APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CROSS-SLOT SCHEDULING ADAPTATION - Patent application

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a communications device, a base station, and respective methods for the communications device and the base station. The communications device includes a transceiver and circuitry that, during operation, receives or transmits data in K time slots after receiving a scheduling grant, where K is not smaller than a minimum scheduling gap, controls the transceiver to receive control information, and determines, when the control information indicates a second minimum scheduling gap different from a currently applied first minimum scheduling gap, that K is not smaller than a first minimum scheduling gap and a second minimum scheduling gap for an interval starting from receiving the control information.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to transmitting and receiving signals in a communication system, and more particularly to methods and apparatus for such transmission and reception. [Background technology]

[0002] Currently, the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) is working on the next release (Release 15) of technical specifications for next-generation cellular technology, also known as the fifth generation (5G), which includes the “New Radio” (NR) radio access technology (RAT) operating in the frequency range up to 100 GHz. NR is the successor to the current technologies represented by Long Term Evolution (LTE) and LTE Advanced (LTE-A). NR is designed to facilitate a single technical framework that addresses multiple defined usage scenarios, requirements, and deployment scenarios, including, for example, enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB), Ultra-Reliable Low-Latency Communications (URLLC), massive Machine Type Communication (mMTC), etc. For example, eMBB deployment scenarios may include indoor hotspots, dense urban, rural, urban macro and high speed, URLLC deployment scenarios may include industrial control systems, mobile healthcare (remote monitoring, diagnosis and treatment), real-time control of vehicles, wide area monitoring and control systems for smart grids, and mMTC deployment scenarios may include scenarios with many devices with non-time critical data transmission such as smart wearables and sensor networks. eMBB and URLLC services are similar in that both require extremely high bandwidth, but differ in that URLLC services require ultra-low latency. The physical layer is based on time-frequency resources (such as Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) in LTE) and supports multiple antenna operation.

[0003] For systems such as LTE and NR, further improvements and options may facilitate efficient operation of the communication system as well as particular devices related to the system. Summary of the Invention

[0004] One non-limiting and illustrative embodiment facilitates providing efficient signaling in a wireless communication system.

[0005] In one embodiment, the technology disclosed herein features a communications device having a transceiver for transmitting and receiving signals; and circuitry for, during operation, receiving or transmitting data in K time slots after receiving a scheduling grant, where K is not less than a minimum scheduling gap, controlling the transceiver to receive control information, and determining that when the control information indicates a second minimum scheduling gap that is different from a first minimum scheduling gap currently applied, K is not less than the first minimum scheduling gap and the second minimum scheduling gap for an interval beginning with receipt of the control information.

[0006] It should be noted that the general or specific embodiments may be realized as a system, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, a storage medium, or any combination thereof.

[0007] Further benefits and advantages of the disclosed embodiments will become apparent from the specification and drawings, in which the benefits and / or advantages may be obtained individually from various embodiments and features of the specification and drawings, which need not all be provided in order to obtain one or more of such benefits and / or advantages. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram illustrating a communication system in which embodiments described herein may be utilized. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a communication device and a network device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example TDRA table. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing cross-slot scheduling; [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating switching from slower to faster scheduling. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating switching from faster to slower scheduling. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating switching from faster to slower scheduling due to additional conditions. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of a circuit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a communication system including a base station, a terminal, and a core network. Such a communication system may be a 3GPP system, such as NR, LTE, and / or UMTS. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 1, a base station (BS) may be a gNB (e.g., NR gNB) or an eNB (e.g., LTE). However, the present disclosure is not limited to these 3GPP systems or any other systems. Although the embodiments and example implementations are described using some terminology of a 3GPP system, the present disclosure is also applicable to any other communication system, in particular any cellular, wireless, and / or mobile system.

[0010] The communication device may be a terminal called user equipment (UE) in LTE and NR. It may be a mobile device such as a wireless phone, a smartphone or a USB stick with user equipment functionality. However, the term mobile device is not limited thereto and a relay may generally have the functionality of such a mobile device and a mobile device may act as a relay. Furthermore, the communication device may be any machine type communication device such as an IoT device.

[0011] A base station is a network node forming part of a network for providing services to terminals, for example. A base station is a network node that provides radio connectivity to terminals. In NR as well as LTE, the Radio Resource Control (RRC) protocol is used for configuration between base stations (eNB, gNB) and terminals (UE). RRC is a control protocol that exists on the physical and Medium Access Control (MAC) layers. RRC defines different states for a UE according to the transmission / reception behavior. For example, the RRC_CONNECTED state means, among other things, that the UE has radio access bearers established and can transmit and / or receive data. On the other hand, the RRC_IDLE mode means, among other things, that no radio access bearers are configured for the UE, but a signaling radio bearer can be established.

[0012] Cross-slot scheduling has been envisioned in 3GPP RAN1 study items (SI) and work items (WI) because it may facilitate power savings. One of the main objectives is to specify procedures for cross-slot scheduling to enable communication devices to take advantage of power saving techniques. This disclosure provides a more efficient cross-scheduling framework that facilitates power saving options for some communication devices.

[0013] For scheduling, a communication device such as a User Equipment (UE) may be informed of resources for it (i.e. the UE itself) to transmit / receive data in a Downlink Control Channel (DCI) received by the UE in a Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH). For example, if the UE receives data, the DCI may include a corresponding indication of resources in a Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) and / or if the UE transmits data, the DCI may include a corresponding indication of resources in a Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH). Such indication may indicate the location of the resources in the frequency and / or time domain and / or may indicate the length in terms of symbols, as will be explained in more detail below. In addition, the DCI may provide further transmission parameters such as Modulation and Coding Scheme (MCS), beamforming / precoding, or other Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) parameters. The PDCCH is transmitted from a transmitter in a network (access) node such as a base station to the communication device. To receive the PDCCH, a communication device typically needs to monitor certain resources, called the search space or CORESET (Control Resource Set). Monitoring implies blind decoding to detect if there is control information for the monitoring communication device. This is achieved, for example, by providing (by the scheduling node) a cyclic redundancy check on the control information scrambled with the identity of the communication device to which the control information is intended.

[0014] For example, as specified in Release 15 (NR), the scheduling timing (e.g., for scheduling of the above-mentioned resources) may be signaled in the DCI by using a Time Domain Resource Allocation (TDRA) table. In particular, the UE may be signaled the allocated resources by indicating one entry (typically a row of the table) of the TDRA table in the DCI, e.g., by signaling an entry (row) index. The term table is used here as a logical term since TDRA entries may be summarized as a table in the standard specification. However, it should be noted that the present disclosure is not limited to any particular physical storage configuration and the TDRA table may be realized in any manner as a set of entries associated with respective entry indexes.

[0015] An example TDRA table is shown in Figure 3. The TDRA table is composed of columns that specify row indices that label entries (rows of the table) that contain values ​​for each column. In this example TDRA table, there is a column that specifies dmrs-TypeA-Position, a column that specifies a PDSCH mapping type, a column that specifies a K0 value, a column that specifies an S value, and / or a column that specifies an L value. Thus, a DCI signaling of a row of the TDRA table (one value of row index) corresponds to signaling a particular combination of values ​​of dmrs-TypeA-Position, PDSCH mapping type, K0 value, S value, and / or L value.

[0016] In this example, dmrs-TypeA-Position is a parameter related to the position of the demodulation reference signal. This parameter is specified by other signaling parameters. Based on whether the parameter takes the value 2 or 3, the row index refers to a slightly different time domain resource allocation. The parameters dmrs-TypeA-Position and PDSCH mapping type are of no further importance to this disclosure, and details can be found in the NR standard specifications. In general, the TDRA table may include more or fewer parameters than those shown with reference to FIG. 3. The actual resource allocation is provided by the parameters K0, S, and L for this exemplary downlink TDRA table. In NR, there is a set of TDRA tables for downlink resource allocation, of which the TDRA table of FIG. 3 is one. In addition, there is a set of TDRA tables for uplink resource allocation that is different from the downlink table set. For the uplink TDRA table, the tree parameters that specify the resource allocation (resource grant) are K2, S, and L. It is noted that the present disclosure may be readily utilized for NR, including the currently defined tables, but is not limited thereto. It may also be applied to the sidelink, it may be applied to different tables or resource allocations organized (signaled) in different ways.

[0017] The K0 value indicated in the DCI by the row index of the TDRA table indicates the gap in terms of slots between the PDCCH slot and the PDSCH slot. Here, the PDCCH slot is the slot in which the DCI indicating the respective K0 is received, hereafter referred to as the scheduling slot, the slot-carrying scheduling information or the slot-carrying scheduling grant. Furthermore, the PDSCH slot may be the slot in which the scheduled resource is located (or the first / starting slot), e.g. the slot in which data is transmitted or received. In other words, K0 may indicate the relative position (in the time domain) of the slot containing the resource scheduled for reception / transmission with respect to a reference slot, which may be the slot of the DCI indicating said K0. More specifically, K0 may indicate the size of the gap or the relative position in slot periods / units. It should be noted that a particular value of K0, e.g. a value of zero in the case of the table shown in FIG. 3, may indicate that there is no gap and that the resource in which data is to be transmitted / received is located in the same slot as the DCI indicating K0. Moreover, this is only an example, and in general, a scheduling gap may be signaled that may or may not include the first slot (PDCCH) and / or the slot where the assigned resource starts (first PDSCH slot, also referred to as resource slot or scheduled slot). In general, a scheduling gap (denoted in NR as K0 for downlink and K2 for uplink) specifies the gap (time interval) between scheduled resources.

[0018] The terms "slot" and "timeslot" are generally used interchangeably in this disclosure. In general, slot refers to a time domain resource in this disclosure. For NR, the time interval corresponding to a slot depends on the numerology, which is a combination of symbol duration, subcarrier spacing, and cyclic prefix. A slot consists of a specified number of symbols, which may be one or more. A specified number of slots forms a subframe, and multiple subframes may form a radio frame. The term "specified" refers to the fact that both the UE and the gNB know it. This may be achieved by signaling such configuration in advance, i.e., before starting or with the scheduling procedure, and some parameters of the resources provided by the system may also be fixed and provided by the standard.

[0019] Further, it should be noted that the case of UL grants in DCI is similar to the case of DL grants described above, except that the scheduled resources are in PUSCH (not PDSCH) and the number indicating the gap is usually denoted as K2 (not K0). In this disclosure, K is used to refer to either K0, K2 or K for other types of links such as sidelink.

[0020] Furthermore, the value of S indicated in the DCI may indicate the position of the starting symbol of the scheduled resource in the associated slot (given by K0 / K2, which is the slot in which the scheduled resource is transmitted or received).

[0021] Finally, the value of L signaled in the DCI may indicate the length of the PDSCH / PUSCH in symbol periods / units and / or the length of the scheduled resources in symbol periods / units. Although in FIG. 3 all entries specify a K0 value of zero, in general, the TDRA table includes entries with different (integer) values ​​of K0. For example, one entry of the TDRA table may correspond to a K0 value of 1, while another entry of the same TDRA table may correspond to a K0 value of 2. The possibility of non-zero K values ​​allows for cross-slot scheduling, which refers to the case where the DCI scheduling resource and the corresponding resource scheduled in the DCI are located in different slots. In general, cross-slot scheduling may facilitate providing several advantages in terms of power savings.

[0022] For example, cross-slot scheduling can save power by relaxing the PDCCH processing timeline, since the UE may not be required to decode the PDCCH as fast as in the same slot scheduling case (where the DCI scheduling resource and the corresponding resource scheduled in the DCI are placed in the same slot). Furthermore, cross-slot scheduling may allow slower PDSCH buffering. Unlike for same slot scheduling, in the case of cross-slot scheduling, the UE may not need to buffer all symbols after receiving the PDCCH until it has decoded the PDCCH and knows where the scheduled resource is actually placed.

[0023] In particular, when the UE knows the minimum (scheduling) gap between the PDCCH and the scheduled PDSCH, i.e., the minimum K that can be signaled in the DCI / PDCCH, the UE may skip PDSCH buffering at least in the current slot (e.g., the slot in which the PDCCH is received) and the next K-1 slots. Furthermore, the possibility of cross-slot scheduling may allow more microsleep periods in that time interval, especially in the case where the PDCCH is not scheduled until the scheduled resource is received.

[0024] This is illustrated in Figure 4, which shows the case of a minimum value of K of 2 (more precisely, K0=2 in the figure). If the UE knows the minimum value K, it does not need to monitor the PDCCH during the rest of slot #n+2 and slot #n+3, nor does it need to perform measurements during these slots, nor does it need to buffer the received data (PDSCH). The UE can choose to transition to a microsleep state during the rest of slot #n+2 and / or slot #n+3 to save power. However, it should be noted that not all UEs need to implement and / or utilize power saving. Providing K increases flexibility and opportunities for power saving, but does not mandate it.

[0025] Figure 4 is an example based on the current NR specification. It shows a specific case where the PDCCH is transmitted in the entire first BWP, but resources are scheduled only in a part of the physical resource blocks (PRBs) of the bandwidth portion (BWP). Note that Figure 4 may also be applied to the case where the concept of BWP is not utilized, i.e., the entire bandwidth is always allocable. A PRB refers to a resource unit having a certain number of subcarriers and a certain number of symbols of a certain numerology.

[0026] In the current Rel.15 NR, each TDRA table configured is signaled in a configuration related to the PDSCH on the RRC layer (PDSCH-Config) which may be in a specific container for the Bandwidth Part ((BWP)-DownlinkDedicated). Thus, if the TDRA table is configured by higher layers, the TDRA table may be specific to the BWP. A communication device such as a UE may use a default table or apply the pdsch-TimeDomainAllocationList configured by higher layers in either pdsch-ConfigCommon or pdsch-Config. However, this is only one possible detailed example of the interaction between the TDRA configuration and the BWP concept of NR. The present invention does not assume the use of BWP and is not limited to resource allocation using TDRA tables.

[0027] Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling is used by the gNB (gNodeB is an exemplary name of a base station in NR corresponding to eNodeB (enhanced NodeB) in LTE (Long Term Evolution)) to semi-statically or statically configure radio access bearer parameters and other parameters in the communication device (UE). As specified in section 4.4.5 of TS 38.211 V15.0.0 (2017-12), a bandwidth portion (or carrier bandwidth portion) is a contiguous set of physical resource blocks as specified in clause 4.4.4.3 selected from a contiguous subset of common resource blocks as specified in clause 4.4.4.2 for a given numerology on a given carrier. In TS 38.211 V15.0.0, it is specified that a UE can be configured with up to four carrier bandwidth portions in the downlink with a single downlink carrier bandwidth portion active at a given time. The UE is not expected to receive the Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH), the Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH), the Downlink Reference Signals for Estimation of Channel State Information (CSI-RS) or the Tracking Reference Signals for fine time and frequency tracking of channel (TRS) outside the active bandwidth portion.

[0028] The specification further specifies that a UE may be configured with up to four carrier bandwidth portions in the uplink with a single downlink carrier bandwidth portion active at a given time. If the UE is configured with complementary uplinks, the UE may be further configured with up to four carrier bandwidth portions in the complementary uplink with a single complementary uplink carrier bandwidth portion active at a given time. The UE does not transmit PUSCH or PUCCH outside of the active bandwidth portions. The numerology is defined by the subcarrier spacing and the cyclic prefix (CP). A resource block is generally defined as 12 consecutive subcarriers in the frequency domain. Physical resource blocks (PRBs) are numbered within the BWP, with the PRB numbering of the BWP starting from 0.

[0029] The size of the BWP can vary from a minimum of one PRB to the maximum size of the system bandwidth. Currently, up to four BWPs can be configured by higher layer parameters for each DL (downlink) and UL (uplink) with a single active downlink and uplink BWP in a given TTI (Transmission Time Interval). However, the present disclosure is not limited to the case defined in TS 38.211 where a UE is configured with up to four bandwidth portions. The number of bandwidth portions may be greater than four in the uplink and / or downlink. For example, a UE may be configured with eight BWPs.

[0030] The TTI (Transmission Time Interval) determines the timing granularity for scheduling assignments. One TTI is the time interval in which a given signal is mapped to the physical layer. The TTI length is variable from 14 symbols (slot-based scheduling) to 2 symbols (non-slot-based scheduling). Downlink and uplink transmissions are specified to be organized into frames (10 ms duration) consisting of 10 subframes (1 ms duration). In slot-based transmission, the subframes are divided into slots, the number of slots being dictated by the numerology / subcarrier spacing, with specified values ​​ranging between 10 slots for a subcarrier spacing of 15 kHz and 320 slots for a subcarrier spacing of 240 kHz. The number of OFDM symbols per slot is 14 for normal cyclic prefix and 12 for extended cyclic prefix (see sections 4.1 (Overall Frame Structure), 4.2 (Numerology), 4.3.1 (Frames and Subframes) and 4.3.2 (Slots) of 3GPP TS 38.211 V15.0.0(2017-12)). However, transmission may also be non-slot based. In non-slot based communication, the minimum length of the TTI may be two OFDM symbols. The BWP concept in NR is to allow dynamic configuration of a relatively small active bandwidth for smaller data packets, which allows power saving for the UE since the UE needs to monitor fewer frequencies or use fewer frequencies for transmission due to the small active BWP.

[0031] The active bandwidth portion for a user equipment (e.g., the bandwidth portion used by the UE for transmitting and receiving signals in a TTI) can be switched between configured BWPs. For example, depending on the current needs, the active BWP may be switched to a larger BWP or to a smaller BWP to save the battery power of the UE. This is possible by dynamic notification in the DCI of the active BWP to be used in the next TTI. The DCI carries downlink and uplink scheduling information (e.g., resource allocation and / or grant), requests for aperiodic CQI reports, or uplink power control commands for one cell and one RNTI. The DCI coding includes information element multiplexing, CRC (Cyclic Redundancy Check) attachment, channel coding and rate matching. The DCI carries transmission parameters such as MCS, redundancy version or HARQ process number. The DCI consists of multiple fields (e.g., bit fields / bitmaps) carrying different types of control information or parameters. The location of certain parameters and the number of bits that code each parameter are known to the base station transmitting the DCI and to the UE receiving the DCI. However, such switching of the active BWP adds delay because the user equipment needs to decode the DCI and then initiate hardware tuning to the new active BWP.

[0032] In the current NR discussion, the minimum value of K0 (or K2) applicable to the active downlink DL (or uplink UL) bandwidth portion may be signaled by the gNB to the UE to enable it to benefit from power savings. Such signaling may be performed by one or more of the methods listed below. a) Signaling of a subset of TDRA entries, for example a bitmap-based signaling, may be provided. The smallest K among the entries of the subset may then be determined by the UE. b) Notification of one active table from multiple configured TDRA tables, the table having a certain minimum K which the UE may determine by checking the tables. c) Explicit notification of applicable minimum values, for example in DCI or higher layer signaling.

[0033] However, applying the minimum value of K in cross-slot and cross-BWP scheduling may pose some difficulties. Similar problems arise without considering cross-BWP scheduling. Some possible problems are described below.

[0034] FIG. 5 shows an example of cross-slot scheduling adaptation by switching from a slower BWP (BWP#1) to a faster BWP (BWP#2). Two BWPs, BWP#1 and BWP#2, may be provided for power saving purposes and are configured with different minimum K0 values ​​corresponding to different processing timelines. More specifically, in the example shown in FIG. 5, BWP#1 is configured with a TDRA table with a minimum K0 of 2 (and thus indicated as slower), while BWP#2 is configured with a TDRA table with a minimum K0 of 1 (and thus indicated as faster). Furthermore, in this example, the BWP switching DCI, PDSCH scheduling utilizes the TDRA table linked with the target BWP (BWP#2). That is, the scheduling grant (e.g., the K value signaled therein) in the DCI, which also indicates the BWP switching, refers to the TDRA table of the target BWP (BWP#2) that does not have an entry for K0=0.

[0035] After the transition time (after slot #n+6), PDCCH is transmitted in BWP#2 using the minimum TDRA of K0=1. However, since the transition time is 3 slots in this example, BWP#2 is used only for scheduling / PDCCH starting from slot #n+6. As a result, PDSCH#3 (i.e., resources in slot #n+6) cannot be scheduled by PDCCH in BWP#2, since the TDRA related to BWP#2 does not have an entry for K0=0. More specifically, only resources in slot #n+7 (PDSCH#4) and after can be scheduled by PDCCH#4, which is the earliest possible scheduling grant in BWP#2 after switching. Therefore, if PDSCH#3 needs to be scheduled, it can only be done by using PDCCH#3, but in this case, K0, which is signaled with the switching DCI, needs to be 3. In this example, since the target BWP TDRA table is utilized during the transition time, the "faster BWP" (BWP#2) needs to have a larger K0 value in the TDRA table to be able to schedule the initial slot at the beginning of the BWP transition. However, to make the PDSCH buffering operation as clear as possible, it is worth having an efficient TDRA table with a more centralized K0 value for power saving, because the UE buffering operation is better aligned and more localized in the time domain.

[0036] Figure 6 shows an example of cross-slot scheduling adaptation by switching from a faster BWP to a slower BWP. Note that the faster BWP is denoted as BWP#1 and the slower BWP is denoted as BWP#2. More specifically, in this example, BWP#1 is configured with a TDRA table with a minimum K0=0, while BWP#2 is configured with a TDRA table with a minimum K0=2. Again, the switching transition time is 3 slots, and during the switching transition time, the target TDRA table (BWP#2's table) is used again.

[0037] Therefore, the scheduling of PDSCH#3 by PDCCH#3 uses the TDRA table of BWP#2 with K0 equal to or greater than 2. Considering the transition period, K0 is 3. Therefore, in order to make the first slots after the BWP switch schedulable (in this example, slots #n+6 and #n+7 are not schedulable by the PDCCH in BWP#2), a special K0 value may be needed in the TDRA table by considering the actual transition period. Thus, depending on the actually used value of K0 in the TDRA table related to BWP#2, the first few slots after the transition time may not be schedulable by the PDCCH transmitted or received in BWP#1 during the transition period (e.g. by a scheduling grant in the DCI also indicating the BWP switch).

[0038] As can be seen from the problems described above with reference to Figures 5 and 6, in order to achieve better power saving performance, the scheduling flexibility may be limited. This can be done in the context of BWPs, for example, by TDRA configuration during BWP switching. It should be noted that if the TDRA table has a very flexible K value (i.e., contains a high range of K), the power saving gain cannot be achieved, since it typically depends on the minimum value of K, not on a dynamically configured K. It should be noted that a similar problem arises not only in the context of multiple BWPs, but also in any case where the TDRA table, or in general the minimum K, needs to be changed / reconfigured.

[0039] To address these issues, the present invention provides various embodiments, described below, that facilitate adjustment of time domain scheduling during switching between two values ​​of the minimum scheduling gap. I. Implementing a rule that specifies that during switching between two values ​​of the minimum scheduling gap (K), the longer of the switched gap is utilized. This rule can be implemented in various non-limiting ways. For example, in the context of BWP switching, the TDRA table for the source BWP may be enabled / enabled only under certain conditions, e.g., when cross-slot scheduling is enabled for power saving. Or the minimum K0 may be changed and started after the switching (transition) time. Or the TDRA of the target BWP may be conditionally enabled depending on the BWP combination, e.g., only when switching from a smaller minimum gap to a larger minimum gap. II. Providing an offset value that is added to the value of K signaled in the resource grant to localize scheduled resources. III. For power saving purposes, the switching DCI does not include a data channel scheduling field, i.e., the slots in which a switch between two values ​​of the smallest K for a communication device is signaled do not carry a scheduling grant. IV. Assuming that the common search space applies to the lowest value of K, we do not apply power savings to slots where the common search space is monitored.

[0040] Since the present disclosure relates to scheduling, both entities, a scheduled device (typically a communication device) and a scheduling device (typically a network node), participate. Thus, the present disclosure provides a method and an apparatus for implementing the functions of both the scheduling device and the scheduled device. The present invention further provides a system including the scheduled device and the scheduling device, as well as a corresponding method and program.

[0041] A specific example of such a communication system 200 is shown in FIG. 2. The communication system 200 may be a wireless communication system, in particular a NR communication system, according to the technical specifications of 5G. FIG. 2 shows an overall simplified exemplary block diagram of a user equipment 210 (also called a communication device), which is exemplarily assumed here to be located in a base station (network node), such as, for example, an eNB or a gNB, and a scheduling device 250. In general, however, the scheduling device may also be a terminal in case of a sidelink connection between two terminals. Furthermore, the communication device 210 may also be a sensor device, a wearable device, a connected vehicle, or a controller of an automated machine in a factory, especially with regard to the use cases of URLLC, eMBB, and mMTC. Furthermore, the communication device 210 may be capable of acting as a relay between the base station 250 and other communication devices (e.g., the present disclosure is not limited to a communication "terminal" or a user "terminal").

[0042] The UE and eNB / gNB communicate with each other using their transceivers 220 (UE side) and 260 (base station side), respectively, over a (wireless) physical channel 290. The base station 250 and the terminal 210 together form a communication system 200. The communication system 200 may further include other entities such as those shown in FIG.

[0043] The communication device 210 may include a transceiver 220 and a (processing) circuit 230, and the scheduling device 250 may include a transceiver 260 and a (processing) circuit 270. The transceiver 210 may then include and / or function as a receiver and / or a transmitter. In this disclosure, the term "transceiver" is thus used for hardware and software components that enable the communication device 210 or the base station 250 to transmit and / or receive wireless signals over the wireless channel 290. Thus, a transceiver corresponds to a receiver, a transmitter or a combination of a receiver and a transmitter. Typically, it is assumed that base stations and communication devices are capable of transmitting and receiving wireless signals. However, especially for some applications of eMBB, mMTC and URLLC (smart home, smart city, industrial automation, etc.), cases can be envisaged where devices such as sensors only receive signals. Furthermore, the term "circuit" includes a processing circuit formed by one or more processors, processing units, etc.

[0044] The circuits 230, 270 may be one or more hardware such as one or more processors or any LSI. Between the transceiver and the processing circuitry there are input / output points 225, 265 (or nodes) where the processing circuitry can control the transceiver during operation, i.e. control the receiver and / or transmitter and exchange receive / transmit data. The transceiver may include an RF (radio frequency) front, including one or more antennas, amplifiers, RF modulators / demodulators, etc., as a transmitter and receiver. The processing circuitry may realize control tasks such as controlling the transceiver to transmit user data and control data provided by the processing circuitry and / or receiving user data and control data that are further processed by the processing circuitry. The processing circuitry may also be responsible for performing other processes such as judgments, decisions, calculations, measurements, etc. The transmitter may be responsible for performing the transmission process and other processes related thereto. The receiver may be responsible for performing the reception process and other processes related thereto.

[0045] Example I In embodiment I, during switching between a first value of minimum K and a second value of minimum K, the larger of the two values ​​is utilized, where K denotes the scheduling gap, i.e., the time interval between the scheduling grant and the start of the scheduled resource in a given unit (e.g., time slot).

[0046] According to an aspect of the present embodiment, a communication device 210 is provided that includes a circuit 230 and a transceiver 220 for transmitting and receiving signals.

[0047] In operation, the circuit 230 controls the transceiver 220 to receive or transmit data in K time slots starting from (or after) receipt of a scheduling grant, where K is not less than the minimum scheduling gap. In FIG. 8, an exemplary functional configuration of the circuit 230 is shown as terminal circuit 810. The control of the transceiver 220 may be performed by a transmission / reception control circuit 820.

[0048] For example, the reception of data may be performed on a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) and the transmission of data may be performed on a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH). This corresponds to the example where the scheduling entity is the network node 250 and the communication device 210 is the scheduled entity. The scheduling grant may be conveyed by downlink control information (DCI) in a physical control channel (PDCCH). When K is not smaller than the minimum scheduling gap, it means that the scheduling grant does not signal (e.g. according to a standard) or cannot signal (e.g. when there is no signalable value associated with such a value) any K smaller than the minimum K. Advantageously, the value of the minimum K is known to both the scheduling entity and the scheduled entity.

[0049] For example, K is an integer that may be greater than or equal to zero. K equal to zero means that data reception or transmission is performed in the same slot in which the scheduling grant is received. In some example implementations, there may be an upper limit for K. For example, if cross-subframe or cross-frame scheduling is not allowed, then the minimum value of K may correspond to the number of slots in a subframe or frame.

[0050] The circuitry 810 (particularly the transmission / reception control circuitry 820) further controls the transceiver 220 to receive control information during operation. The control information may be physical layer signaling information, such as downlink control information (DCI) carried by the PDCCH. In general, however, the control information can be signaled in different ways and / or at different layers. For example, the control information may be transmitted at the MAC or RRC layer, etc. Signaling via DCI provides high flexibility since it allows dynamic and fast signaling.

[0051] Furthermore, the circuit 810 (particularly the gap setting circuit 840) determines that during operation, when the control information indicates a second minimum scheduling gap that differs from the first minimum scheduling gap currently applied, K is not smaller than the first minimum scheduling gap and the second minimum scheduling gap for an interval starting from receipt of the control information.

[0052] There may also be a switch detection circuit 830 that detects that the value of the minimum K changes. In some cases, such detection may be performed more easily if, for example, a new value of the minimum K (Kmin) is explicitly signaled. However, the change of Kmin may also be signaled implicitly, i.e., by signaling a different parameter. For example, if the TDRA table applied to interpret the resource allocation included in the DCI changes, Kmin may also change. This is because different TDRA tables may have different minimum values ​​of K (e.g., K0 or K2). Thus, the switch detection circuit 830 may be configured, upon receiving the control information, to determine whether the current minimum value of K changes due to the control information.

[0053] By determining that K is not smaller than the first and second minimum scheduling gaps, Kmin is set to the larger of the current Kmin and the new Kmin (signaled by the most recently received control information). This can be realized as an additional condition of not immediately applying the newly signaled Kmin value if the new value is lower than the current value. As will be clear to those skilled in the art, a corresponding implementation is an additional condition of not changing the current Kmin to the new Kmin if the new Kmin is not larger than the current Kmin.

[0054] The switching interval may be one or more slots long. In a simple case, the switching interval is equal to a switching slot. However, a switch may involve more than one slot. In one non-limiting example of a BWP-related embodiment, the switching interval can be set to (at least) the transition period from a first BWP to a second BWP.

[0055] In general, upon receiving control information indicating a minimum value of K (hereinafter referred to as Kmin_new) that differs from the currently applied minimum value of K (hereinafter referred to as Kmin_cur), the circuit may determine that the minimum value of K is the maximum of Kmin_new and Kmin_cur.

[0056] The above-mentioned communication device capable of determining Kmin in this way during switching is more flexible and may (but does not have to) utilize Kmin to improve its power management. In particular, according to one embodiment, the circuit 230 (or the terminal circuit 810 may further include a power saving circuit, not shown in FIG. 8) switches off the transceiver and / or at least a part of said circuit for the duration of the currently applied minimum scheduling gap during operation. With this function, the communication device may save power as described above by decoding the PDCCH more slowly, by not performing further PDCCH monitoring / reception, by not buffering the PDSCH, etc.

[0057] According to another aspect of this embodiment, a scheduling device 250 is provided, comprising a circuit 270 and a transceiver 260 for transmitting and receiving signals. The circuit 270 controls the transceiver 260 during operation to receive or transmit data in K time slots after (or starting from) the transmission of a scheduling grant, where K is not smaller than a minimum scheduling gap. An exemplary functional configuration of the circuit 270 is shown in Fig. 8 as a network node circuit 850. The control of the transceiver 260 may be performed by a transmission / reception control circuit 860. The circuit 850 (particularly the transmission / reception control circuit 860) further controls the transceiver 260 during operation to transmit control information.

[0058] The circuit 850 (in particular the resource management circuit 870) may determine during operation whether or not the minimum scheduling gap of a given communication device 210 should be changed. Thus, the resource management circuit 870 may determine whether or not the control information informing the corresponding change of the minimum gap is transmitted by the transmission / reception control circuit 860 to the given communication device 210. This determination may be based, for example, on the power state, configuration, corresponding requirements, and / or requested QoS of the communication device 210 and / or other communication devices communicating within the cell of the scheduling device 250. In other words, the resource management circuit 817 may perform scheduling decisions for multiple terminals, which include determining the amount and timing of resources for scheduling data of each UE as well as the speed of scheduling.

[0059] In other words, the circuit 870 may determine resources on which data is received or transmitted from communication devices in its cell during operation. In general, the circuit 870 may also determine a scheduling gap K (e.g., K0 / K2) between such resources and the corresponding DCI / scheduling grant / PDCCH that informs the UE (receiving / transmitting on the resources) of the resources. In general, the circuit 870 may determine the scheduling gap according to the smallest scheduling gap currently applied to the UE for which the DCI is intended.

[0060] In case the resource management circuitry determines that the minimum scheduling for a given UE should be changed, the circuitry 870 may determine the resource / scheduling gap according to the new value of the minimum scheduling gap and / or according to the old value of the minimum scheduling gap during an interval. In particular, the interval may start from or be the slot in which the DCI indicating the change in the minimum scheduling gap is transmitted or received, and the interval may correspond to the BWP switching transition time. For example, during the interval, the circuitry 870 may only determine that a value of K equal to or greater than the minimum scheduling gap is signaled in the DCI.

[0061] In general, the scheduling grant may include a reference (or a pointer to) an entry in a Time Domain Resource Allocation (TDRA) table, which may contain multiple entries, each entry specifying its own time domain resource allocation, including the value of K. As mentioned above, the use of signaling of a certain TDRA table may implicitly indicate that Kmin changes when the TDRA table changes.

[0062] It should be noted that a scheduling grant does not necessarily include an indication of the TDRA table it references, i.e., in general, a scheduling grant does not necessarily explicitly specify the TDRA table that contains the entry referenced / indicated in the scheduling grant. The indication of an entry in the scheduling grant may generally only indicate which of the entries of the currently applicable table is used to determine the resources on which data should be transmitted or received, and may not generally indicate the current table.

[0063] For example, the TDRA table is semi-statically pre-configured by a higher layer protocol, for example for a given BWP. The entry referenced in the scheduling DCI is the entry in the applicable TDRA table that is pre-configured. In another embodiment, the TDRA table is also switchable by a DCI, which may be, but need not be, a scheduling DCI.

[0064] As shown in the examples shown in Figures 5 and 6, some slots cannot be reached when using the current standard method during BWP switching because the scheduling flexibility is limited by the TDRA table configuration, where the K0 value is limited for better power saving gains. Since cross-slot scheduling adaptation can be realized by multi-BWP operation or without BWP switching, all of the above embodiments I to IV are applicable to any of the following alternatives showing the change of Kmin: a) Notification of a change in the TDRA table due to a BWP switch in the DCI. In other words, if a BWP is associated with a specific TDRA, when the DCI indicates a change in the BWP, it also indicates a possible change in the TDRA. If the TDRA is changed, it may also mean that the minimum scheduling gap (Kmin) has changed. b) Signaling of a subset of TDRA entries, eg bitmap-based signaling. If the subsets of TDRA entries have different Kmin, then by signaling the applicable subset, the Kmin may also be changed. c) Notification of one active table from multiple configured TDRA tables. This differs from point a) above in that it does not require BWP support operation (but can still operate with it). If the TDRA table is changed, Kmin may also be changed. d) Notification of Applicable Minimum: This option corresponds to an explicit indication of the new applicable Kmin.

[0065] Please note that there may be further possibilities to indicate / determine that Kmin has been changed and the present disclosure is not limited to any of them. Moreover, all of these indication / determination options may be combined with any of the embodiments I-IV. According to the embodiments I-IV here and the four alternatives a)-d) above, 16 exemplary implementations are possible based thereon.

[0066] In general, the control information may include a reference to a second TDRA table from the set of TDRA tables other than the first TDRA table from the set of TDRA tables that is currently applied. In general, the circuit (230, 810 / 830) may determine the second minimum scheduling gap during operation as the minimum of K among the entries of the second TDRA table. This approach covers options a) and c) as described above.

[0067] In general, there may be several different TDRA tables. They (all or some of them) may be fixed in the standard or may be semi-static or statically configurable, for example by the RRC. The determination 830 of the first minimum scheduling gap is performed as a determination of the minimum K among all entries of the first table. Similarly, the determination 830 of the second minimum scheduling gap is performed as a determination of the minimum K among all entries of the second table. This determination may be performed by checking all entries of the TDRA table, or by receiving / storing Kmin together with the TDRA table, or by checking only the first or last entry in the TDRA table (if the entries are ordered in ascending or descending order of K), or in any other way. The minimum value of K may be determined by obtaining a corresponding signaling indicating the minimum value of K. This signaling may be received separately (for example in the time domain) or together (for example in the same DCI as the TDRA table).

[0068] Furthermore, in general, the control information and the scheduling grant may be transmitted on the same DCI in the PDCCH and the reference to the TDRA table may be a reference to the TDRA table from a first TDRA table and a second TDRA table having a larger minimum scheduling gap.

[0069] In other words, during switching between the first and second tables, the one with the higher Kmin among these tables is applied, where "applied" means that the DCI field specifying the time domain resource (index) refers to that table.

[0070] More specifically, the control information indicating the switching of the minimum value of K may be transmitted in the same DCI / PDCCH / slot as the scheduling grant specifying the resources on which data is transmitted and received by the UE. Furthermore, to specify the resources, the scheduling grant may include an indication of which entry of the (associated) TDRA table is used to specify the scheduled resources and thus should be used by the UE to determine the scheduled resources. Thus, when a first TDRA table has a larger minimum scheduling gap, the UE determines that the entry indicated in the scheduling grant is in the first TDRA table, and when a second TDRA table has a larger minimum scheduling gap, the UE determines that the entry indicated in the scheduling grant is in the second TDRA table.

[0071] In other words, the scheduling grant refers to a TDRA table, which means that the scheduled resources are specified / indicated using the TDRA table, and thus the UE can determine the scheduled resources by selecting an entry from the table indicated in the scheduling grant, and the scheduling device has determined an indication of which entry is indicated in the scheduling grant, such that the entry indicated in the scheduling grant corresponds to the scheduled resource when selected from the table.

[0072] In an example implementation, corresponding to alternative a) above, the control information may include instructions to switch from a first bandwidth portion (BWP) currently used for receiving or transmitting data to a second BWP. In general, the first BWP may be associated with a first TDRA table having a first minimum scheduling gap, and the second BWP may be associated with a second TDRA table having a second minimum scheduling gap.

[0073] In general, a BWP may be associated with a respective TDRA table. This association may be configurable, for example by the RRC upon connection establishment or modification, but it may also be configurable in a different way or may be partly or entirely fixed and defined by the standard.

[0074] The (switching) interval may correspond to a transition period T, which in case of a BWP switch starts with the slot in which control information containing the BWP switch is received. After the transition period T, the second BWP is used. However, the invention is not limited in this respect. Note that a switching period is not required for a BWP switch and / or a Kmin switch and may be set to 0, and thus the determination of Kmin applies only to the same slot in which a scheduling grant is received together with a BWP or an overall Kmin switch. In other implementations, the interval may be given as the sum of the BWP transition period and an additional period caused by a Kmin switch or other factors.

[0075] In other words, in some example implementations, the UE is configurable with (at least) two different TDRA tables for cross-slot scheduling adaptation: TDRA table #1 is for slower scheduling with a larger minimum K0 value among TDRA entries, while TDRA table #2 supports faster scheduling with a smaller minimum K0 value among TDRA entries, or vice versa. During the TDRA switching period, According to embodiment combination #Ic), when the UE switches from slower to faster scheduling, the PDSCH scheduling uses TDRA table #1 and the UE does not expect the applied scheduling / allocation timing gap to be shorter than the larger of the minimum K0 value. Therefore, when switching from slower to faster scheduling, the DCI for scheduling the PDSCH by the table switching indication function can only schedule the PDSCH with the slower scheduling time value after and during the DCI switching. According to further embodiment combination #Ic), when the UE switches from faster to slower scheduling, the PDSCH scheduling already uses the TDRA table of the slower scheduling, i.e. the new table in this case, and therefore the UE does not expect the applied scheduling / allocation timing gap to be shorter than the larger of the minimum K0 value. When switching from faster to slower scheduling, the DCI for scheduling the PDSCH according to the table switching indication function can only schedule the PDSCH according to the slower scheduling time value after the switch.

[0076] Furthermore, in some example implementations, a UE is configured with (at least) two BWPs with different TDRA tables for cross-slot scheduling adaptation. BWP#1 is a slower BWP with a larger minimum K0 value in the TDRA entry, while BWP#2 is a faster BWP with a smaller minimum K0 value in the TDRA entry. During a BWP switching period, According to embodiment combination #Ia), when the UE is switched from a slower BWP to a faster BWP, the PDSCH scheduling uses the TDRA table of the slower BWP #1 and the UE does not expect the applied scheduling / allocation timing gap to be shorter than the transition period. When switching from slower to faster scheduling, the DCI for scheduling the PDSCH by the switching indication function can only schedule the PDSCH with the slower scheduling time value after and during the switching period of the DCI. According to further embodiment combination #Ia), when the UE is switched from a faster BWP to a slower BWP, the PDSCH scheduling uses the TDRA table of the slower BWP #1 and the UE does not expect the applied scheduling / allocation timing gap to be shorter than the transition period. When switching from faster to slower scheduling, the DCI for scheduling the PDSCH according to the switching indication function can only schedule the PDSCH according to the slower scheduling time value after switching.

[0077] Following alternative b) above, the control information may include a reference to a subset of the entries of the TDRA table currently being used, and the circuitry may determine during operation the second minimum scheduling gap as the minimum of K among the entries of the subset of the entries of the TDRA table. The signaling may be performed in the form of a bitmap.

[0078] In particular, the bitmap may include A bits for each of the A entries (rows) of the TDRA table, where A is an integer greater than 1. Each bit indicates whether the entry belongs to a subset or not.

[0079] In addition to the bitmap, signaling of a subset of all entries in the TDRA table is also available. Possible combinations of entries can be pre-configured by the RRC. One of the combinations is indicated by the DCI.

[0080] In summary, in some example implementations, the UE is indicated by DCI for a subset of TDRA entries, for example, by bitmap-based notification for cross-slot scheduling. - According to the combination of embodiment #Ib), if the smallest K0 value of the subset of TDRA entries is greater than the smallest K0 value of the initial set of TDRA entries, then PDSCH scheduling in this DCI utilizes the notified subset of TDRA entries. - According to a combination of further embodiment #Ib), if the smallest K0 value of the subset of TDRA entries is smaller than the smallest K0 value of the initial set of TDRA entries, PDSCH scheduling in this DCI utilizes the initial set of TDRA entries.

[0081] In general, the control information may include a field specifying a second minimum scheduling gap corresponding to the above alternative d), i.e. the UE is configurable with (at least) two different values ​​of the minimum scheduling gap K. During switching between two different values ​​of the minimum K, the larger of the two switched minimum K applies. It is noted that this embodiment may also be realised in the context of TDRA table switching and BWP switching.

[0082] For example, according to a combination of embodiment Id), a new Kmin may be set by explicit signaling (DCI, RRC or any other), regardless of the Kmin derived from the two tables in which the switchover is performed. If such a setting is performed, the larger of the two Kmin values ​​(current and new) is enforced during the switchover. In other words, the applicable TDRA table entry is used (all columns except K), but Kmin is set separately. If the TDRA entry signaled in the DCI has a K lower than the enforced Kmin, the K from the entry is not used, but Kmin is used instead. If the TDRA entry signaled in the DCI has a K equal to or greater than the enforced Kmin, the K from the entry is applied.

[0083] Similarly, according to a combination of further embodiment Id), the new Kmin may be set by explicit signaling (DCI, RRC or any other), regardless of the Kmin derived from the association with the BWP for which the switch is performed. If such a setting is performed, the greater of the two Kmin values ​​(current and new) is enforced during the Kmin switch (i.e. the setting of the new Kmin). In other words, the entry of the TDRA table associated with the applicable BWP is used (all columns except K), but Kmin is set separately. If the TDRA entry signaled in the DCI during the switch has a K lower than the enforced Kmin, the K from the entry is not used, but the Kmin is used instead. If the TDRA entry signaled in the DCI has a K equal to or greater than the enforced Kmin, the K from the entry is applied.

[0084] All combinations according to embodiment I can also be summarized as the larger minimum K0 value is selected during the switchover among the two switched minimum K0 values. The same applies to the minimum K2 value for any type of link where cross-slot scheduling is performed, or to the global minimum scheduling gap.

[0085] It should be noted that the above embodiments and examples are described with respect to a communication device. However, since the present disclosure refers to message exchanges between a base station and a communication device, a scheduling device and a corresponding method for the scheduling device and the communication device are also provided.

[0086] In particular, a scheduling apparatus is provided that comprises a transceiver for transmitting and receiving signals, and circuitry for, during operation, transmitting and receiving data to and from a user equipment (UE) in K time slots after receiving a scheduling grant, where K is not smaller than the minimum scheduling gap, controlling the transceiver to transmit control information to the UE, and determining, for a scheduling grant transmitted to the UE, that K is not smaller than a first minimum scheduling gap and a second minimum scheduling gap for an interval starting from transmission of the control information, when the control information indicates a second minimum scheduling gap different from the first minimum scheduling gap currently applied to the scheduling grant transmitted to the UE.

[0087] Further provided is a method for transmitting or receiving a signal, the method comprising the steps of receiving or transmitting data in K time slots after receiving a scheduling grant, receiving control information, where K is not smaller than the minimum scheduling gap, and determining, when the control information indicates a second minimum scheduling gap different from the first minimum scheduling gap currently applied, that K is not smaller than the first minimum scheduling gap and the second minimum scheduling gap for an interval starting from receiving the control information.

[0088] Further provided is a method for transmitting and receiving a signal, the method comprising the steps of transmitting and receiving data to a user equipment (UE) in K time slots after transmitting a scheduling grant, where K is not smaller than a minimum scheduling gap; transmitting control information to the UE; and when the control information indicates a second minimum scheduling gap different from the first minimum scheduling gap currently applied for the scheduling grant transmitted to the UE, determining that for the scheduling grant transmitted to the UE, K is not smaller than the first minimum scheduling gap and the second minimum scheduling gap for an interval starting from transmitting the control information.

[0089] Example II Alternatively or in addition to embodiment I, embodiment II provides for an offset to be set between the scheduling grant and the scheduled resource in case of a Kmin switch.

[0090] In particular, according to embodiment II, a communication device is provided, comprising a circuit and a transceiver for transmitting and receiving signals. The circuit controls the transceiver during operation to receive, in a first time slot, a scheduling grant for receiving or transmitting data in a time slot located K time slots from the first time slot, where K is not smaller than a minimum scheduling gap. The circuit further controls the transceiver during operation to receive or transmit data in a second time slot determined according to the number K. Furthermore, the circuit controls the transceiver during operation to receive control information. When the control information during operation indicates a second minimum scheduling gap different from the first minimum scheduling gap currently applied, the circuit determines a second time slot that is at least the sum of K and an offset of N time slots after the first time slot for a scheduling grant received in an interval starting from receiving the control information.

[0091] When switching between slower and faster scheduling (from a larger Kmin value to a smaller Kmin value), an offset value of the time reference applied to the scheduling timing information may be signaled. This signaling may be provided in any way. For example, it may be derived from the BWP transition period T mentioned above. It may be fixed in the standard, configurable by RRC, or it may be signaled in the DCT on the PDCCH.

[0092] FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary implementation of embodiment II in the context of BWP switching. It shows eight slots #n to #n+7 in each of two BWPs, namely BWP#1 and BWP#2. The UE first operates in BWP#1 and receives PDCCH#1 in slot#n, which contains DCI carrying a scheduling grant for PDSCH#1 in the same slot#n. The currently applied minimum K0=0 (Kmin_cur=0) is associated to BWP#1 in this example. Then, in slot#n+2, PDCCH#2 and PDCCH#3 are received. One of the PDCCHs carries DCI informing of the change from BWP#1 to BWP#2. The BWP switching may be configured to include a switching period (transition period) of one or more time slots. In this exemplary implementation, the switching period is set to 3 slots. Also, BWP#2 is associated with a TDRA table with a minimum scheduling gap of K0=2 (Kmin_new=2). In this situation, as can be seen from the figure, PDCCH#2 cannot reach PDSCH#2 in BWP#2 since it is located within the BWP switching transition time. To avoid this situation, when switching between BWPs, the reference time for which the slots of scheduled resources are calculated may be shifted (offset) to slot#n+4, and the TDRA table of BWP#1 is still utilized, so that PDSCH#3 located in slot#n+5 is reachable by indicating K0=0 in PDCCH#3.

[0093] As a general rule, if a switch from BWP#1 to BWP#2 is signaled in a slot and the BWP switching interval is T (in integer slots), the offset N may be calculated as N=T-Kmin_cur, where Kmin_cur refers to the Kmin associated with the current BWP#1, i.e. the BWP utilized before the slot signaling the switch, which corresponds to the present example where the offset is N=3-0=3.

[0094] It is also possible to use instead a second table associated to the second BWP#2 after the slot indicating the switch (during the switch interval). In such a case, the offset may be calculated as N=T-Kmin_new, where Kmin_new refers to the Kmin associated with BWP#2. In this case, the offset is N=3-2=1, so that PDSCH#3 can be reached by indicating K0=2 in PDCCH#3, as shown in FIG. 7.

[0095] In Figure 7, PDCCH #4 is received in slot #n+5 after the BWP switch is completed, which uses Kmin_new, here the smallest K0=2, and therefore refers to slot #n+7 or a later slot where PDSCH #4 is placed.

[0096] Here, it is assumed that the PDCCH may be assigned only in the first M symbols of a slot. Therefore, after receiving the PDCCH in these M symbols, no further PDCCH monitoring in the same slot is required. This assumption may be applied to any of the embodiments and examples described herein. However, in the general case, including systems different from current NR, especially in the context of cross-slot scheduling, the PDCCH may be mapped to any other symbol of the slot.

[0097] In general, the offset N may be determined by at least one of i) a notification in the control information and ii) a transition period after a switch from one bandwidth portion BWP to another BWP takes effect. There are further possibilities and advantageous implementations which are briefly exemplified below.

[0098] The offset value may be calculated by either the base station and / or the UE, for example, based on information available to both the base station and the UE.

[0099] For example, the offset value may be calculated based on one, several or all of the factors related to the switching (transition) period, the minimum K0 value of the target TDRA table, the K0 value indicated in the DCI, or factors related to the TDRA table entries in the DCI, etc. The factor related to the switching period may be the configured (or required) time interval for switching between Kmins, the configured (or required) time interval for switching between TDRA tables, and / or the configured (or required) time interval for switching between two BWPs.

[0100] 7, if the transition period T is 3 slots and the K0 value used in the target TDRA table is 1 slot, the advertised offset value is 3-1=2 slots. Thus, in this case, a factor of the transition period length and the advertised K value may be used to determine the offset N.

[0101] In general, the offset value may be obtained by the UE in one or more of the following ways: The offset may be a fixed value defined in the standard, there may be one value fixed for all scenarios, or there may be more values ​​or a fixed value that depends in a fixed way on other parameters (e.g., switchover and / or transition periods).

[0102] In the case of multiple possible values ​​for the offset, each offset value is mapped when switching from a first TDRA table / BWP to a second TDRA table / BWP. In other words, multiple offset values ​​may be configured, and each such offset value may be mapped to a combination of a source TDRA table / BWP and a target TDRA table / BWP (e.g., may apply (or be used for the case) when switching from a source table / BWP to a target table / BWP). In particular, each value of the offset may be used for one or more of the following: One or more target BWP / TDRA tables / numerologies, and / or one or more source BWP / TDRA tables / numerologies, and / or One or more specific combinations of source BWP / TDRA tables / numerologies and target BWP / TDRA tables / numerologies

[0103] In other words, one of the preset offset values ​​is extracted according to a specific target BWP and / or source BWP. Alternatively, one of the preset offsets is extracted according to a specific target TDRA and / or source TDRA. Similarly, numerology may be extracted to determine the offset.

[0104] However, the present disclosure is not limited to cases where the offset is derived in the UE and the gNB in ​​a similar manner based on predefined parameters and / or based on a standard. Rather, the offset value may be configured by higher layer signaling, such as RRC signaling. In particular, in an example implementation, the offset value N is configured for the UE by the gNB via RRC signaling. One or more values ​​of the offset may be preconfigured by the RRC.

[0105] In other words, the RRC may directly configure the value of the offset used by the UE and reconfigure it at any time. Alternatively, the RRC may configure several possible values ​​of the offset for the UE. The UE then selects an appropriate value of N by itself, for example based on the values ​​of some further parameters. The selection rule is known to both the gNB and the UE.

[0106] Similar to the selection of an offset from the pre-set offsets discussed above, each value of the offset may map / correspond to one or more of the following: one or more target BWP / TDRA tables / numerologies, and / or one or more source BWP / TDRA tables / numerologies, and / or One or more specific combinations of source BWP / TDRA tables / numerologies and target BWP / TDRA tables / numerologies

[0107] In general, the signaling of the offset N is not limited to using RRC. Rather, the offset may be signaled in other ways, for example by using DCI. All the options described above for RRC signaling may also apply (such as directly signaling the applicable offset value, signaling a set from which to select offset values, or a combination of both).

[0108] The UE derives and / or calculates the transition period according to one or more of the following: the minimum K0 value in the target TDRA table, the signaled K0 value in the DCI, or the TDRA table entry in the DCI.

[0109] According to embodiment #II-a) of the combination, in order to ensure that the flexibility of the PDSCH scheduling is not affected by the K0 value set for power saving, the DCI (control information in general) with the switching indication function also indicates an offset value to be applied to the K0 timing reference. This offset value is added to the starting slot containing the DCI and is used to calculate the scheduled PDSCH slots. This embodiment aims to shift the K0 value actually applied during TDRA table switching. This is independent of the choice of which TDRA table to use during switching.

[0110] Example III According to this embodiment, when switching between slower and faster scheduling, the control information (eg DCI) carrying such a switching indication does not schedule data (eg PDSCH).

[0111] When both the gNB and the UE process according to this rule, knowledge of the rule may be used, for example, to interpret fields in the control information.

[0112] According to a first exemplary implementation, when the UE detects a change in the minimum K value (by any of options a) to d) above), it interprets the DCI fields such that only fields for switching are present (and possibly one or more fields for modification of other transmission parameters) and no resource allocation field is present. On the other hand, when the UE detects that the minimum K value is not changed by the received control information, the control information also carries a resource allocation field at a predefined position.

[0113] According to combination embodiment #III-a), the UE is configured with (at least) two BWPs with different respective TDRA tables for cross-slot scheduling adaptation. BWP#1 is a slower BWP with a larger minimum K0 value in the TDRA entry, while BWP#2 is a faster BWP with a shorter minimum K0 value in the TDRA entry. During BWP switching between these two, the DCI with BWP switching indication function does not schedule PDSCH.

[0114] According to combination embodiment #III-b), the UE is informed by DCI of a subset of TDRA entries, e.g. bitmap-based indication for cross-slot scheduling. Moreover, such DCI with switching indication function does not schedule PDSCH.

[0115] According to combination embodiment #III-c), the UE is configured with (at least) two different TDRA tables for cross-slot scheduling adaptation: a first TDRA table is for slower scheduling with a larger minimum K0 value in its entries, while a second TDRA table is for faster scheduling with a shorter minimum K0 value in its entries. During TDRA table switching between these two tables, the DCI carrying such switching indication does not schedule PDSCH.

[0116] According to combination embodiment #III-d), the UE receives control information with an explicit signaling of the utilized minimum K value, i.e. a switching instruction to switch from the currently applied minimum K to a new minimum K. Such control information, e.g. DCI, carrying a switching instruction does not schedule data (PDSCH).

[0117] As mentioned above, the embodiments and examples have been described with respect to a communication device. However, when the present disclosure refers to a message exchange between a base station and a communication device, a scheduling device and corresponding methods for the scheduling device and the communication device are also provided.

[0118] Further provided is a scheduling apparatus having a transceiver for transmitting and receiving signals, and circuitry for controlling the transceiver during operation to transmit a scheduling grant to a user equipment (UE) in a first time slot for reception or transmission of data to or from the UE, the reception being in a time slot located K time slots from the first time slot, where K is not smaller than a minimum scheduling gap, to receive or transmit data to or from the UE in a second time slot determined according to the number of K, and to transmit control information to the UE, when the control information indicates a second minimum scheduling gap different from the first minimum scheduling gap currently applied for the scheduling grant transmitted to the UE, and to determine a second time slot that is at least the sum of K and an offset of N time slots after the first time slot for the scheduling grant, if transmitted in an interval starting from reception of the control information.

[0119] Further provided is a method for transmitting and receiving a signal, the method comprising the steps of: receiving in a first timeslot a scheduling grant for receiving or transmitting data in a timeslot that is located K timeslots from a first timeslot, where K is not smaller than a minimum scheduling gap; receiving or transmitting data in a second timeslot determined according to the number K; receiving control information; and determining the second timeslot that is at least the sum of K and an offset of N timeslots after the first timeslot for the scheduling grant if received in an interval starting from reception of the control information, when the control information indicates a second minimum scheduling gap different from the first minimum scheduling gap currently applied.

[0120] Further provided is a method for transmitting and receiving a signal, the method comprising the steps of: transmitting a scheduling grant to a user equipment (UE) in a first time slot for reception or transmission of data to or from the UE, the reception being in a time slot that is located K time slots from the first time slot, where K is not smaller than a minimum scheduling gap; receiving or transmitting data in a second time slot determined according to the number of UEs and K; transmitting control information to the UE; and when the control information indicates a second minimum scheduling gap different from the first minimum scheduling gap currently applied for the scheduling grant transmitted to the UE, determining the second time slot to be at least the sum of K and an offset of N time slots after the first time slot for the scheduling grant, if transmitted in an interval starting from reception of the control information.

[0121] When switching between slower and faster scheduling (or generally between two TDRA tables), the DCI with switching indication function does not schedule the PDSCH.

[0122] Example IV This embodiment may be combined with any of the previously described embodiments or used alone.

[0123] Therefore, the minimum scheduling gap applicable to the time slots carrying common control information may be set to zero.

[0124] The Common Search Space (CSS) is carried in a pre-configured (by the base station) CORESET called CORESET0. The term "common" refers to the fact that the CORESET carries control information for all or a group of communication devices. Thus, multiple communication devices may read / decode the information. The TDRA table for CORESET 0 typically has at least one entry with K=0, since the message can be read by various communication devices that may need to decode the information quickly.

[0125] In an exemplary implementation of this embodiment, a common TDRA table containing at least one K0=0 entry is utilized for common messages (control information) and dedicated (UE-specific) control messages (control information) in the common search space of CORESET 0. As a result, the minimum scheduling gap is set to zero for the slots in which the CSS (CORESET 0) is located.

[0126] That is, a minimum K0=0 for both common and dedicated control messages is assumed by the UE and gNB, at least for slots potentially comprising common messages and CORESET 0. Since the UE needs to use a fast processing timeline to buffer all PDSCH symbols and process the PDCCH in these slots, it is no longer efficient to use a slow timeline to process dedicated scheduling. No power saving gains can be realized in such a case anyway.

[0127] One option is to directly reuse the common / default TDRA table for both common and dedicated messages in the above slots carrying CSS or in a commonly configured set of slots in the entire search space, e.g., the UE and gNB use the TDRA table related to common control information for dedicated information.

[0128] Alternatively, the common control information may be associated with a different TDRA table than the dedicated control information. The other option is to temporarily assume K0=0 in slots that potentially have common messages and CORESET 0 for dedicated messages, while still using the S and L values ​​in the configured TDRA table. This allows scheduling flexibility to be maintained as much as possible.

[0129] The above rules may also be applied in the cases of embodiments I to IV, i.e. even when Kmin switching is applied, the minimum K=0 is still enforceable in slots that belong to the switching period and carry CSS.

[0130] Example V This embodiment can be combined with any of the above-mentioned embodiments. Furthermore, this embodiment operates in the same manner as the above-mentioned embodiments for different types of data (reference signals).

[0131] It should be noted that the present disclosure is not limited to scheduling of user data, and in particular, in one example implementation, the scheduling (also referred to as "triggering" in this context) relates to scheduling of channel state information (CSI) reference signals (CSI-RS) that are subsequently transmitted from a network node (gNB) to a communication device (UE).

[0132] The triggering of transmission is performed by DCI containing a corresponding trigger field. If the field indicates that CSI-RS is to be transmitted, the CSI-RS is transmitted at a certain time interval after the trigger. The gap between the trigger and the transmission is semi-statically set by RRC. When RRC changes the triggering gap, similar problems as described in the above embodiment may occur.

[0133] However, the above example referring to RRC is not limiting and the gap between the PDCCH (DCI) trigger and the CSI-RS may also be dynamically set by the DCI similar to the K0 case described above. Furthermore, the CSI-RS scheduling may be extended to concepts similar to the TDRA table and / or BWP as described above.

[0134] The present disclosure can be realized by software, hardware, or software interlocked with hardware. Each functional block used in the description of each embodiment above can be partially or entirely realized by an LSI such as an integrated circuit, and each process described in each embodiment can be partially or entirely controlled by the same LSI or a combination of LSIs. The LSI may be formed as an individual chip, or a single chip may be formed to include some or all of the functional blocks. The LSI may include data input / output coupled thereto. Here, the LSI may be called an IC, a system LSI, a super LSI, or an ultra LSI depending on the degree of integration. However, the technology for realizing the integrated circuit is not limited to the LSI, and may be realized using a dedicated circuit, a general-purpose processor, or a processor for a specific application. Furthermore, a field programmable gate array (FPGA) that can be programmed after the manufacture of an LSI or a reconfigurable processor that can reconfigure the connection and settings of the circuit cells arranged inside the LSI may be used. The present disclosure can be realized as digital processing or analog processing. If future integrated circuit technologies replace LSI as a result of advances in semiconductor technology and other derived technologies, the functional blocks can be integrated using the future integrated circuit technologies. Biotechnology can also be applied.

[0135] In an embodiment, a computer readable medium is provided having executable instructions stored thereon that, when executed, cause a communications device to perform the steps of the above-described method for transmitting or receiving signals to or from a base station.

[0136] In an embodiment, a computer readable medium is provided having executable instructions stored thereon which, when executed, cause a base station to perform the steps of the above-described method for transmitting or receiving signals to or from a communication device.

[0137] The present disclosure may be implemented by any type of apparatus, device or system having communication capabilities, referred to as a communications apparatus.

[0138] Some non-limiting examples of such communications devices include telephones (e.g., mobile (cell) phones, smartphones), tablets, personal computers (PCs) (e.g., laptops, desktops, netbooks), cameras (e.g., digital still / video cameras), digital players (digital audio / video players), wearable devices (e.g., wearable cameras, smart watches, tracking devices), game consoles, digital book readers, telehealth / telemedicine (remote health and remote medical) devices, and vehicles (e.g., automobiles, airplanes, ships) that provide communications capabilities, and various combinations thereof.

[0139] The communications apparatus is not limited to being portable or mobile, but may include any type of apparatus, device or system that is non-portable or fixed, such as smart home devices (e.g., appliances, lighting, smart meters, control panels), vending machines, and any other "thing" in an "Internet of Things (IoT)" network.

[0140] Communications may include, for example, exchanging data via cellular systems, wireless LAN systems, satellite systems, and the like, as well as various combinations thereof.

[0141] A communications apparatus may include devices such as a controller or a sensor coupled to the communications device to perform the communications functions described in this disclosure. For example, a communications apparatus may include a controller or a sensor that generates control or data signals used by the communications device to perform the communications functions of the communications apparatus.

[0142] The communications equipment may also include infrastructure facilities such as base stations, access points, and any other equipment, devices or systems that communicate with or control equipment such as those in the non-limiting examples above.

[0143] Item 1: A communications device comprising: a transceiver for transmitting and receiving signals; and circuitry for receiving or transmitting data in K time slots after receiving a scheduling grant during operation, where K is not smaller than a minimum scheduling gap, controlling the transceiver to receive control information, and determining that when the control information indicates a second minimum scheduling gap different from a first minimum scheduling gap currently applied, K is not smaller than the first minimum scheduling gap and the second minimum scheduling gap for an interval starting from reception of the control information.

[0144] Clause 2: The communications device of clause 1, wherein the scheduling grant includes a reference to an entry in a time domain resource allocation (TDRA) table, the TDRA table including a plurality of entries, each entry specifying a respective time domain resource allocation including a value of K.

[0145] Clause 3: The communications device of clause 2, wherein the control information includes a reference to a second TDRA table from a set of TDRA tables other than a currently applied first TDRA table from the set of TDRA tables, and the circuit determines the second minimum scheduling gap during operation as the minimum value of K among entries of the second TDRA table.

[0146] Clause 4: The communication device described in clause 3, wherein the control information and the scheduling grant are transmitted in the same downlink control information (DCI) of a physical downlink control channel, and the reference to the TDRA table is a reference to the TDRA table having the larger minimum scheduling gap from the first TDRA table and the second TDRA table.

[0147] Clause 5: The communications device of clause 2, wherein the control information includes an instruction to switch from a first bandwidth portion (BWP) currently used for receiving or transmitting data to a second BWP, the first BWP being associated with a first TDRA table having the first minimum scheduling gap, and the second BWP being associated with a second TDRA table having the second minimum scheduling gap.

[0148] Clause 6: The communications device of clause 2, wherein the control information includes a reference to a subset of entries of the TDRA table currently being utilized, and wherein the circuitry determines, during operation, the second minimum scheduling gap as the minimum value of K among the entries of the subset of entries of the TDRA table.

[0149] Clause 7: The communication device described in clause 1, wherein the control information includes a field specifying the second minimum scheduling gap.

[0150] Clause 8: A communication device according to any one of clauses 1 to 7, wherein the minimum scheduling gap applicable to a time slot carrying common control information is set to zero.

[0151] Clause 9: A communications device comprising: a transceiver for transmitting and receiving signals; and a circuit for receiving in a first time slot a scheduling grant for receiving or transmitting data in a time slot that is located K time slots from a first time slot during operation, where K is not smaller than a minimum scheduling gap, and for receiving or transmitting data in a second time slot determined according to the number of K; controlling the transceiver to receive control information, and determining the second time slot to be at least the sum of K and an offset of N time slots after the first time slot for the scheduling grant when the control information indicates a second minimum scheduling gap different from the currently applied first minimum scheduling gap, if received in an interval starting from reception of the control information.

[0152] Clause 10: The communication device described in clause 9, wherein the offset N is determined by at least one of a notification in the control information and a transition period after which switching from one bandwidth portion (BWP) to another BWP becomes effective.

[0153] Clause 11: A scheduling device comprising: a transceiver for transmitting and receiving signals; and a circuit for receiving or transmitting data between a user equipment (UE) during operation in K time slots after receiving a scheduling grant, where K is not smaller than a minimum scheduling gap, controlling the transceiver to transmit control information to the UE, and determining that, when the control information indicates a second minimum scheduling gap different from a first minimum scheduling gap currently applied to a scheduling grant transmitted to the UE, the first minimum scheduling gap and the second minimum scheduling gap for an interval starting from transmission of the control information, for a scheduling grant transmitted to the UE.

[0154] Clause 12: A scheduling device comprising: a transceiver for transmitting and receiving signals; and a circuit for transmitting a scheduling grant to a user equipment (UE) in a first time slot during operation for receiving or transmitting data to the UE, the reception being in a time slot that is located K time slots from the first time slot, K being not smaller than a minimum scheduling gap, receiving or transmitting data to or from the UE in a second time slot determined according to the number of K; controlling the transceiver to transmit control information to the UE, and determining the second time slot to be at least the sum of an offset of N time slots after the first time slot for the scheduling grant and K when the control information indicates a second minimum scheduling gap different from a first minimum scheduling gap currently applied for the scheduling grant transmitted to the UE, when transmitted in an interval starting from reception of the control information.

[0155] Clause 13: A method for transmitting or receiving a signal, comprising the steps of receiving or transmitting data in K time slots after receiving a scheduling grant, where K is not smaller than a minimum scheduling gap; receiving control information; and, when the control information indicates a second minimum scheduling gap different from a first minimum scheduling gap currently applied, determining that K is not smaller than the first minimum scheduling gap and the second minimum scheduling gap for an interval starting from reception of the control information.

[0156] Clause 14: A method for transmitting and receiving a signal, comprising the steps of: receiving in a first timeslot a scheduling grant for receiving or transmitting data in a timeslot that is located K timeslots from a first timeslot, where K is not smaller than a minimum scheduling gap; receiving or transmitting data in a second timeslot determined according to the K number; receiving control information; and, when the control information indicates a second minimum scheduling gap different from the currently applied first minimum scheduling gap, determining the second timeslot to be at least the sum of K and an offset of N timeslots after the first timeslot for the scheduling grant if received in an interval starting from reception of the control information.

[0157] Clause 15: A method for transmitting or receiving a signal, comprising the steps of receiving or transmitting data to or from a user equipment (UE) in K time slots after transmitting a scheduling grant, where K is not smaller than a minimum scheduling gap; transmitting control information to the UE; and when the control information indicates a second minimum scheduling gap different from a first minimum scheduling gap currently applied for a scheduling grant transmitted to the UE, determining that, for a scheduling grant transmitted to the UE, K is not smaller than the first minimum scheduling gap and the second minimum scheduling gap for an interval starting from transmitting the control information.

[0158] Clause 16: A method for transmitting and receiving a signal, comprising the steps of: transmitting a scheduling grant to a user equipment (UE) in a first time slot for reception or transmission of data to or from the UE, the reception being in a time slot that is located K time slots from the first time slot, where K is not smaller than a minimum scheduling gap; receiving or transmitting data to or from the UE in a second time slot determined according to the K number; transmitting control information to the UE; and when the control information indicates a second minimum scheduling gap that is different from the first minimum scheduling gap currently applied for a scheduling grant transmitted to the UE, determining the second time slot to be at least the sum of K and an offset of N time slots after the first time slot for the scheduling grant, if transmitted in an interval starting from reception of the control information.

Claims

1. A transceiver for transmitting and receiving signals; a circuit for receiving or transmitting data K timeslots after receiving a scheduling grant during operation, where K is not smaller than a minimum scheduling gap, controlling the transceiver to receive control information, and determining that K is not smaller than the first minimum scheduling gap and the second minimum scheduling gap for an interval starting from receiving the control information when the control information indicates a second minimum scheduling gap different from a currently applied first minimum scheduling gap; having the control information includes instructions to switch from a first bandwidth portion (BWP) utilized for receiving or transmitting data to a second BWP; The first BWP is associated with a first time domain resource allocation (TDRA) table having the first minimum scheduling gap; the second BWP is associated with a second TDRA table having the second minimum scheduling gap; During switching between the first BWP and the second BWP, the control information does not schedule the data.

2. the scheduling grant includes a reference to an entry in a TDRA table; The communications device of claim 1 , wherein the TDRA table includes a plurality of entries, each entry specifying a respective time domain resource allocation including a value of K.

3. the control information includes a reference to the second TDRA table; 3. The communications device of claim 2, wherein the circuitry determines, during operation, the second minimum scheduling gap as the smallest value of K among the entries of the second TDRA table.

4. the control information and the scheduling grant are transmitted in a same downlink control information (DCI) of a physical downlink control channel; 4. The communications device of claim 3, wherein the reference to the TDRA table is a reference to the TDRA table having a larger minimum scheduling gap from the first TDRA table and the second TDRA table.

5. the control information includes a reference to a subset of the entries in the TDRA table; 3. The communications device of claim 2, wherein the circuitry determines, during operation, the second minimum scheduling gap as the smallest value of K among entries of a subset of entries of the TDRA table.

6. The communications device of claim 1 , wherein the control information includes a field specifying the second minimum scheduling gap.

7. The communications device of claim 1 , wherein the minimum scheduling gap applicable to time slots carrying common control information is set to zero.

8. A transceiver for transmitting and receiving signals; a circuit for receiving, in a first time slot, a scheduling grant for reception or transmission of data in a time slot that is located K time slots from a first time slot during operation, where K is not smaller than a minimum scheduling gap, and for receiving or transmitting data in a second time slot determined according to the number of K, and for controlling the transceiver to receive control information, when the control information indicates a second minimum scheduling gap different from the first minimum scheduling gap currently applied, and determining the second time slot to be equal to or greater than the sum of K and an offset of N time slots after the first time slot for the scheduling grant, if received in an interval starting from the reception of the control information; having The offset N is determined by a transition period after which a switch from one bandwidth portion (BWP) to another BWP becomes effective.

9. The communication device of claim 8 , wherein the offset N is determined by notification in the control information.

10. A transceiver for transmitting and receiving signals; a circuit for receiving or transmitting data to or from a communication device K time slots after receiving a scheduling grant during operation, where K is not smaller than a minimum scheduling gap, controlling the transceiver to transmit control information to the communication device, and determining, when the control information indicates a second minimum scheduling gap different from a first minimum scheduling gap currently applied for a scheduling grant transmitted to the communication device, that the second minimum scheduling gap is not smaller than the first minimum scheduling gap and the second minimum scheduling gap for an interval starting from transmission of the control information for the scheduling grant transmitted to the communication device; having the control information includes instructions to switch from a first bandwidth portion (BWP) utilized for receiving or transmitting data to a second BWP; The first BWP is associated with a first time domain resource allocation (TDRA) table having the first minimum scheduling gap; the second BWP is associated with a second TDRA table having the second minimum scheduling gap; The scheduling device, wherein the control information does not schedule the data during switching between the first BWP and the second BWP.

11. A transceiver for transmitting and receiving signals; a circuit for controlling the transceiver to transmit a scheduling grant to a communication device in a first time slot for receiving or transmitting data to the communication device during operation, the reception being in a time slot located K time slots from the first time slot, K being not smaller than a minimum scheduling gap, and for receiving or transmitting data to or from the communication device in a second time slot determined according to the number K, and for transmitting control information to the communication device, the circuit determining, when transmitted in an interval starting from reception of the control information, for the scheduling grant, the second time slot being equal to or greater than the sum of an offset of N time slots after the first time slot and K, when the control information indicates a second minimum scheduling gap different from a first minimum scheduling gap currently applied for the scheduling grant transmitted to the communication device; having The offset N is determined by a transition period after which a switch from one bandwidth portion (BWP) to another BWP becomes effective.

12. 1. A method for transmitting and receiving a signal, comprising: receiving or transmitting data K time slots after receiving a scheduling grant, where K is not less than a minimum scheduling gap; receiving control information; when the control information indicates a second minimum scheduling gap different from the currently applied first minimum scheduling gap, determining that K is not smaller than the first minimum scheduling gap and the second minimum scheduling gap for an interval starting from reception of the control information; having the control information includes instructions to switch from a first bandwidth portion (BWP) utilized for receiving or transmitting data to a second BWP; The first BWP is associated with a first time domain resource allocation (TDRA) table having the first minimum scheduling gap; the second BWP is associated with a second TDRA table having the second minimum scheduling gap; The method, wherein the control information does not schedule the data during switching between the first BWP and the second BWP.

13. 1. A method for transmitting and receiving a signal, comprising: receiving, in a first timeslot, a scheduling grant for reception or transmission of data in a timeslot located K timeslots from a first timeslot, where K is not less than a minimum scheduling gap; receiving or transmitting data in a second time slot determined according to the K number; receiving control information; determining, when the control information indicates a second minimum scheduling gap different from the currently applied first minimum scheduling gap, the second time slot, if received in an interval starting from reception of the control information, to be greater than or equal to K and an offset of N time slots after the first time slot for the scheduling grant; having A method, wherein the offset N is determined by a transition period after which a switch from one bandwidth portion (BWP) to another BWP becomes effective.

14. 1. A method for transmitting and receiving a signal, comprising: receiving or transmitting data to or from the communication device K time slots after transmitting the scheduling grant, where K is not less than a minimum scheduling gap; transmitting control information to the communication device; when the control information indicates a second minimum scheduling gap different from a first minimum scheduling gap currently applied for a scheduling grant transmitted to the communication device, determining that K is not smaller than the first minimum scheduling gap and the second minimum scheduling gap for a scheduling grant transmitted to the communication device for an interval starting from transmission of the control information; having the control information includes instructions to switch from a first bandwidth portion (BWP) utilized for receiving or transmitting data to a second BWP; The first BWP is associated with a first time domain resource allocation (TDRA) table having the first minimum scheduling gap; the second BWP is associated with a second TDRA table having the second minimum scheduling gap; The method, wherein the control information does not schedule the data during switching between the first BWP and the second BWP.

15. 1. A method for transmitting and receiving a signal, comprising: transmitting a scheduling grant to a communication device in a first time slot for reception or transmission of data to or from the communication device, the reception being in a time slot that is located K time slots from the first time slot, where K is not less than a minimum scheduling gap; receiving or transmitting data to or from the communication device in a second time slot determined according to the number K; transmitting control information to the communication device; determining, when the control information indicates a second minimum scheduling gap different from a first minimum scheduling gap currently applied for a scheduling grant transmitted to the communication device, the second time slot, if transmitted in an interval starting from reception of the control information, to be greater than or equal to K and an offset of N time slots after the first time slot for the scheduling grant; having A method, wherein the offset N is determined by a transition period after which a switch from one bandwidth portion (BWP) to another BWP becomes effective.

16. An integrated circuit for controlling processing of a communication device, the processing comprising: receiving or transmitting data K time slots after receiving a scheduling grant, where K is not less than a minimum scheduling gap; receiving control information; when the control information indicates a second minimum scheduling gap different from the currently applied first minimum scheduling gap, determining that K is not smaller than the first minimum scheduling gap and the second minimum scheduling gap for an interval starting from reception of the control information; Including, the control information includes instructions to switch from a first bandwidth portion (BWP) utilized for receiving or transmitting data to a second BWP; The first BWP is associated with a first time domain resource allocation (TDRA) table having the first minimum scheduling gap; the second BWP is associated with a second TDRA table having the second minimum scheduling gap; The integrated circuit, wherein the control information does not schedule the data during switching between the first BWP and the second BWP.

17. An integrated circuit for controlling processing of a communication device, the processing comprising: receiving, at a first time slot, a scheduling grant for reception or transmission of data at a time slot that is located K time slots from the first time slot, where K is not less than a minimum scheduling gap; receiving or transmitting data in a second time slot determined according to the K number; receiving control information; determining, when the control information indicates a second minimum scheduling gap different from the currently applied first minimum scheduling gap, the second time slot, if received in an interval starting from reception of the control information, that is greater than or equal to K and an offset of N time slots after the first time slot for the scheduling grant; Including, The offset N is determined by a transition period after which a switch from one bandwidth portion (BWP) to another BWP becomes effective.

18. An integrated circuit for controlling processing of a scheduling device, the processing comprising: receiving or transmitting data to or from a communication device K time slots after transmitting a scheduling grant, where K is not less than a minimum scheduling gap; transmitting control information to the communication device; determining, when the control information indicates a second minimum scheduling gap different from a first minimum scheduling gap currently applied for a scheduling grant transmitted to the communication device, that K is not smaller than the first minimum scheduling gap and the second minimum scheduling gap for a scheduling grant transmitted to the communication device for an interval starting from transmission of the control information; having the control information includes instructions to switch from a first bandwidth portion (BWP) utilized for receiving or transmitting data to a second BWP; The first BWP is associated with a first time domain resource allocation (TDRA) table having the first minimum scheduling gap; the second BWP is associated with a second TDRA table having the second minimum scheduling gap; The integrated circuit, wherein the control information does not schedule the data during switching between the first BWP and the second BWP.

19. An integrated circuit for controlling processing of a scheduling device, the processing comprising: a process of transmitting a scheduling grant to a communication device in a first time slot for reception or transmission of data to the communication device, the reception being in a time slot that is located K time slots from the first time slot, where K is not less than a minimum scheduling gap; receiving or transmitting data to or from the communication device in a second time slot determined according to the K number; transmitting control information to the communication device; determining, when the control information indicates a second minimum scheduling gap different from a first minimum scheduling gap currently applied for a scheduling grant transmitted to the communication device, the second time slot, if transmitted in an interval starting from reception of the control information, that is equal to or greater than the sum of an offset of N time slots after the first time slot for the scheduling grant and K; having The offset N is determined by a transition period after which a switch from one bandwidth portion (BWP) to another BWP becomes effective.

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