Wireless communication device method, apparatus, and storage medium for PUCCH repetition

Abstract

The present disclosure relates generally to PUCCH transmission, and more particularly to resource arrangement for PUCCH transmission. A wireless communication method includes receiving signaling from a base station (BS) to a user equipment (UE) to indicate to perform PUCCH transmission with N PUCCH repetitions, where N is an integer greater than 1; determining one or more slots for PUCCH transmission; and transmitting the PUCCH repetitions in the one or more slots.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to PUCCH transmission, and more particularly to resource arrangements for PUCCH transmission. [Background technology]

[0002] Wireless communication technology is a core component of increasingly interconnected global communication networks. Wireless communication relies on precisely allocated time and frequency resources to transmit and receive radio signals. The Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) carries uplink control information from a user equipment (UE) to a base station (BS). PUCCH repetition techniques provide better uplink coverage performance for UEs at the cell edge. However, the allocation of resources for the PUCCH repetition scheme can affect the overall performance of uplink (UL) and downlink (DL) transmissions. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0003] This description is a brief description of certain aspects of the present disclosure and is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0004] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a wireless communication method is provided, comprising the steps of: receiving signaling from a base station (BS) to a user equipment (UE) to indicate that a PUCCH transmission with N PUCCH repetitions will be performed using a PUCCH resource, where N is an integer greater than 1; and determining one or more slots for the PUCCH transmission, the one or more slots including a plurality of consecutive symbols, the number of consecutive symbols being equal to or greater than the number of symbols configured for the PUCCH resource, the plurality of consecutive symbols including a first symbol that is identical to a starting symbol configured for the PUCCH resource, the first symbol being Downlink (DL) symbols configured for the uplink (UL) sub-band; Flexible (F) symbols configured for the UL sub-band; configured for the UL sub-band, symbols, configured for sub-band full-duplex operation; symbols valid for UL transmission within the UL sub-band; UL symbol, or F symbols, where the consecutive symbols start from a first symbol, and the consecutive symbols are: All DL symbols configured for the UL sub-band, All symbols configured for sub-band full-duplex operation; All UL symbols, All valid symbols in the PUCCH resource, Partially UL sub-band symbols and partially UL symbols, Partially symbols for the UL sub-band and partially F symbols, or Partially symbols for the UL subband, partially UL symbols, and partially F symbols; is the F symbol, and transmitting PUCCH repetitions in one or more slots; Includes:

[0005] Yet another embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method for transmitting signaling from a base station (BS) to a user equipment (UE) to indicate that a PUCCH transmission with N PUCCH repetitions is to be performed using a PUCCH resource, where N is an integer greater than 1; and determining one or more slots for the PUCCH transmission, the one or more slots including a plurality of consecutive symbols, the number of consecutive symbols being equal to or greater than the number of symbols configured for the PUCCH resource, the consecutive symbols including a first symbol configured for the PUCCH transmission that is identical to a starting symbol, the first symbol being Downlink (DL) symbols configured for the uplink (UL) sub-band; Flexible (F) symbols configured for the UL sub-band; configured for the UL sub-band, symbols, configured for sub-band full-duplex operation; symbols valid for UL transmission within the UL sub-band; UL symbol, or F symbols, where the consecutive symbols start from a first symbol, and the consecutive symbols are: All DL symbols configured for the UL sub-band, All symbols configured for sub-band full-duplex operation; All UL symbols, All valid symbols in the PUCCH resource, Partially UL sub-band symbols and partially UL symbols, Partially symbols for the UL sub-band and partially F symbols, or Partially symbols for the UL subband, partially UL symbols, and partially F symbols; is the F symbol, and receiving a PUCCH repetition in one or more slots; Another wireless communication method is provided, including:

[0006] Yet another embodiment of the present disclosure provides a wireless communication device including a memory that stores one or more programs; and a processor electrically coupled to the memory and configured to execute the one or more programs and to perform any method or step or combination thereof in the present disclosure.

[0007] Yet another embodiment of the present disclosure provides a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing one or more programs, the one or more programs being configured, when executed by a processor, to cause any method or step or combination thereof in the present disclosure to be performed.

[0008] These and other aspects and implementations thereof are explained in more detail in the drawings, description, and claims. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] Various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail below with reference to the following drawings. The drawings are provided for illustrative purposes only and merely depict exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and facilitate understanding of the present disclosure. Therefore, the drawings should not be considered as limiting the scope, scope, or applicability of the present disclosure. It should be noted that for clarity and ease of illustration, the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates an example wireless communication system in which the methods and / or steps of the present disclosure may be implemented. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 illustrates a signal transmission diagram of PUCCH repetition. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 illustrates another signal transmission diagram of PUCCH repetitions. [Figure 4]FIG. 4 illustrates another signal transmission diagram of PUCCH repetitions. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 illustrates another signal transmission diagram of PUCCH repetitions. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 illustrates another signal transmission diagram of PUCCH repetitions. [Figure 7A] FIG. 7A illustrates another signal transmission diagram involving multiple slots. [Figure 7B] FIG. 7B illustrates another signal transmission diagram with timing advance. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 illustrates another signal transmission diagram of PUCCH repetitions. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Detailed Description 1 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary wireless communication system 150 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. System 150 may implement various methods / steps, as disclosed below. System 150 may include components and elements configured to support operational features that need not be described in detail herein.

[0012] The system 150 may include a base station (BS) 102 and a user equipment (UE) 104. The BS 102 includes a BS transceiver or transceiver module 152, a BS antenna system 154, a BS memory or memory module 156, a BS processor or processor module 158, and a network interface 160. The components of the BS 102 may be electrically coupled to each other and communicate, as needed, via a data communication bus 180. Similarly, the UE 104 includes a UE transceiver or transceiver module 162, a UE antenna system 164, a UE memory or memory module 166, a UE processor or processor module 168, and an I / O interface 169. The components of the UE 104 may be electrically coupled to each other and communicate, as needed, via a data communication bus 190. The BS 102 communicates with the UE 104 via a communication channel 192, which may be any wireless channel or other medium known in the art that is suitable for the transmission of data as described herein.

[0013] As will be understood by those skilled in the art, system 150 may further include any number of modules other than those shown in FIG. 1 . Those skilled in the art will understand that the various illustrative blocks, modules, circuits, and processing logic described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented in hardware, computer-readable software, firmware, or any practical combination thereof. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability and compatibility of hardware, firmware, and software, the various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps are described generally in terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware, firmware, or software depends on the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system. Those familiar with the concepts described herein may implement such functionality in a suitable manner for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the present disclosure.

[0014] Wireless transmission from the transmitting antenna (for convenience, referred to in the singular, but may include multiple antennas) of the UE 104 to the receiving antenna (for convenience, referred to in the singular, but may include multiple antennas) of the BS 102 is known as uplink (UL) transmission, and wireless transmission from the transmitting antenna of the BS 102 to the receiving antenna of the UE 104 is known as downlink (DL) transmission. According to some embodiments, the UE transceiver 162 may be referred to herein as an “uplink” transceiver 162, including RF transmitter and receiver circuitry, each coupled to the UE antenna 164. A duplex switch (not shown) may alternatively couple the uplink transmitter or receiver to the uplink antenna in a time-duplex manner. Similarly, according to some embodiments, the BS transceiver 152 may be referred to herein as a “downlink” transceiver 152, including RF transmitter and receiver circuitry, each coupled to the antenna array 154. A downlink duplex switch may alternatively couple the downlink transmitter or receiver to the downlink antenna array 154 in a time-duplex manner. The operation of the two transceivers 152 and 162 is coordinated in time so that the downlink transmitter is coupled to the downlink antenna array 154 at the same time that the uplink receiver is coupled to the uplink UE antenna 164 for reception of transmissions over the wireless communication channel 192. There may be closely synchronized timing with only minimal guard time between duplex direction changes. The UE transceiver 162 communicates with the BS 102 through the UE antenna 164 via the wireless communication channel 192. The BS transceiver 152 communicates with another BS (e.g., the second BS 102-2) through the BS antenna 154 of the BS (e.g., the first BS 102) via the wireless communication channel 192. The wireless communication channel 196 can be any wireless channel or other medium known in the art that is suitable for direct communication between BSs.

[0015] The UE transceiver 162 and the BS transceiver 152 are configured to communicate over a wireless data communication channel 192 and cooperate with suitably configured RF antenna arrays 154 / 164 capable of supporting a particular wireless communication protocol and modulation scheme. In some exemplary embodiments, the UE transceiver 162 and the BS transceiver 152 are configured to support industry standards such as Long Term Evolution (LTE) and 5G standards (e.g., NR) and the like. However, it should be understood that the present invention is not necessarily limited in application to a particular standard and associated protocol. Rather, the UE transceiver 162 and the BS transceiver 152 may be configured to support alternative or additional wireless data communication protocols, including future standards or variations thereof.

[0016] Processor modules 158 and 168 may be implemented or realized with a general-purpose processor, an associative memory, a digital signal processor, an application-specific integrated circuit, a field-programmable gate array, any suitable programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof, designed to perform the functions described herein. As such, a processor module may be realized as a microprocessor, a controller, a microcontroller, a state machine, or the like. A processor module may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, e.g., a digital signal processor and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a digital signal processor core, or any other such configuration.

[0017] Furthermore, the steps of a method or algorithm described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be embodied directly in hardware, in firmware, in a software module executed by processor modules 158 and 168, respectively, or any practical combination thereof. Memory modules 156 and 166 may be implemented as RAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, a hard disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium known in the art. In this regard, memory modules 156 and 166 may be coupled to processor modules 158 and 168, respectively, such that processor modules 158 and 168 can read information from, and write information to, memory modules 156 and 166, respectively. Memory modules 156 and 166 may also be integrated into their respective processor modules 158 and 168. In some embodiments, memory modules 156 and 166 may each include cache memory for storing temporary variables or other intermediate information during execution of instructions for execution by processor modules 158 and 168, respectively. Memory modules 156 and 166 may also each include non-volatile memory for storing instructions for execution by processor modules 158 and 168, respectively.

[0018] The network interface 160 generally represents the hardware, software, firmware, processing logic, and / or other components of the base station 102 that enable bidirectional communication between the BS transceiver 152 and other network components and communication nodes configured to communicate with the BS 102. For example, the network interface 160 may be configured to support Internet or WiMAX traffic. In a typical deployment, without limitation, the network interface 160 provides an 802.3 Ethernet interface so that the BS transceiver 152 may communicate with conventional Ethernet-based computer networks. Thus, the network interface 160 may include a physical interface for connection to a computer network (e.g., a mobile switching center (MSC)) or one or more core networks 195 for mobile communications. As used herein with respect to a specified operation or function, the terms “configured for” or “configured to” refer to a device, component, circuit, structure, machine, signal, etc. that is physically constructed, programmed, formatted, and / or arranged to perform the specified operation or function. The network interface 160 may enable the BS 102 to communicate with other BSs or CNs via wired or wireless connections.

[0019] According to a PUCCH repetition scheme, the BS may configure the UE to repeatedly transmit the PUCCH. As shown in FIG. 2, a PUCCH (such as PUCCH1, shown as a black rectangle) can be transmitted in an UL sub-band within a downlink (DL) slot, which is a slot having DL symbols. The horizontal axis of the transmission diagram in FIG. 2 represents the time axis, and the vertical axis of the transmission diagram in FIG. 2 represents the frequency axis. At a specific time, a channel includes multiple carriers at different carrier frequencies. A UL sub-band is carved out of a DL slot in a specific frequency spectrum and can be used to implement uplink (UL) transmission. Each slot may include 14 consecutive symbols, numbered 0-13. In the example of FIG. 2, the PUCCH is transmitted using the UL sub-band between symbol 5 and symbol 11. After the first PUCCH, PUCCH1, is transmitted, the UE may determine the appropriate slot for transmitting the remaining PUCCH repetitions. On the other hand, the first PUCCH can be transmitted in a UL slot or a flexible slot containing a UL symbol, as shown in Figure 4. Other transmission diagrams in this disclosure are annotated in a similar manner.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the present disclosure provides a wireless transmission method for allocating resources for PUCCH repetitions, the method comprising: S110: receiving signaling from a base station (BS) to a user equipment (UE) to indicate that a PUCCH transmission with N PUCCH repetitions will be performed, where N is an integer greater than 1; S120: determining one or more slots for PUCCH transmission, the one or more slots including a plurality of consecutive symbols, the number of consecutive symbols being equal to or greater than the number of symbols configured for the PUCCH resource, the plurality of consecutive symbols including a first symbol that is identical to a starting symbol configured for the PUCCH resource, the first symbol being Downlink (DL) symbols configured for the uplink (UL) sub-band; Flexible (F) symbols configured for the UL sub-band; configured for the UL sub-band, symbols, configured for sub-band full-duplex operation; symbols valid for UL transmission within the UL sub-band; UL symbol, or F symbols, where the consecutive symbols start from a first symbol, and the consecutive symbols are: All DL symbols configured for the UL sub-band, All symbols configured for sub-band full-duplex operation; All UL symbols, All valid symbols in the PUCCH resource, Partially UL sub-band symbols and partially UL symbols, Partially symbols for the UL sub-band and partially F symbols, or Partially symbols for the UL subband, partially UL symbols, and partially F symbols is the F symbol, and S130: Transmitting PUCCH repetitions in one or more slots; Includes:

[0021] At S110, the BS may transmit signaling, and the UE may receive the signaling transmitted by the BS. The signaling may configure the UE to transmit N PUCCH repetitions, where N is an integer greater than 1. For example, if N is 4, the UE may transmit three remaining PUCCH repetitions after the first PUCCH, PUCCH1, is transmitted, as shown in Figures 2 and 3.

[0022] Correspondingly, the present disclosure provides a wireless transmission method implemented by a BS, the method comprising: transmitting signaling from a base station (BS) to a user equipment (UE) to indicate that a PUCCH transmission with N PUCCH repetitions will be performed, where N is an integer greater than 1; determining one or more slots for PUCCH transmission, the one or more slots including a plurality of consecutive symbols, the number of consecutive symbols being equal to or greater than the number of symbols configured for the PUCCH resource, the plurality of consecutive symbols including a first symbol that is identical to a starting symbol configured for the PUCCH resource, the first symbol being Downlink (DL) symbols configured for the uplink (UL) sub-band; Flexible (F) symbols configured for the UL sub-band; configured for the UL sub-band, symbols, configured for sub-band full-duplex operation; symbols valid for UL transmission within the UL sub-band; UL symbol, or F symbols, where the consecutive symbols start from a first symbol, and the consecutive symbols are: All DL symbols configured for the UL sub-band, All symbols configured for sub-band full-duplex operation; All UL symbols, All valid symbols in the PUCCH resource, Partially UL sub-band symbols and partially UL symbols, Partially symbols for the UL sub-band and partially F symbols, or Partially symbols for the UL subband, partially UL symbols, and partially F symbols; is the F symbol, and receiving a PUCCH repetition in one or more slots; Includes:

[0023] At S110, the UE receives signaling transmitted by the BS. The signaling is used to indicate to the UE that a PUCCH transmission with N PUCCH repetitions is to be performed, where N is an integer greater than 1. For example, N can be 4, as shown in the transmission diagrams of Figures 2-6.

[0024] To transmit N PUCCH repetitions, the UE may determine one or more slots for PUCCH transmission. Each of the one or more slots may include multiple consecutive symbols, starting with a first symbol. To serve as a slot to be used for a PUCCH repetition, the number of consecutive symbols is equal to or greater than the number of symbols configured for PUCCH transmission. For example, the number of consecutive symbols for the remaining N-1 repetitions following the first repetition is equal to or greater than the symbols of the first repetition.

[0025] For example, as shown in Figure 2, PUCCH1 in slot 1 includes seven symbols, symbol 5-symbol 11. The remaining N-1 repetitions may have the same number (7) of symbols in the same corresponding time domain of the following slots. Thus, when the UE determines one or more slots for the remaining repetitions, the UE may need to find a slot with enough consecutive symbols to which it can allocate the required number of symbols.

[0026] Additionally, consecutive symbols include a first symbol that is the same as the starting symbol configured for PUCCH transmission, so that PUCCH repetitions can start from the same corresponding time-domain location. For example, as shown in Figure 2, PUCCH 1 includes seven symbols starting from symbol 5, and symbol 5 can be the starting symbol configured for PUCCH transmission. Once the UE determines the slot for PUCCH repetition, the UE finds slots that have consecutive symbols including the same first symbol, i.e., symbol number 5, in subsequent slots 2, 3, etc., so that PUCCH repetitions can start from the same symbol number.

[0027] Regarding the attributes of the first symbol, the first symbol of consecutive symbols can be at least one of a downlink (DL) symbol configured for the uplink (UL) subband (as shown in slots 1 and 2 of FIG. 2), a flexible (F) symbol configured for the UL subband, a symbol configured for the UL subband, a symbol configured for subband full-duplex operation, a symbol valid for UL transmission within the UL subband, a UL symbol (as shown in slot 4 of FIG. 2), or an F symbol. Different attributes of the symbols listed above can be used to transmit PUCCH repetitions. For example, the first symbol of PUCCH1, PUCCH2, and PUCCH3 is a DL symbol configured for the UL subband. The first symbol of PUCCH4 in FIG. 2 is a UL symbol or (F symbol). The first symbol of PUCCH1 in FIG. 4 and the first symbol of PUCCH1 in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 are UL or F symbols.

[0028] Note that there may be additional symbols preceding the first symbol of multiple consecutive symbols. For example, as shown in Figure 2, symbol 5 may be preceded by symbols 1-4.

[0029] Additionally, the first symbol may then be followed by one or more subsequent symbols, which may be all DL symbols configured for the UL subband, all symbols configured for subband full-duplex operation, all UL symbols, all valid symbols PUCCH transmission, partially symbols for the UL subband and partially UL symbols, partially symbols for the UL subband and partially F symbols, or partially symbols for the UL subband, partially UL symbols, and partially F symbols.

[0030] Subsequent symbols need not have the same attributes as each other, nor do they need to have the same attributes as the first symbol. As shown for PUCCH3 in Figure 2, a first portion of the remaining symbols (and the first symbol) are DL symbols in the UL subband, and a second portion of the remaining symbols following the first portion are UL symbols (or UL bandwidth portion (BWP)). As another example, a first portion of the remaining symbols (and the first symbol, symbol 5) for PUCCH4 in Figure 4 are DL symbols, and the remainder of the remaining symbols following the first portion of the remaining symbols are UL or F symbols.

[0031] This arrangement provides a flexible PUCCH repetition scheme and the method also allows the interference of PUCCH repetitions to be reduced.

[0032] In S130, the UE may transmit the PUCCH repetitions in one or more slots, as determined by the previous step.

[0033] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the step of determining one or more slots for PUCCH transmission is based on the following criteria: a first criterion, wherein the one or more slots include a plurality of consecutive symbols starting with a first symbol, the plurality of consecutive symbols being configured for the UL subband, a DL symbol, the one or more slots including a first symbol that is identical to a starting symbol configured for the PUCCH resource, the number of consecutive symbols being equal to or greater than the number of symbols configured for the PUCCH resource; or a second criterion, wherein the one or more slots include a plurality of consecutive symbols starting from a first symbol, the plurality of consecutive symbols being UL or F symbols, the one or more slots including a first symbol that is identical to a starting symbol configured for the PUCCH resource, the number of consecutive symbols being equal to or greater than the number of symbols configured for the PUCCH resource; or a third criterion, wherein the one or more slots include a plurality of consecutive symbols starting with a first symbol, the plurality of consecutive symbols being a combination of symbols selected from the group of symbols configured for the UL subband, UL symbols, or F symbols, and the one or more slots include a first symbol that is identical to a starting symbol configured for the PUCCH resource, and the number of consecutive symbols is equal to or greater than the number of symbols configured for the PUCCH resource; determining the one or more slots according to at least one of the criteria, including:

[0034] The UE or BS can apply the above criteria to determine the appropriate slot for the PUCCH repetition. The conditions in the above criteria can be isolated or combined with the conditions in another criterion.

[0035] According to the first criterion, the PUCCH repetition may be transmitted within an UL subband of a DL slot of a DL symbol, where the UL subband includes a symbol that is the same as the starting symbol configured for PUCCH transmission. For example, the UL subband may include symbols that have the same symbol number with respect to the numbering of the starting symbol configured for PUCCH transmission. The number of consecutive symbols may be equal to or greater than the number of symbols configured for PUCCH transmission. By using a sufficient length of consecutive symbols following the symbol with the same starting symbol for PUCCH transmission, the UE can allocate the PUCCH repetition within the slot and satisfy this requirement. The UE can use this criterion to search for the next slot that satisfies this criterion, and such a slot may be determined as the next slot for the next PUCCH repetition.

[0036] Using Figure 2 as an example, according to Criterion 1, the UE may determine that slot 2 can be used to transmit the second PUCCH repetition, PUCCH2. Slot 2 is a DL slot with DL symbols and is configured with a UL subband. Slot 2 here includes consecutive symbols, symbols 5-11. The number of consecutive symbols (7) is equal to the number of first symbols (symbols 5-11 in the UL subband of slot 1) used to transmit the first PUCCH repetition, PUCCH1, and equal to the number of symbols configured for PUCCH transmission.

[0037] Additionally, slot 2 in FIG. 2 includes symbol 5, which is the same as the starting symbol 5 of PUCCH 1 in slot 1 in terms of numbering (or location in the time domain). That is, consecutive symbols in slot 2 include the first symbol configured for PUCCH transmission that is identical to the starting symbol. Therefore, slot 2 is eligible to be used to transmit PUCCH 2 according to the first criterion. Note that slot 2 may still be eligible under the first criterion even if there are additional symbols before symbol 5. The criterion requires that the number of consecutive symbols be greater than or equal to the number of symbols configured for PUCCH transmission; therefore, additional symbols preceding symbol 5 do not disqualify slot 2 from being used to transmit PUCCH 2. Similarly, additional symbols after symbol 11 do not disqualify slot 2 from the first criterion.

[0038] Similarly, the UL subband in slot 3 is also eligible and can be used to transmit PUCCH 3 after PUCCH 2. However, slot 3 may not be eligible under criterion 1 but may be eligible under another criterion. In slot 3, it is configured with a UL subband, but its consecutive symbols after symbol 5 in the UL subband are not sufficient in number. The BS or UE may use one, two, or all of criteria 1-3 to select the appropriate slot for the PUCCH repetition.

[0039] In the second criterion, the remaining PUCCH repetitions can be transmitted within an uplink (UL) or flexible (F) slot of UL or F symbols, where the UL or F slot contains a symbol that is identical to the starting symbol configured for PUCCH transmission in terms of numbering (representing a sequence in the time domain), and the number of consecutive symbols is equal to or greater than the number of symbols configured for PUCCH transmission, meaning that the consecutive symbols are long enough to accommodate PUCCH transmission.

[0040] For example, as shown in FIG. 2, slot 4 is eligible to be used to transmit the remaining PUCCH repetitions under the second criterion. Slot 4 is the UL slot of the UL symbols. Slot 4 includes symbol 5, which is the same as the starting symbol of the first PUCCH repetition in terms of its numbering (representing the sequence of symbols in the time domain). In addition, the UL slot includes a number of consecutive symbols within slot 4 that is equal to or greater than the number of symbols configured for PUCCH transmission (7 between symbols 5 and 11). The UL slot includes a number of consecutive symbols within slot 4 that is equal to or greater than the number of symbols of PUCCH1, the first PUCCH repetition. Therefore, the UE and / or BS can determine that slot 4 in FIG. 2 can be used to transmit PUCCH under the second criterion.

[0041] According to the third criterion, the remaining PUCCH can be transmitted using any two of the UL sub-bands in the DL slot of the DL symbol, the UL slot of the UL symbol, or the F slot of the F symbol, where the plurality of consecutive symbols includes a first symbol that is identical to the starting symbol configured for PUCCH transmission, and the number of consecutive symbols is equal to or greater than the number of symbols configured for PUCCH transmission. That is, the PUCCH can be transmitted using a combination of the UL sub-bands in the DL slot of the DL symbol, the UL slot of the UL symbol, or the F slot of the F symbol.

[0042] Under the third criterion, the remaining PUCCH can be transmitted partially using DL symbols in the UL subband and partially using UL symbols (as shown in PUCCH3 in FIG. 2), partially using UL subband symbols, or partially using F symbols (as shown in PUCCH4 in FIG. 4), or partially using UL symbols and partially using F symbols. The sequence of combinations is not limited. For example, the UL subband can precede the UL symbol, or alternatively, the UL symbol can precede the UL subband.

[0043] Using Figure 2 as an example, slot 3 is eligible to be used to transmit a PUCCH repetition under the third criterion. Slot 3 includes a symbol that, in terms of numbering, is identical to the starting symbol configured for PUCCH transmission (i.e., symbol 5 in PUCCH1). Slot 3 includes multiple consecutive symbols, which are partially DL symbols in the UL subband and partially UL symbols. In addition, the length of the consecutive symbols in slot 3 is 7, which is equal to or greater than the number of symbols configured for PUCCH transmission (and equal to or greater than the number of symbols in PUCCH1, the first PUCCH repetition).

[0044] According to one embodiment, the UE and BS may use one or more of the criteria as described above. For example, the UE and BS may use two (or all) of the three criteria listed above. As an example, the UE and BS may have a pre-established agreement regarding the criterion or criteria to use under certain conditions. The BS may also transmit signaling to the UE indicating the criterion or criteria to be used.

[0045] According to one embodiment, DL symbols, F symbols, or UL symbols configured for the UL subbands in one or more slots are associated with frequency resources, and it is determined whether the frequency resources of the PUCCH resources are within the frequency resources. If (but not limited to) the frequency resources allocated to different slots are different, the UE or BS may further check whether valid frequency resources are provided for the candidate slots to determine a suitable slot that can be used to transmit the PUCCH repetition.

[0046] According to one embodiment, the first PUCCH repetition of the N PUCCH repetitions is transmitted in the UL sub-band of the DL slot or in the UL Bandwidth Portion (BWP) of the slot.

[0047] According to one embodiment, the method further comprises determining, in the determined one or more slots, PUCCH resources that are identical to the PUCCH resources indicated for PUCCH transmission.

[0048] According to one embodiment, in the determined one or more slots, the UE expects PUCCH resources to be in both the UL sub-band frequency domain and the UL BWP frequency domain.

[0049] According to one embodiment, the UE expects the UL subband and the UL BWP to have the same frequency domain resources. Using slot 3 of FIG. 3 as an example, the frequency resources allocated to the DL subband are wider than the UL BWP. Therefore, PUCCH 3, as shown in slot 3, may not have associated valid frequency resources for transmitting the second part of the PUCCH repetition. To prevent such a situation (and the situations in slots 3 and 4 of FIG. 5), when determining the slot for transmitting the PUCCH repetition, the UE and / or BS may further check whether the DL symbol, F symbol, or UL symbol configured for the UL subband is associated with valid frequency resources. If not, the DL symbol, UL symbol, or F symbol configured for the UL subband cannot be used to transmit the PUCCH repetition.

[0050] Therefore, two solutions may be used to alleviate this problem. First, the BS may make the frequency resources in different time slots the same when certain conditions are met. For example, the BS may make the frequency resources in different time slots the same when the BS acknowledges that PUCCH1 will be transmitted, or when the BS acknowledges that N PUCCH repetitions will be transmitted between the BS and the UE. Because the N repetitions are typically transmitted within the same frequency domain, once each slot of a frame has the same allocated frequency resources, the N repetitions can be covered by the same assigned frequency resources in different slots.

[0051] According to another embodiment, the BS may configure the frequency resources of the slots according to the determination of the slots used to transmit the PUCCH repetitions, so that the BS may configure the frequency resources to cover the symbols used to transmit the PUCCH repetitions. In this method, once the BS and the UE agree that N PUCCH repetitions will be transmitted, the BS can allocate frequency resources to specifically cover the symbols of the N PUCCH repetitions. In this case, the bandwidths of different slots do not need to be the same.

[0052] In one embodiment, the F symbols do not overlap with the synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel (SS / PBCH) blocks.

[0053] The UE and / or BS may further check whether a synchronization signal / PBCH block is allocated in the same time domain of the candidate symbol. For example, as shown in slot 2 of Figure 6, the transmission of SSB interferes with the transmission of PUCCH2, so in this case, PUCCH2 should not be allocated to slot 2.

[0054] According to another embodiment, if the plurality of consecutive symbols is a combination of one or more DL symbols and one or more UL symbols or one or more F symbols configured for the UL sub-band, the DL symbols and the UL symbols or F symbols are consecutive.

[0055] According to another embodiment, when the consecutive symbols are a combination of one or more DL symbols and one or more UL symbols or one or more F symbols configured for the UL sub-band, the BS or UE may further determine whether the consecutive symbols are consecutive.

[0056] According to one embodiment, when a plurality of consecutive symbols is a combination of a DL symbol and a UL symbol or an F symbol configured for an UL sub-band, the DL symbol and the UL symbol or the F symbol are consecutive in the time domain.

[0057] According to one embodiment, the DL symbols and the UL symbols or the F symbols are consecutive in the time domain at least within the first frequency resource.

[0058] According to an embodiment, the first frequency is one of a frequency resource of the UL sub-band, a frequency resource of the UL BWP, or a smaller one of a frequency resource of the UL sub-band and a frequency resource of the UL BWP.

[0059] According to another embodiment, when the plurality of consecutive symbols is a combination of one or more DL symbols and one or more UL symbols or one or more F symbols configured for a UL sub-band, the timing advance (TA) of the UL symbol or F symbol is aligned with the TA of the UL sub-band.

[0060] According to another embodiment, if the plurality of consecutive symbols is a combination of one or more DL symbols and one or more UL symbols or one or more F symbols configured for the UL sub-band, the BS or UE may further determine that the timing advance (TA) of the UL symbol or F symbol is aligned with the TA of the UL sub-band.

[0061] According to another embodiment, when the plurality of consecutive symbols is a combination of one or more DL symbols and one or more UL symbols or one or more F symbols configured for the UL sub-band, the TA offset between the symbols of the UL sub-band and the UL symbols or F symbols is predefined or configured by the BS as 0.

[0062] According to another embodiment, when the plurality of consecutive symbols is a combination of one or more DL symbols and one or more UL symbols or one or more F symbols configured for the UL sub-band, the BS or UE may further determine that the TA offset between the symbols of the UL sub-band and the UL symbols or F symbols is predefined or configured by the BS as 0.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 7A, in a conventional wireless communication system, a gap may exist between a DL slot (or an F slot used as a DL slot) and a UL slot. The gap, during which data cannot be transmitted, is implemented because the system requires time to prepare for the transition from UL transmission to DL transmission (or vice versa). In such a case, the time slot used to transmit a PUCCH repetition cannot overlap with the gap. Therefore, when the BS or UE determines the time slot to be used to transmit a PUCCH repetition, the UE or BS may check whether the DL symbol and the UL symbol or F symbol within the UL subband are consecutive. In other words, if multiple consecutive symbols are a combination of DL symbols and UL / F symbols configured for the UL subband, the BS or UE may further verify that the timing advance (TA) offset between the UL subband symbol and the UL symbol or F symbol is predefined or configured by the BS as 0, or that the TA of the UL symbol or F symbol is aligned with the TA of the UL subband. FIG. 7B shows an example of a TA adjacent to a gap in UL transmission.

[0064] This disclosure uses exemplary embodiments to demonstrate exemplary aspects of the present invention.

[0065] For a PUCCH configured with PUCCH repetitions, the transmission of the first PUCCH repetition may have the following cases.

[0066] Case 1: 2, for a UE configured or commanded to transmit a PUCCH with N repetitions, if an UL subband is configured for the UE with UL subband capability, the first PUCCH repetition may be configured to be transmitted in the UL subband by using the configured or commanded PUCCH1. The symbols configured for the UL subband may also be symbols configured for subband full duplex operation. They are simply described differently.

[0067] Case 2: Referring to FIG. 4, for a UE configured or commanded to transmit a PUCCH with N repetitions, if an UL subband is configured for the UE with UL subband capability, the first PUCCH repetition may also be configured to be transmitted in an UL or flexible (F) symbol in an UL or F slot by using the configured or commanded PUCCH1.

[0068] In Case 1 and Case 2, the first PUCCH repetition, PUCCH1, may be configured to be transmitted in the UL sub-band, meaning that at least the starting symbol of the PUCCH is in the UL sub-band.

[0069] In Case 1 and Case 2, the UL subband may be configured to contain (at least) DL symbols. The configuration of DL symbols, UL symbols, and / or flexible (F) symbols may be determined based on the higher layer parameter tdd-UL-DL-ConfigurationCommon. In addition, the UL BWP (bandwidth portion as exemplarily shown in slot 1 of FIG. 4) may be configured to contain UL symbols and / or F symbols.

[0070] In the frequency domain, there are three possible types of relationships between the UL sub-bands and the UL BWP. In the first type, the UL BWP contains UL sub-bands. In the second type, the UL sub-band is the same as the UL BWP. In the third type, the UL sub-band contains a UL BWP. The first two types are typical scenarios.

[0071] For the above cases 1 and 2, the following method may be used to determine the slot and PUCCH resource for PUCCH repetition.

[0072] Note that symbols configured for the UL sub-band are also called SBFD symbols, as they are configured for sub-band full duplex operation; they are simply described differently.

[0073] Embodiment 1 For case 1, it can be considered that the following method is used to determine the slot and PUCCH resource for PUCCH repetition.

[0074] Method 1 A slot can be determined for transmitting the remaining PUCCH repetitions if the following condition is met: First, slots are configured with UL sub-bands. Second, a symbol in the UL sub-band that is identical to the starting symbol of PUCCH1 can be provided. Third, starting from a symbol identical to the starting symbol of PUCCH1, all consecutive symbols greater than or equal to the number of symbols of PUCCH1 are provided in the UL sub-band.

[0075] If the slot satisfies the above condition, the slot can be used for the remaining PUCCH repetitions. In the determined slot, the same PUCCH resource as PUCCH1 (in this embodiment, the same PUCCH resource is actually PUCCH1 in the determined slot) is used for the remaining PUCCH repetitions.

[0076] A specific example is provided in Figure 2. Referring to Figure 2, the PUCCH is configured to be repeated N times, with the first PUCCH repetition configured or shown in the first slot of Figure 2.

[0077] According to the conditions of Method 1, slot 2 can be determined for the second PUCCH repetition. For example, slot 2 can provide a UL subband. A symbol can be provided within the UL subband in slot 2, which is the same as the starting symbol of the first PUCCH repetition. Also, starting from the first symbol, the number of consecutive symbols is equal to or exceeds the number of symbols of the first PUCCH repetition, and the consecutive symbols are all within the UL subband.

[0078] According to the conditions of Method 1, slot 3 in Figure 2 cannot be determined for the third PUCCH repetition. For example, slot 3 may provide a UL subband, and a symbol may be provided within the UL subband, which is the same as the starting symbol of the first PUCCH repetition. Starting from the symbol, the number of consecutive symbols is equal to or exceeds the number of symbols of the first PUCCH repetition, but the consecutive symbols are not all within the UL subband of slot 3.

[0079] According to the conditions of Method 1, slot 4 in Figure 2 cannot be determined for the third PUCCH repetition. For example, slot 4 cannot provide a UL subband and therefore cannot provide a symbol in the UL subband that is identical to the starting symbol of the first PUCCH repetition. Slot 4 also cannot provide a sequence greater than or equal to the number of symbols of the first PUCCH repetition in the UL subband.

[0080] In Method 1, the PUCCH resources in the UL subbands should come from the PUCCH resources configured in the UL BWP. That is, PUCCH resources are still configured per UL BWP, and these configured PUCCH resources are also shared for the UL subbands. In this way, the UL subbands may not actually be independently configured with PUCCH resources. In Method 1, the UL subbands may be independently configured with PUCCH resources.

[0081] The interference of UL transmissions in Method 1 within the UL sub-bands may be different from the interference of UL transmissions within the UL (or F) symbols because the UL sub-bands are aligned within the DL symbols and the UL transmissions may be susceptible to interference from the DL transmissions.

[0082] Method 1 has more limitations on slot choices, but can ensure consistency of interference faced by all PUCCH repetitions since they are all in the UL subband.

[0083] Method 2 According to this approach, a slot may be determined for transmitting the remaining PUCCH repetitions if the following condition is met: First, a slot is constructed with UL (or F) symbols. Second, a UL (or F) symbol can be provided that is identical to the start symbol of PUCCH1. Third, starting from this symbol, all consecutive symbols greater than or equal to the number of symbols in PUCCH1 are provided in the UL sub-band, or are all UL (or F) symbols.

[0084] If the slot satisfies the above condition, the slot may be used for the remaining PUCCH repetitions. In the determined slot, the same PUCCH resource as PUCCH1 (in this case, the same PUCCH resource is actually PUCCH1 in the determined slot) is used for the remaining PUCCH repetitions.

[0085] The present disclosure provides an exemplary embodiment using Figure 2. Referring to Figure 2, the PUCCH is configured to be repeated N times, with the first PUCCH repetition configured or shown in the first slot (slot 1) of Figure 2.

[0086] According to the conditions of Method 2, the second slot (slot 2) cannot be determined for the second PUCCH repetition. For example, the second slot cannot provide an UL symbol. According to the conditions of Method 2, the third slot (slot 3) cannot be determined for the second PUCCH repetition. For example, the third slot can provide an UL symbol in a later portion of the third slot, but the UL symbol is not identical to the starting symbol of the first PUCCH repetition.

[0087] According to the conditions of Method 2, a fourth slot (slot 4) can be determined for the second PUCCH repetition. For example, the fourth slot can provide an UL symbol, where the UL symbol is identical to the starting symbol of the first PUCCH repetition, and starting from the symbol, the number of consecutive symbols is equal to or exceeds the number of symbols of the first PUCCH repetition, and finally, the consecutive symbols are all UL symbols.

[0088] In Method 2, the PUCCH resources within the UL sub-bands may originate from the PUCCH resources configured within the UL BWP. That is, PUCCH resources may still be configured per UL BWP, and these configured PUCCH resources are also shared for the UL sub-bands. In this way, the UL sub-bands may not actually be independently configured with PUCCH resources. In Method 2, the UL sub-bands may be independently configured with PUCCH resources.

[0089] Method 3 According to a third approach, a slot may be determined for transmitting the remaining PUCCH repetitions if the following condition is met: First, a slot is configured with UL sub-bands and UL (or F) symbols. Second, a symbol in the UL sub-band that is identical to the starting symbol of PUCCH1 can be provided. Third, starting from this symbol, the consecutive symbols greater than or equal to the number of symbols in PUCCH1 are symbols in the UL subband and UL (or F) symbols.

[0090] If the slot satisfies the above condition, the slot can be used for the remaining PUCCH repetitions. In the determined slot, the same PUCCH resource as PUCCH1 (in this case, the same PUCCH resource is actually PUCCH1 in the determined slot) is used for the remaining PUCCH repetitions.

[0091] An optional complementary condition A can also be provided: for the case where consecutive symbols are symbols of the UL subband and UL (or F) symbols, an additional condition can be introduced to ensure that PUCCH1 in consecutive symbols is valid.

[0092] For example, the timing advance (TA) of the UL (or F) symbol or UL BWP (e.g., when the UL BWP is configured within a UL / F symbol) and the TA of the UL sub-band (or UL sub-band symbol) are aligned, in other words, the TA offset between the UL sub-band symbol and the UL (or F) symbol is predefined or configured as 0 by the base station (BS), in other words, the UL sub-band symbol and the UL (or F) symbol are consecutive in the time domain.

[0093] If the above conditions are not met, PUCCH1 in consecutive symbols is invalid because there may be gaps between consecutive symbols. In this case, the slot meets many of the above conditions in the manner described above, but because PUCCH1 in consecutive symbols is not valid, the slot cannot be used for the remaining PUCCH repetitions.

[0094] Referring to FIG. 2, the PUCCH is configured to be repeated N times, with the first PUCCH repetition configured or shown in the first slot (slot 1) of FIG.

[0095] According to the conditions of Method 3, the second slot (slot 2) cannot be determined for the second PUCCH repetition, e.g., the second slot cannot simultaneously provide UL subbands and UL (or F) symbols.

[0096] According to the conditions of the third method, a third slot (slot) can be determined for the second PUCCH repetition. For example, the third slot can provide an UL subband and an UL symbol, and a symbol can be provided in the UL subband, which is the same as the starting symbol of the first PUCCH repetition, and starting from the symbol, the number of consecutive symbols and UL symbols (symbol 5-symbol 11) in the UL subband is equal to or greater than the number of symbols of the first PUCCH repetition, i.e., the consecutive symbols are the symbols of the UL subband and the UL symbols. Note that although condition A can be implemented, for simplicity of explanation, the present disclosure assumes that condition A is satisfied.

[0097] According to the conditions of Method 3, the fourth slot (slot 4) cannot be determined for the third PUCCH repetition, e.g., the fourth slot cannot simultaneously provide the UL subband and the UL (or F) symbol.

[0098] In Method 3, PUCCH resources within an UL subband may originate from PUCCH resources configured within an UL BWP. That is, PUCCH resources are still configured per UL BWP, and these configured PUCCH resources are also shared for the UL subband. In this way, the UL subband is not actually independently configured with PUCCH resources. In Method 3, the UL subband may be independently configured with PUCCH resources.

[0099] Method 4 According to a fourth method, a slot may be determined for transmitting the remaining PUCCH repetitions if any one of the following conditions is met: First, the slot can be determined by any one of Method 1, Method 2, and Method 3; or Second, the slot can be determined by any two of Method 1, Method 2, and Method 3. The two methods can be agreed upon in advance by the base station and the UE, or the two methods can be configured by the base station through signaling.

[0100] If a slot satisfies the above condition, the slot may be used for the remaining PUCCH repetitions. In the determined slot, the same PUCCH resource as PUCCH1 (here, the same PUCCH resource is actually PUCCH1 in the determined slot) is used for the remaining PUCCH repetitions.

[0101] Method 5 According to Method 5, the BS may provide signaling to the UE indicating Methods 1-3, or a combination thereof, that may be used to determine the slot for transmitting the PUCCH.

[0102] For example, through signaling, the base station may indicate that the conditions for determining the slot are the same as Method 1, Method 2, Method 3, or Method 4.

[0103] As another example, through signaling, the base station may indicate two methods to be used to determine a slot from Method 1, Method 2, and Method 3. If a slot satisfies any one of the two indicated methods, the slot can be determined for a PUCCH repetition.

[0104] As yet another example, through signaling, the base station may indicate that Method 1, Method 2, and Method 3 are used to determine a slot. If a slot satisfies any one of the three indicated methods, the slot may be determined for PUCCH repetition.

[0105] If the slot satisfies the above condition, the slot is used for the remaining PUCCH repetitions. In the determined slot, the same PUCCH resource as PUCCH1 (in this embodiment, the same PUCCH resource is actually PUCCH1 in the determined slot) is used for the remaining PUCCH repetitions.

[0106] To summarize methods 1-5 above, if the PUCCH is configured or instructed to perform N PUCCH repetitions (N is an integer greater than 1), the BS and UE shall determine the slots and PUCCH resources for receiving and transmitting the PUCCH repetitions, respectively, according to the following conditions: A slot may provide as its first symbol a symbol used for UL transmission within the UL sub-band, or a DL symbol configured for the UL sub-band, or a symbol located within the UL sub-band, or a UL (or F) symbol, where the first symbol is identical to the configured starting symbol of the PUCCH (e.g., has the same symbol index within the slot). A slot may provide consecutive symbols from the first symbol, the number of consecutive symbols being greater than or equal to the number of symbols comprising the PUCCH, the consecutive symbols resulting from: a set of symbols consisting of the symbols of the UL sub-band within the slot, or - a set of symbols consisting of UL (or F) symbols in a slot, or - The set of symbols consisting of the symbols of the UL sub-band within the slot and the UL (or F) symbols within the slot.

[0107] In addition, the F symbols now do not overlap the SSBs in the time domain.

[0108] Method 6 Referring to Figure 3, the first PUCCH repetition of a PUCCH may be configured in the first slot in the UL subband. If the slots and PUCCH resources for the remaining PUCCH repetitions are determined according to methods 1-3 above, the following problems will arise.

[0109] The second slot (slot 2) can be determined for the second PUCCH repetition according to method 1 above. The third slot can be determined for the third PUCCH repetition according to method 3 above. The fourth slot can be determined for the fourth PUCCH repetition according to method 2 above.

[0110] However, since the UL sub-band contains the UL BWP in the frequency domain (meaning that the UL sub-band is wider than the UL BWP in the frequency domain of slot 3 in FIG. 3), the determined PUCCH resource, which is identical to the PUCCH in the determined third and fourth slots, is invalid. Because the determined PUCCH resource exceeds the range of the UL BWP in the frequency domain, the following provides some improvements on the above methods 1-3.

[0111] For the slot and PUCCH resource determined according to the above methods 1-3, if the determined PUCCH resource is valid within the determined slot, the determined slot is finally determined for PUCCH repetition; otherwise, the determined slot cannot be finally determined for PUCCH repetition. Here, a valid PUCCH resource refers to the PUCCH resource being within the UL BWP or UL sub-band in the frequency domain.

[0112] Therefore, referring to FIG. 3, the slots and PUCCH resources for the remaining PUCCH repetitions are determined according to a combination of methods 1-3 above, with the following additional conditions:

[0113] The second slot (slot 2) may be determined as the second PUCCH repetition according to above method 1. Here, the added condition may actually be absent.

[0114] However, the third slot (slot 3) cannot be determined to be used for the third PUCCH repetition according to a combination of method 3 above and an additional condition that checks whether there are valid frequency resources in slot 3 as the frequency resources of PUCCH2 in slot 2. In the third slot, the determined PUCCH resources are not valid (because the second part of PUCCH3 is not covered by the frequency resources of the UL BWP in slot 3), and the PUCCH resources exceed the frequency domain range of the UL BWP in some symbols. Here, an additional condition can be used to ensure that the PUCCH is assigned the appropriate slot.

[0115] Similarly, the fourth slot (slot 3) cannot be determined as the third PUCCH repetition according to the combination of the above method 2 and an additional condition. In the fourth slot, the determined PUCCH resource is not valid, so the PUCCH resource exceeds the frequency domain range of the UL BWP. Here, an additional condition is needed.

[0116] Embodiment 2 For case 2 (as described above with reference to FIG. 4), the following method may be considered to determine the appropriate slot or PUCCH resource for the PUCCH repetition.

[0117] Method 7 According to Method 7, a slot may be determined for transmitting the remaining PUCCH repetitions if the following condition is met: · The slot is configured with UL (or F) symbols. A UL (or F) symbol can be provided, which is identical to the start symbol of PUCCH1. Starting from a UL (or F) symbol, all consecutive symbols greater than or equal to the number of symbols in PUCCH1 are UL (or F) symbols.

[0118] If the slot satisfies the above condition, the slot can be used for the remaining PUCCH repetitions. In the determined slot, the same PUCCH resource as PUCCH1 (the same PUCCH resource is actually PUCCH1 in the determined slot) is used for the remaining PUCCH repetitions.

[0119] Referring to FIG. 4, the PUCCH is configured to be repeated N times, with the first PUCCH repetition configured or shown in the first slot of FIG.

[0120] According to the conditions of Method 7, the second slot (slot 2) cannot be determined for the second PUCCH repetition. For example, the second slot cannot provide an UL symbol. According to the conditions of Method 7, the third slot cannot be determined for the second PUCCH repetition. For example, the third slot (slot 3) cannot provide an UL symbol.

[0121] According to the conditions of Method 7, the fourth slot (slot 4) cannot be determined for the second PUCCH repetition. For example, the fourth slot can provide an UL symbol, but the UL symbol is different from the starting symbol of the first PUCCH repetition.

[0122] In Method 7, PUCCH resources within an UL subband may arise from PUCCH resources configured within an UL BWP. That is, PUCCH resources are still configured per UL BWP, and these configured PUCCH resources are also shared for the UL subband. In this way, the UL subband is not actually independently configured with PUCCH resources. In Method 7, the UL subband may be independently configured with PUCCH resources.

[0123] Method 8 According to Method 8, a slot may be determined for transmitting the remaining PUCCH repetitions if the following condition is met: A slot is configured with UL sub-bands or UL (or F) symbols. A symbol in the UL sub-band may be provided that is identical to the start symbol of PUCCH1, or a UL (or F) symbol may be provided that is identical to the start symbol of PUCCH1. Starting from this symbol, all consecutive symbols greater than or equal to the number of symbols in PUCCH1 are provided in the UL sub-band or are all UL symbols (or F symbols).

[0124] If a slot satisfies the above condition, the slot may be used for the remaining PUCCH repetitions. In the determined slot, the same PUCCH resource as PUCCH1 (the same PUCCH resource is actually PUCCH1 in the determined slot here) is used for the remaining PUCCH repetitions.

[0125] Referring to Figure 4, one PUCCH repetition is configured to be repeated N times, with the first PUCCH repetition configured or shown in the first slot of Figure 4. According to the provisions of Method 8, a second slot (slot 2) can be determined for the second PUCCH repetition. For example, the second slot can provide a UL subband. Also, symbols can be provided in the UL subband that is the same as the starting symbol of the first PUCCH repetition. Also, starting from a symbol, the number of consecutive symbols is equal to or exceeds the number of symbols of the first PUCCH repetition, and the consecutive symbols are all in the UL subband.

[0126] According to the provisions of Method 8, a third slot (slot 3) can be determined for the third PUCCH repetition. For example, the third slot can provide a UL subband, and a symbol can be provided within the UL subband that is identical to the starting symbol of the first PUCCH repetition, and starting from the symbol, the number of consecutive symbols is equal to or exceeds the number of symbols of the first PUCCH repetition, and the consecutive symbols are all within the UL subband.

[0127] According to the conditions of Method 8, the fourth slot (slot 4) cannot be determined for the fourth PUCCH repetition. For example, the fourth slot can provide a UL subband, and a symbol can be provided within the UL subband that is the same as the starting symbol of the first PUCCH repetition, where, starting from the symbol, the number of consecutive symbols is equal to or exceeds the number of symbols of the first PUCCH repetition, but the consecutive symbols are not all UL (or F) symbols or are not within all UL subbands. In Method 8, the PUCCH resources within the UL subband should originate from the PUCCH resources configured within the UL BWP. That is, PUCCH resources are still configured per UL BWP, and these configured PUCCH resources are also shared for the UL subband. In this way, the UL subband is not actually independently configured with PUCCH resources. In Method 8, the UL subband may be independently configured with PUCCH resources.

[0128] Method 9 According to Method 9, a slot may be determined for transmitting the remaining PUCCH repetitions if the following condition is met: A slot is made up of UL sub-bands and UL (or F) symbols. A symbol in the UL sub-band that is identical to the starting symbol of PUCCH1 may be provided. Starting from this symbol, the consecutive symbols that are greater than or equal to the number of symbols in PUCCH1 are symbols of the UL sub-band and UL (or F) symbols.

[0129] If a slot satisfies the above condition, the slot may be used for the remaining PUCCH repetitions. In the determined slot, the same PUCCH resource as PUCCH1 (the same PUCCH resource is actually PUCCH1 in the determined slot here) is used for the remaining PUCCH repetitions.

[0130] For the case where the consecutive symbols are a UL sub-band symbol and a UL (or F) symbol, an additional condition A can be introduced to ensure that PUCCH1 in the consecutive symbols is valid. For example, the timing advance (TA) of the UL (or F) symbol or UL BWP (e.g., the UL BWP is configured in the UL / F symbol) and the TA of the UL sub-band (or UL sub-band symbol) are aligned; in other words, the TA offset between the UL sub-band symbol and the UL (or F) symbol is predefined or configured as 0 by the base station; in other words, the UL sub-band symbol and the UL (or F) symbol are consecutive in the time domain.

[0131] If condition A is not satisfied, then PUCCH1 in consecutive symbols is invalid. Then, although the slot satisfies many of the above conditions in the above method, the slot cannot be used for the remaining PUCCH repetitions because PUCCH1 in consecutive symbols is not valid (i.e., condition A is not satisfied because there is a gap between the DL slot and the UL slot and the DL slot).

[0132] Referring to FIG. 4, one PUCCH repetition is configured to be repeated N times, with the first PUCCH repetition configured or shown in the first slot (slot 1) of FIG.

[0133] According to the conditions of Method 9, the second slot (slot 2) cannot be determined for the second PUCCH repetition. For example, the second slot cannot simultaneously provide the UL subband and the UL (or F) symbol.

[0134] According to the conditions of Method 9, the third slot (slot 3) cannot be determined for the second PUCCH repetition. For example, the third slot (slot 3) cannot simultaneously provide the UL subband and the UL (or F) symbol.

[0135] According to the conditions of Method 9, a fourth slot (slot 4) can be determined for the second PUCCH repetition. For example, the fourth slot can provide an UL subband and an UL symbol, where the symbol can be provided in an UL subband that is identical to the starting symbol of the first PUCCH repetition, and starting from the symbol, the number of consecutive symbols and UL symbols in the UL subband is equal to or exceeds the number of symbols of the first PUCCH repetition, i.e., the consecutive symbols are symbols of the UL subband and UL symbols.

[0136] Method 10 According to method 10, a slot may be determined for transmitting the remaining PUCCH repetitions if the following condition is met: The slot can be determined by any one of methods 7, 8, and 9; or The slot can be determined by any two of methods 7-9. The two methods can be agreed upon in advance by the base station and the UE, or alternatively, the two methods can be configured by the base station through signaling.

[0137] If a slot satisfies the above condition, the slot may be used for the remaining PUCCH repetitions. In the determined slot, the same PUCCH resource as PUCCH1 (the same PUCCH resource is actually PUCCH1 in the determined slot here) is used for the remaining PUCCH repetitions.

[0138] Method 11 According to Method 11, the conditions for determining a slot are configured by the base station through signaling. For example, through signaling, the base station indicates that the conditions for determining a slot are the same as Method 7, Method 8, Method 9, or Method 10. As another example, through signaling, the base station indicates two methods to be used to determine a slot from Method 7, Method 8, and Method 9. If a slot satisfies any one of the two indicated methods, the slot is determined for PUCCH repetition. For example, through signaling, the base station indicates that Method 7, Method 8, and Method 9 are used to determine a slot. If a slot satisfies any one of the three indicated methods, the slot is determined for PUCCH repetition.

[0139] If a slot satisfies the above condition, the slot may be used for the remaining PUCCH repetitions. In the determined slot, the same PUCCH resource as PUCCH1 (here, the same PUCCH resource is actually PUCCH1 in the determined slot) is used for the remaining PUCCH repetitions.

[0140] To summarize Methods 7-11, when the PUCCH is configured or instructed to perform N PUCCH repetitions, the base station and the UE shall determine the slots and PUCCH resources for receiving and transmitting the PUCCH repetitions, respectively, according to the following conditions: A slot may provide a symbol used for UL transmission within the UL sub-band, or a DL symbol configured for the UL sub-band, or a symbol located within the UL sub-band, or a UL (or F) symbol as the first symbol (the first symbol is the same as the configured starting symbol of the PUCCH (e.g., has the same symbol index within the slot)). A slot may provide consecutive symbols from the first symbol, the number of consecutive symbols being greater than or equal to the number of symbols comprising the PUCCH, the consecutive symbols resulting from: a set of symbols consisting of the symbols of the UL sub-band within the slot, or - a set of symbols consisting of UL (or F) symbols in a slot, or - The set of symbols consisting of the symbols of the UL sub-band within the slot and the UL (or F) symbols within the slot.

[0141] The F symbols here do not overlap the SSB in the time domain.

[0142] Method 12 (similar to Method 6 above) 5, the first PUCCH repetition of the PUCCH is configured in the first slot in the UL symbol. If the slots and PUCCH resources for the remaining PUCCH repetitions are determined according to methods 7-9 above, the following problems may occur.

[0143] For example, the second slot (slot 2) can be determined for the second PUCCH repetition according to method 7 above. The third slot (slot 3) can be determined for the third PUCCH repetition according to method 8 above. The fourth slot (slot 4) can be determined for the fourth PUCCH repetition according to method 9 above.

[0144] However, since the UL BWP contains the UL sub-band in the frequency domain (meaning that the frequency resources of the UL BWP in slot 1 and slot 2 are wider than the frequency domain of the UL sub-band in slot 3 and slot 4), the determined PUCCH resources that are identical to the PUCCH in the determined third and fourth slots are invalid (not covered by the frequency resources of the assigned UL sub-band). Because the determined PUCCH resources exceed the range of the frequency resources of the UL sub-band in the frequency domain, the following provides some improvements for the above methods 7-9.

[0145] For the slot and PUCCH resource determined according to the above methods 7-9, if the determined PUCCH resource is valid within the determined slot, the determined slot is finally determined for the PUCCH repetition; otherwise, the determined slot cannot be finally determined for the PUCCH repetition. That is, the BS or UE may further determine whether the slot is allocated with a valid frequency resource corresponding to the frequency band of the PUCCH repetition. Here, the valid PUCCH resource refers to the PUCCH resource being within the UL BWP or UL sub-band in the frequency domain.

[0146] Therefore, referring to Figure 5, the slots and PUCCH resources for the remaining PUCCH repetitions are determined according to a combination of the above methods 7-9 and additional conditions for checking frequency resources. Here, the second slot can be determined as the second PUCCH repetition according to the above method 7. The third slot cannot be determined as the third PUCCH repetition according to the above method 8 and additional conditions. For the third slot, the determined PUCCH resource is not valid, and the PUCCH resource exceeds the frequency domain range of the UL subband.

[0147] The fourth slot in Figure 5 cannot be determined as the third PUCCH repetition according to the combination of the above method 9 and additional conditions: in the fourth slot, the determined PUCCH resource is not valid, and the PUCCH resource exceeds the frequency domain range of the UL subband in some symbols.

[0148] Embodiment 3 According to embodiment 3, some restrictions related to UL sub-bands or PUCCH resources are introduced as PUCCH repetitions, so as to make it simpler to determine slots and PUCCH resources for PUCCH repetitions.

[0149] According to one implementation, the BS and UE agree that when the PUCCH is instructed or configured to perform N (an integer greater than 1) PUCCH repetitions based on the UL subband, the BS should configure the PUCCH resources of the PUCCH repetitions in the frequency domain within the UL subband or UL BWP, i.e., the BS may configure the PUCCH repetitions to use the available frequency resources.

[0150] For example, if a PUCCH repetition is allowed to be transmitted in the UL subband and the UL BWP, the BS can configure the PUCCH resource of the PUCCH repetition to be in the frequency domain within the UL subband. That is, the methods in Methods 6 and 12 are indirectly implemented by the base station by configuring the PUCCH within the UL subband. That is, under this limitation, if the slot and PUCCH resource for the PUCCH repetition are determined based on Methods 1-5 or 7-11, the determined PUCCH resource is always valid within the UL subband of the determined slot.

[0151] The UE expects the PUCCH resource of the PUCCH repetition to be within the frequency domain of the UL subband. For example, if the PUCCH repetition is allowed to be transmitted within the UL subband and the UL BWP, the UE expects the PUCCH resource of the PUCCH repetition to be within the frequency domain of the UL subband. The UE can determine the slot with the UL subband and PUCCH resource for the PUCCH repetition based on Methods 1-5 or 7-11, and the PUCCH resource determined by the UE is always valid. The UE does not need to implement the judgment conditions in Methods 6 or 12.

[0152] Alternatively, according to one implementation, when the PUCCH is instructed or configured to perform N (an integer greater than 1) PUCCH repetitions based on the UL subband, the BS and UE agree to keep the UL subband and UL BWP the same (in terms of size and / or location) at all times throughout the configuration in the frequency domain. For example, when PUCCH repetitions are allowed to be transmitted in the UL subband and UL BWP, the base station may configure the frequency domain resources of the UL subband and UL BWP with the same size and / or location as shown in FIG. 8. Under this restriction, when the slot and PUCCH resource for the PUCCH repetition are determined based on methods 1-5 or 7-11, the determined PUCCH resource is always valid within the UL subband of the determined slot. Because the size and location of the UL subband and UL BWP in the frequency domain are the same, both the UL BWP and the PUCCH in the UL subband are valid in the frequency domain. The UE expects the frequency domain resources of the UL sub-bands and the UL BWP to be identical (in terms of size and location).

[0153] For example, if a PUCCH repetition is allowed to be transmitted in the UL sub-band and the UL BWP, the UE expects the frequency domain resources of the UL sub-band and the UL BWP to be identical (in terms of size and location). Under this restriction, if the slot and PUCCH resource for the PUCCH repetition are determined based on methods 1-5 or 7-11, the determined PUCCH resource is always valid within the UL sub-band of the determined slot. Because the size and location of the UL sub-band and the UL BWP in the frequency domain are identical, both the UL BWP and the PUCCH in the UL sub-band are valid in the frequency domain.

[0154] The method / steps disclosed above can be implemented by the UE, the BS, and the wireless communication device as disclosed in Figure 1. In addition, the hardware of the UE, the BS, and the wireless communication system may include a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing one or more instructions. When executed by a processor, the one or more instructions cause the wireless communication device to implement the method / steps as disclosed above.

[0155] Various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are described below with reference to the accompanying figures to enable those skilled in the art to make and use the present disclosure. The present disclosure is not limited to the exemplary embodiments and applications described and illustrated herein. Additionally, the specific order and / or hierarchy of steps in the methods disclosed herein is merely an example approach. Based on design preferences, the specific order or hierarchy of steps in a disclosed method or process can be rearranged while remaining within the scope of the present disclosure. Thus, those skilled in the art will understand that the methods and techniques disclosed herein present the various steps or acts in an example order, and that the present disclosure is not limited to the specific order or hierarchy presented, unless expressly stated otherwise.

[0156] This disclosure is intended to cover any conceivable variation, use, combination, or adaptation of the present disclosure in accordance with the general principles of the present disclosure, and includes well-known knowledge and conventional technical means in the art and not disclosed herein.

[0157] It should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the exact construction or operation described above and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and that various modifications and changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the present application, which is defined solely by the appended claims.

Claims

1. 1. A wireless communication method, comprising: receiving signaling from a base station (BS) to a user equipment (UE) to indicate that a PUCCH transmission with N PUCCH repetitions is to be performed using a PUCCH resource, where N is an integer greater than 1; determining one or more slots for the PUCCH transmission, the one or more slots including a plurality of consecutive symbols, the number of consecutive symbols being equal to or greater than the number of symbols configured for the PUCCH resource, the plurality of consecutive symbols including a first symbol that is identical to a starting symbol configured for the PUCCH resource, the first symbol being: Downlink (DL) symbols configured for the uplink (UL) subband; Flexible (F) symbols configured for the UL subband; symbols configured for the UL subband; symbols configured for sub-band full-duplex operation; symbols valid for UL transmission within the UL sub-band; UL symbol, or F symbols, the successive symbols starting from the first symbol, the successive symbols comprising: all DL symbols configured for the UL subband; all symbols configured for said sub-band full-duplex operation; All UL symbols, all valid symbols of the PUCCH resource; partially symbols of the UL subband and partially UL symbols; Partially symbols for the UL subband and partially F symbols, or partially symbols for the UL subband, partially UL symbols, and partially F symbols; is the F symbol and transmitting the PUCCH repetitions in the one or more slots; A method comprising:

2. The determination of one or more slots for PUCCH transmission may be based on the following criteria: a first criterion, wherein the one or more slots include the plurality of consecutive symbols starting from the first symbol, the plurality of consecutive symbols being DL symbols configured for the UL subband, the one or more slots including the first symbol that is identical to the starting symbol configured for the PUCCH resource, and the number of consecutive symbols is equal to or greater than the number of symbols configured for the PUCCH resource; or a second criterion, wherein the one or more slots include the plurality of consecutive symbols starting from the first symbol, the plurality of consecutive symbols being UL symbols or F symbols, the one or more slots including the first symbol that is identical to the starting symbol configured for the PUCCH resource, and the number of consecutive symbols is equal to or greater than the number of symbols configured for the PUCCH resource; or a third criterion, wherein the one or more slots include the plurality of consecutive symbols starting from the first symbol, the plurality of consecutive symbols being a combination of symbols selected from the group of symbols configured for the UL subband, UL symbols, or F symbols, the one or more slots including the first symbol that is the same as the starting symbol configured for the PUCCH resource, and the number of consecutive symbols is equal to or greater than the number of symbols configured for the PUCCH resource.

2. The method of claim 1, comprising determining the one or more slots according to at least one of the following criteria:

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein all of the one or more slots satisfy any one of the first through third criteria.

4. The method of claim 2 , wherein the one or more slots satisfy two different criteria from the first through third criteria.

5. The two different criteria are determined by a pre-established agreement between the UE and the BS; or the two different criteria are determined according to signaling from the BS to the UE to specify the two different criteria. The method of claim 4.

6. 3. The method of claim 2, further comprising receiving signaling from the BS to determine a criterion or criteria to be used to determine the one or more slots.

7. The method of claim 2 , wherein the one or more slots start with a first slot that satisfies any one of the first through third criteria.

8. The determining one or more slots for PUCCH transmission may further comprise: determining whether the DL symbols, the F symbols, or the UL symbols configured for the UL subband in the one or more slots are associated with a frequency resource, and whether the frequency resource of the PUCCH resource is within the frequency resource; The method of claim 1 , comprising:

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein a first PUCCH repetition of the N PUCCH repetitions is transmitted within a UL subband of a DL slot or a UL Bandwidth Portion (BWP) of a slot.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising determining, in the determined one or more slots, a PUCCH resource that is the same as a PUCCH resource indicated for the PUCCH transmission.

11. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein in the determined one or more slots, the UE expects the PUCCH resource to be within both the frequency domain of the UL subband and the frequency domain of a UL BWP.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the UE expects the UL sub-band and the UL BWP to have the same frequency domain resources.

13. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the F symbols are not used for a synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel (SS / PBCH) block.

14. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein when the plurality of consecutive symbols is a combination of DL symbols and UL symbols or F symbols configured for the UL subband, the DL symbols and the UL symbols or the F symbols are consecutive in the time domain.

15. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the DL symbols and the UL symbols or the F symbols are at least consecutive in the time domain within a first frequency resource, the first frequency resource being one of a frequency resource of the UL sub-band, a frequency resource of a UL BWP, or a smaller one of the frequency resource of the UL sub-band and the frequency resource of the UL BWP.

16. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein when the plurality of consecutive symbols is a combination of DL symbols and UL symbols or F symbols configured for the UL subband, a timing advance (TA) of the UL symbols or the F symbols is aligned with a TA of the UL subband.

17. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein when the plurality of consecutive symbols is a combination of DL symbols configured for the UL subband, a TA offset between the DL symbol of the UL subband and the UL symbol or the F symbol is predefined or configured by the BS as 0.

18. 1. A wireless communication method, comprising: transmitting signaling from a base station (BS) to a user equipment (UE) to indicate that a PUCCH transmission with N PUCCH repetitions is to be performed using a PUCCH resource, where N is an integer greater than 1; determining one or more slots for the PUCCH transmission, the one or more slots including a plurality of consecutive symbols, the number of consecutive symbols being equal to or greater than the number of symbols configured for the PUCCH resource, the consecutive symbols including a first symbol that is identical to a start symbol configured for the PUCCH transmission, the first symbol being: Downlink (DL) symbols configured for the uplink (UL) subband; Flexible (F) symbols configured for the UL subband; symbols configured for the UL subband; symbols configured for sub-band full-duplex operation; symbols valid for UL transmission within the UL sub-band; UL symbol, or F symbols, the successive symbols starting from the first symbol, the successive symbols comprising: all DL symbols configured for the UL subband; all symbols configured for said sub-band full-duplex operation; All UL symbols, all valid symbols of the PUCCH resource; partially symbols of the UL subband and partially UL symbols; Partially symbols for the UL subband and partially F symbols, or Partially symbols for the UL subband, partially UL symbols, and partially F symbols is the F symbol and receiving the PUCCH repetitions in the one or more slots; A method comprising:

19. The determination of one or more slots for PUCCH transmission may be based on the following criteria: a first criterion, wherein the one or more slots include the plurality of consecutive symbols starting from the first symbol, the plurality of consecutive symbols being DL symbols configured for the UL subband, the one or more slots including the first symbol that is identical to the starting symbol configured for the PUCCH resource, and the number of consecutive symbols is equal to or greater than the number of symbols configured for the PUCCH resource; or a second criterion, wherein the one or more slots include the plurality of consecutive symbols starting from the first symbol, the plurality of consecutive symbols being UL symbols or F symbols, the one or more slots including the first symbol that is identical to the starting symbol configured for the PUCCH resource, and the number of consecutive symbols is equal to or greater than the number of symbols configured for the PUCCH resource; or a third criterion, wherein the one or more slots include the plurality of consecutive symbols starting from the first symbol, the plurality of consecutive symbols being a combination of symbols selected from the group of symbols configured for the UL subband, UL symbols, or F symbols, the one or more slots including the first symbol that is the same as the starting symbol configured for the PUCCH resource, and the number of consecutive symbols is equal to or greater than the number of symbols configured for the PUCCH resource.

20. The method of claim 18, comprising determining the one or more slots according to at least one of the following criteria:

20. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein all of the one or more slots satisfy one of any of the first through third criteria.

21. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the one or more slots satisfy two different criteria from the first through third criteria.

22. The two different criteria are determined by a pre-established agreement between the UE and the BS; or the two different criteria are determined according to signaling from the BS to the UE to specify the two different criteria.

22. The method of claim 21.

23. 20. The method of claim 19, further comprising transmitting, from the BS, signaling indicating a criterion or criteria used to determine the one or more slots.

24. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the one or more slots start with a first slot that satisfies any one of the first through third criteria.

25. The determining one or more slots for PUCCH transmission may further comprise: determining whether the DL symbols, the F symbols, or the UL symbols configured for the UL subband in the one or more slots are associated with a frequency resource, and whether the frequency resource of the PUCCH resource is within the frequency resource; 20. The method of claim 18, comprising:

26. The method of any one of claims 18-25, wherein a first PUCCH repetition of the N PUCCH repetitions is transmitted within a UL subband of a DL slot or a UL Bandwidth Portion (BWP) of a slot.

27. The method of any one of claims 18-25, further comprising determining, in the determined one or more slots, a PUCCH resource that is identical to a PUCCH resource indicated for the PUCCH transmission.

28. 20. The method of claim 18, further comprising: configuring, in the determined one or more slots, the indicated PUCCH resource to be within both the frequency domain of the UL subband and the frequency domain of a UL BWP.

29. 30. The method of claim 28, further comprising configuring the UL sub-band and the UL BWP with the same frequency domain resources.

30. 20. The method of claim 18, wherein the F symbols are not used for a synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel (SS / PBCH) block.

31. 19. The method of claim 18, wherein when the plurality of consecutive symbols is a combination of one or more DL symbols and one or more UL symbols or one or more F symbols configured for the UL subband, the DL symbols and the UL symbols or the F symbols are consecutive in the time domain.

32. 32. The method of claim 31 , wherein the DL symbols and the UL symbols or the F symbols are at least contiguous in the time domain within a first frequency resource, the first frequency resource being one of a frequency resource of the UL sub-band, a frequency resource of the UL BWP, or a smaller one of a frequency resource of the UL sub-band and a frequency resource of the UL BWP.

33. 19. The method of claim 18, wherein when the plurality of consecutive symbols is a combination of one or more DL symbols and one or more UL symbols or one or more F-symbols configured for the UL subband, a timing advance (TA) of the UL symbols or the F-symbols is aligned with a TA of the UL subband.

34. 19. The method of claim 18, wherein when the plurality of consecutive symbols is a combination of one or more DL symbols and one or more UL symbols or one or more F symbols configured for the UL subband, a TA offset between the DL symbols and the UL symbols or the F symbols of the UL subband is predefined or configured by the BS as 0.

35. 20. The method of claim 18, further comprising configuring frequency resources of the one or more slots to be identical in association with the N PUCCH repetitions.

36. 20. The method of claim 18, further comprising: configuring frequency resources of the one or more slots according to a result of determining the one or more slots for PUCCH transmission.

37. 37. A wireless communication device comprising: a memory that stores one or more programs; and a processor that is electrically coupled to the memory and configured to execute the one or more programs and to perform any one of the methods described in claims 1-36.

38. 37. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing one or more programs, the one or more programs being configured to cause a processor to perform any one of the methods described in claims 1-36.

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