Use of relative transmission opportunity delay indexing

Abstract

Systems, methods, apparatus, and computer program products are provided for using relative uplink transmission delay indexing. For example, a user equipment (UE) and a network node can determine an available uplink transmission opportunity for control information, and the network node can communicate to the UE an indication of a location of the available uplink transmission opportunity relative to other available uplink transmission opportunities for control information.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] Some exemplary embodiments relate generally to mobile or wireless telecommunications systems, such as Long Term Evolution (LTE) or Fifth Generation (5G) radio access technologies or New Radio (NR) access technologies, or other communications systems. For example, some embodiments may relate to systems and / or methods for using relative transmission opportunity delay indexing. [Background technology]

[0002] Examples of mobile or wireless telecommunications systems may include Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN), Long Term Evolution (LTE) Evolved UTRAN (E-UTRAN), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), MultiFire, LTE-A Pro, and / or fifth-generation (5G) radio access technology or new radio (NR) access technology. 5G radio systems refer to next-generation (NG) radio systems and network architectures. While 5G is mostly built on new radio (NR), 5G (or NG) networks can also be built on E-UTRA radio. NR is estimated to be capable of providing bit rates on the order of 10-20 Gbit / s or more and can support at least enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) and ultra-reliable low-latency communications (URLLC) as well as massive machine-type communications (mMTC). NR is expected to provide ultra-wideband, ultra-robust, low-latency connectivity and large-scale networking to support the Internet of Things (IoT). As IoT and machine-to-machine (M2M) communications become more widespread, the need for networks that meet the needs of lower power, lower data rates, and longer battery life may increase. Note that in 5G, a node capable of providing radio access functionality to user equipment (i.e., similar to a Node B in UTRAN or an eNB in ​​LTE) may be named a gNB when built on NR radios, and a NG-eNB when built on E-UTRA radios. Summary of the Invention

[0003] According to a first embodiment, an apparatus may include at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code. The at least one memory and the computer program code may be configured to cause the apparatus, using the at least one processor, to at least determine one or more valid uplink transmission opportunities for control information. The at least one memory and the computer program code may be configured, using the at least one processor, to at least transmit a signal including an indication of a location of a valid uplink transmission opportunity for the control information relative to a location of one or more other valid uplink transmission opportunities for the control information.

[0004] In a variation, the one or more valid uplink transmission opportunities for the control information may include one or more valid hybrid automatic repeat request (ARR)-acknowledgement physical uplink control channel transmission opportunities. In a variation, the at least one memory and the computer program code may be configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the device to further transmit a signal including an indication of the one or more valid hybrid automatic repeat request (ARR)-acknowledgement physical uplink control channel transmission opportunities. In a variation, the at least one memory and the computer program code may be configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the device, when determining the one or more valid uplink transmission opportunities for the control information, to further perform at least determining the one or more valid uplink transmission opportunities based on one or more of an invalid uplink bitmap, an invalid downlink bitmap, a specified starting subframe, a machine type communication physical downlink control channel to physical downlink shared channel delay, a hybrid automatic repeat request identifier, or one or more physical uplink control channel positioning rules. In a variation, the one or more physical uplink control channel positioning rules may include a rule that the first machine type communication physical downlink control channel opportunity in a cycle starts in a specific subframe. In a variant, the one or more physical uplink control channel positioning rules may include a rule that if there are no downlink invalid subframes, the next number of available valid downlink subframes are used to schedule machine type communication physical downlink control channel transmissions.

[0005] In a variation, the one or more physical uplink control channel positioning rules may include a rule that for a first number of machine type communication physical downlink control channel opportunities, there is a delay of a number of valid downlink subframes before transmission of a corresponding physical downlink shared channel. In a variation, the one or more physical uplink control channel positioning rules may include a rule that a predefined delay may be used for the last number of machine type communication physical downlink control channel opportunities in a sequence of opportunities. In a variation, the one or more physical uplink control channel positioning rules may include a rule that after some machine type communication physical downlink control channel transmissions, some subframes are used to allow switching between downlink and uplink. In a variation, the at least one memory and the computer program code may be configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus, when determining one or more valid uplink transmission opportunities for control information, to further determine one or more valid uplink transmission opportunities based at least on mapping of the machine type communication physical downlink control channel opportunities to physical downlink shared channel opportunities and corresponding physical uplink control channel opportunities.

[0006] According to a second embodiment, an apparatus may include at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code. The at least one memory and the computer program code may be configured to cause the apparatus, with the at least one processor, to at least determine one or more valid uplink transmission opportunities for control information. The at least one memory and the computer program code may be configured, with the at least one processor, to at least receive signaling comprising an indication of a location of a valid uplink transmission opportunity for the control information relative to a location of one or more other valid uplink transmission opportunities for the control information.

[0007] In a variation, the one or more valid uplink transmission opportunities for the control information may include one or more valid hybrid automatic repeat request acknowledgment physical uplink control channel transmission opportunities. In a variation, the at least one memory and the computer program code may be configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the device to further receive signaling comprising an indication of the one or more valid hybrid automatic repeat request acknowledgment physical uplink control channel transmission opportunities. In a variation, the at least one memory and the computer program code may be further configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the device, when determining the one or more valid uplink transmission opportunities for the control information, to at least determine the one or more valid uplink transmission opportunities based on one or more of an invalid uplink bitmap, an invalid downlink bitmap, a specified starting subframe, a machine type communication physical downlink control channel to physical downlink shared channel delay, a hybrid automatic repeat request identifier, or one or more physical uplink control channel positioning rules.

[0008] In a variation, the one or more physical uplink control channel positioning rules may include a rule that the first machine type communication physical downlink control channel opportunity in a cycle starts in a particular subframe. In a variation, the one or more physical uplink control channel positioning rules may include a rule that if there are no downlink invalid subframes, the next number of available valid downlink subframes are used to schedule machine type communication physical downlink control channel transmissions. In a variation, the one or more physical uplink control channel positioning rules may include a rule that for a first number of machine type communication physical downlink control channel opportunities, there is a delay of the number of valid downlink subframes before transmission of the corresponding physical downlink shared channel. In a variation, the one or more physical uplink control channel positioning rules may include a rule that a predefined delay is used for the last number of machine type communication physical downlink control channel opportunities in a sequence of opportunities.

[0009] In a variation, the one or more physical uplink control channel positioning rules may include a rule that after a number of machine type communication physical downlink control channel transmissions, a number of subframes are used to enable switching between downlink and uplink. In a variation, the at least one memory and the computer program code may be further configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the device, when determining one or more valid uplink transmission opportunities for control information, to at least determine one or more valid uplink transmission opportunities based on mapping of machine type communication physical downlink control channel opportunities to physical downlink shared channel opportunities and corresponding physical uplink control channel opportunities. In a variation, the at least one memory and the computer program code may be configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the device to transmit control information on the at least one or more valid uplink transmission opportunities.

[0010] According to a third embodiment, a method may include determining one or more valid uplink transmission opportunities for control information. The method may include transmitting signaling including an indication of a location of the valid uplink transmission opportunity for the control information relative to a location of one or more other valid uplink transmission opportunities for the control information.

[0011] In a variation, the one or more valid uplink transmission opportunities for the control information may include one or more valid hybrid automatic repeat request (APR)-acknowledgement physical uplink control channel transmission opportunities. In a variation, the method may include transmitting signaling including an indication of the one or more valid hybrid automatic repeat request (APR)-acknowledgement physical uplink control channel transmission opportunities. In a variation, determining the one or more valid uplink transmission opportunities for the control information may include determining the one or more valid uplink transmission opportunities based on one or more of an invalid uplink bitmap, an invalid downlink bitmap, a specified starting subframe, a machine type communication physical downlink control channel to physical downlink shared channel delay, a hybrid automatic repeat request identifier, or one or more physical uplink control channel positioning rules. In a variation, the one or more physical uplink control channel positioning rules may include a rule that the first machine type communication physical downlink control channel opportunity in a cycle starts in a particular subframe. In a variant, the one or more physical uplink control channel positioning rules may include a rule that if there are no downlink invalid subframes, the next number of available valid downlink subframes are used to schedule machine type communication physical downlink control channel transmissions.

[0012] In a variation, the one or more physical uplink control channel positioning rules may include a rule that for a first number of machine type communication physical downlink control channel opportunities, there is a delay of a number of valid downlink subframes before transmission of the corresponding physical downlink shared channel. In a variation, the one or more physical uplink control channel positioning rules may include a rule that a predefined delay may be used for the last number of machine type communication physical downlink control channel opportunities in a sequence of opportunities. In a variation, the one or more physical uplink control channel positioning rules may include a rule that after a number of machine type communication physical downlink control channel transmissions, a number of subframes are used to allow switching between downlink and uplink. In a variation, determining one or more valid uplink transmission opportunities for control information may include determining one or more valid uplink transmission opportunities based on a mapping of machine type communication physical downlink control channel opportunities to physical downlink shared channel opportunities and corresponding physical uplink control channel opportunities.

[0013] According to a fourth embodiment, a method may include determining one or more valid uplink transmission opportunities for control information. The method may include receiving signaling comprising an indication of a location of the valid uplink transmission opportunity for the control information relative to a location of one or more other valid uplink transmission opportunities for the control information.

[0014] In a variation, the one or more valid uplink transmission opportunities for the control information may include one or more valid hybrid automatic repeat request (ARR)-acknowledgement physical uplink control channel transmission opportunities. In a variation, the method may include receiving signaling comprising an indication of the one or more valid hybrid automatic repeat request (ARR)-acknowledgement physical uplink control channel transmission opportunities. In a variation, determining the one or more valid uplink transmission opportunities for the control information may include determining the one or more valid uplink transmission opportunities based on one or more of an invalid uplink bitmap, an invalid downlink bitmap, a specified starting subframe, a machine type communication physical downlink control channel to physical downlink shared channel delay, a hybrid automatic repeat request identifier, or one or more physical uplink control channel positioning rules.

[0015] In a variation, the one or more physical uplink control channel positioning rules may include a rule that the first machine type communication physical downlink control channel opportunity in a cycle starts in a particular subframe. In a variation, the one or more physical uplink control channel positioning rules may include a rule that if there are no downlink invalid subframes, the next number of available valid downlink subframes are used to schedule machine type communication physical downlink control channel transmissions. In a variation, the one or more physical uplink control channel positioning rules may include a rule that for a first number of machine type communication physical downlink control channel opportunities, there is a delay of the number of valid downlink subframes before transmission of the corresponding physical downlink shared channel. In a variation, the one or more physical uplink control channel positioning rules may include a rule that a predefined delay is used for the last number of machine type communication physical downlink control channel opportunities in a sequence of opportunities.

[0016] In a variation, the one or more physical uplink control channel positioning rules may include a rule that after a number of machine type communication physical downlink control channel transmissions, a number of subframes are used to enable switching between downlink and uplink. In a variation, determining one or more valid uplink transmission opportunities for the control information may include determining one or more valid uplink transmission opportunities based on a mapping of machine type communication physical downlink control channel opportunities to physical downlink shared channel opportunities and corresponding physical uplink control channel opportunities. In a variation, the method may include transmitting the control information on the one or more valid uplink transmission opportunities.

[0017] A fifth embodiment may be directed to an apparatus that may include circuitry configured to cause the apparatus to perform a method according to the third or fourth embodiment, or any of the variations of these embodiments described above.

[0018] A sixth embodiment may be directed to an apparatus that may include means for performing a method according to the third or fourth embodiment, or any of the variations of these embodiments discussed above. Examples of means may include one or more processors, memory, and / or computer program code for causing the execution of operations.

[0019] A seventh embodiment may be directed to a computer-readable medium having stored thereon program instructions for causing an apparatus to perform at least a method according to the third or fourth embodiment, or any of the variations of these embodiments discussed above.

[0020] An eighth embodiment may be directed to a computer program product encoding instructions for causing an apparatus to perform at least the method according to the third embodiment or the fourth embodiment, or any of the variations of these embodiments described above.

[0021] For a proper understanding of the exemplary embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] 1 illustrates an example of using relative uplink transmission opportunity indexing, according to some embodiments. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) acknowledgement (ACK) delay indexing, according to some embodiments. [Figure 3] 1 illustrates an exemplary flow diagram of a method according to some embodiments. [Figure 4] 1 illustrates an exemplary flow diagram of a method according to some embodiments. [Figure 5] Figure 5a shows an exemplary block diagram of an apparatus according to one embodiment, and Figure 5b shows an exemplary block diagram of an apparatus according to another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] It will be readily understood that the components of an exemplary embodiment, as generally described and illustrated herein, could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the following detailed description of some exemplary embodiments of systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for using relative transmission delay indexing is not intended to limit the scope of some embodiments, but rather represents selected exemplary embodiments.

[0024] The features, structures, or characteristics of the exemplary embodiments described throughout this specification may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more exemplary embodiments. For example, throughout this specification, the use of the phrase "in one embodiment," "in some embodiments," or other similar phrases refers to the fact that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment. Thus, throughout this specification, the appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment," "in some embodiments," "in other embodiments," or other similar phrases do not necessarily all refer to the same group of embodiments, and the described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more exemplary embodiments. Furthermore, the phrase "set of" refers to a set that includes one or more of the referenced set members. Thus, the phrases "set of," "one or more of," and "at least one of," or equivalent phrases, may be used interchangeably. Furthermore, "or" is intended to mean "and / or" unless otherwise specified.

[0025] Moreover, where preferred, different functions or operations discussed below may be performed in different orders and / or concurrently with one another. Moreover, where preferred, one or more of the described functions or operations may be optional or combined. The following description should therefore be considered merely illustrative of the principles and teachings of some exemplary embodiments, and not in limitation thereof.

[0026] Some aspects of NR may relate to narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) and LTE machine-type communications (MTC). In this regard, NR may support 14-HARQ processes in the downlink (DL) for LTE MTC. For example, NR may support an additional physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) scheduling delay for the introduction of 14-HARQ processes in the DL for half-duplex frequency division duplex (HD-FDD) Category (Cat) M1 UEs for LTE MTC. The 14-HARQ process may differ from the 10-HARQ process in that a driver may exist to ensure that the 14-HARQ process feature is relatively efficient in the presence of invalid subframes (e.g., subframes not designated for MTC use).

[0027] These aspects of NR may increase the effective peak data rate compared to a 10-HARQ process configuration. For example, these aspects may increase the effective peak data rate of a 10-HARQ process configuration from 588 kilobits per second (kbps) (10 × 1000 / 17) to 706 kbps (24 × 1000 / 34) by introducing support for 14-HARQ processes. To achieve these improvements, additional MTC physical downlink control channel (MPDCCH) and PDSCH opportunities may have to be added to the 10-HARQ processes to increase the peak data rate. Furthermore, NR may have to specify additional MPDCCH-to-PDSCH delays. For the 10-HARQ process feature, the delay between the MPDCCH and PDSCH (the number of subframes between the MPDCCH and the corresponding PDSCH) may be fixed at 2. For the four additional HARQ processes, a new delay may have to be specified to achieve a higher data rate in the presence of invalid subframes.

[0028] Furthermore, an additional PDSCH-to-HARQ-ACK delay may have to be specified in NR to achieve the above-described improvement for 14-HARQ processes. For both 10-HARQ processes and 14-HARQ processes, HARQ-ACK bundling must be supported, which may allow up to four HARQ-ACK responses to be processed by each HARQ-ACK physical uplink control channel (PUCCH). In addition, NR may have to specify how to signal the additional delay in the downlink control information (DCI). The DCI used to support 10-HARQ processes may have three specific fields. To support the above improvement with 14-HARQ processes, there may have to be one bit for the HARQ-ACK bundling flag, three bits for the PDSCH-HARQ-ACK delay, and four bits for the HARQ process numbering. For 10-HARQ processes, the MPDCCH-to-PDSCH delay may be fixed at 2, so the 10-HARQ processes do not use an explicit DCI field for the delay. For 14-HARQ processes, NR may provide support for two MPDCCH-PDSCH delays (two and seven subframes) and may provide a description of the type of subframes traversed by the seven delays. However, techniques related to signaling for the additional PDSCH-to-HARQ-ACK delay in the 14-HARQ process and / or additional delay in DCI, etc., may be required. Some embodiments described herein may provide solutions for these or other aspects.

[0029] Some embodiments described herein may provide for the use of relative transmission delay indexing. For example, in some embodiments, a UE and a network node may determine valid uplink transmission opportunities for control information, and the network node may communicate to the UE an indication of the location of the valid uplink transmission opportunity relative to other valid uplink transmission opportunities for control information. In this manner, some embodiments may provide a UE and a network node (e.g., a base station) with common information of where a PUCCH HARQ-ACK opportunity is relative to other PUCCH HARQ-ACK opportunities in time or order, without requiring periodic and / or explicit signaling. This helps conserve network resources (e.g., bandwidth) and computing resources of the UE and / or network node. Although some embodiments are described herein in the context of an uplink scenario, some embodiments may equally apply to a downlink scenario.

[0030] 1 illustrates an example 100 of using relative uplink transmission opportunity indexing in accordance with some embodiments. As shown in FIG. 1, the example 100 includes a network node (e.g., a base station) and a UE.

[0031] As shown at 102 and 104, the network node and / or UE may determine one or more valid uplink transmission opportunities for control information. For example, the network node and UE may perform the determinations at 102 and 104 independently of each other. The one or more valid uplink transmission opportunities for control information may include valid HARQ-ACK PUCCH opportunities. In some embodiments, the network node and / or UE may determine valid PUCCH positions relative to the current subframe. For example, the valid subframes may be based on an invalid uplink (UL) bitmap, an invalid DL bitmap, a specified starting subframe, an MPDCCH-to-PDSCH delay, an HARQ process identifier, and / or one or more PUCCH positioning rules. As another example, the one or more valid uplink transmission opportunities may be based on a predefined mapping of MPDCCH subframes to PDSCH opportunities and corresponding PUCCH opportunities. As another example, the network may determine a valid subframe bitmap for transmitting the PUCCH and indicate this to the terminal.

[0032] In some embodiments, the one or more PUCCH positioning rules may include a rule that the first MPDCCH in a cycle starts in a specific subframe (subframe X). The positioning of subframe X may be predefined and / or based on a disabled bitmap. Additionally or alternatively, the positioning of subframe X may be configured by a higher layer (e.g., a UE-specific radio resource control (RRC) dedicated connection), etc. The one or more PUCCH positioning rules may include a rule that if no DL disabled subframes exist, the network node and UE may determine that the next Y available enabled DL subframes should be used to schedule the MPDCCH (e.g., in some embodiments, Y is 12). In this manner, some embodiments may optimize scheduling flexibility and efficient signaling, thereby improving network node and UE operation. In some steady-state scenarios, the network node may obtain more HARQ-ACK scheduling options based on relative indexing according to some embodiments.

[0033] The one or more PUCCH positioning rules may include a rule that, for the first Z DL MPDCCH opportunities, the network node and / or UE may select a delay of N valid DL subframes before transmitting the corresponding PDSCH (e.g., in some embodiments, Z may be equal to 10 and N may be equal to 2). The one or more PUCCH positioning rules may include a rule that, for the last M DL MPDCCH opportunities in a sequence of L opportunities, the network node and UE may select a pre-defined delay of Q (e.g., if M may be equal to 2, then L may be equal to 12 and Q may be equal to 7). This MPDCCH-to-PDSCH delay may be fixed (e.g., 2 for 10-HARQ processes) or may be signaled to the UE, such as in a DCI in connection with the operation at 106 below. The UE and / or network node may apply the delay to the transmission opportunities.

[0034] The one or more PUCCH positioning rules may include a rule that after a P DL MPDCCH is sent, the network node and / or UE may use one subframe (of any type) to enable switching between DL and UL, and then locate R PUCCHs in the next S valid UL subframes (e.g., in some embodiments, P may be equal to 12, R may be equal to 3, and S may be equal to 3). The subframe positions of the first subframe, the second subframe, and the third subframe may be determined by both the UE and the network node. The one or more PUCCH positioning rules may include a rule that T subframes (of any type) are used to enable switching between DL and UL before transmitting the next MPDCCH for the next U DL MPDCCH opportunity (e.g., T may be equal to 1 and U may be equal to 10).

[0035] As shown at 106, the network node may transmit, and the UE may receive, signaling including an indication of the location of a valid uplink transmission opportunity for the control information relative to the location of one or more other valid uplink transmission opportunities for the control information. For example, the signaling may include an indication of whether the location of the valid uplink transmission opportunity is the first, second, third, etc. valid uplink transmission opportunity in a set of opportunities (e.g., as shown in and described with reference to FIG. 2). Additionally or alternatively, the indication may include an indication of which mapping of MPDCCH subframes to PDSCH opportunities and corresponding PUCCH opportunities the UE should apply during 14-HARQ initial configuration. The network node may signal an MPDCCH-to-PDSCH delay, as described elsewhere herein, in connection with the signaling at 106.

[0036] As noted above, Figure 1 is provided as an example, and other examples are possible according to some embodiments.

[0037] 2 illustrates an example 200 of HARQ-ACK delay indexing according to some embodiments. As shown in FIG. 2, the example 200 includes subframes (subframes having index values ​​0-16) indicated at 202, PDSCH opportunities (situations having index values ​​D0-D9, D12, and D13) indicated at 204, PUCCH opportunities (situations having index values ​​A0, A1, and A2) indicated at 206, HARQ-ACK delays (delay values ​​of 12, 11, 9, 7, 6, 5, and 4) indicated at 208, and relative ACK positions (first position, second position, and third position) indicated at 210.

[0038] The HARQ-ACK delay may indicate the amount of delay between the PDSCH opportunity and the corresponding PUCCH opportunity. For example, for a D12 PDSCH opportunity in subframe 0, A0 may be the corresponding PUCCH opportunity in subframe 13. The delay between subframe 0 and subframe 13 is 13 subframes, resulting in a HARQ-ACK delay value of 13 for the D12 PDSCH opportunity. The relative ACK position may identify the position of the PUCCH opportunity to use for the PDSCH opportunity relative to one or more other PUCCH opportunities. For example, as described above, A0 is the PUCCH opportunity corresponding to the D12 PDSCH opportunity, and A0 is the first PUCCH opportunity in time or order of the set of PUCCH opportunities including A0, A1, and A2. In other words, A0 is the first PUCCH opportunity relative to opportunities A1 and A2, A1 is the second opportunity, and A2 is the third opportunity. 1, the network node may transmit an indication of the relative ACK position shown at 210. For example, for PDSCH opportunity D12, the network node may transmit an indication that the PUCCH opportunity corresponding to PDSCH opportunity D12 is the first PUCCH opportunity A0.

[0039] In this way, some embodiments may reduce signaling, e.g., in DCI, to indicate ACK opportunity positioning. For example, rather than indicating the HARQ-ACK delay, the network node may send an indication of the relative position of the PUCCH opportunity corresponding to the PDSCH opportunity. For this and other scenarios, not being restricted to a finite set of HARQ-ACK delays may provide the network node with more options for scheduling the ACK for the PDSCH in a given subframe, e.g., D12, D13, D0, and D1, which may be scheduled on the first HARQ-ACK opportunity; otherwise, if an absolute subframe gap definition is used, two additional absolute delays (12 and 10) need to be supported.

[0040] As noted above, Figure 2 is provided as an example, and other examples are possible according to some embodiments.

[0041] 3 shows an example flow diagram of a method 300 according to some embodiments. For example, FIG. 3 may show example operations of a network node (e.g., apparatus 10 shown in and described with respect to FIG. 5a). Some of the operations shown in FIG. 3 may be similar to some of the operations shown in and described with respect to FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0042] In one embodiment, method 300 may include, at 302, determining one or more valid uplink transmission opportunities for control information, e.g., in a manner similar to the method at 102 of Figure 1. Method 300 may include, at 304, transmitting signaling including an indication of a location of the valid uplink transmission opportunity for the control information relative to a location of one or more other valid uplink transmission opportunities for the control information, e.g., in a manner similar to the method at 106 of Figure 1.

[0043] The method 300 shown in FIG. 3 may include one or more additional aspects described below or elsewhere herein. In some embodiments, the one or more valid uplink transmission opportunities for the control information may include one or more valid hybrid automatic repeat request acknowledgment physical uplink control channel transmission opportunities. In some embodiments, the method 300 may include transmitting signaling comprising an indication of the one or more valid hybrid automatic repeat request acknowledgment physical uplink control channel transmission opportunities. In some embodiments, the determining step in 302 may include determining the one or more valid uplink transmission opportunities based on one or more of an invalid uplink bitmap, an invalid downlink bitmap, a specified starting subframe, a machine type communication physical downlink control channel to physical downlink shared channel delay, a hybrid automatic repeat request identifier, or one or more physical uplink control channel positioning rules.

[0044] In some embodiments, the one or more physical uplink control channel positioning rules may include a rule that the first machine type communication physical downlink control channel opportunity in a cycle starts in a particular subframe. In some embodiments, the one or more physical uplink control channel positioning rules may include a rule that if there are no downlink invalid subframes, the next number of available valid downlink subframes are used to schedule machine type communication physical downlink control channel transmissions. In some embodiments, the one or more physical uplink control channel positioning rules may include a rule that for a first number of machine type communication physical downlink control channel opportunities, there is a delay of the number of valid downlink subframes before transmission of the corresponding physical downlink shared channel.

[0045] In some embodiments, the one or more physical uplink control channel positioning rules may include a rule that a predefined delay is used for the last number of machine type communication physical downlink control channel opportunities in a sequence of opportunities. In some embodiments, the one or more physical uplink control channel positioning rules may include a rule that after some machine type communication physical downlink control channel transmissions, some subframes are used to allow switching between downlink and uplink. In some embodiments, the determining at 302 may include determining one or more valid uplink transmission opportunities based on a mapping of machine type communication physical downlink control channel opportunities to physical downlink shared channel opportunities and corresponding physical uplink control channel opportunities.

[0046] As noted above, Figure 3 is provided as an example. Other examples are possible according to some embodiments.

[0047] 4 shows an example flow diagram of a method 400 according to some embodiments. For example, FIG. 4 may show example operations of a UE (e.g., apparatus 20 shown in and described with respect to FIG. 5b). Some of the operations shown in FIG. 4 may be similar to some of the operations shown in and described with respect to FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0048] In an embodiment, method 400 may include, at 402, determining one or more valid uplink transmission opportunities for control information, e.g., in a manner similar to the method at 104 of Figure 1. In some embodiments, method 400 may include, at 404, receiving signaling including an indication of a location of a valid uplink transmission opportunity for the control information relative to a location of one or more other valid uplink transmission opportunities for the control information, e.g., in a manner similar to the method at 106 of Figure 1.

[0049] The method 400 shown in FIG. 4 may include one or more additional aspects described below or elsewhere herein. In some embodiments, the one or more valid uplink transmission opportunities for the control information may include one or more valid hybrid automatic repeat request (ARR)-acknowledgement physical uplink control channel transmission opportunities. In some embodiments, the method 400 may include receiving signaling including an indication of one or more valid hybrid automatic repeat request (ARR)-acknowledgement physical uplink control channel transmission opportunities. In some embodiments, the determining step in 402 may include determining the one or more valid uplink transmission opportunities based on the signaling including the indication of one or more valid hybrid automatic repeat request (ARR)-acknowledgement physical uplink control channel transmission opportunities. In some embodiments, the determining step in 402 may include determining the one or more valid uplink transmission opportunities based on one or more of an invalid uplink bitmap, an invalid downlink bitmap, a specified starting subframe, a machine type communication physical downlink control channel to physical downlink shared channel delay, a hybrid automatic repeat request identifier, or one or more physical uplink control channel positioning rules.

[0050] In some embodiments, the one or more physical uplink control channel positioning rules may include a rule that the first machine type communication physical downlink control channel opportunity in a cycle starts in a particular subframe. In some embodiments, the one or more physical uplink control channel positioning rules may include a rule that if there are no downlink invalid subframes, the next number of available valid downlink subframes are used to schedule machine type communication physical downlink control channel transmissions. In some embodiments, the one or more physical uplink control channel positioning rules may include a rule that for a first number of machine type communication physical downlink control channel opportunities, there is a delay of the number of valid downlink subframes before transmission of the corresponding physical downlink shared channel.

[0051] In some embodiments, if the UE (1) has information about (or can access) an invalid subframe bitmap, (2) determines (e.g., assumes) that, for example, 12 HARQ processes will be transmitted before three bundled ACKs are transmitted, (3) determines how many HARQ processes have been transmitted since the last set of ACKs was completed, and (4) allows transmission between UL and DL for, for example, one subframe (of any type), the UE can implicitly determine the sequence of subframe types to which a particular HARQ-ACK delay applies. In this case, the HARQ-ACK PUCCH location may be determined by the UE using the implicit information of where the PUCCH may appear and a 2-bit parameter y in the DCI indicating the relative delay, according to the following: If y=0, the PUCCH may be transmitted in (11-i) bandwidth-reduced low-complexity (BL) / coverage extension (CE) DL subframes + 1 subframe (of any type) + (y+1) BL / CE UL subframes after the DCI is sent. If y>0, the PUCCH may be transmitted (11-i) BL / CE DL subframes + 1 subframe (any type) + (y) BL / CE UL subframes after the DCI is transmitted. The variable i may be equal to, for example, the number {0, 1, 2, ..., 11} of HARQ processes transmitted in a cycle since the last set of three ACKs was transmitted. The variable y may be equal to {0, 1, 2, 3}, where 0 and 1 may indicate, for example, that the first available PUCCH should be used, 2 may indicate, for example, the second available PUCCH, and 3 may indicate, for example, the third available PUCCH. When y=0, it may also indicate to the UE that its internal variable i may have to start counting (e.g., 0). BL may refer to "bandwidth limitation" in some situations.

[0052] In some embodiments, the one or more physical uplink control channel positioning rules may include a rule that a predefined delay is used for the last number of machine type communication physical downlink control channel opportunities in a sequence of opportunities. In some embodiments, the one or more physical uplink control channel positioning rules may include a rule that after some machine type communication physical downlink control channel transmissions, some subframes are used to allow switching between downlink and uplink. In some embodiments, the determining at 402 may include determining one or more valid uplink transmission opportunities based on a mapping of machine type communication physical downlink control channel opportunities to physical downlink shared channel opportunities and corresponding physical uplink control channel opportunities. In some embodiments, method 400 may further include transmitting control information on the one or more valid uplink transmission opportunities.

[0053] As noted above, Figure 4 is provided as an example. Other examples are possible, according to some embodiments.

[0054] 5a illustrates an example of device 10 according to one embodiment. In certain embodiments, device 10 may be a node, host, or server within a communications network or providing services to such a network. For example, device 10 may be a network node, satellite, base station, Node B, evolved Node B (eNB), 5G Node B or access point, next generation Node B (NG-NB or gNB), and / or WLAN access point associated with a radio access network, such as an LTE network, 5G, or NR. In some exemplary embodiments, device 10 may be an eNB in ​​LTE or a gNB in ​​5G.

[0055] It should be understood that in some exemplary embodiments, apparatus 10 may comprise an edge cloud server as a distributed computing system, and the server and wireless node may be standalone devices that communicate with each other via wireless paths or via wired connections, or may be located within the same entity that communicates via wired connections. For example, in some exemplary embodiments in which apparatus 10 represents a gNB, it may be configured in a central unit (CU) and distributed unit (DU) architecture that divides gNB functions. In such an architecture, the CU may be a logical node that includes gNB functions such as user data forwarding, mobility control, radio access network sharing, positioning, and / or session management. The CU may control the operation of the DU via a fronthaul interface. The DU may be a logical node that includes a subset of gNB functions, depending on the functional division option. Note that those skilled in the art will understand that apparatus 10 may include components or features not shown in FIG. 5a.

[0056] As shown in the example of FIG. 5a, device 10 may include processor 12 for processing information and executing instructions or operations. Processor 12 may be any type of general-purpose or special-purpose processor. Indeed, processor 12 may include, by way of example, one or more of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), and a processor based on a multi-core processor architecture. While a single processor 12 is shown in FIG. 5a, multiple processors may be utilized according to other embodiments. For example, it should be understood that in some embodiments, device 10 may include two or more processors that may form a multiprocessor system capable of supporting multiprocessing (e.g., in this case, processor 12 may represent a multiprocessor). In some embodiments, the multiprocessor system may be tightly coupled or loosely coupled (e.g., to form a computer cluster).

[0057] Processor 12 may perform functions related to the operation of device 10, which may include, for example, precoding of antenna gain / phase parameters, encoding and decoding of individual bits forming communication messages, formatting of information, and overall control of device 10, including processes related to communication or management of communication resources.

[0058] Apparatus 10 may further include or be coupled to processor 12 with memory 14 (internal or external) for storing information and instructions that may be executed by processor 12. Memory 14 may be one or more memories and may be any type of memory suitable for the local application environment and may be implemented using any suitable volatile or non-volatile data storage technology, such as semiconductor-based memory devices, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory, and / or removable memory. For example, memory 14 may be comprised of any combination of random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), static storage such as a magnetic or optical disk, a hard disk drive (HDD), or any other type of persistent machine- or computer-readable medium. The instructions stored in memory 14 may include program instructions or computer program code that, when executed by processor 12, enable apparatus 10 to perform the tasks described herein.

[0059] In some embodiments, device 10 may further include or be coupled to a drive or port (internal or external) configured to accept and read an external computer-readable storage medium, such as an optical disk, a USB drive, a flash drive, or any other storage medium. For example, the external computer-readable storage medium may store a computer program or software for execution by processor 12 and / or device 10.

[0060] In some embodiments, device 10 may also include or be coupled to one or more antennas 15 for transmitting and receiving signals and / or data to and from device 10. Device 10 may further include or be coupled to a transceiver 18 configured to transmit and receive information. Transceiver 18 may include multiple wireless interfaces, which may be coupled to antennas 15, for example. The wireless interfaces may support multiple wireless access technologies, including one or more of GSM, NB-IoT, LTE, 5G, WLAN, Bluetooth, BT-LE, NFC, radio frequency identification (RFID), ultra-wideband (UWB), MulteFire, etc. The wireless interfaces may include components, such as filters, converters (e.g., digital-to-analog converters), mappers, fast Fourier transform (FFT) modules, etc., to generate symbols for transmission over one or more downlinks and receive symbols (e.g., over an uplink).

[0061] Thus, transceiver 18 may be configured to modulate information onto a carrier waveform for transmission by antenna 15 and to demodulate information received via antenna 15 for further processing by other elements of device 10. In other embodiments, transceiver 18 may be capable of directly transmitting and receiving signals or data. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, device 10 may include input and / or output devices (I / O devices).

[0062] In one embodiment, memory 14 may store software modules that provide functionality when executed by processor 12. The modules may include, for example, an operating system that provides operating system functionality for device 10. The memory may also store one or more functional modules, such as applications or programs, to provide additional functionality to device 10. Components of device 10 may be implemented in hardware or as any suitable combination of hardware and software.

[0063] According to some embodiments, the processor 12 and memory 14 may be included in or form part of processing or control circuitry. Additionally, in some embodiments, the transceiver 18 may be included in or form part of transceiver circuitry.

[0064] As used herein, the term “circuitry” may refer to a dedicated hardware circuit implementation (e.g., being analog and / or digital circuitry), a combination of hardware circuitry and software, a combination of analog and / or digital hardware circuitry and software / firmware, any portion of a hardware processor with software (including a digital signal processor) that cooperates to cause a device (e.g., device 10) to perform various functions, and / or a hardware circuit and / or processor, or portion thereof, that uses software for operation and may not be present when software is not needed for operation. As a further example, the term “circuitry” as used herein may also encompass simply a hardware circuit or processor (or multiple processors), or a portion of a hardware circuit or processor, and its associated software and / or firmware implementation. The term circuitry may also encompass, for example, a baseband integrated circuit within a server, a cellular network node or device, or other computing or network device.

[0065] As introduced above, in some embodiments, the apparatus 10 may be a network node or a RAN node, such as a base station, an access point, a Node B, an eNB, a gNB, a WLAN access point, or the like.

[0066] According to some embodiments, device 10 may be controlled by memory 14 and processor 12 to perform functions associated with any of the embodiments described herein, such as some of the operations shown in or described with respect to Figures 1-3. For example, device 10 may be controlled by memory 14 and processor 12 to perform the method of Figure 3.

[0067] 5b illustrates an example of apparatus 20 according to another embodiment. In an embodiment, apparatus 20 may be a node or element within or associated with a communications network, such as a UE, mobile equipment (ME), mobile station, mobile device, fixed device, IoT device, or other device. As described herein, a UE may alternatively be referred to as, for example, a mobile station, mobile equipment, mobile unit, mobile device, user device, subscriber station, wireless terminal, tablet, smartphone, IoT device, sensor or NB-IoT device, watch or other wearable, head-mounted display (HMD), vehicle, drone, medical device and its applications (e.g., remote surgery), industrial device and its applications (e.g., robots and / or other wireless devices operating in industrial and / or automated processing chain contexts), consumer electronics device, device operating on a commercial and / or industrial wireless network, or the like. By way of example, apparatus 20 may be implemented in, for example, a wireless handheld device, a wireless plug-in accessory, or the like.

[0068] In some demonstrative embodiments, device 20 may include one or more processors, one or more computer-readable storage media (e.g., memory, storage, etc.), one or more wireless access components (e.g., modems, transceivers, etc.), and / or a user interface. In some embodiments, device 20 may be configured to operate using one or more wireless access technologies, such as GSM, LTE, LTE-A, NR, 5G, WLAN, WiFi, NB-IoT, Bluetooth, NFC, MulteFire, and / or any other wireless access technology. Note that those skilled in the art will understand that device 20 may include components or features not shown in FIG. 5b.

[0069] As shown in the example of FIG. 5b, device 20 may include or be coupled to a processor 22 for processing information and executing instructions or operations. Processor 22 may be any type of general-purpose or special-purpose processor. Indeed, processor 22 may include, by way of example, one or more of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), and a processor based on a multi-core processor architecture. While a single processor 22 is shown in FIG. 5b, multiple processors may be utilized according to other embodiments. For example, it should be understood that in some embodiments, device 20 may include two or more processors that may form a multiprocessor system capable of supporting multiprocessing (e.g., in this case, processor 22 may represent a multiprocessor). In some embodiments, the multiprocessor system may be tightly coupled or loosely coupled (e.g., to form a computer cluster).

[0070] Processor 22 may perform functions related to the operation of device 20, including, as some examples, precoding of antenna gain / phase parameters, encoding and decoding of individual bits forming communication messages, formatting of information, and overall control of device 20, including processes related to management of communication resources.

[0071] Apparatus 20 may further include or be coupled to processor 22 with memory 24 (internal or external) for storing information and instructions that may be executed by processor 22. Memory 24 may be one or more memories and may be any type of memory suitable for the local application environment and may be implemented using any suitable volatile or non-volatile data storage technology, such as semiconductor-based memory devices, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory, and / or removable memory. For example, memory 24 may be comprised of any combination of random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), static storage such as a magnetic or optical disk, a hard disk drive (HDD), or any other type of persistent machine- or computer-readable medium. The instructions stored in memory 24 may include program instructions or computer program code that, when executed by processor 22, enable apparatus 20 to perform the tasks described herein.

[0072] In some embodiments, device 20 may further include or be coupled to a drive or port (internal or external) configured to accept and read an external computer-readable storage medium, such as an optical disk, a USB drive, a flash drive, or any other storage medium. For example, the external computer-readable storage medium may store a computer program or software for execution by processor 22 and / or device 20.

[0073] In some embodiments, device 20 may also include or be coupled to one or more antennas 25 for receiving downlink signals from device 20 and transmitting via the uplink. Device 20 may further include a transceiver 28 configured to transmit and receive information. Transceiver 28 may also include a wireless interface (e.g., a modem) coupled to antenna 25. The wireless interface may support multiple wireless access technologies, including one or more of GSM, LTE, LTE-A, 5G, NR, WLAN, NB-IoT, Bluetooth, BT-LE, NFC, RFID, UWB, etc. The wireless interface may include other components, such as filters, converters (e.g., digital-to-analog converters, etc.), symbol demappers, signal shaping components, inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT) modules, etc., to process symbols, such as OFDMA symbols, carried by the downlink or uplink.

[0074] For example, transceiver 28 may be configured to modulate information onto a carrier waveform for transmission by antenna 25 and demodulate information received via antenna 25 for further processing by other elements of device 20. In other embodiments, transceiver 28 may be capable of directly transmitting and receiving signals or data. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, device 20 may include input and / or output devices (I / O devices). In certain embodiments, device 20 may further include a user interface, such as a graphical user interface or a touch screen.

[0075] In an embodiment, memory 24 stores software modules that provide functionality when executed by processor 22. The modules may include, for example, an operating system that provides operating system functionality for device 20. The memory may also store one or more functional modules, such as applications or programs, to provide additional functionality to device 20. Components of device 20 may be implemented in hardware or as any suitable combination of hardware and software. According to an exemplary embodiment, device 20 may optionally be configured to communicate with device 10 via a wireless or wired communication link 70 according to any radio access technology, such as NR.

[0076] According to some embodiments, the processor 22 and the memory 24 may be included in or form part of processing or control circuitry. Additionally, in some embodiments, the transceiver 28 may be included in or form part of transceiver circuitry. As discussed above, according to some embodiments, the apparatus 20 may be, for example, a UE, a mobile device, a mobile station, an ME, an IoT device, and / or an NB-IoT device. According to particular embodiments, the apparatus 20 may be controlled by the memory 24 and the processor 22 to perform functions associated with any of the embodiments described herein, such as some operations shown in or described with respect to FIGS. 1-2 and 4. For example, in one embodiment, the apparatus 20 may be controlled by the memory 24 and the processor 22 to perform the method of FIG. 4.

[0077] In some embodiments, an apparatus (e.g., apparatus 10 and / or apparatus 20) may include means for performing any of the methods or variations described herein, e.g., the methods described with reference to Figures 3 and 4. Examples of means may include one or more processors, memory, and / or computer program code for causing the execution of operations.

[0078] Certain example embodiments therefore provide several technical improvements, enhancements, and / or advantages over existing technical processes. For example, one advantage of some exemplary embodiments is a reduction in the amount of signaling required to indicate a positioning or delay of a transmission opportunity, which saves network and / or computing resources of network nodes and / or UEs. Use of some example embodiments therefore results in improvements to the functionality of communication networks and their nodes, and thus constitutes an improvement to, among other things, at least the technical field of uplink transmission opportunity indication for control information.

[0079] In some exemplary embodiments, the functions of any of the methods, processes, signaling diagrams, algorithms, or flowcharts described herein may be implemented by software and / or computer program code, or portions of code, stored in memory or other computer-readable or tangible medium and executed by a processor.

[0080] In some exemplary embodiments, the device may be included in or associated with at least one software application, module, unit, or entity configured as an arithmetic operation executed by at least one computing processor, or as a program or portion thereof (including added or updated software routines). Programs, also referred to as program products or computer programs, including software routines, applets, and macros, may be stored on any device-readable data storage medium and may include program instructions for performing specific tasks.

[0081] The computer program product may include one or more computer-executable components configured to perform some exemplary embodiments when the program is executed. The one or more computer-executable components may be at least one software code or portion of code. Modifications and configurations used to implement the functionality of the exemplary embodiments may be implemented as routines that may be added or updated software routines. In one example, the software routines may be downloaded to a device.

[0082] For example, the software or computer program code or portions of code may be in source code form, object code form, or some intermediate form, and may be stored on some kind of carrier, distribution medium, or computer-readable medium, which may be any entity or device capable of carrying a program. Such a carrier may include, for example, a recording medium, a computer memory, a read-only memory, an optical and / or electrical carrier signal, a telecommunications signal, and / or a software distribution package. Depending on the processing power required, the computer program may be executed in a single electronic digital computer or distributed among several computers. The computer-readable medium or computer-readable storage medium may be a non-transitory medium.

[0083] In other exemplary embodiments, the functions may be performed by hardware or circuitry included in a device (e.g., device 10 or device 20), for example, through the use of an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable gate array (PGA), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or any other combination of hardware and software. In yet another exemplary embodiment, the functionality may be implemented as a signal by intangible means, such as may be conveyed by an electromagnetic signal downloaded from the Internet or other network.

[0084] According to exemplary embodiments, an apparatus such as a node, device, or corresponding component may be configured as a circuit, computer, or microprocessor such as a single-chip computer element, or as a chipset, and may include at least a memory for providing storage capacity used for operations and / or a computing processor for performing operations.

[0085] The exemplary embodiments described herein apply equally to both singular and plural implementations, regardless of whether the singular or plural terms are used in connection with describing a particular embodiment. For example, an embodiment describing the operation of a single network node applies equally to an embodiment including multiple instances of the network node, and vice versa.

[0086] Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the exemplary embodiments described above may be implemented with operations in a different order and / or with hardware elements in different configurations than those disclosed. Thus, while several embodiments have been described based on these exemplary embodiments, certain modifications, variations, and alternative configurations will be apparent to those skilled in the art while remaining within the spirit and scope of the exemplary embodiments.

[0087] term 3GPP 3rd Generation Project Partner LTE Long Term Evolution MTC Machine Type Communication NB-IoT Narrowband Internet of Things CE Coverage Extension eNB Enhanced Node B UE User Equipment DL Downlink UL Uplink RRC Radio Resource Control PRB Physical Resource Block PDSCH Physical Downlink Shared Channel NPDSCH Narrowband PDSCH DCI Downlink Control Information PDCCH Physical Downlink Control Channel NPDCCH Narrowband PDCCH LSB least significant bit MSB Most Significant Bit MAC Media Access Control CE Control Elements

Claims

1. at least one processor; at least one memory containing computer program code, The at least one memory and the computer program code are transmitted by the at least one processor to the device, at least: determining one or more valid uplink transmission opportunities for control information based on a mapping of machine type communication physical downlink control channel opportunities to physical downlink shared channel opportunities and corresponding physical uplink control channel opportunities, the mapping to be applied by the user equipment during hybrid automatic repeat request initialization; and transmitting a signal including an indication of a location of one of the one or more available uplink transmission opportunities for the control information relative to other of the one or more available uplink transmission opportunities for the control information.

2. the one or more available uplink transmission opportunities for control information comprise one or more available hybrid automatic repeat request-acknowledgement physical uplink control channel transmission opportunities; The at least one memory and the computer program code are transmitted by the at least one processor to the device, at least:

10. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising the step of transmitting a signal including an indication of the one or more valid hybrid automatic repeat request-acknowledgement physical uplink control channel transmission opportunities.

3. The at least one memory and the computer program code cause the apparatus, by the at least one processor, to, when determining the one or more available uplink transmission opportunities for control information, at least: Disabled Uplink Bitmap, Disabled Downlink Bitmap, The specified starting subframe, Machine type communication physical downlink control channel to physical downlink shared channel delay; Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request Identifier, or one or more physical uplink control channel positioning rules; 10. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: determining the one or more available uplink transmission opportunities based on one or more of:

4. 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the one or more physical uplink control channel positioning rules comprise a rule that a first machine type communication physical downlink control channel opportunity in a cycle starts in a particular subframe.

5. 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the one or more physical uplink control channel positioning rules comprise a rule that if there are no downlink invalid subframes, then the next number of available valid downlink subframes are used to schedule machine type communication physical downlink control channel transmissions.

6. 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the one or more physical uplink control channel positioning rules comprise a rule that for a first number of machine type communication physical downlink control channel opportunities, there is a delay of a number of valid downlink subframes before transmission of a corresponding physical downlink shared channel.

7. 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the one or more physical uplink control channel positioning rules comprise a rule that a predetermined delay is used for a last number of machine type communications physical downlink control channel opportunities in a sequence of opportunities.

8. 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the one or more physical uplink control channel positioning rules comprise a rule that after a number of machine type communications physical downlink control channel transmissions, a number of subframes are used to enable switching between downlink and uplink.

9. at least one processor; at least one memory containing computer program code, The at least one memory and the computer program code are transmitted by the at least one processor to the device, at least: determining one or more valid uplink transmission opportunities for control information based on a mapping of machine type communication physical downlink control channel opportunities to physical downlink shared channel opportunities and corresponding physical uplink control channel opportunities, the mapping to be applied by the user equipment during hybrid automatic repeat request initialization; and receiving a signal including an indication of a location of one of the one or more available uplink transmission opportunities for the control information relative to other available uplink transmission opportunities for the control information.

10. the one or more available uplink transmission opportunities for control information comprise one or more available hybrid automatic repeat request-acknowledgement physical uplink control channel transmission opportunities; The at least one memory and the computer program code are transmitted by the at least one processor to the device, at least:

10. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising the step of receiving a signal including an indication of the one or more valid hybrid automatic repeat request-acknowledgement physical uplink control channel transmission opportunities.

11. The at least one memory and the computer program code cause the apparatus, by the at least one processor, to, when determining the one or more available uplink transmission opportunities for control information, at least: Disabled Uplink Bitmap, Disabled Downlink Bitmap, The specified starting subframe, Machine type communication physical downlink control channel to physical downlink shared channel delay; Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request Identifier, or one or more physical uplink control channel positioning rules; 10. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising: determining the one or more available uplink transmission opportunities based on one or more of:

12. 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the one or more physical uplink control channel positioning rules comprise a rule that a first machine type communication physical downlink control channel opportunity in a cycle starts in a particular subframe.

13. 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the one or more physical uplink control channel positioning rules comprise a rule that if there are no downlink invalid subframes, then the next number of available valid downlink subframes are used to schedule machine type communication physical downlink control channel transmissions.

14. 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the one or more physical uplink control channel positioning rules comprise a rule that for a first number of machine type communication physical downlink control channel opportunities, there is a delay of a number of valid downlink subframes before transmission of a corresponding physical downlink shared channel.

15. 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the one or more physical uplink control channel positioning rules comprise a rule that a predetermined delay is used for a last number of machine type communications physical downlink control channel opportunities in a sequence of opportunities.

16. 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the one or more physical uplink control channel positioning rules comprise a rule that after a number of machine type communications physical downlink control channel transmissions, a number of subframes are used to enable switching between downlink and uplink.

17. The at least one memory and the computer program code are used by the at least one processor to cause an apparatus to at least:

10. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising transmitting the control information on the one or more available uplink transmission opportunities.

18. determining one or more available uplink transmission opportunities for control information; and transmitting a signal including an indication of a location of one of one or more available uplink transmission opportunities for the control information relative to other available uplink transmission opportunities for the control information based on a mapping of machine type communication physical downlink control channel opportunities to physical downlink shared channel opportunities and corresponding physical uplink control channel opportunities that the user equipment is to apply during hybrid automatic repeat request initialization.

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