186 may be included in the power circuit QQ187 and / or the network node QQ160, or may be located outside the power circuit QQ187 and / or the network node QQ160. For example, the network node QQ160 may be connected to an external power source (e.g., a power outlet) via an input circuit or interface (e.g., a cable), whereby the external power source supplies power to the power circuit QQ187. As a further example, the power supply QQ186 may include a power source in the form of a battery or a battery pack, which is connected to the power circuit QQ187 or integrated in the power circuit QQ187. If the external power source fails, the battery may provide backup power. Other types of power sources, such as photovoltaic devices, may also be used.

[0212] Alternative embodiments of network node QQ 160 may include Fig.17 160, which may be responsible for providing specific aspects of the functionality of the network node, including any functionality described herein and / or any functionality required to support the subject matter described herein. For example, the network node QQ 160 may include a user interface device to allow information to be entered into the network node QQ 160 and to allow information to be output from the network node QQ 160. This may allow a user to perform diagnostics, maintenance, repair, and other management functions on the network node QQ 160.

[0213] As used herein, wireless device (WD) refers to a device that can, is configured, is arranged and / or is operable to wirelessly communicate with a network node and / or other wireless devices. Unless otherwise specified, the term WD can be used interchangeably with user equipment (UE) in this article. Wireless communication may involve the use of electromagnetic waves, radio waves, infrared rays and / or other types of signals suitable for transmitting information through the air to send and / or receive wireless signals. In some embodiments, WD may be configured to send and / or receive information without direct human interaction. For example, when triggered by an internal or external event, or in response to a request from a network, WD may be designed to send information to the network according to a predetermined schedule. Examples of WD include, but are not limited to, smart phones, mobile phones, cellular phones, voice over IP (VoIP) phones, wireless local loop phones, desktop computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), wireless cameras, game consoles or devices, music storage devices, playback devices, wearable terminal devices, wireless endpoints, mobile stations, tablet computers, notebook computers, notebook embedded devices (LEEs), notebook computer installation equipment (LMEs), smart devices, wireless customer field equipment (CPEs), vehicle-mounted wireless terminal devices, etc. WD can support device-to-device (D2D) communication, for example, by implementing 3GPP standards for sidelink communication, vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V), vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I), and vehicle-to-everything (V2X), in which case it can be referred to as a D2D communication device. As another specific example, in the Internet of Things (IoT) scenario, WD can represent a machine or other device that implements monitoring and / or measurement, and sends the results of such monitoring and / or measurement to another WD and / or network node. In this case, WD can be a machine-to-machine (M2M) device, which can be referred to as an MTC device in the 3GPP context. As a specific example, WD can be a UE that implements the 3GPP narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) standard. Specific examples of such machines or devices include sensors, metering devices (such as power meters), industrial machinery, or household or personal appliances (such as refrigerators, televisions, etc.), personal wearable devices (such as watches, fitness trackers, etc.). In other scenarios, WD can represent a vehicle or other device that can monitor and / or report its operating status or other functions related to its operation. WD as described above can represent an endpoint of a wireless connection, in which case the device can be referred to as a wireless terminal. Furthermore, the WD as described above may be mobile, in which case it may also be referred to as a mobile device or a mobile terminal.

[0214] As shown, the wireless device QQ110 includes an antenna QQ111, an interface QQ114, a processing circuit QQ120, a device-readable medium QQ130, a user interface device QQ132, an auxiliary device QQ134, a power supply QQ136, and a power supply circuit QQ137. The WD QQ110 may include multiple groups of one or more illustrated components for different wireless technologies supported by the WD QQ110, such as GSM, WCDMA, LTE, NR, WiFi, WiMAX, or Bluetooth wireless technologies, to name a few. These wireless technologies may be integrated into the same or different chips or chipsets as other components within the WD QQ110.

[0215] Antenna QQ111 may include one or more antennas or antenna arrays configured to send and / or receive wireless signals and connected to interface QQ114. In certain alternative embodiments, antenna QQ111 may be separated from WD QQ110 and may be connected to WD QQ110 via an interface or port. Antenna QQ111, interface QQ114 and / or processing circuit QQ120 may be configured to implement any receiving or transmitting operation implemented by WD as described herein. Any information, data and / or signal may be received from a network node and / or another WD. In some embodiments, the radio front-end circuit and / or antenna QQ111 may be considered an interface.

[0216] As shown, the interface QQ114 includes a radio front-end circuit QQ112 and an antenna QQ111. The radio front-end circuit QQ112 includes one or more filters QQ118 and an amplifier QQ116. The radio front-end circuit QQ114 is connected to the antenna QQ111 and the processing circuit QQ120, and is configured to adjust the signal communicated between the antenna QQ111 and the processing circuit QQ120. The radio front-end circuit QQ112 may be coupled to the antenna QQ111 or as part of the antenna QQ111. In some embodiments, the WD QQ110 may not include a separate radio front-end circuit QQ112; instead, the processing circuit QQ120 may include a radio front-end circuit and may be connected to the antenna QQ111. Similarly, in some embodiments, part or all of the RF transceiver circuit QQ122 may be considered as part of the interface QQ114. The radio front-end circuit QQ112 may receive digital data to be sent to other network nodes or WDs via a wireless connection. The radio front-end circuit QQ112 may convert the digital data into a radio signal with appropriate channel and bandwidth parameters using a combination of filters QQ118 and / or amplifiers QQ116. The radio signal may then be transmitted via antenna QQ111. Similarly, when receiving data, antenna QQ111 may collect the radio signal, which may then be converted into digital data via radio front-end circuit QQ112. The digital data may be transmitted to processing circuit QQ120. In other embodiments, the interface may include different components and / or different combinations of components.

[0217] The processing circuit QQ120 may include a combination of one or more of the following: a microprocessor, a controller, a microcontroller, a central processing unit, a digital signal processor, an application specific integrated circuit, a field programmable gate array, or any other suitable computing device, resource, or combination of hardware, software, and / or encoded logic operable to provide WD QQ110 functionality alone or in conjunction with other WD QQ110 components (e.g., device readable medium QQ130). Such functionality may include providing any of the various wireless features or benefits discussed herein. For example, the processing circuit QQ120 may execute instructions stored in the device readable medium QQ130 or in a memory within the processing circuit QQ120 to provide the functionality disclosed herein.

[0218] As shown, the processing circuit QQ120 includes one or more of the RF transceiver circuit QQ122, the baseband processing circuit QQ124, and the application processing circuit QQ126. In other embodiments, the processing circuit may include different components and / or different combinations of components. In some embodiments, the processing circuit QQ120 of the WD QQ110 may include a SOC. In some embodiments, the RF transceiver circuit QQ122, the baseband processing circuit QQ124, and the application processing circuit QQ126 may be on a separate chip or chipset. In an alternative embodiment, part or all of the baseband processing circuit QQ124 and the application processing circuit QQ126 may be combined into one chip or chipset, and the RF transceiver circuit QQ122 may be on a separate chip or chipset. In another alternative embodiment, part or all of the RF transceiver circuit QQ122 and the baseband processing circuit QQ124 may be on the same chip or chipset, and the application processing circuit QQ126 may be on a separate chip or chipset. In yet other alternative embodiments, part or all of the RF transceiver circuit QQ122, baseband processing circuit QQ124, and application processing circuit QQ126 may be combined in the same chip or chipset. In some embodiments, the RF transceiver circuit QQ122 may be part of the interface QQ114. The RF transceiver circuit QQ122 may condition the RF signal for the processing circuit QQ120.

[0219] In some embodiments, some or all of the functionality described herein as implemented by the WD may be provided by processing circuit QQ120 executing instructions stored on a device-readable medium QQ130, which in some embodiments may be a computer-readable storage medium. In alternative embodiments, some or all of the functionality may be provided by processing circuit QQ120 without executing instructions stored on a separate or discrete device-readable storage medium (e.g., in a hardwired manner). In any of those specific embodiments, processing circuit QQ120 may be configured to implement the described functionality regardless of whether instructions stored on a device-readable storage medium are executed. The benefits provided by such functionality are not limited to separate processing circuits QQ120 or other components of WD QQ110, but are enjoyed by WD QQ110 as a whole, and / or by end users and wireless networks in general.

[0220] Processing circuit QQ120 may be configured to perform any determination, calculation, or similar operation (e.g., certain acquisition operations) described herein as being performed by the WD. Such operations performed by processing circuit QQ120 may include processing information acquired by processing circuit QQ120, for example, by converting the acquired information to other information, comparing the acquired information or the converted information to information stored by WD QQ110, and / or performing one or more operations based on the acquired information or the converted information and making determinations as a result of the processing.

[0221] The device-readable medium QQ130 is operable to store computer programs, software, applications including one or more of logic, rules, codes, tables, etc., and / or other instructions executable by the processing circuit QQ120. The device-readable medium QQ130 may include computer memory (e.g., random access memory (RAM) or read-only memory (ROM)), mass storage media (e.g., hard disk), removable storage media (e.g., compact disk (CD) or digital video disk (DVD)), and / or any other volatile or non-volatile, non-transitory device-readable and / or computer-executable storage device that stores information, data, and / or instructions usable by the processing circuit QQ120. In some embodiments, the processing circuit QQ120 and the device-readable medium QQ130 may be considered integrated.

[0222] The user interface device QQ132 may provide a component that allows a human user to interact with the WD QQ110. This interaction may have a variety of forms, such as visual, auditory, tactile, etc. The user interface device QQ132 is operable to generate output to the user and allow the user to provide input to the WD QQ110. The type of interaction may vary depending on the type of user interface device QQ132 installed in the WD QQ110. For example, if the WD QQ110 is a smart phone, the interaction may be performed through a touch screen; if the WD QQ110 is a smart meter, the interaction may be performed through a screen that provides usage (e.g., the number of gallons used) or a speaker that provides an audible alarm (e.g., if smoke is detected). The user interface device QQ132 may include an input interface, device, and circuit, as well as an output interface, device, and circuit. The user interface device QQ132 is configured to allow information to be input to the WD QQ110, and is connected to the processing circuit QQ120 to allow the processing circuit QQ120 to process the input information. The user interface device QQ132 may include, for example, a microphone, a proximity sensor or other sensor, a key / button, a touch display, one or more cameras, a USB port or other input circuit. The user interface device QQ132 is also configured to allow information to be output from the WD QQ110 and to allow the processing circuit QQ120 to output information from the WD QQ110. The user interface device QQ132 may include, for example, a speaker, a display, a vibration circuit, a USB port, a headphone jack or other output circuit. Using one or more input and output interfaces, devices and circuits of the user interface device QQ132, the WD QQ110 can communicate with end users and / or wireless networks and allow them to benefit from the functionality described herein.

[0223] The auxiliary device QQ134 is operable to provide more specific functionality that may not normally be implemented by the WD. This may include specialized sensors for taking measurements for various purposes, interfaces for additional types of communication such as wired communications, etc. The inclusion and type of components of the auxiliary device QQ134 may vary depending on the embodiment and / or scenario.

[0224] In some embodiments, the power source QQ136 may be in the form of a battery or battery pack. Other types of power sources may also be used, such as an external power source (e.g., a power outlet), a photovoltaic device, or a battery. WD QQ110 may also include a power circuit QQ137 for delivering power from the power source QQ136 to various parts of the WD QQ110 that require power from the power source QQ136 to perform any functionality described or indicated herein. In some embodiments, the power circuit QQ137 may include a power management circuit. The power circuit QQ137 may additionally or optionally be operated to receive power from an external power source; in this case, the WD QQ110 may be connected to an external power source (e.g., a power outlet) via an input circuit or interface (e.g., a power cable). In some embodiments, the power circuit QQ137 may also be operated to deliver power from an external power source to the power source QQ136. For example, this may be to charge the power source QQ136. The power circuit QQ137 may perform any formatting, conversion, or other modification on the power from the power source QQ136 so that the power is suitable for the corresponding components of the WD QQ110 being powered.

[0225] Fig.18 A user equipment according to some embodiments is shown.

[0226] Fig.18 An embodiment of a UE according to the various aspects described herein is shown. As used herein, a user equipment or UE does not necessarily have a user in the sense of a human user who owns and / or operates the associated device. Conversely, a UE may represent a device that is intended to be sold to or operated by a human user (e.g., a smart sprinkler controller), but the device may not be associated with a specific human user, or may not initially be associated with a specific human user. Alternatively, a UE may represent a device that is not intended to be sold to or operated by an end user (e.g., a smart power meter), but it may be associated with a user or operated for the benefit of a user. UE QQ2200 may be any UE identified by the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), including a NB-IoT UE, a Machine Type Communication (MTC) UE, and / or an enhanced MTC (eMTC) UE. As Fig.18 As shown, UEQQ200 is an example of a WD configured for communication according to one or more communication standards promulgated by the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), such as 3GPP's GSM, UMTS, LTE and / or 5G standards. As previously mentioned, the terms WD and UE may be used interchangeably. Therefore, although Fig.18 It is UE, but the components discussed in the article are also applicable to WD and vice versa.

[0227] exist Fig.18In the embodiment, UE QQ200 includes a processing circuit QQ201, which is operatively coupled to an input / output interface QQ205, a radio frequency (RF) interface QQ209, a network connection interface QQ211, a memory QQ215 (including a random access memory (RAM) QQ217, a read-only memory (ROM) QQ219, and a storage medium QQ221, etc.), a communication subsystem QQ231, a power supply QQ233, and / or any other components, or any combination thereof. The storage medium QQ221 includes an operating system QQ223, an application QQ225, and data QQ227. In other embodiments, the storage medium QQ221 may include other similar types of information. Some UEs may utilize Fig.18 All components shown in the UE may be used, or only a subset of the components may be used. The level of integration between components may vary depending on the UE. In addition, some UEs may contain multiple instances of components, such as multiple processors, memories, transceivers, transmitters, receivers, etc.

[0228] exist Fig.18 In the embodiment of the present invention, the processing circuit QQ201 can be configured to process computer instructions and data. The processing circuit QQ201 can be configured to implement any continuous state machine that is operable to execute machine instructions stored in a memory as a machine-readable computer program, such as one or more hardware-implemented state machines (e.g., in discrete logic, FPGA, ASIC, etc.); programmable logic and appropriate firmware; one or more stored-program, general-purpose processors, such as microprocessors or digital signal processors (DSPs), and appropriate software; or any combination of the above. For example, the processing circuit QQ201 may include two central processing units (CPUs). The data may be information in a form suitable for use by a computer.

[0229] In the described embodiment, the input / output interface QQ205 may be configured to provide a communication interface to an input device, an output device, or an input and output device. The UE QQ200 may be configured to use an output device via the input / output interface QQ205. The output device may use an interface port of the same type as the input device. For example, a USB port may be used to provide input to the UE QQ200 and output from the UE QQ200. The output device may be a speaker, a sound card, a video card, a display, a monitor, a printer, an actuator, a transmitter, a smart card, another output device, or any combination thereof. The UE QQ200 may be configured to use an input device via the input / output interface QQ205 to allow the user to capture information into the UE QQ200. The input device may include a touch-sensitive or presence-sensitive display, a camera (e.g., a digital camera, a digital video camera, a webcam, etc.), a microphone, a sensor, a mouse, a trackball, a directional board, a trackpad, a roller, a smart card, etc. The presence-sensitive display may include a capacitive or resistive touch sensor for sensing input from the user. For example, the sensor can be an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a tilt sensor, a force sensor, a magnetometer, an optical sensor, a proximity sensor, other similar sensors, or any combination thereof. For example, the input device can be an accelerometer, a magnetometer, a digital camera, a microphone, and an optical sensor.

[0230] exist Fig.18 In the embodiment of the present invention, the RF interface QQ209 can be configured to provide a communication interface to the RF components (e.g., transmitter, receiver, and antenna). The network connection interface QQ211 can be configured to provide a communication interface to the network QQ243a. The network QQ243a can cover a wired and / or wireless network, such as a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a computer network, a wireless network, a telecommunications network, another similar network, or any combination thereof. For example, the network QQ243a can include a Wi-Fi network. The network connection interface QQ211 can be configured to include a receiver and a transmitter interface for communicating with one or more other devices through a communication network according to one or more communication protocols (e.g., Ethernet, TCP / IP, SONET, ATM, etc.). The network connection interface QQ211 can implement receiver and transmitter functionality suitable for communication network links (e.g., optical, electrical, etc.). The transmitter and receiver functions can share circuit components, software, or firmware, or can be implemented separately as desired.

[0231] RAM QQ217 can be configured to interface with processing circuit QQ201 via bus QQ202 so as to provide storage or cache of data or computer instructions during the execution of software programs such as operating systems, applications and device drivers. ROM QQ219 can be configured to provide computer instructions or data to processing circuit QQ201. For example, ROM QQ219 can be configured to store unchanged low-level system code or data for basic system functions (such as basic input and output (I / O), startup or receiving keystrokes from a keyboard stored in non-volatile memory). Storage medium QQ221 can be configured to include memory, such as RAM, ROM, programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), magnetic disk, optical disk, floppy disk, hard disk, removable cartridge memory or flash drive. In one example, storage medium QQ221 can be configured to include operating system QQ223, application QQ225 (such as a web browser application), small widget or gadget engine or another application, and data file QQ227. The storage medium QQ221 can store any one of various operating systems or operating system combinations for use by the UE QQ200 .

[0232] The storage medium QQ221 may be configured to include multiple physical drive units, such as a redundant array of independent disks (RAID), a floppy disk drive, a flash memory, a USB flash drive, an external hard drive, a thumb drive, a pen drive, a key drive, a high-density digital versatile disk (HD-DVD) optical drive, an internal hard drive, a Blu-ray optical drive, a holographic digital data storage (HDDS) optical drive, an external micro dual in-line memory module (DIMM), a synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), an external micro DIMM SDRAM, a smart card memory (such as a subscriber identity module or a removable user identity (SIM / RUIM) module), other memory or any combination thereof. The storage medium QQ221 may allow the UE QQ200 to access computer executable instructions, applications, etc. stored on a temporary or non-temporary storage medium to unload data or upload data. An article (such as an article utilizing a communication system) may be tangibly embodied in the storage medium QQ221, which may include a device-readable medium.

[0233] exist Fig.18In the embodiment of the present invention, the processing circuit QQ201 can be configured to communicate with the network QQ243b using the communication subsystem QQ231. The network QQ243a and the network QQ243b can be the same network or different networks. The communication subsystem QQ231 can be configured to include one or more transceivers for communicating with the network QQ243b. For example, the communication subsystem QQ231 can be configured to include one or more transceivers, and the one or more transceivers are used to communicate with one or more remote transceivers of another device capable of wireless communication (e.g., another WD, UE or base station of a radio access network (RAN)) according to one or more communication protocols (e.g., IEEE802.QQ2, CDMA, WCDMA, GSM, LTE, UTRAN, WiMax, etc.). Each transceiver can include a transmitter QQ233 and / or a receiver QQ235 to respectively implement the transmitter or receiver functionality (e.g., frequency allocation, etc.) suitable for a RAN link. In addition, the transmitter QQ233 and the receiver QQ235 of each transceiver can share circuit components, software or firmware, or can be implemented separately as an option.

[0234] In the illustrated embodiment, the communication functions of the communication subsystem QQ231 may include data communication, voice communication, multimedia communication, short-range communication (e.g., Bluetooth), near-field communication, location-based communication (e.g., using a global positioning system (GPS) to determine location), other similar communication functions, or any combination thereof. For example, the communication subsystem QQ231 may include cellular communication, Wi-Fi communication, Bluetooth communication, and GPS communication. The network QQ243b may cover a wired and / or wireless network, such as a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a computer network, a wireless network, a telecommunications network, another similar network, or any combination thereof. For example, the network QQ243b may be a cellular network, a Wi-Fi network, and / or a near-field network. The power supply QQ213 may be configured to provide alternating current (AC) or direct current (DC) power to the components of the UE QQ200.

[0235] The features, advantages and / or functions described herein may be implemented in one of the components of UE QQ200, or may be divided across multiple components of UE QQ200. In addition, the features, advantages and / or functions described herein may be implemented in any combination of hardware, software or firmware. In one example, the communication subsystem QQ231 may be configured to include any component described herein. In addition, the processing circuit QQ201 may be configured to communicate with any such component via bus QQ202. In another example, any such component may be represented by a program instruction stored in a memory, and when executed by the processing circuit QQ201, these program instructions implement the corresponding functions described herein. In another example, the functionality of any such component may be divided between the processing circuit QQ201 and the communication subsystem QQ231. In another example, the non-computationally intensive functions of any such component may be implemented in software or firmware, and the computationally intensive functions may be implemented in hardware.

[0236] Fig.19 A virtualized environment is shown in accordance with some embodiments.

[0237] Fig.19 is a schematic block diagram showing a virtualized environment QQ300, in which the functions implemented by some embodiments can be virtualized. In this context, virtualization means creating a virtual version of a device or equipment, which may include a virtualized hardware platform, storage device, and networking resources. As used herein, virtualization can be applied to a node (e.g., a virtualized base station or a virtualized radio access node) or a device (e.g., a UE, a wireless device, or any other type of communication device) or a component thereof, and involves an implementation in which at least a portion of the functionality is implemented as one or more virtual components (e.g., by one or more applications, components, functions, virtual machines, or containers executed on one or more physical processing nodes in one or more networks).

[0238] In some embodiments, some or all of the functionality described herein may be implemented as virtual components executed by one or more virtual machines implemented in one or more virtual environments QQ300 hosted by one or more hardware nodes QQ330. Furthermore, in embodiments where the virtual nodes are not radio access nodes or do not require radio connectivity (e.g., core network nodes), the network nodes may be fully virtualized.

[0239] The functions may be implemented by one or more applications QQ320 (which may alternatively be referred to as software instances, virtual devices, network functions, virtual nodes, virtual network functions, etc.), which are operable to implement some features, functions, and / or advantages of some embodiments disclosed herein. Application QQ320 runs in a virtualized environment QQ300, which provides hardware QQ330, including processing circuitry QQ360 and memory QQ390. Memory QQ390 contains instructions QQ395 executable by processing circuitry QQ360, whereby application QQ320 is operable to provide one or more features, advantages, and / or functions disclosed herein.

[0240] The virtualized environment QQ300 includes a general or special purpose network hardware device QQ330 (including a collection of one or more processors or processing circuits QQ360), which may be a commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) processor, a specialized application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or any other type of processing circuit, including digital or analog hardware components or special purpose processors. Each hardware device may include a memory QQ390-1, which may be a non-persistent memory for temporarily storing software or instructions QQ395 executed by the processing circuit QQ360. Each hardware device may include one or more network interface controllers (NICs) QQ370, also known as network interface cards, which include a physical network interface QQ380. Each hardware device may also include a non-temporary, persistent, machine-readable storage medium QQ390-2, in which software QQ395 and / or instructions executable by the processing circuit QQ360 are stored. Software QQ395 may include any type of software, including software for instantiating one or more virtualization layers QQ350 (also known as hypervisors), software for executing virtual machines QQ340, and software that enables them to perform the functions, features and / or advantages described in conjunction with some of the embodiments described herein.

[0241] Virtual machine QQ340 includes virtual processing, virtual memory, virtual networking or interface, and virtual storage device, and can be operated by corresponding virtualization layer QQ350 or hypervisor.Different embodiments of instances of virtual device QQ320 can be implemented on one or more virtual machines QQ340, and can be implemented in different ways.

[0242] During operation, processing circuit QQ360 executes software QQ395 to instantiate a hypervisor or virtualization layer QQ350, which is sometimes referred to as a virtual machine monitor (VMM). Virtualization layer QQ350 can present a virtual operating platform that appears to the networked hardware of virtual machine QQ340.

[0243] like Fig.19 As shown, hardware QQ330 can be an independent network node with common or specific components. Hardware QQ330 can include antenna QQ3225, and some functions can be implemented through virtualization. Optionally, hardware QQ330 can be part of a larger hardware cluster (for example, in a data center or customer premise equipment (CPE)), where many hardware nodes work together and are managed by management and orchestration (MANO) QQ3100, where management and orchestration (MANO) QQ3100 particularly oversees the life cycle management of application QQ320.

[0244] Virtualization of hardware is referred to in some contexts as network function virtualization (NFV). NFV can be used to consolidate multiple network equipment types onto industry-standard high-volume server hardware, physical switches, and physical storage devices, which can be located in data centers and customer-site facilities.

[0245] In the context of NFV, a virtual machine QQ340 may be a software implementation of a physical machine that runs a program as if it were executed on a physical, non-virtualized machine. Each virtual machine QQ340, and that portion of the hardware QQ330 on which it executes, whether hardware dedicated to that virtual machine and / or hardware shared by that virtual machine with other virtual machines QQ340, forms a separate virtual network element (VNE).

[0246] Still in the context of NFV, a virtual network function (VNF) is responsible for handling specific network functions running in one or more virtual machines QQ340 on top of the hardware networking infrastructure QQ330 and corresponds to Fig.19 Application QQ320.

[0247] In some embodiments, one or more radio units QQ3200 (each unit including one or more transmitters Q3220 and one or more receivers Q3210) may be coupled to one or more antennas QQ3225. The radio unit QQ3200 may communicate directly with the hardware node QQ330 via one or more appropriate network interfaces, and may be used in conjunction with virtual components to provide a virtual node with radio capabilities, such as a radio access node or base station.

[0248] In some embodiments, some signaling may be accomplished using a control system QQ3230 , which may optionally be used for communications between the hardware node QQ330 and the radio unit QQ3200 .

[0249] Fig. 20 A telecommunications network is shown connected to a host computer via an intermediary network according to some embodiments.

[0250] refer to Fig. 20 According to an embodiment, a communication system includes a telecommunication network QQ410 (such as a cellular network of the 3GPP type), which includes an access network QQ411 (such as a radio access network) and a core network QQ414. The access network QQ411 includes a plurality of base stations QQ412a, QQ412b, QQ412c, such as NB, eNB, gNB or other types of wireless access points, each of which defines a corresponding coverage area QQ413a, QQ413b, QQ413c. Each base station QQ412a, QQ412b, QQ412c can be connected to the core network QQ414 via a wired or wireless connection QQ415. A first UE QQ491 located in the coverage area QQ413c is configured to be wirelessly connected to the corresponding base station QQ412c or to be paged by the corresponding base station QQ412c. A second UE QQ492 in the coverage area QQ413a can be wirelessly connected to the corresponding base station QQ412a. Although multiple UEs QQ491 , QQ492 are shown in this example, the disclosed embodiments are equally applicable to situations where only a UE is in the coverage area or only a UE is connected to the corresponding base station QQ412 .

[0251] The telecommunications network QQ410 itself is connected to a host computer QQ430, 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. The host computer QQ430 may be under the ownership or control of a service provider, or may be operated by or on behalf of a service provider. The connections QQ421 and QQ422 between the telecommunications network QQ410 and the host computer QQ430 may extend directly from the core network QQ414 to the host computer QQ430, or may pass through an optional intermediate network QQ420. The intermediate network QQ420 may be one of a public network, a private network, or a managed network, or a combination of more than one of them; the intermediate network QQ420 (if any) may be a backbone network or the Internet; in particular, the intermediate network QQ420 may include two or more sub-networks (not shown).

[0252] Fig. 20The communication system generally realizes the connection between the connected UE QQ491, QQ492 and the host computer QQ430. The connection can be described as an over-the-top (OTT) connection QQ450. The host computer QQ430 and the connected UE QQ491, QQ492 are configured to use the access network QQ411, the core network QQ414, any intermediate network QQ420 and possible other infrastructure (not shown) as intermediaries to transmit data and / or signaling via the OTT connection QQ450. The OTT connection QQ450 can be transparent in terms of the fact that the participating communication devices through which the OTT connection QQ450 passes do not know the route of the uplink and downlink communication. For example, the base station QQ412 may not be informed or need not be informed of the past route of the incoming downlink communication with data from the host computer QQ430 to be forwarded (e.g., switched) to the connected UE QQ491. Similarly, base station QQ412 need not be aware of the future routing of outgoing uplink communications originating from UE QQ491 toward host computer QQ430.

[0253] Fig.21 A host computer is shown communicating with a user device over a partially wireless connection via a base station in accordance with some embodiments.

[0254] Now refer to Fig.21 Describe the example implementation of the UE, base station and host computer discussed in the previous paragraphs according to the embodiment. In the communication system QQ500, the host computer QQ510 includes hardware QQ515, which includes a communication interface QQ516, and the communication interface QQ516 is configured to establish and maintain a wired or wireless connection with the interface of different communication devices of the communication system QQ500. The host computer QQ510 also includes: a processing circuit QQ518, which may have storage and / or processing capabilities. In particular, the processing circuit QQ518 may include one or more programmable processors, application-specific integrated circuits, field programmable gate arrays, or a combination of these components (not shown) suitable for executing instructions. The host computer QQ510 also includes software QQ511, which is stored in the host computer QQ510 or can be accessed by the host computer QQ510 and can be executed by the processing circuit QQ518. The software QQ511 includes a host application QQ512. The host application QQ512 is operable to provide services to a remote user, such as a UE QQ530 connected via an OTT connection QQ550 terminating at the UE QQ530 and the host computer QQ510. In providing services to the remote user, the host application QQ512 may provide user data transmitted using the OTT connection QQ550.

[0255] The communication system QQ500 also includes a base station QQ520 provided in the telecommunication system, and the base station QQ520 includes hardware QQ525 that enables it to communicate with the host computer QQ510 and the UE QQ530. The hardware QQ525 may include a communication interface QQ526 for establishing and maintaining a wired or wireless connection with different communication devices of the communication system QQ500, and a communication interface QQ526 for establishing and maintaining a connection with a network located in the coverage area ( Fig.21 The communication interface QQ526 may be configured to facilitate a connection QQ560 to the host computer QQ510. The connection QQ560 may be direct, or it may pass through the core network ( Fig.21 The base station QQ520 may be configured to communicate with the base station QQ520 via a plurality of intermediate networks (not shown) and / or through one or more intermediate networks external to the telecommunications system. In the illustrated embodiment, the hardware QQ525 of the base station QQ520 also includes processing circuitry QQ528, which may include one or more programmable processors, application specific integrated circuits, field programmable gate arrays, or a combination of these components (not shown) suitable for executing instructions. The base station QQ520 also has software QQ521 stored internally or accessible via an external connection.

[0256] The communication system QQ500 also includes the UE QQ530 already cited. Its hardware QQ535 may include a radio interface QQ537, which is configured to establish and maintain a wireless connection QQ570 with a base station serving the coverage area where the UE QQ530 is currently located. The hardware QQ535 of the UE QQ530 also includes a processing circuit QQ538, which may include one or more programmable processors, application specific integrated circuits, field programmable gate arrays, or a combination of these components (not shown) suitable for executing instructions. The UE QQ530 also includes software QQ531, which is stored in the UE QQ530 or can be accessed by the UE QQ530 and can be executed by the processing circuit QQ538. The software QQ531 includes a client application QQ532. The client application QQ532 is operable to provide services to human users or non-human users via the UE QQ530 under the support of the host computer QQ510. In the host computer QQ510, the executing host application QQ512 can communicate with the executing client application QQ532 via the OTT connection QQ550 that terminates at the UE QQ530 and the host computer QQ510. When providing services to users, the client application QQ532 can receive request data from the host application QQ512 and provide user data in response to the request data. The OTT connection QQ550 can transmit both the request data and the user data. The client application QQ532 can interact with the user to generate the user data it provides.

[0257] It should be noted that Fig.21 The host computer QQ510, base station QQ520 and UE QQ530 shown in FIG. Fig. 20 The host computer QQ430, one of the base stations QQ412a, QQ412b, QQ412c and one of the UEs QQ491, QQ492 are similar or identical. That is, the internal workings of these entities can be as follows Fig.21 As shown, and independently, the surrounding network topology can be Fig. 20 network topology.

[0258] exist Fig.21 , OTT connection QQ550 has been abstractly drawn to illustrate communication between host computer QQ510 and UE QQ530 via base station QQ520, without explicitly involving any intermediate devices and the precise routing of messages via these devices. The network infrastructure can determine the routing, which can be configured to hide the routing from UE QQ530 or the service provider operating the host computer QQ510, or both. When OTT connection QQ550 is active, the network infrastructure can further make decisions to dynamically change the routing (e.g., based on load balancing considerations or reconfiguration of the network).

[0259] The wireless connection QQ570 between the UE QQ530 and the base station QQ520 is based on the teachings of the embodiments described throughout the present disclosure. One or more of the various embodiments may use the OTT connection QQ550 to improve the performance of the OTT service provided to the UE QQ530, wherein the wireless connection QQ570 forms the last segment. More specifically, the teachings of these embodiments may improve the random access speed and / or reduce the random access failure rate, thereby providing advantages such as faster and / or more reliable random access.

[0260] A measurement process may be provided to monitor data rates, latency, and other factors improved by one or more embodiments. In response to changes in the measurement results, there may also be optional network functionality for reconfiguring the OTT connection QQ550 between the host computer QQ510 and the UE QQ530. The measurement process and / or network functionality for reconfiguring the OTT connection QQ550 may be implemented in the software QQ511 and hardware QQ515 of the host computer QQ510, or in the software QQ531 and hardware QQ535 of the UE QQ530, or in both. In an embodiment, a sensor (not shown) may be deployed in or associated with a communication device through which the OTT connection QQ550 passes; the sensor may participate in the measurement process by providing the values ​​of the monitoring quantities exemplified above, or by providing the values ​​of other physical quantities from which the software QQ511, QQ531 can calculate or estimate the monitoring quantities. The reconfiguration of the OTT connection QQ550 may include message formats, retransmission settings, preferred routes, etc.; the reconfiguration does not need to affect the base station QQ520, and the base station QQ520 may not know or be aware of the reconfiguration. These processes and functionalities may be known and practiced in the art. In certain embodiments, the measurements may involve proprietary UE signaling that facilitates the host computer QQ510 to measure throughput, propagation time, latency, etc. The measurements may be implemented in the following manner: the software QQ511 and QQ531 use the OTT connection QQ550 to cause messages (particularly empty messages or "dummy" messages) to be transmitted while they monitor propagation time, errors, etc.

[0261] Fig. 22 A method implemented in a communication system including a host computer, a base station and a user equipment according to some embodiments is shown.

[0262] Fig. 22 FIG. 1 is a flow chart showing 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 those described with reference to FIG. QQ4 and FIG. QQ5. In order to simplify the present disclosure, only the description of FIG. 1 is included in this section. Fig. 22 . In step QQ610, the host computer provides user data. In sub-step QQ611 of step QQ610 (which may be optional), the host computer provides user data by executing a host application. In step QQ620, the host computer initiates a transmission carrying user data to the UE. In step QQ630 (which may be optional), in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout the present disclosure, the base station transmits the user data carried in the transmission initiated by the host computer to the UE. In step QQ640 (which may also be optional), the UE executes a client application associated with the host application executed by the host computer.

[0263] Fig.23 A method implemented in a communication system including a host computer, a base station and a user equipment according to some embodiments is shown.

[0264] Fig.23 FIG. 1 is a flow chart showing 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 those described with reference to FIG. QQ4 and FIG. QQ5. In order to simplify the present disclosure, only the Fig.23 . In step QQ710 of the method, the host computer provides user data. In an optional sub-step (not shown), the host computer provides the user data by executing a host application. In step QQ720, the host computer initiates a transmission carrying the user data to the UE. According to the teachings of the embodiments described throughout the present disclosure, the transmission may pass through a base station. In step QQ730 (which may be optional), the UE receives the user data carried in the transmission.

[0265] Fig.24 A method implemented in a communication system including a host computer, a base station and a user equipment according to some embodiments is shown.

[0266] Fig.24 FIG. 1 is a flow chart showing 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 those described with reference to FIG. QQ4 and FIG. QQ5. In order to simplify the present disclosure, only the Fig.24 . In step QQ810 (which may be optional), the UE receives input data provided by the host computer. Additionally or optionally, in step QQ820, the UE provides user data. In sub-step QQ821 of step QQ820 (which may be optional), the UE provides user data by executing a client application. In sub-step QQ811 of step QQ810 (which may be optional), the UE executes a client application, which provides user data in response to the received input data provided by the host computer. When providing user data, the executed client application may also consider user input received from the user. Regardless of the specific manner of providing user data, the UE initiates the transmission of user data to the host computer in sub-step QQ830 (which may be optional). In step QQ840 of the method, according to the teachings of the embodiments described throughout the present disclosure, the host computer receives user data transmitted from the UE.

[0267] Fig.25 A method implemented in a communication system including a host computer, a base station and a user equipment according to some embodiments is shown.

[0268] Fig.25is a flow chart showing 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 can be reference Fig. 20 and Fig.21 To simplify this disclosure, only the Fig.25 In step QQ910 (which may be optional), the base station receives user data from the UE in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout the present disclosure. In step QQ920 (which may be optional), the base station initiates a transmission of the received user data to the host computer. In step QQ930 (which may be optional), the host computer receives the user data carried in the transmission initiated by the base station.

[0269] Any appropriate steps, methods, features, functions or benefits disclosed herein may be implemented by one or more functional units or modules of one or more virtual devices. Each virtual device may include multiple such functional units. These functional units may be implemented by processing circuits, which may include one or more microprocessors or microcontrollers, and other digital hardware, which may include digital signal processors (DSPs), dedicated digital logic, etc. The processing circuit may be configured to execute program codes stored in a memory, which may include one or more types of memory, such as read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), cache, flash memory device, optical storage device, etc. The program code stored in the memory includes program instructions for executing one or more telecommunications and / or data communication protocols, and instructions for executing one or more technologies described herein. In some implementations, the processing circuit may be used to enable the corresponding functional units to implement the corresponding functions according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0270] The term "unit" may have its conventional meaning in the field of electronics, electrical devices and / or electronic devices, which may include, for example, electrical and / or electronic circuits, devices, modules, processors, memories, logical solid-state and / or discrete devices, computer programs or instructions for performing corresponding tasks, processes, calculations, output and / or display functions, etc., as those described in this document.

[0271] Abbreviations

[0272] At least some of the following abbreviations may be used in the present disclosure. If there is an inconsistency between abbreviations, the above usage shall take precedence. If listed multiple times below, the first listing shall take precedence over any subsequent listing.

[0273] 1x RTT CDMA2000 1x Radio Transmission Technology

[0274] 3GPP Third Generation Partnership Project

[0275] 5G Fifth Generation

[0276] ABS Almost Blank Subframe

[0277] ARQ Automatic Repeat Request

[0278] AWGN Additive White Gaussian Noise

[0279] BCCH Broadcast Control Channel

[0280] BCH Broadcast Channel

[0281] CA Carrier Aggregation

[0282] CC Carrier Component

[0283] CCCH SDU Common Control Channel SDU

[0284] CDMA Code Division Multiple Access

[0285] CGI Cell Global Identifier

[0286] CIR Channel Impulse Response

[0287] CP Cyclic Prefix

[0288] CPICH Common Pilot Channel

[0289] CPICH Ec / No The received energy per CPICH chip divided by the power density in the frequency band

[0290] CQI Channel Quality Information

[0291] C-RNTI Cell RNTI

[0292] CSI Channel State Information

[0293] DCCH Dedicated Control Channel

[0294] DL Downlink

[0295] DM Demodulation

[0296] DMRS Demodulation Reference Signal

[0297] DRX Discontinuous Reception

[0298] DTX Discontinuous Transmission

[0299] DTCH Dedicated Traffic Channel

[0300] DUT Device Under Test

[0301] E-CID Enhanced Cell-ID (positioning method)

[0302] E-SMLC Evolved Serving Mobile Location Center

[0303] ECGI Evolved CGI

[0304] eNB E-UTRAN Node B

[0305] ePDCCH Enhanced Physical Downlink Control Channel

[0306] E-SMLC Evolved Serving Mobile Location Center

[0307] E-UTRA Evolved UTRA

[0308] E-UTRAN Evolved UTRAN

[0309] FDD Frequency Division Duplex

[0310] FFS Further Research

[0311] GERAN GSM EDGE Radio Access Network

[0312] Base stations in gNB NR

[0313] GNSS Global Navigation Satellite System

[0314] GSM Global System for Mobile Communications

[0315] HARQ Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request

[0316] HO Switchover

[0317] HSPA High Speed ​​Packet Access

[0318] HRPD High Rate Packet Data

[0319] LOS Line of Sight

[0320] LPP LTE Positioning Protocol

[0321] LTE Long Term Evolution

[0322] MAC Media Access Control

[0323] MBMS Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service

[0324] MBSFN Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service Single Frequency Network

[0325] MBSFN ABS MBSFN Almost Blank Subframe

[0326] MDT Minimized Drive Test

[0327] MIB Master Information Block

[0328] MME Mobility Management Entity

[0329] MSC Mobile Switching Center

[0330] NPDCCH Narrowband Physical Downlink Control Channel

[0331] NR New Radio

[0332] OCNG OFDMA Channel Noise Generator

[0333] OFDM Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing

[0334] OFDMA Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access

[0335] OSS Operation Support System

[0336] OTDOA Observed Time Difference of Arrival

[0337] O&M Operation and Maintenance

[0338] PBCH Physical Broadcast Channel

[0339] P-CCPCH Primary Common Control Physical Channel

[0340] PCell Primary Cell

[0341] PCFICH Physical Control Format Indicator Channel PDCCH Physical Downlink Control Channel PDP Profile Delay Profile PDSCH Physical Downlink Shared Channel PGW Packet Gateway

[0342] PHICH Physical Hybrid-ARQ Indicator Channel PLMN Public Land Mobile Network PMI Precoder Matrix Indicator PRACH Physical Random Access Channel PRS Positioning Reference Signal PSS Primary Synchronization Signal PUCCH Physical Uplink Control Channel PUSCH Physical Uplink Shared Channel RACH Random Access Channel QAM Quadrature Amplitude Modulation RAN Radio Access Network RAT Radio Access Technology RLM Radio Link Management RNC Radio Network Controller RNTI Radio Network Temporary Identifier RRC Radio Resource Control RRM Radio Resource Management RS reference signal

[0343] RSCP Received Signal Code Power RSRP Reference Symbol Received Power or

[0344] Reference signal received power RSRQ Reference Signal Received Quality or

[0345] Reference symbol reception quality RSSI Received Signal Strength Indicator RSTD Reference Signal Time Difference SCH Synchronization Channel

[0346] SCell Secondary Cell

[0347] SDU Service Data Unit SFN System Frame Number

[0348] SGW Service Gateway

[0349] SI System Information

[0350] SIB System Information Block SNR Signal to Noise Ratio

[0351] SON Self-Optimizing Network SS Sync Signal

[0352] SSS Secondary synchronization signal TDD Time Division Duplex

[0353] TDOA Time Difference of Arrival TOA Time of Arrival

[0354] TSS third synchronization signal

[0355] TTI Transmission Time Interval

[0356] UE User Equipment

[0357] UL Uplink

[0358] UMTS Universal Mobile Telecommunications System

[0359] USIM Universal Subscriber Identity Module

[0360] UTDOA Uplink Time Difference of Arrival

[0361] UTRA Universal Terrestrial Radio Access

[0362] UTRAN Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network

[0363] WCDMA Wideband CDMA

[0364] WLAN Wide Area Network

[0365] Further definitions and embodiments are discussed below.

[0366] In the above description of various embodiments of the inventive concept, it should be understood that the terms used herein are only used for the purpose of describing specific embodiments, and are not intended to limit the inventive concept. Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meanings as those of ordinary skill in the art to which the inventive concept belongs. It will be further understood that terms (such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries) should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of this specification and related technology, and unless clearly defined herein, will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formalized sense.

[0367] When an element is referred to as being "connected", "coupled", "responded" or its variants to another element, it can be directly connected, coupled or responsive to the other element, or there can be an intermediate element. On the contrary, when an element is referred to as being "directly connected", "directly coupled", "directly responsive" or its variants to another element, there is no intermediate element. The same number always refers to the same element. In addition, "coupling", "connection", "response" or its variants used herein may include wireless coupling, connection or response. As used herein, the singular forms of "one", "an" and "described" are intended to also include plural forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. For the sake of brevity and / or clarity, well-known functions or structures may not be described in detail. The term "and / or" (abbreviated as " / ") includes any and all combinations of one or more related listed items.

[0368] It should be understood that although the terms first, second, third, etc. can be used to describe various elements / operations in this article, these elements / operations should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish an element / operation from another element / operation. Therefore, the first element / operation in some embodiments can be referred to as the second element / operation in other embodiments without departing from the teaching of the present invention concept. Throughout the specification, the same reference sign or the same reference designator represents the same or similar element.

[0369] As used herein, the terms "comprises," "includes," "contains," "including," "containing," "has," "has," "with," "possessing," or variations thereof are open ended and include one or more stated features, integers, elements, steps, components, or functions, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, elements, steps, components, functions, or groups thereof. Furthermore, as used herein, the commonly used abbreviation "eg," derived from the Latin phrase "exempli gratia," may be used to introduce or specify one or more general examples of the aforementioned items, and is not intended to limit such items. The commonly used abbreviation "ie," derived from the Latin phrase "id est," may be used to specify a specific item from a more general statement.

[0370] Example embodiments are described herein with reference to block diagrams and / or flowchart illustrations of computer-implemented methods, apparatus (systems and / or devices), and / or computer program products. It should be understood that the blocks of the block diagrams and / or flowchart illustrations, as well as the combination of blocks in the block diagrams and / or flowchart illustrations, can be implemented by computer program instructions implemented by one or more computer circuits. These computer program instructions can be provided to processor circuits of general-purpose computer circuits, special-purpose computer circuits, and / or other programmable data processing circuits to produce a machine, so that instructions executed by the processor of the computer and / or other programmable data processing devices convert and control transistors, values ​​stored in memory locations, and other hardware components in such circuits to implement the functions / actions specified in the block diagrams and / or one or more flowchart blocks, thereby creating components (functionality) and / or structures for implementing the functions / actions specified in the block diagrams and / or flowchart blocks.

[0371] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a tangible computer-readable medium that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing device to operate in a specific manner so that the instructions stored in the computer-readable medium produce an article of manufacture, including instructions that implement the functions / actions specified in the block diagram and / or one or more flow chart blocks. Thus, embodiments of the inventive concept may be embodied in hardware and / or software (including firmware, resident software, microcode, etc.), which runs on a processor such as a digital signal processor, which may be collectively referred to as a "circuit," "module," or variations thereof.

[0372] It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the function / action noted in the block may not occur in the order noted in the flow chart. For example, according to the functionality / action involved, the two blocks shown continuously may actually be performed substantially simultaneously, or these blocks may sometimes be performed in reverse order. In addition, the functionality of a given block of a flow chart and / or block diagram may be separated into a plurality of blocks, and / or the functionality of two or more blocks of a flow chart and / or block diagram may be integrated at least in part. Finally, other blocks may be added / inserted between the blocks shown, and / or blocks / operations may be omitted without departing from the scope of the inventive concept. In addition, although some diagrams include arrows on the communication path to show the main direction of communication, it should be understood that communication may occur in the direction opposite to the arrows depicted.

[0373] Many changes and modifications may be made to the embodiments without substantially departing from the principles of the inventive concept. All of these changes and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the inventive concept. Therefore, the subject matter disclosed above is considered to be illustrative, rather than restrictive, and the examples of the embodiments are intended to cover all such modifications, enhancements, and other embodiments that fall within the spirit and scope of the inventive concept. Therefore, to the maximum extent permitted by law, the scope of the inventive concept should be determined by the most widely permitted interpretation of the present disclosure, including examples of the embodiments and their equivalents, and should not be subject to the constraints or limitations of the foregoing detailed description.

Claims

1. A method of operating a wireless device in a communication network, the method comprising: Acquire a time domain resource allocation TDRA list from a network node of the communication network; receiving downlink control information DCI, the DCI scheduling a physical downlink shared channel PDSCH to be received by the wireless device; Selecting a TDRA from the TDRA list based on the received DCI; as well as Determine a PDSCH transmission scheme including one or more transmission points TRP based on the number of PDSCH transmission repetitions configured for the selected TDRA and the number of transmission configuration indicator TCI states indicated in the received DCI, Wherein, determining the PDSCH transmission scheme includes: when the number of TCI states indicated by the DCI is equal to one, determining a time slot-based PDSCH transmission scheme based on the number of PDSCH transmission repetitions configured for the selected TDRA.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein: Each TDRA in the TDRA list is associated with information indicating a number of PDSCH transmission repetitions configured for the TDRA.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The received DCI indicates the number of code domain multiplexing (CDM) groups associated with one or more demodulation reference signal (DMRS) ports.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein: Determining the PDSCH transmission scheme includes: determining that the PDSCH transmission scheme is enabled by a radio resource control RRC.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein: Determining the PDSCH transmission scheme includes selecting a PDSCH transmission scheme from a plurality of PDSCH transmission schemes for PDSCH transmission scheduled by the received DCI.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The determining of the time slot-based PDSCH transmission scheme is determined from a plurality of different PDSCH transmission schemes including two or more of the following: A first PDSCH transmission scheme, wherein PDSCH is transmitted in a time slot having two TCI states and multiple demodulation reference signal (DMRS) ports within two code domain multiplexing (CDM) groups, a second PDSCH transmission scheme comprising a first frequency division multiplexing FDM PDSCH transmission scheme, a third PDSCH transmission scheme comprising a second FDM PDSCH transmission scheme different from the first FDM PDSCH transmission scheme, A fourth PDSCH transmission scheme, comprising a time division multiplexing (TDM) PDSCH transmission scheme, A fifth PDSCH transmission scheme, wherein multiple slot-based PDSCH transmission opportunities of the same transport block TB have two TCI states used across the multiple PDSCH transmission opportunities in multiple consecutive slots and one or more DMRS in a single CDM group, a single TRP PDSCH transmission scheme in which one or more slot-based PDSCH transmission opportunities of the same TB have a single TCI state used across the multiple PDSCH transmission opportunities in multiple consecutive slots and one or more DMRS in a single CDM group, and The legacy single TRP PDSCH transmission scheme, where PDSCH is transmitted in a slot with a single TCI state and one or more DMRS in one or more CDM groups.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein: Determining the PDSCH transmission scheme includes: when the number of TCI states indicated by the DCI is equal to one, based on the number of PDSCH transmission repetitions for the selected TDRA being greater than one, selecting a single TRP PDSCH repetition transmission scheme.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The determining includes determining whether there are repeated fields in the selected TDRA; and If the repetition field is present, the PDSCH transmission scheme is determined based on the number of PDSCH transmission repetitions configured for the selected TDRA and the number of TCI states indicated in the DCI.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein: Determining a PDSCH transmission scheme including multiple TRPs based on the number of PDSCH transmission repetitions configured for the selected TDRA includes: when the number of TCI states indicated by the DCI is greater than one, determining a PDSCH transmission scheme including multiple TRPs based on the number of PDSCH transmission repetitions configured for the selected TDRA.

10. A wireless device comprising: Processing circuit; as well as A memory coupled to the processing circuit, wherein the memory includes instructions that, when executed by the processing circuit, cause the wireless device to perform the operations of any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. A method of operating a radio access network node RAN in a communication network, the method comprising: providing a list of time domain resource allocations TDRAs to a wireless device operating in the communication network, each TDRA including information indicating a number of PDSCH transmission repetitions configured for the TDRA; Sending downlink control information DCI for scheduling a physical downlink shared channel PDSCH for the wireless device, the DCI indicating which TDRA the wireless device is to select from the TDRA list to receive PDSCH transmissions from one or more transmission points TRP operating in the communication network, wherein the DCI indicates the number of transmission configuration indicator TCI states; and When the number of TCI states indicated in the DCI is equal to one, the PDSCH transmission from the one or more TRPs is scheduled according to a time slot-based PDSCH transmission scheme associated with the TDRA indicated by the DCI.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein: Each TCI state is associated with one of the one or more TRPs.

13. The method according to claim 11 or 12, wherein: The DCI indicates the number of code domain multiplexing (CDM) groups associated with one or more demodulation reference signal (DMRS) ports.

14. A radio access network RAN ​​node, comprising: Processing circuit; as well as A memory coupled to the processing circuit, wherein the memory comprises instructions which, when executed by the processing circuit, cause the RAN node to implement the operations of any one of claims 11 to 13.

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