Reducing interference

Abstract

This application addresses the problem of reducing interference between uplink signals which are multiplexed using orthogonal cover codes (OCC), when one of the uplink signals includes uplink control information (UCI). A network node 120 configures 400 a first UE, UE1, with UCI 306. The network node also provides 406 a muting pattern 308 to a second UE2. The muting pattern identifies resource elements which the second UE cannot use or can use only with reduced power. The muting pattern is based on the UCI configuration of the first UE. The first UE transmits a first uplink signal 412, including UCI and the second UE transmits a second uplink signal 414, subject to the muting pattern. The first and second signals are multiplexed using orthogonal cover codes (OCC). Preferably the first and second uplink signals are PUSCH signals. Alternatively, a UE transmits an uplink signal in which a muting pattern 308 is used across multiple slots 300_1 to 300_4, the muting pattern being based on a UCI configuration 306.

Description

TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD Examples of the disclosure relate to reducing interference. Some relate to reducing interference due to uplink control information (UCI) in orthogonal cover code (OCC) based physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) repetitions. BACKGROUND Orthogonal cover code (OCC) is a coding technique that can be used to enhance the capacity / throughput of networks 100. Such techniques involve generating a set of orthogonal codes that have zero cross correlation and assigning different codes to different UEs 110. This enables different UEs 110 to achieve orthogonal uplink (UL) transmission using the same time frequency resources. BRIEF SUMMARY According to various, but not necessarily all, examples of the disclosure there is provided a User Equipment (UE) comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the UE to perform at least: obtaining an indication of a muting pattern wherein the muting pattern identifies resources that are to be muted and the muting pattern is based on an uplink control information (UCI) configuration for another UE wherein the UE is using shared resources with at least the another UE and signals for the respective UEs are multiplexed using an orthogonal cover code (OCC); and transmitting an uplink (UL) signal using the applied muting pattern such that resources corresponding to the muting pattern are muted. Muting a resource may comprise one of: not using a resource; using a resource with reduced power. The muting pattern may comprise at least one of: an indication of resources that are to be muted; information that enables the UE to determine the resources that are to be muted. The muting pattern may be applied to resources in at least one of: a single slot; multiple slots. The at least one processor and the at least one memory may cause the UE to perform receiving an orthogonal cover code (OCC) configuration. The indication of the muting pattern may be received in at least one of: downlink control information (DCI) signaling; radio resource control (RRC) signaling; semi-static signaling; sidelink signaling. The UL signal may comprise a Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH). The UE is not carrying UCI but the another UE is carrying UCI. According to various, but not necessarily all, examples of the disclosure there is provided a method comprising: obtaining an indication of a muting pattern wherein the muting pattern identifies resources that are to be muted and the muting pattern is based on an uplink control information (UCI) configuration for another UE wherein the UE is using shared resources with at least the another UE and signals for the respective UEs are multiplexed using an orthogonal cover code (OCC); and transmitting an uplink (UL) signal using the applied muting pattern such that resources corresponding to the muting pattern are muted. According to various, but not necessarily all, examples of the disclosure there is provided a computer program comprising instructions which, when executed by a UE, cause the UE to perform at least: obtaining an indication of a muting pattern wherein the muting pattern identifies resources that are to be muted and the muting pattern is based on an uplink control information (UCI) configuration for another UE wherein the UE is using shared resources with at least the another UE and signals for the respective UEs are multiplexed using an orthogonal cover code (OCC); and transmitting an uplink (UL) signal using the applied muting pattern such that resources corresponding to the muting pattern are muted. According to various, but not necessarily all, examples of the disclosure there is provided a network entity comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the network entity to perform at least: determining an uplink control information (UCI) configuration for a first UE; determining a muting pattern based on the UCI configuration wherein the muting pattern identifies resources that are to be muted by at least one second UE and wherein the first UE and the at least one second UE are using shared resources and signals for the respective UEs are multiplexed using an orthogonal cover code (OCC); transmitting an indication of the muting pattern to the at least one second UE; and receiving an uplink (UL) signal from the at least one second UE wherein the muting pattern is applied such that resources corresponding to the muting pattern are muted. Muting a resource may comprise one of: not using a resource; using a resource with reduced power. The indication of the muting pattern may comprise at least one of: an indication of resources that are not to be used; information that enables at least the second UE to determine the resources that are not to be used. The at least one processor and the at least one memory may cause the network entity to perform transmitting an indication that the muting pattern is to be applied to resources in at least one of: a single slot; multiple slots. The at least one processor and the at least one memory may cause the network entity to perform transmitting an orthogonal cover code (OCC) configuration to the first UE and at least the second UE. The indication of the muting pattern may be transmitted in at least one of: downlink control information (DCI) signaling; radio resource control (RRC) signaling semi-static signaling. The UL signal may comprise a Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH). The first UE is carrying UCI and the at least one second UE is not carrying UCI. According to various, but not necessarily all, examples of the disclosure there is provided a method comprising: determining an uplink control information (UCI) configuration for a first UE; determining a muting pattern based on the UCI configuration wherein the muting pattern identifies resources that are to be muted by at least one second UE and wherein the first UE and the at least one second UE are using shared resources and signals for the respective UEs are multiplexed using an orthogonal cover code (OCC); transmitting an indication of the muting pattern to the at least one second UE; and receiving an uplink (UL) signal from the at least one second UE wherein the muting pattern is applied such that resources corresponding to the muting pattern are muted. According to various, but not necessarily all, examples of the disclosure there is provided a computer program comprising instructions which, when executed by a network entity, cause the network entity to perform at least: determining an uplink control information (UCI) configuration for a first UE; determining a muting pattern based on the UCI configuration wherein the muting pattern identifies resources that are to be muted by at least one second UE and wherein the first UE and the at least one second UE are using shared resources and signals for the respective UEs are multiplexed using an orthogonal cover code (OCC); transmitting an indication of the muting pattern to the at least one second UE; and receiving an uplink (UL) signal from the at least one second UE wherein the muting pattern is applied such that resources corresponding to the muting pattern are muted. According to various, but not necessarily all, examples of the disclosure there is provided a User Equipment (UE) comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the UE to perform at least: obtaining an uplink control information (UCI) configuration; receiving an indication that a muting pattern is to be used across multiple slots wherein the muting pattern is based on the UCI configuration and wherein the muting pattern identifies resources that are to be muted; determining a muting pattern; and transmitting an uplink (UL) signal using the applied muting pattern across multiple slots such that resources corresponding to the muting pattern are muted. The UE may be using shared resources with the one or more other UEs and signals for the respective UEs are multiplexed using an orthogonal cover code (OCC). According to various, but not necessarily all, examples of the disclosure there is provided a method comprising: obtaining an uplink control information (UCI) configuration; receiving an indication that a muting pattern is to be used across multiple slots wherein the muting pattern is based on the UCI configuration and wherein the muting pattern identifies resources that are to be muted; determining a muting pattern; and transmitting an uplink (UL) signal using the applied muting pattern across multiple slots such that resources corresponding to the muting pattern are muted. According to various, but not necessarily all, examples of the disclosure there is provided a computer program comprising instructions which, when executed by a network entity, cause the network entity to perform at least: obtaining an uplink control information (UCI) configuration; receiving an indication that a muting pattern is to be used across multiple slots wherein the muting pattern is based on the UCI configuration and wherein the muting pattern identifies resources that are to be muted; determining a muting pattern; and transmitting an uplink (UL) signal using the applied muting pattern across multiple slots such that resources corresponding to the muting pattern are muted. According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments there is provided an apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code; the at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least a part of one or more methods described herein. According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments there is provided an apparatus comprising means for performing at least part of one or more methods described herein. The description of a function and / or action should additionally be considered to also disclose any means suitable for performing that function and / or action. Functions and / or actions described herein can be performed in any suitable way using any suitable method. According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments there is provided examples as claimed in the appended claims. While the above examples of the disclosure and optional features are described separately, it is to be understood that their provision in all possible combinations and permutations is contained within the disclosure. It is to be understood that various examples of the disclosure can comprise any or all the features described in respect of other examples of the disclosure, and vice versa. Also, it is to be appreciated that any one or more or all the features, in any combination, may be implemented by / comprised in / performable by an apparatus, a method, and / or computer program instructions as desired, and as appropriate. The description of a function should additionally be considered to also disclose any means suitable for performing that function BRIEF DESCRIPTION Some examples will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIG. 1 shows an example network; FIGS. 2A to 2C show example methods; FIGS. 3A and 3B show example muting patterns; FIG. 4 shows an example signal flow; FIG. 5 shows an example signal flow; and FIG. 6 shows an example controller. The figures are not necessarily to scale. Certain features and views of the figures can be shown schematically or exaggerated in scale in the interest of clarity and conciseness. For example, the dimensions of some elements in the figures can be exaggerated relative to other elements to aid explication. Corresponding reference numerals are used in the figures to designate corresponding features. For clarity, all reference numerals are not necessarily displayed in all figures. DEFINITIONS CSI Channel State Information DCI Downlink Control Information DFT Discrete Fourier Transform DMRS Demodulation Reference Signal gNB HARQ-ACK 5G Base Station Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request Acknowledgment OCC Orthogonal Cover Code OFDM Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing PUCCH Physical Uplink Control Channel PUSCH Physical Uplink Shared Channel RAN Radio Access Network RE Resource Element RNTI Radio Network Temporary Identifier SR Scheduling Request UCI Uplink Control Information UE User Equipment UL Uplink UL-SCH Uplink-scheduled DETAILED DESCRIPTION Fig. 1 1 illustrates an example of a communications network 100 such as a 5G network or a 6G network or any other suitable type of network. The network 100 comprises a plurality of different types of nodes 110, 120, 130. The different types of nodes 110, 120,130 can comprise terminal nodes 110, and network entities 120,130. The network entities can comprise access nodes 120 and core network nodes 130 and / or any other suitable type of apparatus or device. The access nodes 120 can be configured to communicate with the terminal nodes 110. The core network nodes 130 communicate with the access nodes 120. In some examples the core network nodes 130 communicate with the terminal nodes 110. The core network nodes 130 can, in some examples, communicate with each other. The one or more access nodes 120 can, in some examples, communicate with each other. The network 100 can be a cellular network comprising a plurality of cells 122. Each of the cells is served by an access node 120. In this example, the interface between the terminal node 110 and an access node 120 providing a cell 122 is a wireless interface 124. The access nodes 120 can comprise one or more cellular radio transceivers. The terminal nodes 110 can comprise one or more cellular radio transceivers. The terminal nodes 110 can comprise user equipments (UEs) or any other suitable type of devices. The access nodes 120 can be base stations. The access nodes 120 can be any suitable type of base station. The access node 120 can be a network entity responsible for radio transmission and reception in one or more cells to or from terminal nodes 110. The access node 120 can be a network element in a Radio Access Network (RAN), or any other suitable type of network. The core network nodes 130 can be part of a core network. The core network nodes 130 can be configured to manage functions relating to connectivity for the terminal nodes 110. For example, the core network nodes 130 can be configured to manage functions such as connectivity, mobility, authentication, authorization and / or other suitable functions. In the example of Fig. 1 the core network node 130 is shown as a single entity. In some examples the core network node 130 could be distributed across multiple entities. For example, the core network node 130 could be cloud based or distributed in any other suitable manner. The network 100 can be any suitable type of network, for example it can be a New Radio (NR) network that uses gNB as access nodes. New Radio is the 3GPP name for 5G technology. In such cases the access nodes 120 can comprise gNBs configured to provide user plane and control plane protocol terminations towards the terminal nodes 110 and / or to perform any other suitable functions. The gNBs are interconnected with each other by means of an X2 / Xn interface 126. The gNBs are also connected by means of the N2 interface 128 to the core network nodes 130. Other types of networks and interfaces could be used in other examples. Other types of networks could comprise next-generation mobile and communication network, for example, a 6G network. Orthogonal cover code (OCC) is a coding technique that can be used to enhance the capacity / throughput of a networks 100 such as those shown in Fig. 1. Such techniques involve generating a set of orthogonal codes that have zero cross correlation and assigning different codes to different UEs 110. This enables different UEs 110 to achieve orthogonal uplink (UL) transmission using the same time frequency resources. The orthogonal codes can comprise Walsh-Hadamard codes or any other suitable type of codes. At the receiver, the signal of the target UE 110 can be detected by correlating the total received signals with the corresponding code, leveraging the zero-cross correlation property inherent in such codes. Where two UEs 110 are simultaneously transmitting two physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) repetitions within the same time-frequency resources each UE 110 will employ a distinct OCC for their transmission, assuming the signal remains constant across repetitions. This differentiation enables the gNB 120 receiver to isolate and process the signals from each UE 110 independently, without interference from the other. In networks 100 such as the network 100 of Fig. 1 uplink control information (UCI) can be transmitted via either physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) or PUSCH depending on the circumstances. UCI messages can comprise hybrid automatic repeat request acknowledgment (HARQ-ACK), channel state information (CSI), and scheduling request (SR) and any other suitable information. These messages are encoded and sent through the PUCCH or multiplexed onto the PUSCH. The CSI reporting configuration may follow an aperiodic pattern (using PLISCH), periodic pattern (using PUCCH), or semi-persistent pattern (utilizing PLICCH or downlink control information (DCI)-triggered PUSCH). The HARQ-ACK (if present) and CSI (if applicable) can be encoded and multiplexed either with or without encoded uplink-scheduled (LIL-SCH) data, and then transmitted on a PUSCH. UCI information is transmitted in orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols that are not utilized for demodulation reference signal (DM-RS) transmission. The mapping of UCI types in these symbols is contingent upon the available resource elements (REs) for UCI transmission and the remaining REs necessary for each UCI type. If the remaining REs required for a particular UCI type in an OFDM symbol exceed half of the available REs for UCI transmission, the mapping of the UCI type is done contiguously. Otherwise, to attain diversity gain, the mapping is uniformly distributed across the available REs in the OFDM symbol. The number of coded bits occupying an RE for UCI or data transmission equals the modulation order multiplied by the number of layers. The coded HARQ-ACK bits are placed from the OFDM symbol, after the first consecutive DM-RS OFDM symbols. The coded CSI bits are placed at the starting OFDM symbol that is unused for DM-RS in the shared channel symbol allocation. The multiplexing operation depends on the number of HARQ-ACK bits. When the number of HARQ-ACK bits is less than or equal to two, the coded HARQ-ACK bits are punctured. Otherwise, the coded HARQ-ACK bits are rate-matched. There may be instances where UCI occurs within the PUSCH slot and is therefore bit multiplexed with PUSCH. However, in such cases, the UCI is not replicated across multiple slots alongside each PUSCH repetition. Therefore, applying OCC across slots will not work correctly as the repeated slots do not contain same information as first slot. This leads to a significant challenge in inter-slot OCC-enabled PUSCH operation because of the interference among UEs 110 due to imperfect elimination of signals from other UEs 110 during reception. Examples of the disclosure provide systems and methods for reducing this interference caused by UCI in PCC based PUSCH repetitions. Figs. 2A to 2C show example methods that can implemented in examples of the disclosure. Fig. 2A shows an example method that can be implemented by a UE 110 or an apparatus such as a controller within a UE 110. The UE 110 that implements the method of Fig. 2A can be scheduled with UL-SCH data and without UCI. The method comprises, at block 200, obtaining an indication of a muting pattern. In some examples obtaining an indication of a muting pattern can comprise receiving an indication of the muting pattern. The indication of a muting pattern can be received from a gNB 120. The indication of the muting pattern could be received via DCI signaling, radio resource control (RRC) signaling, semi-static signaling or any other suitable type of signaling. In some examples the muting pattern can be received from a UE 110 using sidelink signaling. Other means for receiving the indication of the muting pattern can be used in other examples. In some examples obtaining an indication of a muting pattern can comprise determining an indication of the muting pattern. In such cases the UE 110 can receive some information from the gNB 120 or other entity and use that information to determine the muting pattern. The muting pattern identifies resources that are to be muted in a UL transmission. In some examples muting a resource can comprise not using a resource. In some examples muting a resource can comprise using a resource but with reduced power. In such cases the power is reduced relative to the resources that are not muted. The muting pattern is based on a UCI configuration for another UE 110. The another UE 110 is carrying UCI but the UE 110 that implements the method of Fig. 2A is not carrying UCI. The another UE 110 and the UE 110 that implements the method of Fig. 2A are using shared resources and signals for the respective UEs 110 are multiplexed using an OCC. The muting pattern is based on the UCI configuration such that the 13 resources identified as to be muted in the muting pattern correspond to the resources that are used for UCI by the another UE 110. The indication of the muting pattern can comprise an indication of resources that are to be muted and / or information that enables the UE 110 to determine the resources that are to be muted. At block 202 the method comprises transmitting a UL signal using the applied muting pattern such that resources corresponding to the muting pattern are muted. The muted resources are not used or are used with reduced power. The UL signal can comprise a PUSCH or any other suitable type of signal. The muting pattern can be applied to resources in a single slot or in multiple slots. The gNB 120, or other entity, can indicate to the UE 110 whether the muting pattern is to be applied to the single slot or to multiple slots. This indication can be received with the indication of the muting pattern. The muting pattern can be applied to a first slot and / or to any other suitable slots. The method can also comprise additional blocks that are not shown in Fig. 2A. for example the UE 110 can also receive an OCC configuration. The OCC configuration can be used for multiplexing multiple UEs 110. The OCC configuration can comprise any one or more of user equipment OCC codeword; OCC size; number of OCC multiplexed UEs 110, an indication of OCC configuration set, and / or any other suitable information. The OCC configuration can be obtained using any suitable means. In some examples the OCC configuration can be obtained via an index field that enables the UE 110 to determine the OCC from a set of OCC sequences preconfigured at the UE 110. The index field can relate to a subset of the OCC sequence. The OCC configuration can be obtained in signaling from a network entity such as a gNB 120. The signaling from the network entity can comprise at least one of: DCI or higher layer configuration, or any other suitable signaling. Fig. 2B shows an example method that be implemented by a network entity such as gNB 120 or an apparatus such as a controller within a network entity. The network entity could be in communication with a UE 110 where the UE is performing the method of Fig. 2A. At block 210 the method comprises determining a UCI configuration for a first UE 110. The first UE can be a UE 110 that is carrying UCI. The first UE 110 can be using shared resources with one or more second UEs 110. The second UEs 110 are not carrying UCI. One or more of the second UEs 110 can be configured to implement the method of Fig. 2A or any other suitable method that enables muting of resources. Signals for the first UE 110and the one ormore second UEs 110 are multiplexed using an OCC. The UCI configuration can indicate the resources that are to be used for UCI in a UL transmission. At block 212 the method comprises determining a muting pattern based on the UCI configuration. The muting pattern identifies resources that are to be muted by at least the second UE 110. The muting pattern can be as described above. At block 214 the method comprises transmitting an indication of the muting pattern to at least the second UE 110. The indication of the muting pattern can comprise an indication of resources that are to be muted and / or information that enables the UE 110 to determine the resources that are to be muted. The indication of the muting pattern could be transmitted from the network entity to the second UE 110 via DCI signaling, radio resource control (RRC) signaling, semi-static signaling or any other suitable type of signaling. At block 216 the method comprises receiving a UL signal from at least the second UE 110 wherein the muting pattern is applied such that resources corresponding to the muting pattern are muted. The muting can comprise not using a resource or using a resource with lower power. The muting pattern can be applied to resources in a single slot or in multiple slots. The muting pattern can be applied to a first slot and / or any other suitable slots. Fig. 2C shows an example method that can be implemented by a UE 110 or an apparatus such as a controller within a UE 110. The UE 110 that implements the method of Fig. 2C can be scheduled with UL-SCH data and with UCI. The UE 110 that implements the method of Fig. 2C can share resources with a UE 110 that implements the method of Fig. 2A. A UE 110 that implements the method of Fig. 2C can be multiplexed using an OCC with a UE 110 that implements the method of Fig. 2A. At block 220 the method comprises obtaining a UCI configuration. The UCI configuration can indicate the resources that are to be used for UCI in a UL transmission. At block 222 the method comprises receiving an indication that a muting pattern is to be used across multiple slots. For example UCI can be carried in a first slot and then muting can be applied to other slots. This can reduce interference. At block 224 the method comprises determining a muting pattern based on the UCI configuration. The muting pattern identifies resources that are to be muted by at least the second UE 110. The muting pattern can be as described above. At block 226 the method comprises transmitting a UL signal wherein the muting pattern is applied such that resources corresponding to the muting pattern are muted. The muting can comprise not using a resource or using a resource with lower power. The muting pattern across multiple slots. Figs. 3A and 3B schematically show example muting patterns 308 that can be used in examples of the disclosure. Fig. 3A shows slots 300 for a first UE 110 and a second UE 110. The respective UEs 110 are using shared resources and signals for the respective UEs 110 are multiplexed using an OCC. Four slots 300 are shown for the respective UEs 110 other numbers of slots 300 could be used in other examples. Each of the respective slots 300 comprise DMRS 302 and UL-SCH data 304. The first UE 110 is carrying UCI 306. The UCI 306 is in a first slot 300_1. The resources used for the UCI 306 are determined by a UCI configuration. The second UE 110 is not carrying UCI 306. In order to reduce interference the second UE 110 applies a muting pattern 308. The muting pattern 308 is based on the UCI configuration so that resources corresponding to the resources used for UCI 306 by the first UE 110 are indicated in the muting pattern 308. When the second UE 110 applied the muting pattern 308 the resources indicated in the muting pattern 308 are muted in a UL transmission. The muting can comprise not using the resources so that the resources are left empty. In some examples the muting can comprise reducing the power for those resources. The power can be reduced compared to the power used for resources in the slot 300 that are not indicated in the muting pattern 308. In the example of Fig. 3A a first UE 110 and a second UE 110 are shown. In other examples there can be more than two UEs 110 that can be sharing resources. In such cases any UE 110 that is not carrying UCI can receive an indication of the muting pattern to enable the muting of resources in UL transmissions. To maintain orthogonality the UEs 110 that apply the muting patterns 308 can repeat the transmission block (TB) that is transmitted in first repetition slot 300_1 across the consecutive slots by generating the same modulation symbol sequence (in time domain before discrete Fourier transform (DFT). To ensure a full orthogonality, the UE 110 can repeat the same modulation symbol sequence across repeated slots. Therefore the UE 110 is not allowed to circle the buffer. In the example of Fig. 3A the second UE 110 applies the muting pattern 308 in just the first slot 300_1. Fig. 3B shows another example in which the muting pattern 308 can be applied across multiple slots 300. In the example of Fig. 3B an identical muting pattern 308 is applied across all UEs 110 and all repetitions. The example of Fig. 3B can be used in examples where the buffer of the UE 110 is flushed so that each slot 300 is processed independently. The repeating of the muting pattern 308 across multiple slots 300 can ensure that the same modulation symbols are transmitted in each slot 300. In the examples of Figs. 3A and 3B the UCI 306 is configured in the first repetition slot 300_1. Examples of the disclosure could also be implemented is the UCI 306 is configured in a repetition slot other than the first one. Fig. 4 shows an example signal flow that could be used in some examples of the disclosure. The example signal flow of Fig. 4 can be used in example shown in Fig. 3A where the muting pattern 308 is only applied in the slot 300 corresponding to the UCI 306. In the example of Fig. 4 signals are exchanged between a gNB 120 and a first UE 110_1 and a second UE 110_2. The first UE 110_1 and the second UE 110_2 are using shared resources and signals for the first UE 110_1 and the second UE 110_2 are multiplexed using an OCC. The first UE 110_1 is carrying UCI. The second UE 110_2 is not carrying UCI. There can be more than one second UE 110_2 in some examples. At block 400 the gNB 120 transmits UCI scheduling messages to a first UE 110_1. the gnB 120 does not transmit UCI scheduling messages to the second UE 110_2. The UCI scheduling messages can comprise any suitable signals. In some examples the UCI scheduling messages can comprise DCI to schedule UCI to UE1 with UL-SCH. At block 402 the gNB 120 grants PUSCH with repetitions for the first UE 110_1 and the second UE 110 2. At block 404 the gNB 120 transmits an indication of an OCC configuration for the first UE 110_1 and the second UE 110_2. The OCC configuration can be used for multiplexing the first UE 110_1 and one or more second UEs 110_2. The OCC configuration can comprise any one or more of user equipment OCC codeword; OCC size; number of OCC multiplexed UEs 110, an indication of OCC configuration set, and / or any other suitable information. The OCC configuration can be signaled using DCI or higher layer configuration, or any other suitable signaling. At block 406 the gNB 120 transmits an indication of the muting pattern 308 to the second UE 110_2. The muting pattern 308 can be indicated in DCI, RRC signaling or any other suitable signals. In some examples DCI can comprise an indication to a muting pattern configured for the UE 110_2 by RRC configuration / reconfiguration. In examples where there are multiple second UEs 110_2 the gNB 120 can indicate the muting pattern to the respective second UEs 110_2. For instance, a group-based radio network temporary identifier (RNTI) can be used in a similar manner that is performed for either early paging indication or for uplink power control messages. These can be generalized so that a common message indicates the muting pattern to multiple UEs 110. In some examples where there are multiple second UEs 110_2 an indication of the muting pattern can be indicated between UEs 110 using sidelink signaling or any other suitable means. In this example the OCC configuration and the muting pattern are provided to the second UE 110_2 in separate signals. In some examples the OCC configuration and the muting pattern can be indicated in the same signals. In some examples the indication of the muting pattern 308 can comprise an indication of the resources 308 that are not be used. In other examples the indication of the muting pattern 308 can comprise information that enables the second UE 110_2 to determine the resources that are not to be used. At block 408 the first UE 110_1 applies the OCC configuration. The OCC configuration is applied across repetitions. At block 410 the second UE 110_2 applies the OCC configuration and also applies the muting pattern 308. The OCC configuration is applied across repetitions. In this example the muting pattern 308 is applied to the repetition corresponding to the repetition that carries UCI in the first UE 110_1. At block 412 the first UE 110_1 transmits UCI 306 and PUSCH. At block 414 second UE 110_2 transmits PUSCH. The second UE 110_2 applies the muting pattern so that at least some of the resources are muted so as to reduce interference with the UCI 306 from the first UE 110. Fig. 5 shows another example signal flow that could be used in some examples of the disclosure. The example signal flow of Fig. 5 can be used in example shown in Fig. 3B where the muting pattern 308 is applied across multiple slots 300 in both the first UE 110_1 and the second UE 110_2. In the example of Fig. 5 signals are exchanged between a gNB 120 and a first UE 110_1 and a second UE 110_2. The first UE 110_1 and the second UE 110_2 are using shared resources and signals for the first UE 110_1 and the second UE 110_2 are multiplexed using an OCC. The first UE 110_1 is carrying UCI. The second UE 110_2 is not carrying UCI. There can be more than one second UE 110_2 in some examples. At block 500 the gNB 120 transmits UCI scheduling messages to a first UE 110_1. the gnB 120 does not transmit UCI scheduling messages to the second UE 110_2. The UCI scheduling messages can comprise any suitable signals. In some examples the UCI scheduling messages can comprise DCI to schedule UCI to UE1 with UL-SCH. At block 502 the gNB 120 grants PUSCH with repetitions for the first UE 110_1 and the second UE 110_2. At block 504 the gNB 120 transmits an indication of an OCC configuration for the first UE 110_1 and the second UE 110_2. The OCC configuration can be used for multiplexing the first UE 110_1 and one or more second UEs 110_2. The OCC configuration can comprise any one or more of user equipment OCC codeword; OCC size; number of OCC multiplexed UEs 110, an indication of OCC configuration set, and / or any other suitable information. The OCC configuration can be signaled using DCI or higher layer configuration, or any other suitable signaling. At block 506 the gNB 120 indicates to the first UE 110_1 that muting is to be applied to multiple slots 300. DCI-based signaling or semi-static signaling or any other suitable type of signaling can be used to indicate that the muting is to be applied to multiple slots. This can trigger the first UE 110_1 to determine the muting pattern 308 based on the UCI configuration. At block 508 the gNB 120 transmits an indication of the muting pattern 308 to the second UE 110_2. The muting pattern 308 can be indicated in DCI, RRC signaling or any other suitable signals. In some examples DCI can comprise an indication to a muting pattern configured for the UE 110_2 by RRC configuration / reconfiguration. In examples where there are multiple second UEs 110_2 the gNB 120 can indicate the muting pattern to the respective second UEs 110_2. For instance, a group-based radio network temporary identifier (RNTI) can be used in a similar manner that is performed for either early paging indication or for uplink power control messages. These can be generalized so that a common message indicates the muting pattern to multiple UEs 110. In some examples where there are multiple second UEs 110_2 an indication of the muting pattern can be indicated between UEs 110 using sidelink signaling or any other suitable means. In this example the OCC configuration and the muting pattern are provided to the second UE 110_2 in separate signals. In some examples the OCC configuration and the muting pattern can be indicated in the same signals. In some examples the indication of the muting pattern 308 can comprise an indication of the resources 308 that are not be used. In other examples the indication of the muting pattern 308 can comprise information that enables the second UE 110_2 to determine the resources that are not to be used. At block 510 the first UE 110_1 applies the OCC configuration. The OCC configuration is applied across repetitions. The first UE 110_1 also applies the muting pattern 308 across repetitions that do not comprise UCI. At block 512 the second UE 110_2 applies the OCC configuration and also applies the muting pattern 308. The OCC configuration is applied across repetitions. In this example the muting pattern 308 is applied to multiple repetitions. The muting pattern 308 can be applied to all repetitions. At block 514 the first UE 110_1 transmits UCI 306 and PUSCH. At block 516 second UE 110_2 transmits PUSCH. Both the first UE 110_1 and the second UE 110_2 apple the muting pattern 308 so that at least some of the resources are muted so as to reduce interference with the UCI 306. Fig. 6 shows an example controller 600. The controller 600 could be provided within an entity such as a UE 110 or a gNB 120 or other suitable network entity. Implementation of the controller 600 may be as controller circuitry. The controller 600 may be implemented in hardware alone, have certain aspects in software including firmware alone or can be a combination of hardware and software (including firmware). As illustrated in Fig. 6 the controller 600 can be implemented using instructions that enable hardware functionality, for example, by using executable instructions of a computer program 606 in a general-purpose or special-purpose processor 602 that may be stored on a computer readable storage medium (disk, memory etc.) to be executed by such a processor 602. The processor 602 is configured to read from and write to the memory 604. The processor 602 may also comprise an output interface via which data and / or commands are output by the processor 602 and an input interface via which data and / or commands are input to the processor 602. The memory 604 stores a computer program 606 comprising computer program instructions (computer program code) that controls the operation of the apparatus when loaded into the processor 602. The computer program instructions, of the computer program 606, provide the logic and routines that enables the apparatus to perform the methods illustrated in the Figs. The processor 602 by reading the memory 604 is able to load and execute the computer program 606. The controller 600 therefore comprises means for: obtaining 200 an indication of a muting pattern wherein the muting pattern identifies resources that are to be muted and the muting pattern is based on an uplink control information (UCI) configuration for another UE wherein the UE is using shared resources with at least the another UE and signals for the respective UEs are multiplexed using an orthogonal cover code (OCC); and transmitting 202 an uplink (UL) signal using the applied muting pattern such that resources corresponding to the muting pattern are muted. The controller 600 therefore comprises means for: determining 210 an uplink control information (UCI) configuration for a first UE; determining 212 a muting pattern based on the UCI configuration wherein the muting pattern identifies resources that are to be muted by at least one second UE and wherein the first UE and the at least one second UE are using shared resources and signals for the respective UEs are multiplexed using an orthogonal cover code (OCC); transmitting 214 an indication of the muting pattern to the at least one second UE; and receiving 216 an uplink (UL) signal from the at least one second UE wherein the muting pattern is applied such that resources corresponding to the muting pattern are muted. The controller 600 therefore comprises means for: obtaining 220 an uplink control information (UCI) configuration; receiving 222 an indication that a muting pattern is to be used across multiple slots wherein the muting pattern is based on the UCI configuration and wherein the muting pattern identifies resources that are to be muted; determining 224 a muting pattern; and transmitting 226 an uplink (UL) signal using the applied muting pattern across multiple slots such that resources corresponding to the muting pattern are muted. The computer program 606 may arrive at the apparatus via any suitable delivery mechanism 608. The delivery mechanism 608 may be, for example, a machine-readable medium, a computer-readable medium, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, a computer program product, a memory device, a record medium such as a Compact Disc Read-Only Memory (CD-ROM) or a Digital Versatile Disc (DVD) or a solid-state memory, an article of manufacture that comprises or tangibly embodies the computer program 606. The delivery mechanism may be a signal configured to reliably transfer the computer program 606. The apparatus may propagate or transmit the computer program 606 as a computer data signal. The computer program 606 can comprise computer program instructions for causing a UE 110 to perform at least the following or for performing at least the following: obtaining 200 an indication of a muting pattern wherein the muting pattern identifies resources that are to be muted and the muting pattern is based on an uplink control information (UCI) configuration for another UE wherein the UE is using shared resources with at least the another UE and signals for the respective UEs are multiplexed using an orthogonal cover code (OCC); and transmitting 202 an uplink (UL) signal using the applied muting pattern such that resources corresponding to the muting pattern are muted. The computer program 606 can comprise computer program instructions for causing a network entity 120 to perform at least the following or for performing at least the following: determining 210 an uplink control information (UCI) configuration for a first UE; determining 212 a muting pattern based on the UCI configuration wherein the muting pattern identifies resources that are to be muted by at least one second UE and wherein the first UE and the at least one second UE are using shared resources and signals for the respective UEs are multiplexed using an orthogonal cover code (OCC); transmitting 214 an indication of the muting pattern to the at least one second UE; and receiving 216 an uplink (UL) signal from the at least one second UE wherein the muting pattern is applied such that resources corresponding to the muting pattern are muted. The computer program 606 can comprise computer program instructions for causing a UE 110 to perform at least the following or for performing at least the following: obtaining 220 an uplink control information (UCI) configuration; receiving 222 an indication that a muting pattern is to be used across multiple slots wherein the muting pattern is based on the UCI configuration and wherein the muting pattern identifies resources that are to be muted; determining 224 a muting pattern; and transmitting 226 an uplink (UL) signal using the applied muting pattern across multiple slots such that resources corresponding to the muting pattern are muted. The computer program instructions may be comprised in a computer program, a non-transitory computer readable medium, a computer program product, a machine-readable medium. In some but not necessarily all examples, the computer program instructions may be distributed over more than one computer program. Although the memory 604 is illustrated as a single component / circuitry it may be implemented as one or more separate components / circuitry some or all of which may be integrated / removable and / or may provide permanent / semi-permanent / dynamic / cached storage. Although the processor 602 is illustrated as a single component / circuitry it may be implemented as one or more separate components / circuitry some or all of which may be integrated / removable. The processor 602 may be a single core or multi-core processor. The apparatus can be provided in an electronic device, for example, a mobile terminal, according to an example of the present disclosure. It should be understood, however, that a mobile terminal is merely illustrative of an electronic device that would benefit from examples of implementations of the present disclosure and, therefore, should not be taken to limit the scope of the present disclosure to the same. While in certain implementation examples, the apparatus can be provided in a mobile terminal, other types of electronic devices, such as, but not limited to: mobile communication devices, hand portable electronic devices, wearable computing devices, portable digital assistants (PDAs), pagers, mobile computers, desktop computers, televisions, gaming devices, laptop computers, cameras, video recorders, GPS devices and other types of electronic systems, can readily employ examples of the present disclosure. Furthermore, devices can readily employ examples of the present disclosure regardless of their intent to provide mobility. The term ‘comprise’ is used in this document with an inclusive not an exclusive meaning. That is any reference to X comprising Y indicates that X may comprise only one Y or may comprise more than one Y. If it is intended to use ‘comprise’ with an exclusive meaning then it will be made clear in the context by referring to ‘comprising only one...’ or by using ‘consisting.’ In this description, the wording ‘connect’, ‘couple’ and ‘communication’ and their derivatives mean operationally connected / coupled / in communication. It should be appreciated that any number or combination of intervening components can exist (including no intervening components), i.e., to provide direct or indirect connection / coupling / communication. Any such intervening components can include hardware and / or software components. As used herein, the term "determine / determining" (and grammatical variants thereof) can include, not least: calculating, computing, processing, deriving, measuring, investigating, identifying, looking up (for example, looking up in a table, a database, or another data structure), ascertaining and the like. Also, "determining" can include receiving (for example, receiving information), accessing (for example, accessing data in a memory), obtaining and the like. Also, "determine / determining" can include resolving, selecting, choosing, establishing, and the like. In this description, reference has been made to various examples. The description of features or functions in relation to an example indicates that those features or functions are present in that example. The use of the term ‘example’ or ‘for example’ or ‘can’ or ‘may’ in the text denotes, whether explicitly stated or not, that such features or functions are present in at least the described example, whether described as an example or not, and that they can be, but are not necessarily, present in some of or all other examples. Thus ‘example’, ‘for example’, ‘can’, or ‘may’ refers to a particular instance in a class of examples. A property of the instance can be a property of only that instance or a property of the class or a property of a sub-class of the class that includes some but not all the instances in the class. It is therefore implicitly disclosed that a feature described with reference to one example but not with reference to another example, can where possible be used in that other example as part of a working combination but does not necessarily have to be used in that other example. As used herein, “at least one of the following:” and “at least one of” and similar wording, where the list of two or more elements are joined by “and” or “or” mean at least any one of the elements, or at least any two or more of the elements, or at least all the elements. Although examples have been described in the preceding paragraphs with reference to various examples, it should be appreciated that modifications to the examples given can be made without departing from the scope of the claims. Features described in the preceding description may be used in combinations other than the combinations explicitly described above. Although functions have been described with reference to certain features, those functions may be performable by other features whether described or not. The description of a feature, such as an apparatus or a component of an apparatus, configured to perform a function, or for performing a function, should additionally be considered to also disclose a method of performing that function. For example, description of an apparatus configured to perform one or more actions, or for performing one or more actions, should additionally be considered to disclose a method of performing those one or more actions with or without the apparatus. Although features have been described with reference to certain examples, those features may also be present in other examples whether described or not. The term ‘a’, ‘an’ or ‘the’ is used in this document with an inclusive not an exclusive meaning. That is any reference to X comprising a / an / the Y indicates that X may comprise only one Y or may comprise more than one Y unless the context clearly indicates the contrary. If it is intended to use ‘a’, ‘an’ or ‘the’ with an exclusive meaning then it will be made clear in the context. In some circumstances the use of ‘at least one’ or ‘one or more’ may be used to emphasis an inclusive meaning but the absence of these terms should not be taken to infer any exclusive meaning. The presence of a feature (or combination of features) in a claim is a reference to that feature or (combination of features) itself and to features that achieve substantially the same technical effect (equivalent features). The equivalent features include, for example, features that are variants and achieve substantially the same result in substantially the same way. The equivalent features include, for example, features that perform substantially the same function, in substantially the same way to achieve substantially the same result. In this description, reference has been made to various examples using adjectives or adjectival phrases to describe characteristics of the examples. Such a description of a characteristic in relation to an example indicates that the characteristic is present in some examples exactly as described and is present in other examples substantially as described. The above description describes some examples of the present disclosure however those of ordinary skill in the art will be aware of possible alternative structures and method features which offer equivalent functionality to the specific examples of such 5 structures and features described herein above and which for the sake of brevity and clarity have been omitted from the above description. Nonetheless, the above description should be read as implicitly including reference to such alternative structures and method features which provide equivalent functionality unless such alternative structures or method features are explicitly excluded in the above 10 description of the examples of the present disclosure. Whilst endeavoring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features believed to be of importance the Applicant may seek protection via the claims in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to 15 and / or shown in the drawings whether or not emphasis has been placed thereon. l / we claim:

Claims

1. A User Equipment (UE) comprising:at least one processor;and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the UE to perform at least:obtaining an indication of a muting pattern wherein the muting pattern identifies resources that are to be muted and the muting pattern is based on an uplink control information (UCI) configuration for another UE wherein the UE is using shared resources with at least the another UE and signals for the respective UEs are multiplexed using an orthogonal cover code (OCC); andtransmitting an uplink (UL) signal using the applied muting pattern such that resources corresponding to the muting pattern are muted.

2. A UE as claimed in claim 1 wherein muting a resource comprises one of:not using a resource;using a resource with reduced power.

3. A UE as claimed in claim 1 wherein the indication of the muting pattern comprises at least one of:an indication of resources that are to be muted;information that enables the UE to determine the resources that are to be muted.

4. A UE as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the muting pattern is applied to resources in at least one of:a single slot;multiple slots.

5. A UE as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the at least one processor and the at least one memory cause the UE to perform receiving an orthogonal cover code (OCC) configuration.

6. A UE as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the indication of the muting pattern is received in at least one of:downlink control information (DCI) signaling;radio resource control (RRC) signaling;semi-static signaling;sidelink signaling.

7. A UE as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the UL signal comprises a Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH).

8. A UE as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the UE is not carrying UCI but the another UE is carrying UCI.

9. A method comprising:obtaining an indication of a muting pattern wherein the muting pattern identifies resources that are to be muted and the muting pattern is based on an uplink control information (UCI) configuration for another UE wherein the UE is using shared resources with at least the another UE and signals for the respective UEs are multiplexed using an orthogonal cover code (OCC); andtransmitting an uplink (UL) signal using the applied muting pattern such that resources corresponding to the muting pattern are muted.

10. A computer program comprising instructions which, when executed by a UE, cause the UE to perform at least:obtaining an indication of a muting pattern wherein the muting pattern identifies resources that are to be muted and the muting pattern is based on an uplink control information (UCI) configuration for another UE wherein the UE is using shared resources with at least the another UE and signals for the respective UEs are multiplexed using an orthogonal cover code (OCC); andtransmitting an uplink (UL) signal using the applied muting pattern such that resources corresponding to the muting pattern are muted.

11. A network entity comprising:at least one processor;and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the network entity to perform at least:determining an uplink control information (UCI) configuration for a first UE;determining a muting pattern based on the UCI configuration wherein the muting pattern identifies resources that are to be muted by at least one second UE and wherein the first UE and the at least one second UE are using shared resources and signals for the respective UEs are multiplexed using an orthogonal cover code (OCC);transmitting an indication of the muting pattern to the at least one second UE; andreceiving an uplink (UL) signal from the at least one second UE wherein the muting pattern is applied such that resources corresponding to the muting pattern are muted.

12. A network entity as claimed in claim 11 wherein muting a resource comprises one of:not using a resource;using a resource with reduced power.

13. A network entity as claimed in any of claims 11 to 12 wherein the indication of the muting pattern comprises at least one of:an indication of resources that are not to be used;information that enables at least the second UE to determine the resources that are not to be used.

14. A network entity as claimed in any of claims 11 to 13 wherein the at least one processor and the at least one memory cause the network entity to perform transmitting an indication that the muting pattern is to be applied to resources in at least one of:a single slot;multiple slots.

15. A network entity as claimed in any of claims 11 to 14 wherein the at least one processor and the at least one memory cause the network entity to performtransmitting an orthogonal cover code (OCC) configuration to the first UE and at least the second UE.

16. A network entity as claimed in any of claims 11 to 15 wherein the indication of the muting pattern is transmitted in at least one of:downlink control information (DCI) signaling;radio resource control (RRC) signalingsemi-static signaling.

17. A network entity as claimed in any of claims 11 to 16 wherein the UL signal comprises a Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH).

18. A network entity as claimed in any of claims 11 to 17 the first UE is carrying UCI and the at least one second UE is not carrying UCI.

19. A method comprising:determining an uplink control information (UCI) configuration for a first UE;determining a muting pattern based on the UCI configuration wherein the muting pattern identifies resources that are to be muted by at least one second UE and wherein the first UE and the at least one second UE are using shared resources and signals for the respective UEs are multiplexed using an orthogonal cover code (OCC);transmitting an indication of the muting pattern to the at least one second UE; andreceiving an uplink (UL) signal from the at least one second UE wherein the muting pattern is applied such that resources corresponding to the muting pattern are muted.

20. A computer program comprising instructions which, when executed by a network entity, cause the network entity to perform at least:determining an uplink control information (UCI) configuration for a first UE;determining a muting pattern based on the UCI configuration wherein the muting pattern identifies resources that are to be muted by at least one second UE and wherein the first UE and the at least one second UE are using shared resources and signals for the respective UEs are multiplexed using an orthogonal cover code (OCC);transmitting an indication of the muting pattern to the at least one second UE; andreceiving an uplink (UL) signal from the at least one second UE wherein the muting pattern is applied such that resources corresponding to the muting pattern are muted.

21. A User Equipment (UE) comprising:at least one processor;and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the UE to perform at least:obtaining an uplink control information (UCI) configuration;receiving an indication that a muting pattern is to be used across multiple slots wherein the muting pattern is based on the UCI configuration and wherein the muting pattern identifies resources that are to be muted;determining a muting pattern; andtransmitting an uplink (UL) signal using the applied muting pattern across multiple slots such that resources corresponding to the muting pattern are muted.

22. A User Equipment (UE) as claimed in claim 21 wherein the UE is using shared resources with the one or more other UEs and signals for the respective UEs are multiplexed using an orthogonal cover code (OCC).

23. A method comprising:obtaining an uplink control information (UCI) configuration;receiving an indication that a muting pattern is to be used across multiple slots wherein the muting pattern is based on the UCI configuration and wherein the muting pattern identifies resources that are to be muted;determining a muting pattern; andtransmitting an uplink (UL) signal using the applied muting pattern across multiple slots such that resources corresponding to the muting pattern are muted.

24. A computer program comprising instructions which, when executed by a network entity, cause the network entity to perform at least:obtaining an uplink control information (UCI) configuration;receiving an indication that a muting pattern is to be used across multiple slots wherein the muting pattern is based on the UCI configuration and wherein the muting pattern identifies resources that are to be muted;determining a muting pattern; and5 transmitting an uplink (UL) signal using the applied muting pattern acrossmultiple slots such that resources corresponding to the muting pattern are muted.

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