Apparatus, Method and Computer Program

Abstract

An apparatus (e.g. User Equipment, UE) is configured by a network (e.g. nodeB) with a first power configuration for use in transmitting a signal, the apparatus comprising means for determining, based

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] Various embodiments of this disclosure relate generally to methods, apparatus and computer programs, and in particular, but not exclusively, to high-power UE operation in an emergency scenario. BACKGROUND

[0002] A communication system can be seen as a facility that enables communication sessions between two or more communication devices, or provides communication devices access to a network. A mobile or wireless communication network is one example of a communication network. A communication device may be provided with a service by an application server.

[0003] A mobile or wireless communication network may operate in accordance with standard(s), such as those provided by 3GPP (Third Generation Partnership Project) or ETSI (European Telecommunications Standards Institute). Examples of mobile or wireless communication network that operate in accordance with 3GPP standards are generally referred to as 4G (4th Generation) networks, 5G (5th Generation) network, 5G-Advanced networks and 6G networks. SUMMARY

[0004] Some embodiments of this disclosure will be described with respect to certain aspects. These aspects are not intended to indicate key or essential features of the various example embodiments of this disclosure, nor are they intended to be used to limit the scope of thereof. Other features, aspects, and elements will be readily apparent to a person skilled in the art in view of this disclosure. For example, it should be appreciated that further aspects may be provided by the combination of any two or more of the various aspects described herein.

[0005] In a first aspect there is provided an apparatus, wherein the apparatus is configured by a network with a first power configuration for use in transmitting a signal, the apparatus comprising means for determining, based on at least one condition being met, to transmit a signal using a second power configuration other than the first power configuration, wherein the second power configuration allows the apparatus to transmit the signal using a higher power value than a first maximum power value and causing a signal to be transmitted using the second power configuration.

[0006] The at least one condition may comprise at least one of the following: the signal comprises an emergency signal, a scenario is allowed by regulations, an indication from the network indicates the allowance of the higher power value, a failure of a random access procedure or uplink transmission failure due to UL power limitations or the absence of co-existence issues.

[0007] The second power configuration may comprise at least one of a second maximum transmission power, a second power ramp step, a power boosting or one or more second allowed power classes.

[0008] The second maximum transmission power may comprise a maximum transmission power associated with the second power configuration or a maximum transmission power associated with each of the one or more second allowed power classes.

[0009] The apparatus may be configured by the network with a first maximum power value, first power ramp step and / or first allowed power class for use in transmitting a signal and determining to transmit the signal using the second power configuration may comprise determining to transmit the signal using the higher power value which is greater than the first maximum power value and less or equal to the second maximum power value, using the second allowed power class, using the power boosting to determine the second maximum power value, and / or using the second power ramp step which is larger than a first power ramp step.

[0010] The apparatus may be configured to repeat the signal at a power value increased by either the first power ramp step or the second power ramp step for each repetition up to the first maximum power value and determining to transmit the signal using the second power configuration may comprise determining to transmit the signal using the higher power value which is greater than the first maximum power value and less or equal to the second maximum power value, using the second allowed power class, using the power boosting to determine the second maximum power value, and / or using the second power ramp step which is larger than a first power ramp step.

[0011] The higher power value may be determined based on at least one of reference signal received power value or a pathloss value.

[0012] The at least one of the reference signal received power value or pathloss value may be measured or estimated.

[0013] The signal to be transmitted may comprise signalling transmitted during a random access procedure or signalling transmitted in connected mode.

[0014] The apparatus may comprise means for receiving a response to the signal from the network wherein the apparatus is configured to fallback to the first power configuration when the response is received.

[0015] The response may comprise a response from the network received in connected mode or a random access procedure is successful.

[0016] The apparatus may comprise means for providing a request to the network to use the second power configuration and wherein the at least one condition comprises receiving a response to the request from the network.

[0017] The apparatus may comprise a user equipment or be comprised in the user equipment.

[0018] The apparatus may further comprise means for receiving, from the network, a request to receive user equipment capability information indicating whether the apparatus supports transmitting a signal using a second power configuration and means for transmitting, to the network, user equipment capability information indicating the apparatus supports transmitting a signal using a second power configuration.

[0019] The user equipment capability information may comprise at least one of an indication indicating the apparatus supports one or more higher power class or an indication indicating the apparatus is allowed to transmit the emergency call using the second power configuration.

[0020] The apparatus may further comprise means for receiving a grant from the network indicating the usage of the second power configuration is granted.

[0021] In a second aspect there is provided an apparatus comprising means for providing, to a user equipment, a request to receive user equipment capability information indicating whether the user equipment supports transmitting a signal using a second power configuration, wherein the user equipment is configured by a network with a first power configuration for use in transmitting a signal, wherein the second power configuration allows the user equipment to transmit the signal using a higher power value than a first maximum power value and receiving, from the user equipment, user equipment capability information indicating the user equipment supports transmitting a signal using the second power configuration.

[0022] The user equipment capability information may comprise at least one of an indication indicating the user equipment supports one or more higher power class or an indication indicating the user equipment is allowed to transmit the emergency call using the second power configuration.

[0023] The apparatus may further comprise means for receiving a request from the user equipment to use the second power configuration for transmitting the signal and providing a response to the user equipment.

[0024] The apparatus may further comprise means for providing a grant to the user equipment indicating the usage of the second power configuration is granted.

[0025] In a third aspect there is provided a method, at an apparatus configured by a network with a first power configuration for use in transmitting a signal, the method comprising determining, based on at least one condition being met, to transmit a signal using a second power configuration other than the first power configuration, wherein the second power configuration allows the apparatus to transmit the signal using a higher power value than a first maximum power value and causing a signal to be transmitted using the second power configuration.

[0026] The at least one condition may comprise at least one of the following: the signal comprises an emergency signal, a scenario is allowed by regulations, an indication from the network indicates the allowance of the higher power value, a failure of a random access procedure or uplink transmission failure due to UL power limitations or the absence of co-existence issues.

[0027] The second power configuration may comprise at least one of a second maximum transmission power, a second power ramp step, a power boosting or one or more second allowed power classes.

[0028] The second maximum transmission power may comprise a maximum transmission power associated with the second power configuration or a maximum transmission power associated with each of the one or more second allowed power classes.

[0029] The apparatus may be configured by the network with a first maximum power value, first power ramp step and / or first allowed power class for use in transmitting a signal and determining to transmit the signal using the second power configuration may comprise determining to transmit the signal using the higher power value which is greater than the first maximum power value and less or equal to the second maximum power value, using the second allowed power class, using the power boosting to determine the second maximum power value, and / or using the second power ramp step which is larger than a first power ramp step.

[0030] The apparatus may be configured to repeat the signal at a power value increased by either the first power ramp step or the second power ramp step for each repetition up to the first maximum power value and determining to transmit the signal using the second power configuration may comprise determining to transmit the signal using the higher power value which is greater than the first maximum power value and less or equal to the second maximum power value, using the second allowed power class, using the power boosting to determine the second maximum power value, and / or using the second power ramp step which is larger than a first power ramp step.

[0031] The higher power value may be determined based on at least one of reference signal received power value or a pathloss value.

[0032] The at least one of the reference signal received power value or pathloss value may be measured or estimated.

[0033] The signal to be transmitted may comprise signalling transmitted during a random access procedure or signalling transmitted in connected mode.

[0034] The method may comprise receiving a response to the signal from the network wherein the apparatus is configured to fallback to the first power configuration when the response is received.

[0035] The response may comprise a response from the network received in connected mode or a random access procedure is successful.

[0036] The method may comprise providing a request to the network to use the second power configuration and wherein the at least one condition comprises receiving a response to the request from the network.

[0037] The apparatus may comprise a user equipment or be comprised in the user equipment.

[0038] The method may comprise receiving, from the network, a request to receive user equipment capability information indicating whether the apparatus supports transmitting a signal using a second power configuration and transmitting, to the network, user equipment capability information indicating the apparatus supports transmitting a signal using a second power configuration.

[0039] The user equipment capability information may comprise at least one of an indication indicating the apparatus supports one or more higher power class or an indication indicating the apparatus is allowed to transmit the emergency call using the second power configuration.

[0040] The method may comprise receiving a grant from the network indicating the usage of the second power configuration is granted.

[0041] In a fourth aspect there is provided a method comprising providing, to a user equipment, a request to receive user equipment capability information indicating whether the user equipment supports transmitting a signal using a second power configuration, wherein the user equipment is configured by a network with a first power configuration for use in transmitting a signal, wherein the second power configuration allows the user equipment to transmit the signal using a higher power value than a first maximum power value and receiving, from the user equipment, user equipment capability information indicating the user equipment supports transmitting a signal using the second power configuration.

[0042] The user equipment capability information may comprise at least one of an indication indicating the user equipment supports one or more higher power class or an indication indicating the user equipment is allowed to transmit the emergency call using the second power configuration.

[0043] The method may further comprise receiving a request from the user equipment to use the second power configuration for transmitting the signal and providing a response to the user equipment.

[0044] The method may further comprise providing a grant to the user equipment indicating the usage of the second power configuration is granted.

[0045] In a fifth aspect there is provided an apparatus configured by a network with a first power configuration for use in transmitting a signal, the apparatus comprising at least one processor, and at least one memory storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform a method according to the third aspect.

[0046] In a sixth aspect there is provided an apparatus, the apparatus comprising at least one processor, and at least one memory storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform a method according to the fourth aspect.

[0047] In a seventh aspect there is provided a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising instructions wherein the instructions when executed by at least one processor of an apparatus configured by a network with a first power configuration for use in transmitting a signal cause the apparatus to perform the method according to the third aspect.

[0048] In an eighth aspect there is provided a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising instructions wherein the instructions when executed by at least one processor of an apparatus cause the apparatus to perform the method according to the fourth aspect.

[0049] Some embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.

[0050] In the above, many different aspects have been described. As previously noted, it should be appreciated that further aspects may be provided by the combination of any two or more of the aspects described above (or otherwise in this disclosure).

[0051] Various other aspects are also described in the following detailed description and in the claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0052] Some embodiments will be described, by way of non-limiting and illustrative example only, with reference to the figures, in which:

[0053] Fig. 1 shows an example of a communication network to which examples disclosed herein may be applied;

[0054] Fig. 2a shows a flowchart of a 4-step RA procedure;

[0055] Fig. 2b shows a flowchart of a 2-step RA procedure;

[0056] Fig. 3 shows an illustration of power ramping applied in 3GPP systems;

[0057] Fig. 4 shows a flowchart of a method according to an example embodi ment;

[0058] Fig. 5 shows an illustration of an example power ramping;

[0059] Fig. 6 shows an illustration of an example power ramping;

[0060] Fig. 7 shows a flowchart of a method according to an example embodi ment;

[0061] Fig. 8 shows an example of an apparatus. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0062] The following embodiments are provided by way of non-limiting and illustrative example. Although the specification may refer to “an”, “one”, or “some” embodi-ment(s) in several locations of the text, this does not necessarily mean that each reference is made to the same embodiment(s), or that a particular feature only applies to a single embodiment. Single features of different embodiments may also be combined to provide other embodiments. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection of an embodiment, it intended such feature, structure, or characteristic may be applied in connection with other embodiments (whether or not explicitly described).

[0063] It shall be understood that although the terms “first,” “second” and the like may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another.

[0064] For the purposes of this disclosure, the phrases “at least one of A or B”, “at least one of A and B”, and “A and / or B” means (A), (B), or (A and B). For the purposes of this disclosure, the phrase “A, B, and / or C” means (A), (B), (C), (A and B), (A and C), (B and C), or (A, B, and C).

[0065] As used herein, the term “or” refers to a non-exclusive “or” unless otherwise indicated (e.g., use of “or else” or “or in the alternative”).

[0066] As used herein, unless stated explicitly, performing a respective feature, step, or functionality “in response to A” does not indicate that the respective feature, step, or functionality is performed immediately after “A” occurs as one or more intervening features, steps, or functionalities may be performed (at least in part) between an occurrence of the respective feature, step, or function and “A”. Analogously, performing a respective feature, step, or functionality “based on A” does not indicate that the respective feature, step, or functionality is performed solely based on “A” as the respective feature, step, or functionality may be further based on one or more other features, steps, or functionalities in addition to “A”.

[0067] Embodiments described herein may be implemented in a communication network, such as any of the following radio access technologies (RATs): Worldwide Interoperability for Micro-wave Access (WiMAX), Global System for Mobile communications (GSM, 2G), GSM EDGE radio access Network (GERAN), General Packet Radio Service (GRPS), Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS, 3G) based on basic wideband-code division multiple access (W-CDMA), high-speed packet access (HSPA), Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced, and enhanced LTE (eLTE), 5G (also called NR), or any future RAT such as 6G. Moreover, communication within the communication network may utilize any proper wireless communication technology, comprising but not limited to: Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Frequency Division Duplex (FDD), Time Division Duplex (TDD), Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO), Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple (OFDM), and / or Discrete Fourier Transform spread OFDM (DFT-s-OFDM).

[0068] As used herein, the term “network device” or “network node” refers to a node in a communication network via which user equipment may access the network and / or which is configured to control radio communication and managing radio resources within a cell. The network node or network device may be referred to as a base station (BS), an access point (AP) or an access node. The network device may be, depending on the applied technology, for example, a node B (NodeB or NB), an evolved NodeB (eNodeB or eNB), an NR NB (also referred to as a gNB), a Remote Radio Unit (RRU), a radio head (RH), a remote radio head (RRH), a relay, an Integrated Access and Backhaul (IAB) node, a low power node, a non-terrestrial network (NTN) or nonground network device, such as a satellite network device, a low earth orbit (LEO) satellite and a geosynchronous earth orbit (GEO) satellite, or an aircraft network device.

[0069] Moreover, in connection of split radio access network (RAN), the network device may refer to a centralised unit (CU) of a base station and / or a distributed unit (DU) of a base station. An interface between CU and DU may be referred to as an F1 interface in NR. In the split RAN architecture, node operations may be carried out, at least partly, in the central / centralized unit, CU, (e.g. server, host or node) operationally coupled to the DU, (e.g. a radio head / node). One CU may control one or more DUs, acting at least as transmit / receive (Tx / Rx) nodes. In some embodiments, the DUs may comprise e.g. a radio link control (RLC), medium access control (MAC) layer and a physical (PHY) layer, whereas the CU may comprise the layers above RLC layer, such as a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer, a radio resource control (RRC) and an internet protocol (IP) layers. Other functional splits are possible too. In practice, any processing task may be performed in either the CU or the DU and the boundary where the responsibility is shifted between the CU and the DU may depend on the applied implementation.

[0070] The term “terminal device” refers to any end device that may be configured to perform wireless communication. By way of example, a terminal device may be referred to as a communication device, user equipment (UE), a Subscriber Station (SS), or a Mobile Station (MS). The terminal device may include a mobile phone, a cellular phone, a smart phone, voice over IP (VoIP) phones, wireless local loop phones a tablet, a wearable terminal device, a personal digital assistant (PDA), portable computers, desktop computer, image capture terminal devices such as digital cameras, gaming terminal devices, music storage and playback appliances, vehicle-mounted wireless terminal devices, USB dongles, an Internet of Things (loT) device, a watch or other wearable, a head-mounted display (HMD), a vehicle, a drone, a medical device and applications (e.g., remote surgery), an industrial device and applications (e.g., a robot and / or other wireless devices operating in an industrial and / or an automated processing chain contexts), a consumer electronics device, a device operating on commercial and / or industrial wireless networks, and the like.

[0071] A term “resource”, as used herein, may refer to radio resources in time domain, in frequency domain, in space domain, and / or in code domain. Some examples of resources may include, e.g., a physical resource block (PRB), a radio frame, a subframe, a time slot, a subband, a frequency region, a sub-carrier, a beam, etc. The term “transmission” and / or “reception” may refer to wirelessly transmitting and / or receiving via a wireless propagation channel on radio resources.

[0072] Fig. 1 illustrates an example of a communication network to which examples disclosed herein may be applied. The communication network or a cellular communication network may comprise a network node 110 configured to provide one or more cells, such as cell 100, and a network node 112 configured to provide one or more other cells, such as cell 102. Each cell may, for example, be a macro cell, a micro cell, femto, or a pico cell. The cell may define a coverage area or a service area of the corresponding access node.

[0073] The network node (110, 112) may be configured to provide a user equipment (UE) 120 (one or more UEs) with wireless access to the communication network. The wireless access may comprise downlink (DL) communication from the network node (110, 112) to the UE 120 and uplink (UL) communication from the UE 120 to the network node (110, 112). Examples of uplink channels may comprise physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) for transmitting control information and physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) for transmitting data towards the network. Examples of downlink channels may comprise physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) for transmitting control information and physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) for transmitting data towards the user equipment.

[0074] There may be a plurality of UEs (120, 122) in the system. Each of the plurality of UEs may be served by the same or by different network nodes (110, 112). UE may be configured with dual connectivity (DC), wherein the UE, for example UE 120, may be connected to multiple network nodes (110, 112). The UEs (120, 122) may communicate with each other, in case device-to-device (D2D) communication interface is established between them via a so-called sidelink (SL). Such D2D communications may be referred to as machine-to-machine, peer-to-peer (P2P) communications, or ve-hicle-to-vehicle (V2V), for example.

[0075] In the case of multiple network nodes in the communication network, the network nodes may be connected to each other via an interface. LTE specifications, for example, refer to such an interface as an X2 interface. An interface between an LTE node and a 5G node, or between two 5G nodes may be called an Xn interface.

[0076] The network nodes 110 and 112 may be further connected via another interface to a core network 116 of the communication network. The LTE specifications specify the core network as an evolved packet core (EPC), and the core network may comprise a plurality of entities (e.g. a mobility management entity (MME) and a gateway node). The MME may handle mobility of terminal devices in a tracking area encompassing a plurality of cells and handle signalling connections between the terminal devices and the core network. The gateway node may handle data routing in the core network and to / from the terminal devices. The 5G specifications specify the core network as a 5G core (5GC). The 5GC may, for example, comprise an access and mobility management function (AMF) and a user plane function / gateway (UPF) and other functions. The AMF may handle termination of non-access stratum (NAS) signalling, NAS ciphering &integrity protection, registration management, connection management, mobility management, access authentication and authorization, security context management. The UPF node may, for example, support packet routing and forwarding, packet.

[0077] A 3GPP-compliant UE adheres to transmit power limitations given by 3GPP specifications. These limitations are introduced to the 3GPP specifications and take into account regulations, performance requirements and health considerations, amongst others.

[0078] 3GPP separates User Equipment (UE) into power classes (PC). Different power classes differentiate the UE types within the Frequency Range (FR).

[0079] For FR1 terrestrial networks (TN) there are currently the following power classes (TS 38.101-1): • PC 1 - 31 dBm - For Non-handheld devices • PC 1.5 - 29dBm - Handheld devices with dual power amplifier (PA) implementation • PC 2 - 26dBm - Handheld devices • PC 3 - 23dBm - Handheld devices (Default power class) • PC 5 - 20dBm - Handheld devices (Mainly for shared spectrum use) PC1.5 and PC2 UEs may be referred to as High-Power UEs (HPUE) while PC1 may be referred to as a Fixed-Wireless-Access (FWA) device.

[0080] For FR2, the power classes are divided based on UE type assumptions as given in Table 1 with the specific transmit power given per band which sometimes is different and therefore shown as a range. Given the frequencies within FR2, the antenna gain becomes significant, which is why also the Effective Isotropic Radiated Power (EIRP) is shown in the last column of Table 1 (TS 38.101-2). UE Power class UE type Max. UL Power (TRP) Max. UL Power (EIRP) 1 Fixed wireless access (FWA) UE 25 - 35 dBm 40 - 55 dBm 2 Vehicular UE 23 dBm 43 dBm 3 Handheld UE 23 - 25 dBm 43 dBm 4 High power non-handheld UE 23 dBm 43 dBm 5 Fixed wireless access (FWA) UE 23 dBm 43 dBm 6 High Speed Train Roof-Mounted UE 23 dBm 43 dBm 7 RedCap UE 23 dBm 43 dBm Note: RedCap variants of non-RedCap UEs are not precluded Table 1

[0081] For Non-Terrestrial-Networks (NTN), the allowed UL power follows the principles of the TN power-class definitions for FR1. However, for FR2, three new fixed very small aperture terminal (VSAT) UE types and two new mobile VSAT UE types are defined in Table 9.2.1.0-1: Assumptions of UE Types captured in TS 38.101-5.

[0082] The maximum allowed transmit power of a 3GPP-compliant UE is given by these power classes together with a potential additional Maximum Power Reduction (A-MPR). A-MPR is introduced for UEs to back off transmit power to meet emission requirements. These emission requirements are signalled by the network. Each additional emission requirement is associated with a unique network signalling (NS) value indicated in RRC signalling for an NR frequency band number of the applicable operating band.

[0083] A UE may also be allowed to apply maximum power reduction (MPR) to allow the UE to send waveforms with higher peak to average power ratio (PAPR), such as 16-QAM, 64-QAM and 256-QAM, and the total reduction to UE maximum output power is given as max (MPR, A-MPR). The MPR is something the UE applies to function while the A-MPR is something the UE is applies to be compliant with the additional emission requirements.

[0084] In some situations, as an emergency, some if not all of these considerations may need to be repudiated to ensure an emergency signal, message and / or call can be completed. Currently, there is no standardized mechanism to enable and control a UE who in a special situation, such as an emergency, needs to exceed maximum allowed transmit power.

[0085] For downlink (DL) the Base Stations (BS), e.g. gNBs, do not have the same power constraints due to their larger size and different regulations so the issue is mainly the UL power limitations. The transmit power limitations of a UE may be an issue in Terrestrial Networks (TN) in uplink (UL) but are even more pronounced for a Non-Terrestrial-Network (NTN) UEs given the distance between the UE and serving satellite. In general, UL power limitations have been addressed by enabling so-called High-Power UE (HPUE) support by the specifications for TN UEs. For NTN UEs there have been proposals for HPUE support which have led to an approval of a RAN4 Rel-19 Work-Item (Wl) enabling PC1 and PC2 for NTN UEs, which is currently limited to PC3 by specification.

[0086] For Terrestrial Networks (TN), specific 3GPP bands have been introduced for Public Safety communication in the USA in which higher UE transmit power is allowed. These bands are restricted for the use of purposely built UEs and not generic UEs e.g., smartphones.

[0087] Proprietary systems using NTN services already exists specific for emergency communication, but these are not standardized by 3GPP and / or are operating in separate dedicated spectrum.

[0088] Enabling higher UL power at the UE comes with issues which may include interference to neighboring UEs and receiver imbalance at the BS.

[0089] Due to this the 3GPP discussion so far has also called for co-existence analysis before network operators will allow UEs to increase transmit to avoid negative performance impact on their networks. This means that currently, all 3GPP compliant UEs have to be under power control of a network as well as fulfilling the transmit power restrictions given by the 3GPP RAN4 specifications. A UE thus can’t switch directly to a different power class without being enabled by the network. In emergency scenarios, this may be a disadvantage.

[0090] Fig. 2a and Fig. 2b shows an illustration of an example 4-step and 2-step RA procedure.

[0091] An existing power ramping concept is shown in Fig. 3, where it is seen that a UE will determine its initial transmit power for random access preamble transmission attempt number 1. The initial transmit power for the first attempt is based on DL received power level combined with broadcasted parameters P0 and a to achieve outer loop power control to try to compensate for the expected path loss and have same RX power level for all preambles at gNB side. If the UE does not receive a random access response within the random access response window (configured by the network, SSB / PBCH and SIB1), the UE is allowed to perform another attempt of random access preamble transmission with increased transmit power (TX power is increased by a power ramp step size which is also configurable by the network). As shown in Fig. 3, the UE will at some point reach the maximum TX power, which will limit the UE’s transmission capability, and the UE will have to continue transmitting the random access preamble until the maximum number of RA attempts has been reached (also configurable by the network).

[0092] Fig. 4 shows a flowchart of a method according to an example embodiment. The method may be performed at an apparatus. The apparatus may be configured by a network with a first power configuration for use in transmitting a signal. The apparatus may comprise a UE or be comprised in the UE.

[0093] At 401, the method comprises determining, based on at least one condition being met, to transmit a signal using a second power configuration other than the first power configuration, wherein the second power configuration allows the apparatus to transmit the signal using a higher power value than a first maximum power value.

[0094] At 402, the method comprises causing a signal to be transmitted using the second power configuration.

[0095] The at least one condition may comprise at least one of the following: the signal comprises an emergency signal, a scenario is allowed by regulations, an indication from the network indicates the allowance of the higher power value, a failure of a random access procedure or uplink transmission failure due to UL power limitations or the absence of co-existence issues.

[0096] To overcome potential coverage and / or link budget issues in case of an emergency it is proposed a UE, in specified scenarios, may disregard otherwise specified transmission limitations, e.g., use a second power configuration other than a first power configuration configured by a network. The specified scenarios may be those allowed by regulations or one in which an emergency signal is to be sent. Alternatively, or in addition, the specified scenarios may comprise an indication from the network which indicates the allowance of the higher power value, a failure of a random access procedure or uplink transmission failure due to UL power limitations. The specified scenario may require the absence of co-existence issues.

[0097] For example, the UE may be allowed to use the second power configuration other than the first power configuration configured by the network based on one or a combination of the following prerequisites 1. Only when there are no co-existence issues with other deployments. This may be neglected due to the nature of an emergency call / signal. 2. Limited to only emergency calls, or similar scenarios allowed by regulations, when SAR / MPE limitations can be neglected. 3. There may be a need to prevent the UE using the second power configuration. This need may be informed by the network system information within a given cell. The absence of information may comprise an indication which indicates the allowance. 4. The UE may be able to fallback to the network configured transmit power (i.e. the first power configuration) when RA is achieved i.e. connected to the network or emergency call / signal is not needed anymore.

[0098] The second power configuration may comprise at least one of a second maximum transmission power, a second power ramp step, a power boosting or one or more second allowed power classes. The second maximum transmission power comprises a maximum transmission power associated with the second power configuration or a maximum transmission power associated with each of the one or more second allowed power classes.

[0099] The apparatus may be configured by the network with a first maximum power value, first power ramp step and / or first allowed power class for use in transmitting a signal and determining to transmit the signal using the second power configuration comprises determining to transmit the signal using the higher power value which is greater than the first maximum power value and less or equal to the second maximum power value, using the second allowed power class, using the power boosting to determine the second maximum power value, and / or using the second power ramp step which is larger than a first power ramp step.

[0100] In an example embodiment, where the second power configuration comprises one or more second allowed power classes and the second maximum transmission power is associated with each of the one or more second allowed power classes, e.g. a PC3 UE is allowed to switch directly to PC1 and / or PC2.

[0101] In an example embodiment where the second maximum transmission power is associated with the second power configuration, a PC3 UE is allowed to switch to a higher than PC3 maximum output power limitation if the output power of UE cannot achieve PC1 / PC1.5, to maximize UL transmission power.

[0102] The signal to be transmitted may comprise signally transmitted during a random access procedure. Causing a signal to be transmitted using the second maximum transmission power may increase the probability of successfully completing the random access procedure (at least to Msg4 for 4-step RA and MSG2 for 2-step RA during the random access procedure).

[0103] If the UE is not connected to the network, it performs the Random Access procedure (RA) to gain access. The RA procedure is illustrated in Fig. 2. Prior to the RA procedure, the UE receives SSB / PBCH and read SIB1 with the UL common configuration before it is allowed to transmit PRACH.

[0104] When the UE attempts to transmit PRACH, the UE may try first with either the default PC3 or the target power with a path loss estimation, performed by the UE, whichever is the lowest power. If the UL transmission is not successful it will increase UL power following the power ramping as defined in TS 38.321. However, the power ramping defined in TS 38.321 is capped by a maximum UE transmit power.

[0105] In an example embodiment, the UE uses a more aggressive power ramping during initial access for PRACH where instead of using the normal minimum estimated target power the UE will step up power much faster. That is, the UE uses the second power ramp step which is larger than a first power ramp step.

[0106] Fig. 5 illustrates the more aggressive power ramping step (i.e. wherein a second power ramp step is larger than a first power ramp step), where it is seen that a UE reaches a maximum TX power faster than normal. This approach may shorten the time until a UE reaches a maximum TX power level, and thereby lower the average time until a UE gets a random access response.

[0107] The apparatus may be configured to repeat the signal at a power value increased by either the first power ramp step or the second power ramp step for each repetition up to the first maximum power value and determining to transmit the signal using the second power configuration comprises determining to transmit the signal using the higher power value which is greater than the first maximum power value and less or equal to the second maximum power value, using the second allowed power class, using the power boosting to determine the second maximum power value, and / or using the second power ramp step which is larger than a first power ramp step.

[0108] In an example embodiment, the UE applies the second power configuration only after having tried the normal RA procedure, i.e. the normal power ramping procedure will be tried and only if this fails the UE will be allowed to use the second power configuration (also referred to as “emergency mode”). In this example, the at least one condition comprises a failure of a random access procedure.

[0109] The UE may either use the first power ramp step up to the higher power value, use “emergency power ramping” with the second power ramp step, or simply skip power ramping and start using the higher power value for emergency mode (which may correspond to activating another power class where the second maximum power value is associated with the one or more second power classes). This is shown in Fig. 6 where a UE, after exhausting the normal random access procedure, transmits a signal at a TX power outside of its normal power class (where the higher power value is labelled as emergency MAX TX Power in Fig. 6).

[0110] The signal to be transmitted may comprise signalling transmitted in connected mode. The method may comprise providing a request to the network to use the second power configuration and wherein the at least one condition comprises receiving a response to the request from the network.

[0111] In connected mode, a UE may not be able to request the network to increase its configured UL transmit power which is aligned to the current 3GPP specification. Hence, a UE in case of an emergency may indicate it is in an emergency mode. The network may pair this information as a request for an increase in configured UE transmit power and provide a priority to this specific UE.

[0112] In an example embodiment, the UE may be connected to the network but experiencing coverage issues due to UL power limitations or similar and would, due to an emergency situation, like to disregard the specified UL power limitations. Here the UE may either autonomously or via signalling request to the network as described above to allow the use of the second power configuration.

[0113] The method may comprise receiving a response to the signal from the network wherein the apparatus is configured to fallback to the first power configuration when the response is received. The response may comprise a response from the network received in connected mode or a random access procedure is successful.

[0114] Normally the UE is configured with an UL power, Pcmax / c, specified in TS 38.101-1 Clause 6.2.4 bounding the UEs transmit power within a upper (PcMAx_H,f,c) and a lower (PcMAx_L,f,c) bound. The upper bound, giving the maximum allowed transmit power is given as: PcMAX_H,f,c = MIN {PeMAX.c, PpowerClass △PpowerClass + APpowerBoost} [dBm] Where the first term in the min. function is Pemax.c which is given by either the p-Max IE or the field additionalPmax of the NR-NS-PmaxList IE, whichever is applicable according to TS 38.331 and is broadcasted by the network for power control. The second term in the MIN function is the UE advertised power class (PC) meaning the maximum UE transmit power (PpowerClass), with PC3 (i.e. 23dBm with ~±2dB tolerance) being the default PC, and adjusted for potential HPUE / FWA capability exceptions (APpOwerciass) and / or Power Boosting (APpowerBoost). From the above the specified limitations of the UEs UL transmit power is limited by both the network broadcasted maximum transmit power (Pemax.c) and the default power class (PpOwerciaSS) PC3 (i.e. 23dBm with ~±2dB tolerance).

[0115] To determine the higher power value, the UE may autonomously disregard Pemax.c, if present, and / or go beyond the default power class (PC3) to the one or more second power classes as descried above. This may be done by going directly to the highest supported PC / transmit power for the transmit band to maximize UE UL transmit power as shown below CM AX,H, / ,c / ’powerclass _ △ / ’powerclass T △ / VowerBoost Where PpOwerciass and APPowerciassis the highest supported power class by the UE. APpowerBoost can be used by the UE if there is additional power from the PA and is an example of a power boosting of the second power configuration. In an example, a new power boosting for the second power configuration may be configured. The power boosting of the second power configuration may be used to determine the second maximum power value.

[0116] Alternatively, or in addition, the higher power value may be determined based on at least one of received reference signal power value or a pathloss value. For example, instead of going directly to highest supported PC / transmit power the UE may determine the transmit power according to the measured RSRP (based on the SSB and nominal transmit power of the SSB provided in SI B1) of the terrestrial network(s) and / or non-terrestrial network(s). P^CMAX,H,f,c = RSRPb,f,c + PLb,f,c [dBm] Where PLb f c is based on referenceSignalPower provided to the UE from the network when in connected mode. The at least one of the received reference signal power value or pathloss value is measured or estimated. For example, the RSRPbJ C and PLb>fiC may be estimated by the UE and based on past measurements instead of current ones, respectively, in case UE cannot decode referenceSignalPower in urgency case.

[0117] Where PLb f c is estimate made by the UE, it may not be the exact pathloss experienced between the UE and network. By allowing the UE to estimate the pathloss by itself the UE will not have to wait for power configuration from the network and thereby reduce potential time to perform the emergency call.

[0118] One alternative for the UE to autonomously deviate from the PRACH power control is to deliberately tamper with the path loss estimation (PLw.c). This is possible as this estimation is done by the UE based on the RSSI / RSRP. In relation to this the UE could also completely disregard the target power (Pprach,target / ,c) broadcasted in SIB1.

[0119] Fig. 7 shows a flowchart of a method according to an example embodiment. The method may be performed at an apparatus of a network such as a BS (e.g., gNB) or a network node comprising a network function.

[0120] At 701 the method comprises providing, to a user equipment, a request to receive user equipment capability information indicating whether the user equipment supports transmitting a signal using a second power configuration, wherein the user equipment is configured by a network with a first power configuration for use in transmitting a signal, wherein the second power configuration allows the user equipment to transmit the signal using a higher power value than a first maximum power value.

[0121] At 702, the method comprises receiving, from the user equipment, user equipment capability information indicating the user equipment supports transmitting a signal using the second power configuration. After receiving the user equipment capability information, the user equipment may be configured by a network with a second power configuration for use in transmitting a signal, e.g., in emergency call or other specified scenarios.

[0122] The user equipment capability information may comprise at least one of an indication indicating the user equipment supports one or more higher power classes or an indication indicating the user equipment is allowed to transmit the emergency call using the second power configuration.

[0123] The method may comprise receiving a request from the user equipment to use the second power configuration for transmitting the signal and providing a response to the user equipment. The method may comprise providing a grant to the user equipment indicating the usage of the second power configuration is granted.

[0124] Fig. 8 shows, by way of example, a block diagram of an apparatus 10. The apparatus 10 comprises, for example, at least one processor 12 and at least one memory 14 storing instructions 15 that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus 10 at least to perform the method or methods (or portion(s) thereof) as disclosed herein, and any of the embodiments (or respective portion(s) thereof). In an example, the at least one memory and the instructions (e.g. a computer program code, software), are configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus 10 to perform the method or methods (or portion(s) thereof) as disclosed herein, and any of the embodiments (or respective portion(s) thereof).

[0125] A processor 12 may comprise circuitry, or be constituted as circuitry or circuitries, the circuitry or circuitries being configured to perform phases of methods in accordance with embodiments described herein.

[0126] As used herein, the term “circuitry” may refer to one or more or all of the following: (a) hardware-only circuit implementations, such as implementations in only analog and / or digital circuitry, and (b) combinations of hardware circuits and software, such as, as applicable: (i) a combination of analog and / or digital hardware circuit(s) with software / firmware and (ii) any portions of hardware processor(s) with software (including digital signal processor(s)), software, and memory(ies) that work together to cause an apparatus, such as a user equipment, to perform various functions) and (c) hardware circuit(s) and or processor(s), such as a microprocessor(s) or a portion of a microprocessors), that requires software (e.g., firmware) for operation, but the software may not be present when it is not needed for operation. This definition of circuitry applies to all uses of this term herein, including in any claims. As a further example, as used herein, the term circuitry also covers an implementation of merely a hardware circuit or processor (or multiple processors) or portion of a hardware circuit or processor and its (or their) accompanying software and / or firmware. The term circuitry also covers, for example and if applicable to the particular claim element, a baseband integrated circuit or processor integrated circuit for a mobile device or a similar integrated circuit in server, a cellular network device, or other computing or network device.

[0127] The memory 14 may be implemented using any suitable data storage technology. The memory may comprise a database for storing data. The memory 14 may, for example, be at least in part external to apparatus 10 but accessible to apparatus 10.

[0128] The instructions 15 may be comprised in a computer readable medium or a non-transitory computer readable medium. A term non-transitory, as used herein, is a limitation of the medium itself (i.e. tangible, not a signal) as opposed to a limitation on data storage persistency (e.g. random access memory, RAM, vs. read only memory, ROM).

[0129] For example, the apparatus 10 is a terminal device, such as a UE. As another example, the apparatus is comprised in such a terminal device, e.g. as a chipset configured to control the terminal device. The apparatus 10 may be caused or configured or comprise means to perform at least the method of Fig. 4 and / or any one or more of the embodiments described herein.

[0130] As another example, the apparatus 10 is a network entity. In another embodiment, the apparatus is comprised in such a network entity, e.g. as a chipset configured to control the network entity. The apparatus 10 may be caused or configured or comprise means to perform at least the method of Fig. 7 and / or any one or more of the embodiments described herein.

[0131] The apparatus may comprise one or more entities of any of protocol layers, such as a MAC entity, an RRC entity, an RLC entity, a PDCP entity or a PHY entity. In some embodiments, the entity is configured to perform at least the method of Fig. 7, and / or any one or more of the embodiments described.

[0132] The apparatus 10 comprises a radio interface 16. The radio interface 16 may provide the apparatus 10 with communication capabilities. The radio interface 16 may comprise a receiver configured to receive information in accordance with at least one cellular or non-cellular standard. The radio interface 16 may comprise a transmitter configured to transmit information in accordance with at least one cellular or non-cellular standard. The receiver may comprise more than one receiver. The transmitter may comprise more than one transmitter. The radio interface 16 may comprise a transceiver configured to receive and transmit information in accordance with at least one cellular or non-cellular standard. The transceiver may comprise more than one transceiver.

[0133] The apparatus 10 may comprise a user interface 18 comprising, for example, at least one of a keypad, a microphone, a touch display, a display, a speaker, etc. The user interface 18 may be used to control the apparatus by the user. The user interface 18 may be external to the apparatus 10. For example, the apparatus 10 may be connected to another device, such as a computer, either via wireless or wired connection, and the apparatus 10 is controlled by the user via the computer.

[0134] In an embodiment, at least some of the processes described herein may be carried out by an apparatus comprising means for carrying out at least some of the described processes. Means for performing method steps as disclosed herein may include software and / or hardware components of the apparatus 10. For example, the at least one processor 12, the memory 14, and the computer program code form means for carrying out the method or methods (or portion(s) thereof) as disclosed herein, and any of the embodiments (or respective portion(s) thereof). As used herein the term “means” is to be construed in singular form, i.e. referring to a single element, or in plural form, i.e. referring to a combination of single elements. Therefore, terminology “means for [performing A, B, C]”, is to be interpreted to cover an apparatus in which there is only one means for performing A, B and C, or where there are separate means for performing A, B and C, or partially or fully overlapping means for performing A, B, C. Further, terminology “means for performing A, means for performing B, means for performing C” is to be interpreted to cover an apparatus in which there is only one means for performing A, B and C, or where there are separate means for performing A, B and C, or partially or fully overlapping means for performing A, B, C.

[0135] Even though this disclosure has been described above with reference to non-limiting and illustrative examples according to the accompanying figures, it is clear that the scope of this disclosure is not restricted thereto - but can be modified in many different ways. As technology advances, it will become apparent to a person skilled in 5 art as to how the disclosure can be further implemented and / or modified in various ways. Further, it is clear to a person skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein may, but are not required to, be combined in various ways with other embodiments described herein.

Claims

1. An apparatus, wherein the apparatus is configured by a network with a first power configuration for use in transmitting a signal, the apparatus comprising means for:determining, based on at least one condition being met, to transmit a signal using a second power configuration other than the first power configuration, wherein the second power configuration allows the apparatus to transmit the signal using a higher power value than a first maximum power value; and causing a signal to be transmitted using the second power configuration.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one condition comprises at least one of the following: the signal comprises an emergency signal, a scenario is allowed by regulations, an indication from the network indicates the allowance of the higher power value, a failure of a random access procedure or uplink transmission failure due to UL power limitations or the absence of co-ex-istence issues.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the second power configuration comprises at least one of:a second maximum transmission power;a second power ramp stepa power boosting; orone or more second allowed power classes.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the second maximum transmission power comprises a maximum transmission power associated with the second power configuration or a maximum transmission power associated with each of the one or more second allowed power classes.

5. The apparatus according to claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the apparatus is configured by the network with a first maximum power value, first power ramp step and / or first allowed power class for use in transmitting a signal and determining to transmit the signal using the second power configuration comprises determining to transmit the signal using the higher power value which is greater thanthe first maximum power value and less or equal to the second maximum power value, using the second allowed power class, using the power boosting to determine the second maximum power value, and / or using the second power ramp step which is larger than a first power ramp step.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the apparatus is configured to repeat the signal at a power value increased by either the first power ramp step or the second power ramp step for each repetition up to the first maximum power value and determining to transmit the signal using the second power configuration comprises determining to transmit the signal using the higher power value which is greater than the first maximum power value and less or equal to the second maximum power value, using the second allowed power class, using the power boosting to determine the second maximum power value, and / or using the second power ramp step which is larger than a first power ramp step.

7. The apparatus according to claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the higher power value is determined based on at least one of reference signal received power value or a pathloss value.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the at least one of the reference signal received power value or pathloss value is measured or estimated.

9. The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the signal to be transmitted comprises signalling transmitted during a random access procedure or signalling transmitted in connected mode.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9, comprising means for receiving a response to the signal from the network wherein the apparatus is configured to fallback to the first power configuration when the response is received.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the response comprises a response from the network received in connected mode or a random access procedure is successful.

12. The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 11, comprising means for providing a request to the network to use the second power configuration and wherein the at least one condition comprises receiving a response to the request from the network.

13. The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 12, wherein the apparatus comprises a user equipment or is comprised in the user equipment.

14. The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 13, to wherein the apparatus further comprises means for receiving, from the network, a request to receive user equipment capability information indicating whether the apparatus supports transmitting a signal using a second power configuration and means for transmitting, to the network, user equipment capability information indicating the apparatus supports transmitting a signal using a second power configuration.

15. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the user equipment capability information comprises at least one of:an indication indicating the apparatus supports one or more higher power class;oran indication indicating the apparatus is allowed to transmit the emergency call using the second power configuration.

16. The apparatus according to claim 14 or claim 15, the apparatus further comprising means for:receiving a grant from the network indicating the usage of the second power configuration is granted.

17. An apparatus comprising means for:providing, to a user equipment, a request to receive user equipment capability information indicating whether the user equipment supports transmitting a signal using a second power configuration, wherein the user equipment is configured by a network with a first power configuration for use in transmitting a signal, wherein the second power configuration allows the user equipment to transmit the signal using a higher power value than a first maximum power value; andreceiving, from the user equipment, user equipment capability information indicating the user equipment supports transmitting a signal using the second power configuration.

18. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the user equipment capability information comprises at least one of:an indication indicating the user equipment supports one or more higher power class; oran indication indicating the user equipment is allowed to transmit the emergency call using the second power configuration.

19. The apparatus according to claim 17 or claim 18, wherein the apparatus further comprises means forreceiving a request from the user equipment to use the second power configuration for transmitting the signal; andproviding a response to the user equipment.

20. The apparatus according to any of claims 16 to 18, the apparatus further comprising means for:providing a grant to the user equipment indicating the usage of the second power configuration is granted.

21. A method, at an apparatus configured by a network with a first power configuration for use in transmitting a signal, the method comprising:determining, based on at least one condition being met, to transmit a signal using a second power configuration other than the first power configuration, wherein the second power configuration allows the apparatus to transmit the signal using a higher power value than a first maximum power value; andcausing a signal to be transmitted using the second power configuration.

22. A method comprising:providing, to a user equipment, a request to receive user equipment capability information indicating whether the user equipment supports transmitting a signal using a second power configuration, wherein the user equipment is configured by a network with a first power configuration for use in transmitting a signal, wherein thesecond power configuration allows the user equipment to transmit the signal using a higher power value than a first maximum power value; andreceiving, from the user equipment, user equipment capability information indicating the user equipment supports transmitting a signal using the second power configuration.

23. A computer program product comprising program instructions which, when the program is executed by an apparatus configured by a network with a first power configuration for use in transmitting a signal, cause the apparatus to perform: determining, based on at least one condition being met, to transmit a signal using a second power configuration other than the first power configuration, wherein the second power configuration allows the apparatus to transmit the signal using a higher power value than a first maximum power value; andcausing a signal to be transmitted using the second power configuration.

24. A computer program product comprising program instructions which, when the program is executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform: providing, to a user equipment, a request to receive user equipment capability information indicating whether the user equipment supports transmitting a signal using a second power configuration, wherein the user equipment is configured by a network with a first power configuration for use in transmitting a signal, wherein the second power configuration allows the user equipment to transmit the signal using a higher power value than a first maximum power value; andreceiving, from the user equipment, user equipment capability information indicating the user equipment supports transmitting a signal using the second power configuration.

25. An apparatus configured by a network with a first power configuration for use in transmitting a signal, the apparatus comprising at least one processor, and at least one memory storing instructions, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor cause the apparatus at least to performdetermining, based on at least one condition being met, to transmit a signal using a second power configuration other than the first power configuration, wherein the second power configuration allows the apparatus to transmit the signal using a higher power value than a first maximum power value; andcausing a signal to be transmitted using the second power configuration.

26. An apparatus comprising at least one processor, and at least one memory storing instructions, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one pro-5 cessor cause the apparatus at least to perform:providing, to a user equipment, a request to receive user equipment capability information indicating whether the user equipment supports transmitting a signal using a second power configuration, wherein the user equipment is configured by a network with a first power configuration for use in transmitting a signal, wherein the10 second power configuration allows the user equipment to transmit the signal using a higher power value than a first maximum power value; andreceiving, from the user equipment, user equipment capability information indicating the user equipment supports transmitting a signal using the second power configuration.15

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