CONFIGURATION METHOD AND DEVICE FOR SEMI-STATIC TRANSMISSION - Patent application

Abstract

A wireless communication method includes configuring a first wireless device for communication between a first wireless device and a second wireless device according to a semi-static configuration that defines a timeslot pattern for the communication. M carriers are configured for communication, where M is an integer greater than 1. The timeslot pattern is configured across the M carriers based on units of timeslots of a reference carrier of the M carriers. For each timeslot in the timeslot pattern, a corresponding carrier from the M carriers and / or a slot within the corresponding carrier on which the communication occurs is defined by a rule.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This document generally relates to wireless communications. [Background technology]

[0002] Mobile telecommunications technologies are moving the world toward an increasingly connected and networked society. Compared to existing wireless networks, next-generation systems and wireless communication techniques will need to support a much broader range of use case characteristics and provide a more complex and sophisticated range of access requirements and flexibility.

[0003] Long Term Evolution (LTE) is a wireless communication standard for mobile devices and data terminals developed by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP®). LTE Advanced (LTE-A) is a wireless communication standard that extends the LTE standard. The fifth generation of wireless systems, known as 5G, strives to enhance the LTE and LTE-A wireless standards to support higher data rates, a larger number of connections, ultra-low latency, high reliability, and other emerging business needs. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] The disclosed techniques may be used by various embodiments to implement semi-static configuration for transmissions in wireless communication networks.

[0005] In one exemplary aspect, a method of wireless communication is disclosed. The method includes configuring a first wireless device for communication between a first wireless device and a second wireless device according to a semi-static configuration that defines a timeslot pattern for communication. M carriers are configured for communication, where M is an integer greater than 1. The timeslot pattern is configured across the M carriers based on units of timeslots of a reference carrier of the M carriers. For each timeslot in the timeslot pattern, a corresponding carrier from the M carriers and / or a slot within the corresponding carrier on which communication occurs is defined by a rule.

[0006] In another embodiment aspect, a wireless communication device is disclosed, the wireless communication device comprising a processor configured to perform the methods described herein.

[0007] In another embodiment aspect, a computer-readable medium is disclosed that stores code that, upon execution by a processor, causes the processor to perform a method described herein.

[0008] These and other aspects are discussed throughout this document. The present invention provides, for example, the following. (Item 1) 1. A method of wireless communication, comprising: Configuring a first wireless device for communication between the first wireless device and a second wireless device according to a semi-static configuration that defines a timeslot pattern for said communication. Including, M carriers are configured for said communication, where M is an integer greater than 1; the M carriers include a reference carrier; the time slot pattern is configured across the M carriers based on units of time slots of a reference carrier of the M carriers; The method, wherein for each time slot in the time slot pattern, a corresponding carrier from the M carriers and / or a slot within the corresponding carrier on which the communication occurs is specified by a rule. (Item 2) Item 1. The method of item 1, wherein the M carriers have the same time slot duration, and the rule specifies that a parameter is associated with each time slot in the time slot pattern, the parameter identifying a corresponding carrier from the M carriers used by a transmission in the corresponding time slot. (Item 3) Item 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the rule specifies that a first parameter and a second parameter are associated with each time slot in the time slot pattern, the first parameter identifying a corresponding carrier from the M carriers, and the second parameter identifying a time slot of the corresponding carrier used by a transmission. (Item 4) 4. The method according to any one of items 1-3, wherein the time slot pattern is repetitive with a pattern configuration period, and the pattern configuration period corresponds to a frame period of a primary carrier, a common frame period between the primary carrier and other carriers, or a period configured by radio resource control (RRC) signaling. (Item 5) Item 10. The method of claim 1, wherein when the M carriers have different time slot durations, the rule specifies that a parameter is associated with each time slot in the time slot pattern according to the reference carrier indicating a time slot of a carrier from the M carriers that overlaps with a time slot in the time slot pattern according to the reference carrier. (Item 6) 6. The method of any of items 1-5, further comprising determining, by the first wireless device, a hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) process identifier (ID) for transmission in a time slot in a time slot pattern in a carrier according to a periodicity P, wherein the periodicity P is determined based on a periodicity of the time slot in the time slot pattern in the carrier. (Item 7) 7. The method according to any one of items 1-6, wherein the first wireless device is a user equipment and the second wireless device is a network device. (Item 8) 7. The method according to any one of items 1-6, wherein the first wireless device is a network device and the second wireless device is a user equipment. (Item 9) 9. The method according to any of items 1-8, wherein the reference carrier corresponds to a PCell or carrier with the smallest index, or a carrier with the largest index, or a carrier with the smallest subcarrier spacing, or a carrier with the largest subcarrier spacing, or a carrier configured by signaling. (Item 10) 10. An apparatus for wireless communication, the apparatus for wireless communication comprising a processor configured to perform the method according to any of items 1-9. (Item 11) 10. A non-transitory computer-readable program storage medium having code stored thereon that, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to perform the method of any of items 1-9. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1-4 show an example of a semi-static transmission configuration. [Figure 2] 1-4 show an example of a semi-static transmission configuration. [Figure 3] 1-4 show an example of a semi-static transmission configuration. [Figure 4] 1-4 show an example of a semi-static transmission configuration.

[0010] [Figure 5] FIG. 5 shows an example of downlink semi-static transmission across multiple carriers.

[0011] [Figure 6] FIG. 6 shows an example of uplink semi-static transmission across multiple carriers.

[0012] [Figure 7] FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of calculating a hybrid automatic repeat request HARQ process ID.

[0013] [Figure 8] FIG. 8 shows an example of a semi-static transmission configuration.

[0014] [Figure 9] FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary wireless network in which various embodiments described herein may be implemented.

[0015] [Figure 10] FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary hardware platform that may be used to implement various embodiments described herein.

[0016] [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a flowchart of an exemplary wireless communication method. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] Detailed Description The headings for the various sections below are used to facilitate understanding of the disclosed subject matter and are not intended to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter in any way. Thus, one or more features of one example section may be combined with one or more features of another example section. Furthermore, although 5G terminology is used for clarity of exposition, the techniques disclosed herein are not limited to only 5G technology and may be used in wireless systems implementing other protocols.

[0018] Techniques are disclosed relating to at least configuration methods and devices for semi-static transmission.

[0019] (I. Introduction)

[0020] In wireless communication networks, wireless bandwidth is at a premium. Therefore, reducing the amount of overhead used by transmission of control messages frees up wireless bandwidth for user data transmission. One technique for achieving a reduction in the amount of control transmission bandwidth is to use a "semi-static" configuration in which a particular control setting is used for an extended period (e.g., tens of milliseconds) until a subsequent control message changes the configuration. Existing semi-static transmission configurations include a downlink semi-static transmission configuration and an uplink semi-static transmission configuration.

[0021] For downlink semi-static transmission configuration in New Radio (NR), multiple downlink semi-static transmissions are allowed to be configured for delay-sensitive services (such as Ultra Reliable Low Latency Communications (URLLC)), and the minimum period is allowed to be configured as a slot. However, for a time division duplex TDD carrier (or cell or bandwidth portion BWP), the configured downlink semi-static transmission period may fall within an uplink time slot, which would interrupt the downlink transmission.

[0022] FIG. 1 shows an example of time slots in a TDD carrier (time represents the horizontal axis in FIGS. 1-8). For example, in FIG. 1, a downlink semi-static transmission is configured with a period of two slots in the TDD carrier (dot-filled blocks). However, in the seventh and ninth slots, the downlink semi-static transmission is interrupted because the seventh and ninth slots are uplink slots, which are marked as "x" in these slots. This discrepancy between the semi-static configuration and the actual configuration could potentially affect the transmission of downlink data, especially for delay-sensitive data.

[0023] The same problem can also occur in uplink semi-static transmission configurations. For example, in Figure 2, uplink semi-static transmission is configured with a period of two slots within a TDD carrier (or cell or BWP) (marked as a dot-filled block). However, in the seventh and ninth slots, the uplink semi-static transmission is interrupted because the seventh and ninth slots are downlink slots. This potentially affects the transmission of uplink data, especially for delay-sensitive data.

[0024] To solve the above-mentioned problems, among others, that disrupt uplink or downlink semi-static transmission, a new configuration method for uplink or downlink semi-static transmission is proposed below.

[0025] II. ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

[0026] (Embodiment 1)

[0027] One feature of this embodiment is that the downlink semi-static transmission is configured to span multiple carriers or cells or BWPs.

[0028] In Figure 3, downlink semi-static transmission is configured across carrier 0 and carrier 1. Downlink semi-static transmission with a periodicity of two slots is configured for bidirectional transmission between carrier 0 and carrier 1 based on the configured periodic pattern between carrier 0 and carrier 1.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 3, according to the frame structure of carrier 0, the first five slots are downlink slots. Therefore, the first three periods are configured in carrier 0, which are located in the first, third, and fifth slots of carrier 0, respectively. The next two periods are configured in the seventh and ninth slots of carrier 1. In this way, downlink semi-static transmission across carrier 0 and carrier 1 can be configured. The configuration pattern in FIG. 3 can be regarded as a configuration period between carrier 0 and carrier 1 for semi-static transmission. The configuration period can be repeated in the time domain. For example, for simplicity of understanding, FIG. 3 provides a configuration pattern of downlink semi-static transmission corresponding to one configuration period.

[0030] The above method can also be adopted when the downlink semi-static transmission is configured to cover more carriers, cells, or BWPs. For example, the downlink semi-static transmission resources are configured from different carriers based on the period corresponding to the downlink semi-static transmission. Obviously, this method is very suitable for the case of TDD carriers. In fact, this configuration can also be implemented between a combination of TDD carriers and frequency division duplex FDD carriers or between multiple FDD carriers.

[0031] Specific construction methods that may be employed are described below.

[0032] (Configuring downlink semi-static transmission to transmit across multiple carriers):

[0033] A reference carrier is determined from carriers that are enabled to configure cross-carrier transmission. The slot of the reference carrier is used as the granularity for configuring the period of the downlink semi-static transmission. For example, a slot corresponding to the period of the downlink semi-static transmission is determined on the reference carrier. For example, in FIG. 3, the reference carrier is carrier 0, and the period of the downlink semi-static transmission is determined to be two slots based on the reference carrier. The slots corresponding to the period of the downlink semi-static transmission are determined to be the first, third, and fifth slots of carrier 0, respectively.

[0034] Based on the determined downlink semi-static transmission period, the carrier and corresponding slot of each period are determined (the slot of the reference carrier is equivalent to the position of the downlink semi-static transmission period). For example, signaling (based on DCI, RRC, or MAC CE) is used to configure the carrier and corresponding slot in which each period of the downlink semi-static transmission is located. For example, in FIG. 3, the first period of the downlink semi-static transmission is configured within carrier 0 and the first slot of carrier 0. The second period of the downlink semi-static transmission is configured within carrier 0 and the third slot of carrier 0. The third period of the downlink semi-static transmission is configured within carrier 0 and the fifth slot of carrier 0. The fourth period of the downlink semi-static transmission is configured within carrier 1 and the seventh slot of carrier 1. The fifth period of the downlink semi-static transmission is configured within carrier 1 and the ninth slot of carrier 1.

[0035] (One example of a specific configuration method):

[0036] Determine (or configure) a pattern configuration period for downlink semi-static transmission. In the pattern configuration period, the carrier and slot within the carrier in which each downlink semi-static transmission period is located can be configured based on the downlink semi-static transmission period, which is determined based on the slot of the reference carrier.

[0037] For example, a carrier index and a corresponding slot are indicated for each cycle of downlink semi-static transmission. For another embodiment, when only two carriers are configured to support downlink semi-static transmission based on the determined (or configured) pattern configuration period of the downlink semi-static transmission, one bit is set for each downlink semi-static transmission period. When one bit is set to 1, it means that the downlink semi-static transmission period is located within the reference carrier, and the slot in the reference carrier for downlink semi-static transmission is the slot in which the downlink semi-static transmission period is located. When one bit is set to 0, it means that the downlink semi-static transmission period is located within another carrier, and the slot in the other carrier for downlink semi-static transmission is defaulted to the slot that overlaps with the slot in which the downlink semi-static transmission period is located within the reference carrier. The opposite is true for the value of one bit.

[0038] When a downlink (or uplink) semi-static transmission is configured to transmit across multiple carriers, but one of the multiple carriers is deactivated, the transmission period corresponding to the downlink (or uplink) semi-static transmission in the deactivated carrier is canceled and switched to the corresponding PCell or reference carrier by default.

[0039] The pattern configuration period of the downlink semi-static transmission here may be the frame period of the reference carrier, the common frame period between the reference carrier and other carriers, or a period configured by RRC signaling.

[0040] Here, the aforementioned reference carrier can be determined as the primary cell PCell, or the carrier with the minimum / maximum index, or the carrier with the minimum or maximum subcarrier spacing SCS, or the reference carrier can be configured.

[0041] The semi-static transmission period mentioned above can be determined based on the slot of the reference carrier, and can also be determined based on the slot length configured by signaling.

[0042] A base station may configure several carriers for a user device, or user equipment, UE, and configure semi-static transmissions to transmit across these carriers.

[0043] Furthermore, considering the difference in UE capabilities, it is necessary to further introduce UE capability signaling to distinguish whether a UE has the capability to support one downlink semi-static transmission across multiple carriers. For example, RRC signaling is introduced for the UE to report whether the UE has this capability. For example, RRC signaling is used to report whether the UE has the capability (or not). If the UE has this capability, the base station can configure the UE to transmit downlink semi-static transmission across multiple carriers. Otherwise, if the UE does not have the reporting capability, the base station cannot configure the UE to transmit downlink semi-static transmission across multiple carriers.

[0044] This configuration can help reduce delay. Based on the above configuration method, the base station transmits downlink semi-static transmission between carrier 0 and carrier 1 through bidirectional transmission, thereby avoiding the frame structure conflict problem caused by configuring downlink semi-static transmission based on one carrier.

[0045] Furthermore, in this configuration, two possible methods are given for determining the PDSCH resources for downlink semi-static transmission in a slot used for downlink semi-static transmission on carrier 0 and carrier 1.

[0046] (Method 1): For downlink semi-static transmission of cross-carrier (e.g., carrier 0 and carrier 1) transmission, a PDSCH resource is configured for a transmission period in carrier 0 based on parameter 1, and a PDSCH resource is also configured for a transmission period in carrier 1 based on parameter 1. In this way, a PDSCH candidate resource set is configured in carrier 0 and carrier 1, and then the same index value (parameter 1) is used to determine corresponding PDSCH resources from the PDSCH candidate resource sets of carrier 0 and carrier 1, respectively. This method can save signaling, but requires the base station to reasonably configure the PDSCH candidate resource sets on carrier 0 and carrier 1 so that available PDSCH resources from carrier 0 and carrier 1 can be obtained using the same index value.

[0047] (Method 2): For downlink semi-static transmission of cross-carrier transmission, different carriers use independent parameters to configure corresponding PDSCH resources in different carriers. For example, for semi-static transmission of cross-carrier transmission, PDSCH resources are configured for a transmission period in carrier 0 based on parameter 1, and PDSCH resources are configured for a transmission period in carrier 1 based on parameter 2. Compared with Method 1, this method is more flexible. Both parameter 1 and parameter 2 are included in the activated DCI or included in the RRC signaling.

[0048] (Embodiment 2)

[0049] A similar method as described in embodiment 1 can be used for uplink semi-static transmission, which can be configured to span multiple carriers, cells, or BWPs, as described in the following examples.

[0050] In Figure 4, uplink semi-static transmission is configured across carrier 0 and carrier 1. Uplink semi-static transmission with a periodicity of two slots is configured for bidirectional transmission between carrier 0 and carrier 1 based on the configured periodic pattern between carrier 0 and carrier 1.

[0051] According to FIG. 4, according to the frame structure of Carrier 1, the first five slots are uplink slots. Therefore, the first three periods are configured in Carrier 1, which are located in the first, third, and fifth slots of Carrier 1, respectively. The next two periods are configured in the seventh and ninth slots of Carrier 0. In this way, uplink semi-static transmission across Carrier 0 and Carrier 1 can be configured. The configuration pattern in FIG. 4 can be considered as a configuration period between Carrier 0 and Carrier 1 for semi-static transmission. The configuration period can be repeated in the time domain. For example, for simplicity of understanding, FIG. 4 only provides a configuration pattern for uplink semi-static transmission corresponding to one configuration period.

[0052] The above method can also be adopted when the uplink semi-static transmission is configured to cover more carriers, cells, or BWPs. For example, the uplink semi-static transmission resources are configured from different carriers based on the period corresponding to the uplink semi-static transmission. Obviously, this method is very suitable for the case of TDD carriers. In fact, this configuration can also be implemented between a combination of TDD carriers and FDD carriers or between multiple FDD carriers.

[0053] One possible specific configuration method is described below.

[0054] (Configuring uplink semi-static transmission to transmit across multiple carriers):

[0055] A reference carrier is determined from carriers that are enabled to configure cross-carrier transmission. The slot of the reference carrier is used as the granularity for configuring the period of the uplink semi-static transmission. For example, a slot corresponding to the period of the uplink semi-static transmission is determined on the reference carrier. For example, in FIG. 4, the reference carrier is carrier 0, and the period of the uplink semi-static transmission is determined to be two slots based on the reference carrier. The slots corresponding to the period of the uplink semi-static transmission are determined to be the first, third, and fifth slots of carrier 0, respectively.

[0056] Based on the determined uplink semi-static transmission period, a carrier and a corresponding slot for each period are determined (the slot of the reference carrier is equivalent to the position of the uplink semi-static transmission period). For example, signaling (based on downlink control information DCI, radio resource control RRC, or medium access control element MAC CE) is used to configure the carrier and the corresponding slot in which each period of the uplink semi-static transmission is located. For example, in FIG. 4, the first period of the uplink semi-static transmission is configured in carrier 1 and in the first slot of carrier 1. The second period of the uplink semi-static transmission is configured in carrier 1 and in the third slot of carrier 1. The third period of the uplink semi-static transmission is configured in carrier 1 and in the fifth slot of carrier 1. The fourth period of the uplink semi-static transmission is configured in carrier 0 and in the seventh slot of carrier 0. The fifth period of the uplink semi-static transmission is configured in carrier 0 and in the ninth slot of carrier 0.

[0057] (Specific configuration example):

[0058] Determine (or configure) a pattern configuration period for uplink semi-static transmission. In the pattern configuration period, the carrier and slot within the carrier in which each uplink semi-static transmission period is located can be configured based on the uplink semi-static transmission period, which is determined based on the slot of the reference carrier.

[0059] For example, a carrier index and a corresponding slot are indicated for each cycle of uplink semi-static transmission. For another embodiment, when only two carriers are configured to support uplink semi-static transmission based on the determined (or configured) pattern configuration period of the uplink semi-static transmission, one bit is set for each uplink semi-static transmission period. When one bit is set to 1, it means that the uplink semi-static transmission period is located within the reference carrier, and the slot in the reference carrier for uplink semi-static transmission is the slot in which the uplink semi-static transmission period is located. When one bit is set to 0, it means that the uplink semi-static transmission period is located within another carrier, and the slot in the other carrier for uplink semi-static transmission is the slot that overlaps with the slot in which the uplink semi-static transmission period is located within the reference carrier. The opposite is true for the value of one bit.

[0060] When an uplink semi-static transmission is configured to transmit across multiple carriers, but one of the multiple carriers is deactivated, the transmission period corresponding to the uplink semi-static transmission in the deactivated carrier is canceled and switched to the corresponding PCell or reference carrier by default.

[0061] The pattern configuration period of the uplink semi-static transmission here may be the frame period of the reference carrier, the common frame period between the reference carrier and other carriers, or a period configured by RRC signaling.

[0062] Here, the aforementioned reference carrier can be determined as a PCell, or a carrier with a minimum / maximum index, or a carrier with a minimum or maximum subcarrier spacing SCS, or the reference carrier can be configured.

[0063] The semi-static transmission period mentioned above can be determined based on the slot of the reference carrier, and can also be determined based on the slot length configured by signaling.

[0064] The base station may configure several carriers for the UE and configure semi-static transmissions to transmit across these carriers.

[0065] Furthermore, considering the difference in UE capabilities, it is necessary to further introduce UE capability signaling to distinguish whether a UE has the capability to support one uplink semi-static transmission across multiple carriers. For example, RRC signaling is introduced for the UE to report whether the UE has this capability. For example, RRC signaling is used to report whether the UE has the capability (or not). If the UE has this capability, the base station can configure the UE to transmit uplink semi-static transmission across multiple carriers. Otherwise, if the UE does not have the reporting capability, the base station cannot configure the UE to transmit uplink semi-static transmission across multiple carriers.

[0066] This configuration can help reduce delay (as described in the background art). Based on the above configuration method, the base station transmits uplink semi-static transmission between carrier 0 and carrier 1 through bidirectional transmission, thereby avoiding the frame structure conflict problem caused by configuring uplink semi-static transmission based on one carrier.

[0067] Furthermore, in this configuration, two methods are proposed for determining whether the Physical Uplink Shared Channel PUSCH resource for uplink semi-static transmission in a slot used for uplink semi-static transmission is in carrier 0 or carrier 1.

[0068] (Method 1): For uplink semi-static transmission of cross-carrier (e.g., carrier 0 and carrier 1) transmission, a PUSCH resource is configured for a transmission period in carrier 0 based on parameter 1, and a PUSCH resource is also configured for a transmission period in carrier 1 based on parameter 1. In this way, a PUSCH candidate resource set is configured in carrier 0 and carrier 1, and then the same index value (parameter 1) is used to determine corresponding PUSCH resources from the PUSCH candidate resource sets of carrier 0 and carrier 1, respectively. This method can save signaling, but requires the base station to reasonably configure the PUSCH candidate resource sets on carrier 0 and carrier 1 so that available PUSCH resources from carrier 0 and carrier 1 can be obtained using the same index value.

[0069] (Method 2): For uplink semi-static transmission of cross-carrier transmission, different carriers use independent parameters to configure corresponding PUSCH resources in different carriers. For example, for semi-static transmission of cross-carrier transmission, a PUSCH resource is configured for a transmission period in carrier 0 based on parameter 1, and a PUSCH resource is configured for a transmission period in carrier 1 based on parameter 2. Compared with Method 1, this method is more flexible. Both parameter 1 and parameter 2 are included in the activated DCI or included in the RRC signaling.

[0070] (Embodiment 3)

[0071] When a semi-static transmission, i.e., either an uplink semi-static transmission or a downlink semi-static transmission, needs to be configured to span multiple carriers, the slot lengths corresponding to different carriers will be different since different SCSs or sub-slots will be configured. Two examples are given below to show how a semi-static transmission should be configured in this situation.

[0072] In Figure 5 or Figure 6, the slot length of carrier 0 is twice the slot length of carrier 1, for example, the SCS of carrier 0 is 15KHz and the SCS of carrier 1 is 30KHz, or carrier 0 is configured with no subslots and carrier 1 is configured with 2 subslots (each subslot contains 7 symbols).

[0073] (Specific configuration method):

[0074] The configuration method described for this embodiment differs from Embodiment 1 in determining carriers and corresponding slots for semi-static transmission.

[0075] (Configuring downlink (or uplink) semi-static transmission to transmit across multiple carriers):

[0076] A reference carrier is determined from carriers that are enabled to configure cross-carrier transmission. The slot of the reference carrier is used as the granularity for configuring the period of the downlink (or uplink) semi-static transmission. For example, a slot corresponding to the period of the downlink (or uplink) semi-static transmission is determined on the reference carrier. For example, in FIG. 5 or FIG. 6, the reference carrier is carrier 0. The period of the downlink (or uplink) semi-static transmission is determined to be two slots based on the reference carrier. The slots corresponding to the period of the downlink (or uplink) semi-static transmission are determined to be the first, third, and fifth slots of carrier 0, respectively.

[0077] Based on the determined downlink semi-static transmission cycle, a carrier and a corresponding slot for each cycle are determined (the slot of the reference carrier is equivalent to the position of the downlink (or uplink) semi-static transmission cycle). For example, signaling (based on DCI, RRC, or MAC CE) is used to configure the carrier and the corresponding slot in which each cycle of the downlink (or uplink) semi-static transmission is located. For example, in FIG. 5 or FIG. 6, the first cycle of the downlink (or uplink) semi-static transmission is configured in carrier 0 and corresponds to the first slot of carrier 0. The second cycle of the downlink (or uplink) semi-static transmission is configured in carrier 0 and corresponds to the third slot of carrier 0. The third cycle of downlink (or uplink) semi-static transmission is configured in carrier 1 and corresponds to the ninth slot of carrier 1 (this can also be explained as follows: the third cycle corresponds to the fifth slot of carrier 0 (reference carrier), so the slot from the plurality of slots in carrier 1 that overlaps with the fifth slot in carrier 0 is configured or defaulted for the third cycle of downlink (or uplink) semi-static transmission. This can be configured, or the first slot from the plurality of slots is defaulted to be the third cycle, through DCI, RRC, or MAC CE signaling).

[0078] (Specific configuration method):

[0079] For example, a pattern configuration period for downlink (or uplink) semi-static transmission is determined (or configured). In the configuration period, the carrier and slot within the carrier in which each downlink (or uplink) semi-static transmission period is located can be configured based on the period of the downlink (or uplink) semi-static transmission, which is determined based on the slot of the reference carrier. For example, in the pattern configuration period for downlink (or uplink) semi-static transmission, the carrier index and the corresponding slot are indicated based on each period of the downlink (or uplink) semi-static transmission. If a slot corresponding to a period in the reference carrier overlaps with multiple slots of another carrier (e.g., carrier 1), one slot from the multiple slots for the period is further configured or defaulted.

[0080] 5 or 6 illustrates the configuration of the third cycle of semi-static transmission. That is, the third cycle of downlink (or uplink) semi-static transmission corresponds to the uplink (or downlink) slot of the reference carrier, so the third cycle is configured for transmission in carrier 1. However, the uplink (or downlink) slot in the reference carrier overlaps with two slots in carrier 1, and then, by further signaling configuration or by default, one slot from the two slots can be used for downlink (or uplink) semi-static transmission. For example, the first slot is selected from the two slots by default. For another example, if only two carriers are configured to support downlink (or uplink) semi-static transmission based on the determined (or configured) pattern configuration period of downlink semi-static transmission, one bit is set for every downlink (or uplink) semi-static transmission period. When a bit is set to 1, it means that the downlink (or uplink) semi-static transmission period is located in the reference carrier, and the slot in the reference carrier for the downlink (or uplink) semi-static transmission is the slot in which the downlink (or uplink) semi-static transmission period is located. When a bit is set to 0, it means that the downlink (or uplink) semi-static transmission period is located in another carrier, and the slot in the other carrier for the downlink (or uplink) semi-static transmission is defaulted to the first slot of multiple slots that overlap with the slot in which the downlink (or uplink) semi-static transmission period is located in the reference carrier. The opposite may also be used for the value of a 1 bit.

[0081] When a downlink (or uplink) semi-static transmission is configured to transmit across multiple carriers, but one of the multiple carriers is deactivated, the transmission period corresponding to the downlink (or uplink) semi-static transmission in the deactivated carrier is canceled and switched to the corresponding PCell or reference carrier by default.

[0082] The pattern configuration period of the downlink (or uplink) semi-static transmission here may be the frame period of the reference carrier, the common frame period between the reference carrier and other carriers, or a period configured by RRC signaling.

[0083] Here, the aforementioned reference carrier can be determined as a PCell, or a carrier with a minimum / maximum index, or a carrier with a minimum or maximum subcarrier spacing SCS, or the reference carrier can be configured.

[0084] The semi-static transmission period mentioned above can be determined based on the slot of the reference carrier, and can also be determined based on the slot length configured by signaling.

[0085] The base station may configure several carriers for the UE and configure semi-static transmissions to transmit across these carriers.

[0086] Furthermore, considering the difference in UE capabilities, it is necessary to further introduce UE capability signaling to distinguish whether a UE has the capability to support one uplink semi-static transmission across multiple carriers. For example, RRC signaling is introduced for the UE to report whether the UE has this capability. For example, RRC signaling is used to report whether the UE has the capability (or not). If the UE has this capability, the base station can configure the UE to transmit uplink semi-static transmission across multiple carriers. Otherwise, if the UE does not have the reporting capability, the base station cannot configure the UE to transmit uplink semi-static transmission across multiple carriers.

[0087] Furthermore, in this configuration, the methods disclosed in embodiments 1 and 2 can be adopted to determine whether the PDSCH (or PUSCH) resources for uplink semi-static transmission in a slot used for uplink semi-static transmission are within carrier 0 and carrier 1.

[0088] In some implementations, two parameters may be used to determine the carrier and slot corresponding to the period of a transmission. The period is determined based on the slot of a reference carrier. Parameter 1 indicates the carrier on which the transmission corresponding to the period is located. Parameter 2 further indicates the slot from the carrier on which the transmission corresponding to the period is located. Alternatively or additionally, the slot from the carrier can also default to a specific slot from the carrier, for example, the first slot (or the last slot).

[0089] Specifically, the slot corresponding to the period in the reference carrier, and the transmission corresponding to the period are located in, if multiple slots in the carrier overlap in the time domain, the slot in which the transmission corresponding to the period is located is ordered from the multiple slots, or the slot in which the transmission corresponding to the period is located is, by default, the first valid slot from the multiple slots.

[0090] For example, in FIG. 5, a period is determined based on the slots of a reference carrier (carrier 0), and the slot corresponding to the period is marked as a slot of a dot-filling block in the reference carrier. For each period, a carrier to be used for transmission is configured. For example, in FIG. 5, for the first and second periods, the carrier configured for transmission is carrier 0, and the slots configured for transmission are the first and third slots in carrier 0. For the third period, the carrier configured for transmission is carrier 1, and the slot configured for transmission is one of the slots in carrier 1 that overlaps with the slot in carrier 0 of the third period in the time domain. For example, the slot corresponding to the third period in carrier 0 is the fifth slot, and the fifth slot of carrier 0 and two slots of carrier 1 overlap in the time domain. Therefore, one of the two slots in carrier 1 is configured to transmit the third period.

[0091] (Embodiment 4)

[0092] This embodiment describes a method for determining a HARQ process ID for semi-static transmission of cross-carrier transmission based on the methods in embodiments 1-3.

[0093] In some embodiments, the semi-static transmission is configured to be transmitted in only one carrier, and the hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) process corresponding to each transmission period is determined based on the period corresponding to the semi-static transmission. For specific calculation formulas, see Sections 5.3 and 5.4 of TS38.321.

[0094] Section 5.3 of TS38.321 states:

[0095] For a configured downlink assignment without harq-ProcID-OFFset, the HARQ process ID associated with the slot in which DL transmission starts is derived from the following equation:

[0096] HARQ process ID = [floor(CURRENT_slot × 10 / (numberOfSlotsPerFrame × periodicity))] modulo HARQ-Processes

[0097] where CURRENT_slot=[(SFN×numberOfSlotsPerFrame)+slot number within frame], where numberOfSlotsPerFrame refers to the number of consecutive slots per frame as specified in TS38.211.

[0098] For a configured downlink allocation with harq-ProcID-OFFset, the HARQ process ID associated with the slot in which DL transmission starts is derived from the following equation:

[0099] HARQ Process ID = [floor(CURRENT_slot × 10 / (numberOfSlotsPerFrame × periodicity))] modulo HARQ-Processes + harq-ProcID-OFFset

[0100] where CURRENT_slot = [(SFN x numberOfSlotsPerFrame) + slot number within frame], where numberOfSlotsPerFrame refers to the number of consecutive slots per frame as specified in TS38.211[8].

[0101] Section 5.4 of TS38.321 states:

[0102] For a configured uplink grant configured without either harq-ProcID-OFFset2 or cg-RetransmissionTimer, the HARQ process ID associated with the first symbol of an UL transmission is derived from the following equation:

[0103] HARQ process ID=[floor(CURRENT_symbol / periodicity)]modulonrofHARQ-Processes

[0104] For an uplink grant configured with harq-ProcID-OFFset2, the HARQ process ID associated with the first symbol of an UL transmission is derived from the following equation:

[0105] HARQ Process ID=[floor(CURRENT_symbol / periodicity)]modulonrofHARQ-Processes+harq-ProcID-OFFset2

[0106] where CURRENT_symbol = (SFN x numberOfSlotsPerFrame x numberOfSymbolsPerSlot + slot number in frame x numberOfSymbolsPerSlot + symbol number in slot), where numberOfSlotsPerFrame and numberOfSymbolsPerSlot refer to the number of consecutive slots per frame and the number of consecutive symbols per slot, respectively, as specified in TS38.211.

[0107] In the above embodiment, if part of the transmission period of the semi-static transmission is on carrier 0, the other transmission period is on carrier 1. For example, in FIG. 7, the semi-static transmission is configured for transmission on carrier 0 and carrier 1. Carrier 0 is the reference carrier, and the period of the semi-static transmission is determined to be two slots based on the slot of the reference carrier. A specific transmission cycle configuration pattern is shown in FIG. 7. Then, the following rule should be followed to determine the HARQ process ID for each transmission cycle:

[0108] For semi-static transmissions transmitted across multiple carriers, to determine the HARQ process ID corresponding to one transmission period, the period P is first determined, and then the HARQ process ID corresponding to the transmission period is calculated based on P. Here, the period P is determined from the carrier on which the transmission period is located. For example, on a carrier, the period corresponding to the semi-static transmission is referred to as period P. Then, period P is used to replace "periodicity" in the existing calculation method (TS38.321).

[0109] In Figure 7, when calculating the HARQ process IDs for the first, second, and fifth transmission periods, these transmission periods are within carrier 0 and carrier 0, corresponding to semi-static transmissions, and the periods are two slots. Therefore, when calculating their HARQ process IDs, the periods are two slots to calculate.

[0110] For example, in Figure 7, when calculating the HARQ process IDs for the third and fourth transmission periods, these transmission periods are within carrier 1 and carrier 1, corresponding to semi-static transmission, and the period is one slot. Therefore, when calculating those HARQ process IDs, the period is one slot for calculation.

[0111] Therefore, for semi-static transmissions transmitted across multiple carriers, the HARQ process ID corresponding to the transmission period can be obtained based on the method described above.

[0112] (Embodiment 5)

[0113] Regarding the new type of semi-static transmission configuration, for example, multiple slots are configured for each transmission cycle, and each slot can be used for semi-static transmission. For example, the semi-static transmission cycle is four slots, and the transmission cycle for semi-static transmission is determined based on the four slots. Starting from the determined cycle position, two continuous or discrete slots are configured to transmit semi-static transmissions. In this way, two slots corresponding to each transmission cycle can be used for semi-static transmission. In FIG. 8, two consecutive slots are configured for an uplink or downlink semi-static transmission cycle.

[0114] For this type of semi-static transmission, the method described above can also be used. For example, this type of semi-static transmission can also be configured to transmit across multiple carriers. For example, the transmission period of the semi-static transmission can be configured between carrier 0 and carrier 1. For example, the slot corresponding to the transmission period can be configured from carrier 0 and carrier 1.

[0115] In this application, the mentioned carriers can be replaced by cells or BWPs, where a BWP is a portion of the bandwidth of a carrier. For example, semi-static transmissions can be configured to transmit across multiple BWPs, which can be from one carrier or multiple carriers.

[0116] (Embodiment 6)

[0117] In some embodiments, physical uplink control channel PUCCH transmissions can be switched between multiple carriers based on a semi-static PUCCH slot pattern, a technique referred to as semi-static PUCCH carrier switching.

[0118] Currently, bidirectional operation is considered between PUCCH repetition and semi-static PUCCH carrier switching. The following provides a method for supporting this bidirectional operation.

[0119] (Example of method):

[0120] The slots and PUCCH resources corresponding to the subsequent PUCCH repetitions are determined according to the following method.

[0121] If the UE is configured with PUCCH repetition and semi-static PUCCH carrier switching, the UE shall act according to the following rules.

[0122] A UE is configured with semi-static PUCCH carrier switching between carrier A and carrier B. If a PUCCH resource is indicated to be transmitted in a slot on carrier A and the UE determines that the PUCCH repetition factor for the PUCCH resource is greater than one, the UE determines the slot for the second PUCCH repetition based on the PUCCH slot pattern, which is determined based on the semi-static PUCCH carrier switching between carrier A and carrier B. Note that because the PUCCH slot pattern contains slots from carrier A and carrier B, the slot corresponding to the second PUCCH repetition may be from carrier B.

[0123] Here, the PUCCH slot pattern means that a series of slots can be obtained from a carrier that is configured to support semi-static PUCCH carrier switching in the time domain according to existing semi-static PUCCH carrier switching rules.

[0124] Specifically, the slot corresponding to the second PUCCH repetition is determined based on the PUCCH slot pattern after the slot in which the first PUCCH repetition is located until a slot that meets the requirement is determined. The requirement is whether valid PUCCH resources in the subsequent slot can be provided based on the PRI (PUCCH Resource Indication). The determined slot is used for the second PUCCH repetition, and the valid PUCCH resources are used for the second PUCCH repetition. The same principle can be applied to the third, fourth, etc. PUCCH repetitions, and the above process can be applied.

[0125] Here, the slot and PUCCH resource for the first PUCCH repetition are determined based on existing techniques, for example according to an indication in the (activated) DCI. A valid PUCCH resource means that the PUCCH resource does not conflict with DL symbols (which also includes synchronization signal blocks SSB and downlink control channel corresponding symbols).

[0126] This PRI is the PRI in the (activated) DCI corresponding to the first PUCCH repetition. In other words, if the PUCCH resource of the first PUCCH repetition is determined to be a PUCCH resource in carrier A based on the PRI in the (activated) DCI corresponding to the first PUCCH repetition, the UE can also determine a PUCCH resource for the second PUCCH in carrier B based on the PRI.

[0127] New RRC signaling is now introduced to report that the UE supports (or does not support) interworking between PUCCH repetition and semi-static PUCCH carrier switching. If the UE reports that it supports bidirectional operation, the base station can configure the UE for PUCCH repetition and semi-static PUCCH carrier switching simultaneously.

[0128] Based on the above method, it is possible to realize transmission for PUCCH repetition based on a PUCCH slot pattern that will be determined based on semi-static PUCCH carrier switching.

[0129] (Embodiment 7)

[0130] In some embodiments, the HARQ-ACK PUCCH is designed to be switched for transmission between multiple carriers (such as a PCell and an SCell) based on a dynamic indicator (such as a DCI indicator). This technique is called dynamic PUCCH carrier switching. At the same time, a specification for SPS HARQ-ACK delayed feedback is also designed. Its main function is to allow the SPS HARQ-ACK to be delayed in a subsequent slot for transmission only on the PCell.

[0131] Currently, bidirectional operation is considered between SPS HARQ-ACK delay and dynamic PUCCH carrier switching. The following provides a method for supporting this bidirectional operation.

[0132] The UE is configured with SPS HARQ-ACK delay and dynamic PUCCH carrier switching.

[0133] In the PCell, the UE performs UCI multiplexing within slot w (the initial slot of the SPS HARQ-ACK) to determine whether the SPS HARQ-ACK needs to be delayed. If there is UCI PUCCH1 scheduled by DCI in slot t of the SCell, the UE multiplexes the SPS HARQ-ACK and UCI if slot t and slot w overlap in the time domain (e.g., the SPS HARQ-ACK is concatenated after the UCI). The UE determines a PUCCH set from the SCell based on the sum of the size of the SPS HARQ-ACK and the size of the uplink control information UCI. The UE determines the multiplexed PUCCH from the determined PUCCH set based on the PRI in the DCI. The DCI contains a PUCCH carrier indicator field, which is used to indicate the carrier for PUCCH transmission.

[0134] If the multiplexed PUCCH is disabled, the SPS HARQ-ACK is delayed in the PCell, or the SPS HARQ-ACK is delayed in the SCell. An disabled PUCCH means that the PUCCH conflicts with DL symbols (which also include SSBs and symbols corresponding to the downlink control channel).

[0135] If the multiplexed PUCCH is valid, the multiplexed PUCCH is transmitted.

[0136] When the UE attempts to determine a target slot for a delayed SPS HARQ-ACK (it is assumed that the UE implements SPS HARQ-ACK delay), the UE considers the following rules:

[0137] (First Case): Starting from slot n of the PCell, the UE determines a target slot in the PCell according to the SPS HARQ-ACK delay rule. If there is a dynamically switched UCI PUCCH scheduled by DCI in slot m in the SCell, the UE multiplexes the SPS HARQ-ACK and UCI if the UE has not determined a target slot before slot m in the time domain. The UE determines a PUCCH set from the SCell based on the sum of the size of the SPS HARQ-ACK and the size of the UCI. The UE determines the multiplexed PUCCH from the determined PUCCH set based on the PRI in the DCI. The DCI contains a PUCCH carrier indicator field, which is used to indicate the carrier for PUCCH transmission.

[0138] If the multiplexed PUCCH is disabled, the SPS HARQ-ACK continues to be delayed in the PCell, or the SPS HARQ-ACK continues to be delayed in the SCell. An disabled PUCCH means that the PUCCH conflicts with DL symbols (which also include SSBs and symbols corresponding to the downlink control channel).

[0139] If the multiplexed PUCCH is valid, the multiplexed PUCCH is transmitted, and the UE completes the SPS HARQ-ACK delay feedback process.

[0140] Here, slot m does not precede slot n in the time domain.

[0141] (Second Case): The UE determines that slot k of the PCell is the target slot from the PCell according to the SPS HARQ-ACK delay rule. If there is a dynamically switched UCI PUCCH scheduled by the DCI in slot m in the SCell, the UE multiplexes the SPS HARQ-ACK and UCI if slot m and slot k overlap in the time domain. The UE determines a PUCCH set from the SCell based on the sum of the size of the SPS HARQ-ACK and the size of the UCI. The UE determines the multiplexed PUCCH from the determined PUCCH set based on the PRI in the DCI. The DCI contains a PUCCH carrier indicator field, which is used to indicate the carrier for PUCCH transmission.

[0142] If the multiplexed PUCCH is disabled, the SPS HARQ-ACK continues to be delayed in the PCell, or the SPS HARQ-ACK continues to be delayed in the SCell. An disabled PUCCH means that the PUCCH conflicts with DL symbols (which also include SSBs and symbols corresponding to the downlink control channel).

[0143] If the multiplexed PUCCH is valid, the multiplexed PUCCH is transmitted, and the UE completes the SPS HARQ-ACK delay feedback process.

[0144] (Third Case): The UE determines that slot k of the PCell is the target slot from the PCell according to the SPS HARQ-ACK delay rule. If there is a dynamically switched UCI PUCCH scheduled by DCI in slot m in the SCell, the UE transmits the SPS HARQ-ACK in slot k and the UCI PUCCH in slot m if slot k precedes slot m in the time domain. The DCI contains a PUCCH carrier indicator field, which is used to indicate the carrier for PUCCH transmission.

[0145] In the above case, the delayed SPS HARQ-ACK may be transmitted within an SCell, with the counting unit being slots of the PCell, corresponding to the maximum range of SPS HARQ-ACK delay k1+k1def, which is used to determine the latest slot in which the delayed SPS HARQ-ACK may be used, where k1 is the initial slot of the SPS HARQ-ACK, and the value of k1def is configured by RRC signaling, with the unit being slots.

[0146] (Embodiment 8)

[0147] In some embodiments, a method for retransmitting a canceled HARQ-ACK codebook is studied. The method is to trigger an extended type 3 codebook through DCI and retransmit the canceled HARQ-ACK using the extended type 3 codebook. The extended type 3 codebook is constructed based on an indicated HARQ process ID set from multiple HARQ process ID sets configured by RRC signaling. If the HARQ process ID corresponding to the HARQ-ACK is not included in the indicated HARQ process ID set, the HARQ-ACK cannot be included in the extended type 3 codebook.

[0148] At the same time, the SPS HARQ-ACK delayed feedback specification is also being formulated, whose main function is to allow the SPS HARQ-ACK to be delayed in subsequent slots for transmission only within the PCell.

[0149] Currently, bidirectional operation is considered in SPS HARQ-ACK delay and HARQ-ACK codebook retransmission. The following provides a method for supporting this bidirectional operation.

[0150] The UE is configured with SPS HARQ-ACK delay feedback and is configured with HARQ-ACK to retransmit based on the extended Type 3 codebook when the DCI indicates that the UE transmits the extended Type 3 codebook in a PUCCH slot (denoted as slot k).

[0151] If the UE determines that slot m is the target slot for transmitting a delayed SPS HARQ-ACK, the UE shall proceed according to one of the following rules:

[0152] (Rule 1):

[0153] If the HARQ process ID corresponding to the delayed SPS HARQ-ACK is included in the HARQ process ID set corresponding to the extended type 3 codebook, the UE stops the SPS HARQ-ACK delay process and transmits the extended type 3 codebook in slot k. Otherwise, the UE multiplexes the delayed SPS HARQ-ACK and the extended type 3 codebook. For example, the delayed SPS HARQ-ACK is concatenated after the extended type 3 codebook. The UE determines a PUCCH set based on the sum of the size of the delayed SPS HARQ-ACK and the size of the extended type 3 codebook. From the determined PUCCH set, the UE determines a multiplexed PUCCH based on the PRI in the DCI.

[0154] In Rule 1, it is not necessary to consider the positional relationship between slot k and slot m in the time domain.

[0155] (Rule 2):

[0156] If slot m precedes slot k in the time domain, the UE transmits a delayed SPS HARQ-ACK in slot m and an extended Type 3 codebook in slot k. The two mechanisms do not need to interoperate.

[0157] If slot m and slot k overlap in the time domain, the UE multiplexes the delayed SPS HARQ-ACK and the extended Type 3 codebook, for example, the delayed SPS HARQ-ACK is concatenated after the extended Type 3 codebook. The UE determines a PUCCH set based on the sum of the size of the delayed SPS HARQ-ACK and the size of the extended Type 3 codebook. The UE determines a multiplexed PUCCH from the determined PUCCH set based on the PRI in the DCI.

[0158] In rule 2, it is not necessary to consider whether the HARQ process ID corresponding to the SPS HARQ-ACK is included in the HARQ process ID set corresponding to the extended Type 3 codebook.

[0159] (Rule 3):

[0160] If slot m precedes slot k in the time domain and the HARQ process ID corresponding to the delayed SPS HARQ-ACK is included in the HARQ process ID set corresponding to the extended Type 3 codebook, the UE transmits the delayed SPS HARQ-ACK in slot m and transmits the extended Type 3 codebook in slot k, or the UE stops performing SPS HARQ-ACK delayed feedback and the UE transmits the extended Type 3 codebook in slot k.

[0161] If slot m precedes slot k in the time domain and the HARQ process ID corresponding to the delayed SPS HARQ-ACK is not included in the HARQ process ID set corresponding to the extended Type 3 codebook, the UE transmits the delayed SPS HARQ-ACK in slot m and transmits the extended Type 3 codebook in slot k, or the UE multiplexes the delayed SPS HARQ-ACK and the extended Type 3 codebook, for example, the delayed SPS HARQ-ACK is concatenated after the extended Type 3 codebook. The UE determines a PUCCH set based on the sum of the size of the delayed SPS HARQ-ACK and the size of the extended Type 3 codebook. The UE determines a multiplexed PUCCH from the determined PUCCH set based on the PRI in the DCI.

[0162] If slot m and slot k overlap in the time domain and the HARQ process ID corresponding to the delayed SPS HARQ-ACK is included in the HARQ process ID set corresponding to the extended Type-3 codebook, the UE stops the SPS HARQ-ACK delayed feedback, and the UE transmits the extended Type-3 codebook in slot k.

[0163] If slot m and slot k overlap in the time domain and the HARQ process ID corresponding to the delayed SPS HARQ-ACK is not included in the HARQ process ID set corresponding to the extended Type 3 codebook, the UE multiplexes the delayed SPS HARQ-ACK and the extended Type 3 codebook, e.g., the delayed SPS HARQ-ACK is concatenated after the extended Type 3 codebook. The UE determines a PUCCH set based on the sum of the size of the delayed SPS HARQ-ACK and the size of the extended Type 3 codebook. The UE determines a multiplexed PUCCH from the determined PUCCH set based on the PRI in the DCI.

[0164] 9 illustrates an example of a wireless communication system (e.g., a Long Term Evolution (LTE), 5G, or NR cellular network) including a network device, e.g., base station BS 120, and one or more user equipments (UEs) 111, 112, and 113. In some embodiments, uplink transmissions (131, 132, 133) may include uplink control information (UCI), higher layer signaling (e.g., UE assistance information or UE capabilities), or uplink information. In some embodiments, downlink transmissions (141, 142, 143) may include DCI or higher layer signaling or downlink information. The UEs may be, for example, smartphones, tablets, mobile computers, machine-to-machine (M2M) devices, terminals, mobile devices, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, etc.

[0165] 10 is a block diagram representation of a portion of an apparatus in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed technology. An apparatus 205, such as a network device or base station or wireless device (i.e., UE), may include processor electronics 210, such as a microprocessor, that implements one or more of the techniques presented herein. The apparatus 205 may include transceiver electronics 215 for transmitting and / or receiving wireless signals via one or more communication interfaces, such as an antenna 220. The apparatus 205 may include other communication interfaces for transmitting and receiving data. The apparatus 205 may include one or more memories (not explicitly shown) configured to store information, such as data and / or instructions. In some implementations, the processor electronics 210 may include at least a portion of the transceiver electronics 215. In some embodiments, at least some of the disclosed techniques, modules, or functions are implemented using the apparatus 205.

[0166] Various embodiments may preferably implement the following technical solutions.

[0167] 1. A method of wireless communication (e.g., method 1100 depicted in FIG. 11 ), comprising: configuring (1102) a first wireless device according to a semi-static configuration that defines a timeslot pattern for communication between a first wireless device and a second wireless device, wherein M carriers are configured for communication, where M is an integer greater than 1, and the M carriers include a reference carrier; the timeslot pattern is configured across the M carriers based on units of timeslots of the reference carrier of the M carriers; and for each timeslot in the timeslot pattern, a corresponding carrier from the M carriers and / or a slot within the corresponding carrier on which communication occurs is defined by a rule. For example, various configuration embodiments are described with reference to FIGS. 1-8 . Communication between the first wireless device and the second wireless device may include transmitting from the first wireless device to the second wireless device according to the semi-static configuration and / or receiving, by the first wireless device, a transmission from the second wireless device according to the semi-static configuration.

[0168] 2. The method of Solution 1, wherein the M carriers have the same time slot duration, and wherein a rule specifies that a parameter is associated with each time slot in the time slot pattern, the parameter identifying a corresponding carrier from the M carriers used by transmission in the corresponding time slot. Some exemplary embodiments, e.g., using multi-carrier communication with uniform TDD slots, are described with reference to Figures 1-4 and 8.

[0169] 3. The method of Solution 1, wherein the rule specifies that a first parameter and a second parameter are associated with each time slot in the time slot pattern, the first parameter identifying a corresponding carrier from M carriers, and the second parameter identifying a time slot of the corresponding carrier used by the transmission. For example, several exemplary embodiments in which multiple parameters may be used are described with reference to Figures 5-7.

[0170] 4. The method according to any one of solutions 1-3, wherein the time slot pattern is repetitive with a certain pattern configuration period, and the pattern configuration period corresponds to a frame period of the primary carrier, a common frame period between the primary carrier and other carriers, or a period configured by radio resource control (RRC) signaling.

[0171] 5. The method of Solution 1, wherein when the M carriers have different time slot durations, the rule specifies that a parameter is associated with each time slot in the time slot pattern according to a reference carrier, indicating a time slot of a carrier from the M carriers that overlaps with a time slot in the time slot pattern according to a reference carrier. For example, several exemplary embodiments in which different carriers have different time slot periods are described with reference to Figures 5-7.

[0172] 6. The method according to any of Solutions 1-5, further comprising determining, by the first wireless device, a hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) process identifier (ID) for transmission in a time slot in a time slot pattern within a carrier according to a periodicity P, where the periodicity P is determined based on the periodicity of the time slot in the time slot pattern within the carrier. Some exemplary embodiments are described with reference to the heading "Embodiment 4".

[0173] 7. The method according to any one of solutions 1-6, wherein the first wireless device is a user equipment and the second wireless device is a network device. According to these solutions, the UE may be configured based on a message received from the network device, or the UE may be configured according to a predetermined rule.

[0174] 8. The method according to any one of solutions 1-6, wherein the first wireless device is a network device and the second wireless device is a user equipment. According to these solutions, the base station may configure itself or may configure according to pre-determined rules that may be known a priori to the UE and the base station.

[0175] 9. The method according to any of Solutions 1-8, wherein the reference carrier corresponds to the PCell or carrier with the smallest index, or the carrier with the largest index, or the carrier with the smallest subcarrier spacing, or the carrier with the largest subcarrier spacing, or the carrier configured by signaling. Regarding the identification of the reference carrier, the BS and the UE may know this information either through an a priori rule known to both the BS and the UE, or according to signaling communicated between the BS and the UE.

[0176] 10. An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising a processor configured to perform the method recited in any of solutions 1-9. An exemplary embodiment is described with reference to FIG.

[0177] 11. A non-transitory computer-readable program storage medium having code stored thereon, the code, when executed by a processor, causing the processor to perform a method recited in any of Solutions 1-9.

[0178] Some of the embodiments described herein are described in the general context of methods or processes, which in one embodiment may be implemented by a computer program product embodied in a computer-readable medium including computer-executable instructions, such as program code, executed by computers in a networked environment. Computer-readable media may include removable and non-removable storage devices, including, but not limited to, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), compact discs (CDs), digital versatile discs (DVDs), and the like. Thus, computer-readable media may include non-transitory storage media. Generally, program modules may include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc. that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. Computer- or processor-executable instructions, associated data structures, and program modules represent examples of program code for executing steps of the methods disclosed herein. The particular sequence of such executable instructions or associated data structures represents examples of corresponding acts for implementing the functions described in such steps or processes.

[0179] Some of the disclosed embodiments can be implemented as devices or modules using hardware circuits, software, or a combination thereof. For example, a hardware circuit implementation may include discrete analog and / or digital components integrated, for example, as part of a printed circuit board. Alternatively or additionally, the disclosed components or modules can be implemented as application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) and / or field-programmable gate array (FPGA) devices. Some implementations may also or alternatively include a digital signal processor (DSP), which is a specialized microprocessor with an architecture optimized for the needs of digital signal processing operations associated with the disclosed functionality. Similarly, various components or subcomponents within each module may be implemented in software, hardware, or firmware. Connectivity between modules and / or components within a module may be provided using any one of connectivity methods and mediums known in the art, including, but not limited to, communication via the Internet, wired, or wireless networks using appropriate protocols.

[0180] While this document contains many details, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the claimed invention or what may be claimed, but rather as descriptions of features specific to particular embodiments. Certain features described herein in the context of separate embodiments can also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features described in the context of a single embodiment can also be implemented in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitable subcombination. Also, while features may be described above as acting in a combination and may even be initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination can, in some cases, be deleted from that combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to a subcombination or a variation of the subcombination. Similarly, although operations may be depicted in a particular order in the figures, this should not be understood as requiring such operations to be performed in the particular order or sequential order shown, or that all of the illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirable results.

[0181] Only some implementations and examples are described and other implementations, extensions and variations may be made based on what is described and illustrated in this disclosure.

Claims

1. 1. A method of wireless communication, comprising: The method includes, for communication between a first wireless device and a second wireless device, the second wireless device configuring the first wireless device according to a semi-static configuration that defines a timeslot pattern for the communication. Including, M carriers are configured by the second wireless device for the communication, where M is an integer greater than 1; the communication includes a cross-carrier downlink semi-static transmission on a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) or a cross-carrier uplink semi-static transmission on a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH); the M carriers include a reference carrier used to configure the cross-carrier downlink semi-static transmission or the cross-carrier uplink semi-static transmission; the time slot pattern is configured across the M carriers using a plurality of time slots of the reference carrier among the M carriers; for each time slot in the time slot pattern, a carrier from the M carriers on which the communication occurs or a time slot within the carrier on which the communication occurs is specified by a rule; the rule specifies that a bit is set for each period of the cross-carrier uplink semi-static transmission or for each period of the cross-carrier downlink semi-static transmission, and the carrier and the time slot are determined for each period of the cross-carrier uplink semi-static transmission or for each period of the cross-carrier downlink semi-static transmission according to the value of the bit.

2. A method of wireless communication, comprising: The method includes receiving, from a first wireless device, a configuration for communication between the first wireless device and the second wireless device according to a semi-static configuration defining a time slot pattern for the communication. Including, the communication includes M carriers configured by the second wireless device, where M is an integer greater than 1; the communication includes a cross-carrier downlink semi-static transmission on a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) or a cross-carrier uplink semi-static transmission on a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH); the M carriers include a reference carrier used to configure the cross-carrier downlink semi-static transmission or the cross-carrier uplink semi-static transmission; the time slot pattern is configured across the M carriers using a plurality of time slots of the reference carrier among the M carriers; for each time slot in the time slot pattern, a carrier from the M carriers on which the communication occurs or a time slot within the carrier on which the communication occurs is specified by a rule; the rule specifies that a bit is set for each period of the cross-carrier uplink semi-static transmission or for each period of the cross-carrier downlink semi-static transmission, and the carrier and the time slot are determined for each period of the cross-carrier uplink semi-static transmission or for each period of the cross-carrier downlink semi-static transmission according to the value of the bit.

3. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the M carriers have the same time slot duration, and the rule further specifies that a parameter is associated with each time slot in the time slot pattern, the parameter identifying a carrier from the M carriers used by transmissions in each time slot.

4. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the rule further specifies that a first parameter and a second parameter are associated with each time slot in the time slot pattern, the first parameter identifying a carrier from the M carriers and the second parameter identifying a time slot of the carrier used by a transmission.

5. 3. The method of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the time slot pattern is repetitive with a pattern configuration period, the pattern configuration period corresponding to a frame period of the reference carrier, a common frame period between the reference carrier and other carriers, or a period configured by Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling.

6. 3. The method of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein when the M carriers have a plurality of different time slot durations, the rule further specifies that a parameter is associated with each time slot in the time slot pattern according to a reference carrier indicating a time slot of a carrier from the M carriers that overlaps with a time slot in the time slot pattern according to the reference carrier.

7. The method of claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising the first wireless device determining a hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) process identifier (ID) for transmission in a time slot within a time slot pattern within a carrier according to a period P, wherein the period P is determined based on the period of the time slot within the time slot pattern within the carrier.

8. The method of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the first wireless device is a user equipment and the second wireless device is a network device.

9. The method of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the first wireless device is a network device and the second wireless device is a user equipment.

10. 3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the reference carrier corresponds to a PCell, or a carrier with a smallest index, or a carrier with a largest index, or a carrier with a smallest subcarrier spacing, or a carrier with a largest subcarrier spacing, or a carrier configured by signaling.

11. An apparatus for wireless communication, said apparatus comprising a processor, said processor configured to implement the method of claim 1 or claim 2.

12. 10. A non-transitory computer-readable program storage medium having stored thereon code that, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to implement the method of claim 1 or claim 2.

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