A method for assigning codewords, network node, first wireless device, and second wireless device

Abstract

Disclosed is a method, performed by a network node, for assigning codewords to a first wireless device, where the codewords are to be used in a transmission associated with a certain number of layers. The method comprises receiving, from the first wireless device, an indication of a requested codeword assignment associated with a first number of layers. The method comprises generating one or more codewords based on the requested codeword assignment. The method comprises transmitting the one or more codewords to the first wireless device based on the first number of layers.

Description

[0001] A METHOD FOR ASSIGNING CODEWORDS, NETWORK NODE, FIRST WIRELESS DEVICE, AND SECOND WIRELESS DEVICE

[0002] The present disclosure pertains to the field of wireless communications. The present disclosure relates to a method for assigning codewords to a first wireless device, where the codewords are to be used in a transmission associated with a certain number of layers, a related network node, a related first wireless device, and a related second wireless device.

[0003] BACKGROUND

[0004] Telecommunication systems have evolved over the years to accommodate the growing demand for high-speed and reliable connectivity. One of the challenges faced in modern telecommunication systems is the efficient utilization of network resources to meet increasing demands of data-heavy transmissions and services. Conventional approaches have shown limitations in achieving the required levels of performance, especially in scenarios with high user density or in environments with complex radio conditions.

[0005] Collaboration between wireless devices, such as user equipment, UE, have been proposed as a way to enhance system throughput. However, several challenges remain in achieving its implementation and optimal performance given practical constraints.

[0006] SUMMARY

[0007] In some modes of new radio, NR, it may be the wireless devices that indicate optimal precoders to the network node. If two wireless devices indicate their jointly optimal set of precoders under the assumption that they can cooperate, but the network node schedules the two wireless devices in different resources, then the indicated precoders may no longer be optimal, and may even result in worse performance than if the wireless devices indicate the individually best precoders. However, without any further information, the network node may schedule the two wireless devices in different resources to, e.g., avoid inter-user interference and other challenges.

[0008] Thus, the work done by the wireless devices to establish their jointly optimal precoder may be useless and may even degrade performance.

[0009] Furthermore, when wireless devices are set to collaborate for the reception of DL data, partitioning of data may be challenging. Accordingly, there is a need for devices and methods for assigning codewords to a first wireless device, where the codewords are to be used in a transmission associated with a certain number of layers, which may mitigate, alleviate or address the shortcomings existing and may provide for implementation of collaboration for reception of DL data between wireless devices, e.g., by improving partitioning of data.

[0010] Disclosed is a method, performed by a network node, for assigning codewords to a first wireless device, where the codewords are to be used in a transmission associated with a certain number of layers. The method comprises receiving, from the first wireless device, an indication of a requested codeword assignment associated with a first number of layers. The method comprises generating one or more codewords based on the requested codeword assignment. The method comprises transmitting the one or more codewords to the first wireless device based on the first number of layers.

[0011] Further, a network node comprising memory circuitry, processor circuitry, and a wireless interface is provided. The network node is configured to perform any of the methods performed in a network node as disclosed herein.

[0012] Disclosed is a method, performed by a network node, for enabling unicast downlink, DL, transmissions from the network node to a first wireless device and a second wireless device, e.g., in a common resource element or in separate resource elements. The transmissions can happen in a common resource element or in separate resource elements. For the sake of illustration, in the present disclosure, it may be assumed that transmissions from the network node to the first wireless device and second wireless device occur in one or more common resource elements. However, it may be understood that the invention disclosed also applies to transmissions from the network node to the first wireless device and second wireless device in separate resource elements, such as partially overlapping resource elements or nonoverlapping resource elements. The method comprises receiving, from the first wireless device and / or the second wireless device, an indication of a requested codeword assignment associated with a first number of layers and indicating a collaborative codeword assignment between the first wireless device and second wireless device for the joint DL transmission. The method comprises performing the DL transmissions based on the codeword assignment indication.

[0013] It is an advantage of the present disclosure that the disclosed method and network node enable an improved implementation of data reception collaboration between wireless devices. Further, the disclosed method and network node provides an improved assignment of codewords and an improved partitioning of DL data in case of data reception collaboration between wireless devices. The disclosed method and network node may enable flexible codeword assignment for wireless devices, which in turn enables data reception collaboration between wireless devices. Further, the disclosed method and network node enable several wireless devices to be served in the same resource when using collaborative precoding in DL transmissions and collaborative DL data reception. By enabling improved collaboration between wireless devices, the method and network node enable increased data throughput to the wireless devices. It may be appreciated that the method and network node enable that a second wireless device assists a first wireless device in receiving data in DL transmissions and vice-versa. The disclosed method and network node may facilitate a jointly determined codeword assignment (such as a requested common codeword assignment) from collaborating wireless devices. Further, the disclosed method enables reduced backhaul among wireless devices.

[0014] Disclosed is a method, performed by a first wireless device, for assigning codewords for the first wireless device, where the codewords are to be used in a transmission associated with a certain number of layers. The method comprises transmitting, to the network node, an indication of a requested codeword assignment associated with a first number of layers. The method comprises receiving, from the network node, one or more codewords based on the requested codeword assignment.

[0015] Further, a first wireless device comprising memory circuitry, processor circuitry, and a wireless interface is provided. The first wireless device is configured to perform any of the methods performed in a first wireless device as disclosed herein.

[0016] It is an advantage of the present disclosure that the disclosed method and first wireless device enable an improved implementation of data reception collaboration between the first wireless device and the second wireless device. Further, the disclosed method and first wireless device provides an improved assignment of codewords and an improved partitioning of DL data in case of data reception collaboration between wireless devices. The disclosed method and first wireless device may enable flexible codeword assignment for wireless devices, which in turn enables data reception collaboration between wireless devices.

[0017] Further, the disclosed method and first wireless device enable several wireless devices to be served in the same resource when using collaborative precoding in DL transmissions and collaborative DL data reception. By enabling collaboration between wireless devices, the method and first wireless device enable increased data throughput to the wireless devices. It may be appreciated that the method and first wireless device enable that a second wireless device assists a first wireless device in receiving data in DL transmissions and vice-versa. The disclosed method and first wireless device may enable a jointly determined codeword assignment (such as a requested common codeword assignment) from collaborating wireless devices. Furthermore, the method and first wireless device may enable mutual assistance between the first wireless device and second wireless device. It may be appreciated that the first wireless device and the second wireless device that collaborate in the DL benefit from having codeword assignments that are determined with the collaboration in mind.

[0018] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] The above and other features and advantages of the present disclosure will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art by the following detailed description of examples thereof with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

[0020] Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example wireless communication system comprising an example network node, an example first wireless device, and an example second wireless device according to this disclosure,

[0021] Fig. 2 is a flow-chart illustrating an example method, performed in a network node of a wireless communication system, for assigning codewords to a first wireless device, where the codewords are to be used in a transmission associated with a certain number of layers according to this disclosure,

[0022] Fig. 3 is a flow-chart illustrating an example method, performed in a network node of a wireless communication system, for enabling unicast downlink, DL, transmissions from the network node to a first wireless device and a second wireless device in a common resource element according to this disclosure,

[0023] Fig. 4 is a flow-chart illustrating an example method, performed in a first wireless device of a wireless communication system, for assigning codewords to the first wireless device, where the codewords are to be used in a transmission associated with a certain number of layers according to this disclosure,

[0024] Fig. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example network node according to this disclosure, Fig. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an example first wireless device according to this disclosure,

[0025] Fig. 7 shows a signaling diagram where a technique as disclosed herein is applied, Fig. 8 illustrates an example scenario where an example technique as disclosed herein is applied,

[0026] Fig. 9 illustrates an example scenario where an example technique as disclosed herein is applied, and

[0027] Fig. 10 illustrates an example scenario where an example technique as disclosed herein is applied. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] Various examples and details are described hereinafter, with reference to the figures when relevant. It should be noted that the figures may or may not be drawn to scale and that elements of similar structures or functions are represented by like reference numerals throughout the figures. It should also be noted that the figures are only intended to facilitate the description of the examples. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the disclosure or as a limitation on the scope of the disclosure. In addition, an illustrated example needs not have all the aspects or advantages shown. An aspect or an advantage described in conjunction with a particular example is not necessarily limited to that example and can be practiced in any other examples even if not so illustrated, or if not so explicitly described.

[0029] As discussed in detail herein, the present disclosure relates to a wireless communication system 1 comprising a cellular system, for example, a 3GPP wireless communication system. The wireless communication system 1 comprises a first wireless device 300, a second wireless device 300A, a network node 400, and / or a core network (CN) node 600.

[0030] A network node disclosed herein refers to a radio access network node operating in the radio access network, such as a base station, an evolved Node B, eNBs, a global Node B, gNBs. The wireless communication system 1 described herein may comprise one or more wireless devices 300, 300A, and / or one or more network nodes 400, such as one or more of: a base station, an eNB, a global Node B and / or an access point.

[0031] A wireless device may refer to a mobile device and / or a user equipment, UE.

[0032] The wireless device 300, 300A may be configured to communication with the network node 400 via a wireless link (or radio access link) 10, 10A. The first wireless device 300 may be configured to communicate with the second wireless device 300A and vice-versa, via a direct link 10B, such as a wireless link (or radio access link).

[0033] The figures are schematic and simplified for clarity, and they merely show details which aid understanding the disclosure, while other details have been left out. Throughout, the same reference numerals are used for identical or corresponding parts.

[0034] Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example wireless communication system 1 comprising an example network node 400, a core network (CN) node 600 an example first wireless device 300, and an example second wireless device 300A according to this disclosure.

[0035] As discussed in detail herein, the present disclosure relates to a wireless communication system 1 comprising a cellular system, for example, a 3GPP wireless communication system. The wireless communication system 1 comprises a first wireless device 300, a second wireless device 300A, and / or a network node 400. A network node, NN, disclosed herein refers to a radio access network node operating in the radio access network, such as a base station, an evolved Node B, eNB, gNB in NR. In one or more examples or embodiments, examples, the RAN node is a functional unit which may be distributed in several physical units.

[0036] A core network, CN, node disclosed herein refers to a network node operating in the core network, such as in the Evolved Packet Core Network, EPC, and / or a 5G Core Network, 5GC. Examples of CN nodes in EPC include a Mobility Management Entity, MME.

[0037] In one or more examples or embodiments, examples, RAN node is a functional unit which may be distributed in several physical units.

[0038] The network node 400, such as gNB 400, transmits in the downlink, DL, to the first wireless device 300 and the second wireless device 300A, e.g., via unicast DL transmissions.

[0039] The first wireless device 300 and the second wireless device 300A, such as the first UE and the second UE, transmit in the uplink, UL, to the network node 400, such as gNB 400.

[0040] Fig. 2 shows a flow diagram of an example method 100, performed by a network node, NN, according to the disclosure, for assigning codewords to a first wireless device, wherein the codewords are to be used in a transmission associated with a certain number of layers. In other words, the method may be for enabling flexible codeword assignment. Formulated differently, the method may be for codeword assignment to a first wireless device. The network node is the network node disclosed herein, such as network node 400 of Fig. 1 , Fig. 5, Fig. 7, Fig. 8, Fig. 9, and Fig. 10. The first wireless device is the first wireless device as disclosed herein, such as first wireless device 300 of Fig. 1 , Fig. 6, Fig. 7, Fig. 8, Fig. 9, and Fig. 10. The second wireless device is the second wireless device as disclosed herein, such as second wireless device 300A of Fig. 1 , Fig. 7, Fig. 8, Fig. 9, and Fig. 10. A method for assigning codewords, such as a method for codeword assignment, to a wireless device may be seen as a method for selecting, generating, and / or determining which codewords that should be transmitted to a wireless device, e.g., based on a requested codeword assignment from a wireless device.

[0041] A codeword may be seen as a sequence of bits generated during an encoding process by the NN for a particular channel or communication link. A codeword may also be denoted an encoded transport block, TB. For example, a codeword may be seen as representing a sequence of bits that undergoes channel coding, such as error correction coding, before transmission over a wireless channel from the NN to a wireless device. A codeword may be seen as an output of a channel coding (such as output of the encoding). In other words, the NN may apply one or more codewords to data to be transmitted to the first wireless device and / or the second wireless device. It may be appreciated that an entire codeword may be needed in order to retrieve the bits the codeword represent. Further, having observations (such as signals) associated to other codewords (e.g., codewords 2, 3, and / or 4) than a codeword (e.g., codeword 1) for which bits are to be retrieved, may not enable to retrieve the bits for the codeword in question (e.g., codeword 1). However, it may be possible, from observations (such as signals) associated to other codewords (e.g., codewords 2, 3, and / or 4), to estimate noise density for example.

[0042] To use codewords in a transmission associated with a certain number of layers may be seen as associating different codewords with different layers. In other words, the codewords may be mapped to different layers in a transmission, such as DL transmission. For example, to use codewords in a transmission associated with a certain number of layers may comprise dividing layers (such as spatial layers) between different codewords to be used in a DL transmission. A certain number of layers in this context may be seen as a certain number of available layers (such as available antennas) at the NN. The certain number of layers may be associated to the codewords according to the first number of layers as described herein. However, it may be appreciated that the NN may not configure the first wireless device with a higher number of layers than the NN’s transmission capability. The certain number of layers may be seen as the number of layers related to the assignment of codewords to layers by the NN. The first number of layers may be seen as a number of layers requested by the first wireless device for codeword assignment. It may be appreciated that the certain number of layers may be different from the first number of layers. It may be appreciated that an upper limit to the certain number of layers may be the channel rank, which may vary in the time domain. For example, when further wireless devices (e.g., further than the first wireless device and the second wireless device) are served in the same time-frequency resources, the wireless devices may also need to be spatially multiplexed with the first wireless device and / or the second wireless device. The NN may therefore apply further restrictions on for example the number of layers, e.g., on the certain number of layers.

[0043] The method 100 comprises receiving S106, from the first wireless device, an indication of a requested codeword assignment associated with a first number of layers. An indication of a requested codeword assignment associated with a first number of layers may comprise information indicating how the first wireless device requests data to be encoded by the NN using requested codewords associated with the first number of layers. An indication of a requested codeword assignment associated with a first number of layers may comprise an indication of one or more codewords requested by the first wireless device to be used by the NN in the first number of layers. The first number of layers may be seen as the layers associated with the first wireless device, such as the first layers configured to carry the data and codewords to the first wireless device. It may be appreciated that the one or more codewords may be associated with the first number of layers. A number of requested codewords may not exceed a number of requested layers but may be equal to or lower than the number of requested layers. For example, the first wireless device may request, in the requested codeword assignment, two different codewords associated with two different layers or one codeword associated with two different layers. The indication of a requested codeword assignment may comprise an indication of the preferred codeword assignment for the first wireless device. In one or more examples or embodiments, the indication of a requested codeword assignment is indicative of one or more codewords associated with a second number of layers associated with a second wireless device, e.g., when the NN transmits to the first wireless device and second wireless device simultaneously. In other words, the indication of a requested codeword assignment from the first wireless device may be configured to indicate a requested codeword assignment for both the first wireless device and the second wireless device, e.g., in a common request. In other words, the codeword assignment may be seen as collaborative.

[0044] The method 100 comprises generating S108 one or more codewords based on the requested codeword assignment. Generating S108 one or more codewords may comprise determining, receiving, and / or retrieving one or more codewords based on the requested codeword assignment. The NN may be configured to generate one or more codewords corresponding at least partially to the codewords requested by the first wireless device in the requested codeword assignment. It may be appreciated that generating S108 one or more codewords may comprise associating the one or more codewords to a certain number of layers, e.g., based on the first number of layers. In other words, generating S108 one or more codewords may comprise assigning the one or more codewords to a number of assigned layers. In other words, the generating S108 one or more codewords may comprise mapping data from one or more streams into one or more codewords. Generating S108 one or more codewords may be seen as how data is fed into the encoder to create or generate the one or more codewords. For example, generating S108 one or more codewords may comprise generating a sequence of bits generated during an encoding process by the NN for a particular channel or communication link. Generating S108 one or more codewords may comprise performing channel coding on a sequence of bits, such as error correction coding, before transmission over a wireless channel from the NN to a wireless device. An output of the generation S108 may be seen as the one or more codewords having undergone channel coding (such as output of the encoding).

[0045] The method 100 comprises transmitting S110 the one or more codewords to the first wireless device based on the first number of layers. Transmitting S110 the one or more codewords may comprise transmitting the one or more codewords using the certain number of layers (such as using the assigned number of layers). In one or more examples or embodiments, the certain number of layers is the first number of layers. Transmitting S110 the one or more codewords may comprise transmitting the one or more codewords via a unicast DL transmission to the first wireless device.

[0046] In one or more example methods, receiving S106 an indication of a requested codeword assignment comprises receiving S106A, from the first wireless device and / or the second wireless device, a codeword assignment indication indicating one or more codeword assignment parameters. The one or more codeword assignment parameters may be seen as parameters indicative of how codewords shall be assigned and / or how codewords shall be associated to the first number of layers by the NN.

[0047] In one or more example methods, generating S108 one or more codewords comprises generating S108A one or more codewords according to the one or more codeword assignment parameters.

[0048] In one or more example methods, the indication of a requested codeword assignment explicitly indicates codeword assignment parameters to be used or indicates how to obtain the codeword assignment parameters to be used. For example, the indication of a requested codeword assignment, such as the codeword assignment parameters, may comprise one or more formulas to be applied by the NN to generate the one or more codewords and / or to associate (such as map) the one or more codewords to the certain number of layers. Alternatively or additionally, the indication of a requested codeword assignment, such as the codeword assignment parameters, comprise indices to a table (such as look-up table) to obtain the codeword assignment parameters. The table may for example be a table in the 3GPP specification. The codeword assignment parameters may be indicative of how to split or divide the one or more codewords between the certain number of layers, such as how to split or divide the one or more codewords between the layers assigned to the first wireless device and the layers assigned to the second wireless device. In one or more examples or embodiments, the codeword assignment parameters may be indicative of how many layers should be assigned to each codeword, e.g., for one and the same wireless device. Formulated differently, each codeword assigned to a wireless device may also be associated to a number of layers to map to.

[0049] In one or more examples or embodiments, typically the NN determines, in the DL, the amount of data to be sent to each wireless device based on the size of a wireless device’s data buffer and / or the amount of available layer 1 , L1 , resources. The data may be referred to as a transport block, TB. Currently, up to two TBs sent in the same transmission to a same device may be supported. An encoded TB may be seen as a codeword. Currently, when two codewords are transmitted in the same transmission, they are allocated the same number of layers or differ at most by one layer. In the present disclosure, the wireless devices, such as the first wireless device and / or the second wireless device, indicate in the requested codeword assignment, how many layers each codeword is to be mapped to. This enables flexible codeword assignment. For example, with the present technique, more than two codewords may be transmitted in the same transmission and codewords may be allocated or associated with a larger number of layers. For example, two codewords may be associated or allocated to four layers. In another example, three codewords may be transmitted in the same transmission to a same device, e.g., the three codewords being associated with four layers.

[0050] In one or more example methods, the indication of a requested codeword assignment indicates how the first number of layers are to be associated with one or more codewords to be used. In other words, the requested codeword assignment, such as the codeword assignment parameters, may be indicative of how to split or divide the first number of layers between one or more codewords to be used, such as how to split or divide the first number of layers between one or more codewords assigned to the first wireless device and one or more codewords assigned to the second wireless device. Examples of how the first number of layers can be associated with one or more codewords are illustrated in Figs. 8, 9, 10.

[0051] In one or more example methods, the indication of a requested codeword assignment indicates a collaborative codeword assignment between the first wireless device and the second wireless device for unicast downlink, DL, transmissions from the network node to the first wireless device and the second wireless device, e.g., in a common resource element or in separate resource elements. The transmissions can happen in a common resource element or in separate resource elements. For the sake of illustration, in the present disclosure, it may be assumed that transmissions from the network node to the first wireless device and second wireless device occur in one or more common resource elements. However, it may be understood that the invention disclosed also applies to transmissions from the network node to the first wireless device and second wireless device in separate resource elements, such as partially overlapping resource elements or non-overlapping resource elements. In other words, the indication of a requested codeword assignment (such as the collaborative codeword assignment) indicates preferred codewords and / or preferred codeword assignments associated with a first number of layers and / or a second number of layers, for use in the common resource element. The first number of layers may be layers associated with codewords to be received by the first wireless device and the second number of layers may be layers associated with codewords to be received by the second wireless device. In other words, the collaborative codeword assignment may be indicative of which codewords to assign to which wireless device, how to assign the codewords, and / or which layers to assign to which codewords for the wireless devices. The indication of a requested codeword assignment may either be received from both the first wireless device and the second wireless device or received from one of the first wireless device and the second wireless device but the requested codeword assignment indicating the codewords for both wireless devices. In other words, the indication of a requested codeword assignment may indicate the codewords and / or codeword assignments for use when transmitting to both the first wireless device and the second wireless device in the unicast DL transmissions in the common resource element. The indication of a requested codeword assignment may comprise information on the preferred codewords and / or codeword assignments that are jointly optimal in cases where the network node schedules both the first wireless device and the second wireless device in a common resource element, such as in the same time-frequency resource. In other words, receiving S106 the indication of a requested codeword assignment may comprise receiving information indicative of the optimal codewords and / or codeword assignments associated with a first number of layers and / or a second number of layers, when the collaborating first wireless device and second wireless device are scheduled in common resource elements. The indication of a requested codeword assignment may be received via a joint codeword assignment request from the first wireless device and / or the second wireless device. In one or more examples or embodiments, the indication of a requested codeword assignment may be received via separate codeword assignment requests from the first wireless device and the second wireless device. For example, the wireless devices may be configured to exchange information (e.g., via a direct link between the first wireless device and the second wireless device) with each other for enabling determination of common codeword assignment requests and / or codewords. In one or more examples or embodiments, the direct link may be seen as or comprise one or more of: a PC5 interface and / or a non-3GPP link, such as provided by WLAN, Bluetooth, UWB, and / or other sidelinks between the first wireless device and the second wireless device. In one or more examples or embodiments, the network node may be configured to obtain and / or determine the precoders to be used for the DL transmissions in the common resources based on the information indicating the precoders. In other words, the precoders used for the DL transmissions may not necessarily be exactly the same as the requested precoders from the wireless devices. It may be appreciated that collaborative codeword assignment between the first wireless device and the second wireless device may enable data reception collaboration between the wireless devices.

[0052] In one or more example methods, the method 100 comprises performing S112, using the common resource element, the DL transmissions based on the requested codeword assignment. Performing S112 the DL transmissions using the common resource element and based on the requested codeword assignment may comprise transmitting S110 the one or more first codewords to the first wireless device via a first unicast DL transmission from the NN to the first wireless device and / or transmitting S110 one or more second codewords to the second wireless device via a second unicast DL transmission from the NN to the second wireless device. First codewords may be seen as codewords transmitted to the first wireless device but not necessarily intended for the first wireless device, and second codewords may be seen as codewords transmitted to the second wireless device but not necessarily intended for the second wireless device.

[0053] It may be appreciated that the one or more codewords may comprise one or more: codewords encoded for the first wireless device, transmitted to the first wireless device, and intended for the first wireless device, codewords encoded for the second wireless device, transmitted to the first wireless device, and intended for the second wireless device, codewords encoded for the first wireless device, transmitted to the first wireless device, and intended for the second wireless device, codewords encoded for the second wireless device, transmitted to the second wireless device, and intended for the second wireless device, codewords encoded for the second wireless device, transmitted to the second wireless device, and intended for the first wireless device, and codewords encoded for the first wireless device, transmitted to the second wireless device, and intended for the first wireless device.

[0054] In one or more example methods, receiving S106 the requested codeword assignment indication comprises receiving S106B a message indicating that a second portion of first DL data associated with the first wireless device but carried by the second wireless device is to be encoded for the second wireless device in the same second codeword as the second DL data. In other words, the one or more codewords may comprise the second codeword. Carried by the second wireless device may be seen as transmitted to the second wireless device. In other words, the second portion of the first DL data may be intended for the first wireless device, encoded for the second wireless device, and transmitted to the second wireless device.

[0055] Encoded for the second wireless device may be seen as intended to be decoded by the second wireless device. In other words, the second portion of first DL data may be obtained by the second wireless device by decoding the second codeword. In one or more examples or embodiments, the second wireless device is then configured to transmit or forward the decoded second portion of first DL data to the first wireless device, e.g., via the direct link. In one or more examples or embodiments, performing S112 the DL transmissions comprises encoding the second portion of the first DL data for the first wireless device in a second codeword. In one or more examples or embodiments, transmitting S110 the one or more codewords comprises transmitting the second codeword comprising the second portion of first DL data to the second wireless device. An example of this scenario is shown in Fig. 8. In one or more example methods, performing S112 the DL transmissions may form part of or be comprised in the step of transmitting S110 the one or more codewords.

[0056] In one or more example methods, performing S112 the DL transmissions comprises encoding S112A a first portion of the first DL data for the first wireless device in a first codeword. In one or more examples or embodiments, transmitting S110 the one or more codewords comprises transmitting the first codeword comprising the first portion of first DL data to the first wireless device. An example of this scenario is shown in Figs. 8, 9, and 10.

[0057] In one or more example methods, performing S112 the DL transmissions comprises encoding S112B the second DL data for the second wireless device in a second codeword. In one or more examples or embodiments, transmitting S110 the one or more codewords comprises transmitting the second codeword comprising the second DL data to the second wireless device. An example of this scenario is shown in Figs. 8, 9, and 10.

[0058] In one or more example methods, performing S112 the DL transmissions comprises encoding S112C the second portion of first DL data, such as for the second wireless device, in a third codeword separate from the second codeword. In one or more examples or embodiments, transmitting S110 the one or more codewords comprises transmitting the third codeword comprising the second portion of first DL data to the second wireless device. An example of this example scenario is shown in Fig. 9.

[0059] Encoding the second portion of the first DL data may be seen as encoding the second portion of the first DL data for the first wireless device and / or the second wireless device. The third codeword may be intended to be decoded by the first wireless device and / or the second wireless device. In other words, the second portion of first DL data may be decoded by the second wireless device and transmitted or forwarded to the first wireless device, e.g., via the direct link, decoded by the second wireless device in collaboration with the first wireless device, or the second wireless device transmits the un-decoded third codeword to the first wireless device, e.g., via the direct link, which decodes the third codeword to obtain the second portion of the first DL data.

[0060] In one or more example methods, performing S112 the DL transmissions comprises encoding S112D the first DL data in a first codeword comprising a first portion and a second portion. In one or more examples or embodiments, the second portion of the first codeword is for the second wireless device. In other words, the second portion of the first codeword is transmitted to the second wireless device. The first codeword may comprise a first primary codeword and a first secondary codeword, where the first secondary codeword corresponds to the second portion of the first codeword and the first primary codeword corresponds to the first portion of the first codeword. The second portion of the first codeword, such as the first secondary codeword, may be intended to be decoded by the first wireless device. In other words, the second portion of the first codeword may be transmitted un-decoded by the second wireless to the first wireless device, e.g., via the direct link, which decodes the second portion of the first codeword to obtain the second portion of the first DL data. In one or more examples or embodiments, transmitting S110 the one or more codewords comprises transmitting the first portion of the first codeword to the first wireless device and transmitting the second portion of the first codeword to the second wireless device. An example of this scenario is shown in Fig. 10.

[0061] In one or more example methods, performing S112 the DL transmissions comprises encoding S112E the second DL data for the second wireless device in a second codeword.

[0062] In one or more example methods, performing S112 the DL transmissions comprises modulating S112F the second portion of the first codeword, such as the third codeword, separately from the second codeword, such as the second DL data.

[0063] Encoding the second DL data in a second codeword for the second wireless device may be seen as the second codeword being intended to be decoded by the second wireless device. In other words, the second DL data may be obtained by the second wireless device by decoding the second codeword. In one or more examples or embodiments, performing S112 the DL transmissions comprises encoding the second DL data for the second wireless device in a second codeword. In one or more examples or embodiments, transmitting S110 the one or more codewords comprises transmitting the second codeword comprising the second DL data to the second wireless device. In one or more examples or embodiments, transmitting S110 the one or more codewords comprises transmitting the second portion of the first codeword (e.g., the third codeword) to the second wireless device using a different modulation than the transmission of the second codeword (e.g., comprising the second DL data) to the second wireless device. The second codeword may be configured with a second modulation and the second portion of the first codeword with a third modulation, where the second modulation and the third modulation are different from each other. The first codeword may be configured with a first modulation. In one or more examples or embodiments, modulating S112F the second portion of the first codeword separately from the second codeword may comprise applying different coding schemes to the second portion of the first codeword and the second codeword. An example of this scenario is shown in Fig. 10. In one or more example methods, the method 100 comprises indicating S102 to the first wireless device and / or the second wireless device a codeword capability or ability indicative of capabilities or abilities related to codeword assignments supported by the network node. In other words, the method may comprise indicating to the first wireless device and / or the second wireless device which codeword assignments are supported by the NN. For example, the codeword capability may indicate which combinations of codeword and respective number of layers that are supported by the NN. The codeword capability may for example be indicative of supported codeword configurations and / or modulation schemes. The codeword capability may be indicative of a list of valid number of codewords and / or a number of layers per codeword that are supported by the NN. The codeword capability may for example be indicative of supporting or not supporting. The codeword capability may for example be provided in an indirect indication.

[0064] In one or more example methods, the method 100 comprises receiving S104, from the first wireless device and / or the second wireless device, an indication of a capability of the first wireless device. In one or more examples or embodiments, the capability is indicative of a capability of flexible codeword assignment. For example, the first wireless device may indicate to the NN a capability to receive different codewords, e.g., different codewords associated with different layers, which codewords that are supported, a capability of decoding different codewords, a capability of collaborating with another wireless device, such as the second wireless device, and / or a capability of collaborating from precoding between the first wireless device and the second wireless device for a unicast DL transmission. A capability of flexible codeword assignment may be seen as an ability to dynamically get different codewords assigned by the NN. In one or more examples or embodiments, the indication of capability may be implicit based on one or more other parameters.

[0065] Fig. 3 shows a flow diagram of an example method 100A, performed by a network node according to the disclosure, for enabling unicast downlink, DL, transmissions from the network node to a first wireless device and a second wireless device in a common resource element. The network node is the network node disclosed herein, such as network node 400 of Fig. 1 , Fig. 5, Fig. 7, Fig. 8, Fig. 9, Fig. 10. The method 100A comprises receiving S103, from the first wireless device and / or the second wireless device, an indication of a requested codeword assignment associated with a first number of layers (such as associated with the first wireless device) and / or a second number of layers (such as associated with the second wireless device) and indicating a collaborative codeword assignment between the first wireless device and the second wireless device for the unicast DL transmissions. The method 100 comprises performing S112 the DL transmissions based on the codeword assignment indication. The performing S112 of Fig. 3 may correspond to the performing of Fig.

[0066] 2.

[0067] Unicast DL transmissions may be seen as DL transmissions to several wireless devices in one or more common resource elements. A unicast DL transmission may be seen as a transmission of one single message intended for one recipient. Unicast DL transmissions may therefore be seen as multiple unicast DL transmissions of multiple messages, where each message is intended for one recipient (such as for one WD), in one or more common resource elements. In other words, the unicast DL transmissions may be seen as simultaneous DL transmissions from the network node to the first wireless device and the second wireless device in a common timefrequency resource element (such as in the same resource element). The first wireless device and the second wireless device may be seen as collaborating wireless devices having collaborated on determining common precoders (such as common precoder indications) which are scheduled in the same time-frequency resources. Common precoders may be seen as joint precoders that are used jointly in one or more common resource elements. For example, the common precoders may comprise a first precoder to be used by the first wireless device and a second precoder to be used by the second wireless device. For example, unicast DL transmissions from the network node to the first wireless device and the second wireless device may comprise a first unicast DL transmission from the network node to the first wireless device and a second unicast DL transmission from the network node to the second wireless device, where the first unicast DL transmission and the second unicast DL transmission are performed in the common resource element. It may be appreciated that the unicast DL transmissions are different from broadcast transmissions which are not intended to specific wireless devices but are transmitted to all wireless devices in the network. The unicast DL transmissions may be seen as collaborative DL transmissions.

[0068] In one or more examples or embodiments, the method 100 comprises indicating to the first wireless device and / or the second wireless device the common resource element in which the DL transmissions will occur. The network node may either indicate the common resource element to both the first wireless device and the second wireless device or to one of the first wireless device and the second wireless device which may then forward the information to the other wireless device. In one or more example methods, indicating to the first wireless device and / or the second wireless device the common resource element in which the DL transmissions will occur may comprise indicating in a common allocation message to the first wireless device and / or the second wireless device the common resource element in which the DL transmissions will occur. In one or more example methods, indicating to the first wireless device and / or the second wireless device the common resource element in which the DL transmissions will occur may comprise indicating in separate allocation messages to the first wireless device and / or the second wireless device the common resource element in which the DL transmissions will occur. It may be appreciated that indicating the common resource element in which the DL transmissions will occur may comprise assigning resource allocations to the first wireless device and / or the second wireless device. A common resource element as disclosed herein may be seen as one or more common resource elements, such as a plurality of common resource elements, allocated by the NN in a resource allocation. For example, a resource allocation may consist of several resource blocks, where each resource block comprises 12 consecutive resource elements and several OFDM symbols. The one or more common resource elements may be seen as overlapping resources, e.g., overlapping time-frequency resources. The indication of the common resource element in which the DL transmissions will occur may for example be indicated in a frequency domain, FD, allocation, such as the FD allocation may be reconfigured via a radio resource control, RRC, protocol and / or medium access control, MAC, protocol.

[0069] In one or more examples or embodiments, the method 100 comprises receiving, from the first wireless device and / or the second wireless device, information indicating precoders for use in the common resource element. The information indicating precoders for use in the common resource element may either be received from both the first wireless device and the second wireless device or received from one of the first wireless device and the second wireless device but indicating the common precoders for both wireless devices. For example, the information indicating precoders may indicate a first precoder to be used for the first wireless device and a second precoder to be used for the second wireless device. In other words, the information may indicate the precoders for use when transmitting to both the first wireless device and the second wireless device in the unicast DL transmissions in the common resource element. The information indicating precoders may comprise information on the preferred precoders that are jointly optimal in cases where the network node schedules both the first wireless device and the second wireless device in a common resource element, such as in the same time-frequency resource. In other words, receiving the information indicating precoders may comprise receiving information indicative of the optimal precoders when the collaborating first wireless device and second wireless device are scheduled in common resource elements. The information indicating precoders may be received via a joint precoder indication(s) from the first wireless device and / or the second wireless device. It may be appreciated that the information indicating precoders may be indicative of requested precoders from the first wireless device and / or the second wireless device. In one or more examples or embodiments, the network node may be configured to obtain and / or determine the precoders to be used for the DL transmissions in the common resources based on the information indicating the precoders. In other words, the precoders used for the DL transmissions may not necessarily be exactly the same as the requested precoders from the wireless devices.

[0070] In one or more examples or embodiments, the method 100 comprises performing the DL transmissions in the common resource element using the precoders. In other words, performing the DL transmissions in the common resource element using the precoders may comprise scheduling the transmission of DL data to the first wireless device and the second wireless device in the common resource element and applying the precoders to the DL data to be transmitted in the common resource element.

[0071] In one or more example methods, receiving the information indicating precoders comprises receiving one or more precoder parameters for the first wireless device and the second wireless device. The one or more precoder parameters may be seen as parameters indicating the preferred precoders that are jointly optimal in cases where the network node schedules both the first wireless device and the second wireless device in a common resource element, such as in the same time-frequency resource. The one or more precoder parameters may for example indicate actual precoders to be used and / or indicate indices and / or an index to a table (such as a look-up table) for the precoders to be used. The one or more precoder parameters may indicate that the precoders are to be used at the same time-frequency resource. In one or more examples or embodiments, if the precoders requested by the first wireless device and / or the second wireless device cannot be granted by the NN, then the first wireless device and / or the second wireless device may report a different set of precoders which are optimal when the wireless devices are served separately. This may however be unlikely since collaborative precoders would offload the NN further.

[0072] In one or more examples or embodiments, the first wireless device and / or the second wireless device may provide some unique identity for the other wireless device with which it intends to collaborate (such as for the members of the first group and / or second group). In other words, the wireless devices may find a way of discovering each other and exchange 3GPP information. This may be done via non-standardized link, such as direct link between the wireless devices. For example, the identity may comprise one or more of: a subscriber identity in a subscriber identity module, a RNTI (radio network temporary identifier, for example, the C-RNTI if the other wireless device has already reached a radio resource control, RRC_CONNECTED state, a sidelink, SL, identity, and a higher layer identifier with peer protocols running at both the wireless devices and the network node. For example, in the channel state information, CSI, reporting framework, the first wireless device and / or the second wireless device would indicate to the NN which precoders are preferred (such as optimal precoders to be used). The wireless devices may for example indicate the precoders in a precoder matrix indicator, PMI, feedback, e.g., for Type-l and / or Type-ll precoders. The one or more precoder parameters may for example comprise one or more ranks (such as number of layers) and one or more precoders, e.g., requested by the first wireless device and / or the second wireless device jointly. For example, for Type-ll CSI feedback, a wireless device UE_k may report a set of r_k linear combinations of reference signals transmitted from each antenna or antenna port. The NN may thereby, based on these reports or reference signals, form an M times r_k precoder matrix P_k, where M is the number of antennas at the NN.

[0073] It may be appreciated that in known systems, the rank or number of layers r_k may directly correspond to the data assignment to the wireless devices perceived by the NN. For example, when a first rank of a first wireless device is r_1 = 2 and a second rank of a second wireless device r_2 = 2, then r_1 + r_2 = 4, and there are 4 data values to be transmitted from the NN: x_1 , x_2, x_3, and x_4. However, since r_1 = 2, the NN would regard x_A = {x_1 , x_2} to be data intended for the first wireless device, while x_B = {x_3, x_4} would be data intended for the second wireless device. In the present disclosure, however, the collaboration between the first wireless device and the second wireless device could imply that the second wireless device would transfer (such as forward) signals (such as data) to the first wireless device so that in fact the first wireless device would decode x_1 = {x_1 , x_2, x_3} while the second wireless device is merely interested in decoding x_2 = {x_4}. It may be appreciated that the wireless devices may not need to collaborate in the sense that they exchange received data, however the wireless devices may have to collaborate on the jointly optimal precoders for the DL transmissions. In other words, the wireless devices may have to exchange CSI information with each other so that they may be able to determine the precoders (either jointly determined by the wireless devices or determined by one of the wireless devices for both). In this case, a partitioning being x_1 = x_A = {x_1 , x_2} to be decoded by the first wireless device and x_2 = x_B = {x_3, x_4} to be decoded by the second wireless device can also be possible. It may be appreciated that partitioning of data (such as DL data) into components or layers to be sent may be important for wireless devices collaborating in such a way that they receive DL data for each other (e.g., wireless devices assisting each other with DL data reception and / or decoding). In other words, the wireless devices may borrow antennas from each other so to say for the reception of DL data. This partitioning of data may be solved in the present disclosure for example by using codeword assignments as disclosed herein. In one or more example methods, performing the DL transmissions comprises performing the DL transmissions based on the one or more precoder parameters. In other words, performing the DL transmissions may comprise applying the one or more precoder parameters for the unicast DL transmissions to the first wireless device and the second wireless device.

[0074] In one or more example methods, performing the DL transmissions comprises encoding DL data according to the information indicating precoders. In other words, performing the DL transmissions comprises encoding DL data to be transmitted simultaneously to the first wireless device and the second wireless device, in the common resource element, according to the precoders, such as according to the precoders requested by the first wireless device and / or the second wireless device. For example, performing the DL transmissions comprises encoding DL data according to the one or more precoder parameters as disclosed herein.

[0075] In one or more example methods, the information indicating precoders is indicative of a first set of precoders for collaborative precoding between the first wireless device and the second wireless device and a second set of precoders for separate precoding for the first wireless device and the second wireless device. In other words, the first set of precoders may be applied by the NN when performing the transmission of the simultaneous unicast DL transmissions to the first wireless device and the second wireless device. The second set of precoders may be applied by the NN for a resource element where there is no collaboration. Receiving information indicating precoders may comprise receiving a separate precoder indication from the first wireless device and / or the second wireless device. For example, separate precoders may be applied by the NN in scenarios where one of the wireless devices has much more data to receive than the other wireless device, so that in some parts of the spectrum there is no collaboration. It may be appreciated that the present disclosure may thereby enable the combination of collaborative precoding and separate precoding. In known systems, wireless devices (such as UEs) are configured to periodically report their preferred PMIs in a precoding report (or CSI report). Therefore, in known systems, only one precoding report is configured for each wireless device (UE). Instead, in the present disclosure, the configuration of two precoding reports may be allowed: one for the collaborative DL transmissions (unicast DL transmissions), and one for non-collaborative transmissions. The collaborative precoders and the separate or non-collaborative precoders covering different frequency parts. Optionally or additionally, one or both reports could also be triggered on-demand, i.e., aperiodically. This may be one way to indicate “joint” or “collaborative” precoders and “separate” precoders. Additionally or alternatively, the system could let the wireless devices indicate whether a precoding report is for collaborative or non-collaborative DL transmissions on a per-report basis, e.g., with a flag. Thus, the same portion of bandwidth can be dynamically selected, by the wireless devices, for “collaborative” or “separate” DL transmissions.

[0076] In one or more example methods, performing the DL transmissions comprises transmitting from the NN an indication of unicast DL transmissions to the first wireless device and / or the second wireless device in a common resource element. For example, the NN may transmit the indication of unicast DL transmissions to the first wireless device and / or the second wireless device via a physical downlink control channel, PDCCH, and / or via a physical downlink shared channel, PDSCH. The indication of unicast DL transmissions to the first wireless device and / or the second wireless device may for example be comprised in downlink control information, DCI, transmitted to the wireless devices. It may be appreciated that an indication of unicast DL transmissions may be transmitted as often as every slot or more often when using mini-slots.

[0077] In one or more example methods, performing the DL transmissions comprises transmitting, in the unicast DL transmissions, DL data to the first wireless device and the second wireless device. In other words, performing the DL transmissions may comprise transmitting DL data in a first unicast DL transmission to the first wireless device and simultaneously transmitting DL data in a second unicast DL transmission to the second wireless device.

[0078] In one or more example methods, the method 100 comprises receiving from the first wireless device and / or the second wireless device an indication of a capability of collaborating for precoding between the first wireless device and the second wireless device for a unicast DL transmission. In other words, the indication of a capability of collaborating for precoding may be seen as a capability of collaborating for the determination of common precoders (such as common optimal precoders) to be requested from the NN. The wireless devices may be configured to exchange information (e.g., via a direct link between the first wireless device and the second wireless device) with each other for enabling determination of common precoders. In one or more examples or embodiments, the direct link may be seen as or comprise one or more of: a PC5 interface and / or a non-3GPP link, such as provided by WLAN, Bluetooth, UWB, and / or other sidelinks between the first wireless device and the second wireless device. Further, the indication of a capability of collaborating for precoding may be seen as a capability of receiving simultaneous unicast DL transmissions encoded with common precoders. In one or more examples or embodiments, a capability between the first wireless device and the second wireless device of collaborating for precoding may be seen as a capability of collaborative decoding of DL data received in a common resource element.

[0079] In one or more example methods, the indication of a capability of collaborating comprises an indication of membership of the first wireless device and / or the second wireless device to a first group of collaborating wireless devices. A membership to a group of collaborating wireless devices may be seen as any type of association with the collaboration group. In other words, the first wireless device and the second wireless device may be associated with the first group of wireless devices. For example, the first wireless device and / or the second wireless device may indicate to the NN that they are members of a first group of collaborating device comprising two or more wireless devices, e.g., including the first wireless device and the second wireless device. The wireless devices may exchange information with each other and setup a wireless device collaboration for determining collaborative (such as joint) precoders as described herein. The wireless devices may indicate to the NN in the indication of membership to the first group that the first group has been created and the members of the first group. The indication of membership to the first group may either be received from both the first wireless device and the second wireless device or received from one of the first wireless device and the second wireless device but indicating the membership to the first group for both wireless devices.

[0080] In one or more example methods, the method 100 comprises indicating to the first wireless device and / or the second wireless device a second group of collaborating wireless devices. In one or more examples or embodiments, the NN may be configured to assign the first wireless device and / or the second wireless device to a collaboration group, such as the second group. It may be appreciated that the first group and the second group may comprise the same members or the NN may redefine the members present in the second group compared to the first group, e.g., based on the first group, and the first and second group may therefore be different. For example, when the first group is too large, the NN may redefine the members of a group or setup a new group.

[0081] In one or more example methods, the first wireless device and the second wireless device form part of the second group. In other words, the first wireless device and the second wireless device may be assigned to the second group instead of the first group.

[0082] In one or more example methods, the method 100 comprises indicating to the first wireless device and / or the second wireless device that information indicating precoders for use in the common resource element are expected to be received. The network node may either indicate that information indicating precoders for use in the common resource element are expected to be received to both the first wireless device and the second wireless device or to one of the first wireless device and the second wireless device which may then forward the information to the other wireless device. The information indicating that precoders for use in the common resource element are expected to be received may for example be indicated in a frequency domain, FD, allocation, such as the FD allocation may be reconfigured via a radio resource control, RRC, protocol and / or medium access control, MAC, protocol. In one or more examples or embodiments, the indication S106 and the indication S108 may be performed in a common step, e.g., in a resource allocation assignment. For example, the indication S106 may be part of a resource allocation assignment and / or implicitly determined by a type of resource allocation assignment.

[0083] Fig. 4 shows a flow diagram of an example method 200, performed by a first wireless device according to the disclosure, for assigning codewords for the first wireless device, where the codewords are to be used in a transmission associated with a certain number of layers. In other words, the method may a method for enabling assignment of codewords for the first wireless device (such as flexible codeword assignment). The first wireless device is the first wireless device disclosed herein, such as first wireless device 300 of Fig. 1 , Fig. 6, Fig. 7, Fig. 8, Fig. 9, and Fig. 10. The method 200 comprises transmitting S206, to the network node, an indication of a requested codeword assignment associated with a first number of layers.

[0084] The method 200 comprises receiving S210, from the network node, one or more codewords based on the requested codeword assignment.

[0085] In one or more example methods, the method 200 comprises receiving S202, from the network node, an indication of a codeword capability indicative of capabilities related to codeword assignments supported by the network node.

[0086] In one or more example methods, the method 200 comprises indicating S204, to the network node, a capability of the first wireless device.

[0087] In one or more example methods, the capability is indicative of a capability of flexible codeword assignment.

[0088] In one or more example methods, transmitting S206 an indication of a requested codeword assignment comprises transmitting S206A, to the network node, a codeword assignment indication indicating one or more codeword assignment parameters. In other words, the first wireless device may be configured to obtain, determine, and / or retrieve the one or more codeword assignment parameters. In one or more examples or embodiments, the first wireless device may collaborate with the second wireless device to obtain the one or more codeword assignment parameters.

[0089] In one or more example methods, the indication of a requested codeword assignment explicitly indicates codeword assignment parameters to be used or indicates how to obtain the codeword assignment parameters to be used. In one or more example methods, the indication of a requested codeword assignment indicates how the first number of layers are to be associated with one or more codewords to be used.

[0090] In one or more example methods, the indication of a requested codeword assignment indicates a collaborative codeword assignment between the first wireless device and a second wireless device for unicast downlink, DL, transmissions from the network node to a first wireless device and a second wireless device in a common resource element.

[0091] In one or more example methods, the method 200 comprises receiving S212, from the network node via the unicast DL transmissions, DL data based on the requested codeword assignment. Receiving S212 the DL data via DL transmissions (e.g., using the common resource element) based on the requested codeword assignment may comprise receiving S210 the one or more first codewords via a first unicast DL transmission from the NN to the first wireless device. First codewords may be seen as codewords received at the first wireless device but not necessarily intended for the first wireless device.

[0092] It may be appreciated that the one or more codewords may comprise one or more: codewords encoded for the first wireless device, received at the first wireless device, and intended for the first wireless device, codewords encoded for the second wireless device, received at the first wireless device, and intended for the second wireless device, and codewords encoded for the first wireless device, received at the first wireless device, and intended for the second wireless device.

[0093] In one or more example methods, transmitting S206 an indication of a requested codeword assignment comprises transmitting S206A, to the network node, a message indicating that a second portion of first DL data associated with the first wireless device but carried by the second wireless device is to be encoded for the second wireless device in the same second codeword as the second DL data.

[0094] In one or more example methods, the method 200 comprises receiving S208, from the network node, an indication of unicast DL transmissions in a common resource element.

[0095] In one or more example methods, the method 200 comprises decoding S214 the one or more codewords. In other words, the first wireless device may be configured to decode the one or more codewords received from the NN. In one or more examples or embodiments, the method 200 comprises decoding S214 the one or more codewords in collaboration with the second wireless device. In one or more examples or embodiments, decoding S214 the one or more codewords may comprise decoding the DL data received from the NN in collaboration with the second wireless device. For example, the first wireless device may decode a codeword intended for the second wireless device and then transmit the decoded codeword to the second wireless device via the direct link or vice-versa the second wireless device may decode a codeword intended for the first wireless device and transmit it to the first wireless device.

[0096] In one or more example methods, the method 200 comprises receiving S216, from the second wireless device via a direct link between the first wireless device and a second wireless device, a second portion of first DL data associated with the first wireless device but carried by the second wireless device. In one or more examples or embodiments, the method 200 comprises receiving, from the second wireless device via the direct link an un-decoded codeword received by the second wireless device but intended for the first wireless device.

[0097] In one or more examples or embodiments, the method 200, performed by the first wireless device according to the disclosure, may be for enabling unicast downlink, DL, transmissions from the network node to the first wireless device and a second wireless device in a common resource element. In one or more examples or embodiments, the method 200 comprises receiving, from the network node, an indication of the common resource element in which the DL transmissions will occur. In one or more examples or embodiments, the method 200 comprises transmitting, to the network node, information indicating precoders for use in the common resource element.

[0098] In one or more example methods, the method comprises setting up a first group of collaborating wireless devices comprising the first wireless device and the second wireless device.

[0099] In one or more example methods, the method comprises indicating, to the network node, a capability of collaborating for precoding between the first wireless device and the second wireless device for a unicast DL transmission.

[0100] In one or more example methods, wherein the indication of a capability of collaborating comprises an indication of membership of the first wireless device and the second wireless device to the first group.

[0101] In one or more example methods, the method comprises receiving, from the network node, an indication of a second group of collaborating wireless devices, where the first wireless device and the second wireless device form part of the second group. In one or more example methods, the method comprises receiving, from the network node, an indication that information indicating precoders for use in the common resource element are expected to be received.

[0102] In one or more examples or embodiments, the method comprises obtaining the information indicating precoders for use in the common resource element. In other words, the method may comprise obtaining (such as determining, receiving, and / or retrieving) the collaborative precoders based on the indication of the common resource element in which the DL transmissions will occur. In one or more examples or embodiments, the first wireless device and the second wireless device may have to exchange CSI information with each other so that they may be able to determine the precoders (either jointly determined by the wireless devices or determined by one of the wireless devices which determines the precoders for both).

[0103] In one or more example methods, the method comprises obtaining one or more precoder parameters for the first wireless device and the second wireless device. Obtaining one or more precoders may comprise determining, retrieving, and / or receiving one or more precoder parameters.

[0104] It may be appreciated that complications relating to partitioning may arise when wireless devices collaborate in receiving data in unicast DL transmissions. An example scenario illustrating the complications is presented below. For this scenario, it may be assumed that the wireless devices collaborate in determining common precoders for the unicast DL transmissions. For example, complications may arise in relation to the partitions {%i, x2} versus

[0105] The precoders, such as the one or more precoder parameters, may be determined in such a way that the effective channel becomes optimized based on, such as conditioned on, an implemented collaboration scheme. For example, a downlink channel model from the NN’s perspective and in the absence of noise may be:

[0106] In the above formula, H = #11 e <C4xMis the aggregated channel between the NN (such as

[0107] H2gNB) and the wireless devices (such as UEs).e<C2xMare the channels between each of the wireless devices and the NN, where M > 4 is the number of NN antennas, and P1,P2G (CMx2are the DL precoders selected by the first wireless device (UE 1 ) and the second wireless device (UE 2), respectively. In this example, each wireless device has 2 antennas for a total of 4 antennas. This may be generalized such that for the first wireless device H_1 has dimensions K_1 times M and for the second wireless device H_2 has dimensions K_2 times M. Therefore, H has dimensions (K_1 + K_2) times M. In the above example, K_1 = K_2 = 2. Further, it may be defined that E = HP e <C4x4is the effective channel, where P = [Pi P2] gives the collaborative (such as aggregate or joint) precoder of the first wireless device and the second wireless device (UE1 and UE2). In this example, the collaboration between the first wireless device and the second wireless device could be that the second wireless device (such as UE 2) relays its entire signal y_2 to the first wireless device (such as UE 1 ). In other words, the second wireless device receives x_3 on behalf of the first wireless device. The first wireless device may therefore decode x_1, x_2, and x_3. Let p_kn be the n’th column of P_k. Then, from the perspective of the first wireless device (UE 1 ), its aggregated signal would read: where the last term could be seen as noise for the first wireless device (UE 1 ). Likewise, for the second wireless device (UE 2), its received signal would read: where H_2 is the part of the channel H relevant for the second wireless device (UE 2). Now, the last term could be seen as noise for the second wireless device (UE 2).

[0108] The wireless devices may be configured to optimize the four vectors p_kn: p_11 , p_12, p_21 , and p_22. The optimal precoders may depend on the collaboration scheme. For example, if some other form of collaboration is implemented, e.g., the second wireless device (UE 2) decodes data x_3 and sends the decoded information to the first wireless device (such as UE 1 ), then the entire optimization process may yield a different set of optimal precoders.

[0109] It may be assumed, as before, that x = {x1,x2,x3} and x2= {%4}. It may now be assumed that the wireless devices have reported precoders corresponding = 2 and r2= 2 layers. From the NNs perspective xA= andXB = {*3, *4}- Further, it may be assumed that both wireless devices are equipped with two antennas. As the first wireless device (UE 1) needs three symbols, but only has two antennas, the first wireless device may need to collaborate to receive all three symbols. It may for example be assumed that the collaboration is synthesized by letting the second wireless device (UE 2) relay a chosen linear combination of its received signal y2’s components. The reason for this may be that the direct link between the first wireless device and the second wireless device (such as backhaul) does not offer sufficient capacity to relay the entire signal. This is in principle sufficient for the first wireless device (UE 1 ) to decode its three layers as it now possesses three signals. However, since xB= {x3,x4}, the NN (gNB) has, according to existing systems, to perform simultaneous encoding of the data entailed in xBinto a single codeword. For the first wireless device (UE 1 ), this implies that to obtain x3, it must also decode x4which is not possible as it cannot decode four symbols from only three observations.

[0110] If, on the other hand, T = 3 and r2= 1, then it may be obtained that xA= x4= {x1,x2,x3} and xB=x2 = {^4}- This implies that x3and x4are encoded into separate codewords as the NN (gNB) treats xAand xBseparately. Therefore, no additional information seems to be required. This is, however, not entirely true. Assuming that the collaboration is implemented in such a way that the second wireless device (UE 2) should decode data for the first wireless device (UE

[0111] 1 ) and then relay it, i.e., it should relay x3. But since xA= {x1,x2, x2}, the data in xAis jointly encoded into a single codeword. This implies that to obtain x3, the second wireless device (UE

[0112] 2) may have to decode all symbols x1,x2,x3in addition to its own symbol x4. However, if the second wireless device (UE 2) is only equipped with two antennas, this may not be possible and the system fails.

[0113] The present disclosure solves the issues illustrated above that arise from partitioning DL data according to the known systems for two wireless devices (UEs) that intend to collaborate.

[0114] It may be appreciated that in the above schemes, the wireless devices (UEs) reported precoders that are jointly optimal in cases where the NN (gNB) schedules both wireless devices (UEs) in the same time-frequency resource.

[0115] If the NN (gNB) would schedule the wireless devices in different resources, then the reported precoders would not be optimal. Other sets of precoders may be optimal when the wireless devices are served separately (such as alone). In one or more examples or embodiments, however, the NN (gNB) may not be inclined to serve the two wireless devices (UEs) in the same resource. For example, within Type-ll CSI, the NN (gNB) does not possess CSI on its own. In this example, it may be challenging for the NN to resolve multi-user interference and, hence, would schedule the two wireless devices (UEs) in separate resources. If the NN serves the wireless devices in different resources, then applying the collaborative precoders may reduce the performance of the transmissions to a lower performance than if the wireless devices had determined separate precoders. For example, the performance may be reduced by using more resources, such as aggregating the number of resources, to transmit the same amount of information and / or by using precoders that have been optimized under different assumptions, and are therefore likely not optimal. This may be solved in the present disclosure by the first wireless device and / or the second wireless device transmitting information indicating precoders for use in the common resource element.

[0116] In one or more examples or embodiments, the method comprises transmitting, to the NN, information indicating a first set of precoders for collaborative precoding between the first wireless device and the second wireless device and a second set of precoders for separate precoding for the first wireless device and the second wireless device.

[0117] In one or more example methods, transmitting the precoders comprises transmitting the one or more precoder parameters, such as transmitting the one or more parameters to the NN.

[0118] In one or more example methods, the method comprises transmitting, to the network node, an indication of a requested codeword assignment associated with a number of layers associated with the DL transmissions.

[0119] In one or more example methods, the method comprises receiving, from the network node, an indication of unicast DL transmissions in a common resource element.

[0120] In one or more example methods, the method comprises receiving, from the network node via the unicast DL transmissions, DL data. In other words, the first wireless device is configured to receive some of the unicast DL transmissions, e.g., the transmission(s) intended for or targeted for the first wireless device.

[0121] In one or more example methods, the method comprises decoding DL data received from the network node in collaboration with the second wireless device. In other words, the method comprises decoding DL data received via the unicast DL transmissions. For example, the wireless devices may assist each other in receiving data in DL transmissions. For example, the second wireless device may decode DL data intended for the first wireless device and transmit it to the first wireless device via a direct link. In another example, the second wireless device may transmit DL data intended for the first wireless device without decoding it via the direct link.

[0122] It may be appreciated that any of the definitions and terms used in the description of Fig. 2 may also apply to the description of Fig. 3, Fig. 4, Fig. 5, Fig. 6, Fig. 7, Fig. 8, Fig. 9, Fig. 10 and vice versa. For example, any definitions and terms associated with the method performed by the network node disclosed herein may also apply and / or be used to the definitions and terms relating to the method performed by the first wireless device and the second wireless device and to the first wireless device and the second wireless device themselves as disclosed herein and vice versa. It may be appreciated that the description of Fig. 4 may also apply to a method performed by the second wireless device 300A as disclosed herein.

[0123] Fig. 5 shows a block diagram of an example network node 400 according to the disclosure. The network node 400 comprises memory circuitry 401 , processor circuitry 402, and a wireless interface 403. The network node 400 may be configured to perform any of the methods disclosed in Fig. 2. In other words, the network node 400 may be configured for assigning codewords to a first wireless device, where the codewords are to be used in a transmission associated with a certain number of layers.

[0124] The network node 400 may be configured to communicate with a user equipment, such as the user equipment node disclosed herein, using a wireless communication system.

[0125] The wireless interface 403 is configured for wireless communications via a wireless communication system, such as a 3GPP system, such as a 3GPP system supporting one or more of: New Radio, NR, Long Term Evolution, LTE, Narrow-band loT, NB-loT, and Long Term Evolution - enhanced Machine Type Communication, LTE-M, and 3GPP system operated in licensed bands or unlicensed bands.

[0126] The network node 400 is configured to receive (such as via the wireless interface 403), from the first wireless device, an indication of a requested codeword assignment associated with a first number of layers.

[0127] The network node 400 is configured to generate (such as using the processor circuitry 402) one or more codewords based on the requested codeword assignment.

[0128] The network node 400 is configured to transmit (such as via. the wireless interface 403) the one or more codewords to the first wireless device based on the first number of layers.

[0129] In one or more example network nodes, the network node 400 is configured to indicate (such as transmit, e.g., via the wireless interface 403 and / or using the processor circuitry 402) to the first wireless device a codeword capability indicative of capabilities related to codeword assignments supported by the network node.

[0130] In one or more example network nodes, the network node 400 is configured to receive (such as via the wireless interface 403), from the first wireless device, an indication of a capability of the first wireless device, wherein the capability is indicative of a capability of flexible codeword assignment.

[0131] In one or more example network nodes, to receive an indication of a requested codeword assignment comprises to receive (such as via the wireless interface 403), from the first wireless device, a codeword assignment indication indicating one or more codeword assignment parameters.

[0132] In one or more example network nodes, to generate one or more codewords comprises to generate (such as using the processor circuitry 402) one or more codewords according to the one or more codeword assignment parameters.

[0133] In one or more example network nodes, the indication of a requested codeword assignment explicitly indicates codeword assignment parameters to be used or indicates how to obtain the codeword assignment parameters to be used.

[0134] In one or more example network nodes, the indication of a requested codeword assignment indicates how the first number of layers are to be associated with one or more codewords to be used.

[0135] In one or more example network nodes, the indication of a requested codeword assignment indicates a collaborative codeword assignment between the first wireless device and a second wireless device for unicast downlink, DL, transmissions from the network node to a first wireless device and a second wireless device in a common resource element.

[0136] In one or more example network nodes, the network node 400 is configured to perform (such as using the processor circuitry 402), using the common resource element, the DL transmissions based on the requested codeword assignment.

[0137] In one or more example network nodes, to receive the requested codeword assignment indication comprises to receive (such as via the wireless interface 403) a message indicating that a second portion of first DL data associated with the first wireless device but carried by the second wireless device is to be encoded for the second wireless device in the same second codeword as the second DL data.

[0138] In one or more example network nodes, to perform the DL transmissions comprises to encode (such as using the processor circuitry 402) a first portion of the first DL data for the first wireless device in a first codeword.

[0139] In one or more example network nodes, to perform the DL transmissions comprises to encode (such as using the processor circuitry 402) the second DL data for the second wireless device in a second codeword.

[0140] In one or more example network nodes, to perform the DL transmissions comprises to encode (such as using the processor circuitry 402) the second portion of first DL data for the second wireless device in a third codeword separate from the second codeword . In one or more example network nodes, to perform the DL transmissions comprises to encoding (such as using the processor circuitry 402) the first DL data in a first codeword comprising a first portion and a second portion, and wherein the second portion of the first codeword is for the second wireless device.

[0141] In one or more example network nodes, to perform the DL transmissions comprises to encode (such as using the processor circuitry 402) the second DL data for the second wireless device in a second codeword.

[0142] In one or more example network nodes, to perform the DL transmissions comprises to modulate (such as using the processor circuitry 402) the second portion of the first codeword separately from the second codeword.

[0143] The network node 400 may be configured to perform any of the methods disclosed in Fig. 3. In other words, the network node 400 may be configured for enabling unicast downlink, DL, transmissions from the network node to a first wireless device and a second wireless device in a common resource element, In one or more examples or embodiments, the network node 400 is configured to receive (such as via the wireless interface 403), from the first wireless device and / or the second wireless device, an indication of a requested codeword assignment associated with a first number of layers and / or a second number of layers and indicating a collaborative codeword assignment between the first wireless device and second wireless device for the joint DL transmission.

[0144] In one or more examples or embodiments, the network node 400 is configured to perform (such as using the processor circuitry 402) the DL transmissions based on the codeword assignment indication.

[0145] Processor circuitry 402 is configured to perform any of the operations disclosed in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3. The operations of the network node 400 may be embodied in the form of executable logic routines (for example, lines of code, software programs, etc.) that are stored on a non- transitory computer readable medium (for example, memory circuitry 401) and are executed by processor circuitry 402).

[0146] Furthermore, the operations of the network node 400 may be considered a method that the network node 400 is configured to carry out. Also, while the described functions and operations may be implemented in software, such functionality may also be carried out via dedicated hardware or firmware, or some combination of hardware, firmware and / or software.

[0147] Memory circuitry 401 may be one or more of a buffer, a flash memory, a hard drive, a removable media, a volatile memory, a non-volatile memory, a random access memory (RAM), or other suitable device. In a typical arrangement, memory circuitry 401 may include a nonvolatile memory for long term data storage and a volatile memory that functions as system memory for processor circuitry 402. Memory circuitry 401 may exchange data with processor circuitry 402 over a data bus. Control lines and an address bus between memory circuitry 401 and processor circuitry 402 also may be present (not shown in Fig. 4). Memory circuitry 401 is considered a non-transitory computer readable medium.

[0148] Memory circuitry 401 may be configured to store information, such as information indicating precoders, collaboration capability information, information on group(s) of wireless devices, reference signals, resource elements, and / or codeword assignments in a part of the memory.

[0149] Fig. 6 shows a block diagram of an example first wireless device 300 according to the disclosure. It may be appreciated that the description of Fig. 5 may also apply to the second wireless device 300A as disclosed herein. The first wireless device 300 comprises memory circuitry 301 , processor circuitry 302, and a wireless interface 303. The first wireless device 300 may be configured to perform any of the methods disclosed in Fig. 4. In other words, the first wireless device 300 may be configured for assigning codewords for the first wireless device, where the codewords are to be used in a transmission associated with a certain number of layers. The first wireless device 300 is configured to transmit (such as via the wireless interface 303 and / or using the processor circuitry 302), to the network node, an indication of a requested codeword assignment associated with a first number of layers.

[0150] The first wireless device 300 is configured to receive (such as via the wireless interface 303), from the network node, one or more codewords based on the requested codeword assignment.

[0151] In one or more example wireless devices, the first wireless device 300 is configured to receive (such as via the wireless interface 303), from the network node, an indication of a codeword capability indicative of capabilities related to codeword assignments supported by the network node.

[0152] In one or more examples or embodiments, the first wireless device 300 (such as the wireless interface 303) may comprise a collaborative interface towards the second wireless device 300A. The collaboration interface may for example be used to setup a wireless device collaboration group (such as the first group as disclosed herein), to exchange CSI information, and / or to forward a received signal or data from the NN. It may be appreciated that the second wireless device 300A (and other wireless devices collaborating with the first wireless device) may have a corresponding collaborative interface. For example, the wireless interface 303 may comprise a sidelink feature and / or an alternative interface, such as a direct link as disclosed herein. The wireless interface 303 may for example comprise one or more of: a PC5 interface and / or a non- 3GPP link, such as provided by WLAN, Bluetooth, UWB, and / or other sidelinks. The wireless devices may exchange information with each other and setup a wireless device collaboration for determining collaborative (such as joint) precoders as described herein. The wireless devices may indicate to the NN in the indication of membership to the first group that the first group has been created and the members of the first group. The indication of membership to the first group may either be received from both the first wireless device and the second wireless device or received from one of the first wireless device and the second wireless device but indicating the membership to the first group for both wireless devices.

[0153] In one or more example wireless devices, the first wireless device 300 is configured to indicate (such as via the wireless interface 303), to the network node, a capability of the first wireless device, wherein the capability is indicative of a capability of flexible codeword assignment.

[0154] In one or more example wireless devices, to transmit an indication of a requested codeword assignment comprises to transmit (such as via the wireless interface 303), to the network node, a codeword assignment indication indicating one or more codeword assignment parameters.

[0155] In one or more example wireless devices, the indication of a requested codeword assignment explicitly indicates codeword assignment parameters to be used or indicates how to obtain the codeword assignment parameters to be used.

[0156] In one or more example wireless devices, the indication of a requested codeword assignment indicates how the first number of layers are to be associated with one or more codewords to be used.

[0157] In one or more example wireless devices, the indication of a requested codeword assignment indicates a collaborative codeword assignment between the first wireless device and a second wireless device for unicast downlink, DL, transmissions from the network node to a first wireless device and a second wireless device in a common resource element.

[0158] In one or more example wireless devices, the first wireless device 300 is configured to receive (such as via the wireless interface 303), from the network node via the unicast DL transmissions, DL data based on the requested codeword assignment.

[0159] In one or more example wireless devices, to transmit an indication of a requested codeword assignment comprises to transmit (such as via the wireless interface 303), to the network node, a message indicating that a second portion of first DL data associated with the first wireless device but carried by the second wireless device is to be encoded for the second wireless device in the same second codeword as the second DL data.

[0160] In one or more example wireless devices, the first wireless device 300 is configured to receive (such as via the wireless interface 303), from the network node, an indication of unicast DL transmissions in a common resource element.

[0161] In one or more example wireless devices, the first wireless device 300 is configured to decode (such as using the processor circuitry 302) the one or more codewords in collaboration with the second wireless device.

[0162] In one or more example wireless devices, the first wireless device 300 is configured to receive (such as via the wireless interface 303), from the second wireless device via a direct link between the first wireless device and a second wireless device, a second portion of first DL data associated with the first wireless device but carried by the second wireless device.

[0163] Processor circuitry 302 may be configured to perform any of the operations disclosed in Fig. 4. The operations of the network node 300 may be embodied in the form of executable logic routines (for example, lines of code, software programs, etc.) that are stored on a non-transitory computer readable medium (for example, memory circuitry 301) and are executed by processor circuitry 302).

[0164] The wireless interface 303 is configured for wireless communications via a wireless communication system, such as a 3GPP system, such as a 3GPP system supporting one or more of: New Radio, NR, Long Term Evolution, LTE, Narrow-band loT, NB-loT, and Long Term Evolution - enhanced Machine Type Communication, LTE-M, and 3GPP system operated in licensed bands or unlicensed bands.

[0165] The operations of the first wireless device 300 may be embodied in the form of executable logic routines (for example, lines of code, software programs, etc.) that are stored on a non-transitory computer readable medium (for example, memory circuitry 301 ) and are executed by processor circuitry 302).

[0166] Furthermore, the operations of the first wireless device 300 may be considered a method that the first wireless device 300 is configured to carry out. Also, while the described functions and operations may be implemented in software, such functionality may also be carried out via dedicated hardware or firmware, or some combination of hardware, firmware and / or software. Memory circuitry 301 may be one or more of a buffer, a flash memory, a hard drive, a removable media, a volatile memory, a non-volatile memory, a random access memory (RAM), or other suitable device. In a typical arrangement, memory circuitry 301 may include a non- volatile memory for long term data storage and a volatile memory that functions as system memory for processor circuitry 302. Memory circuitry 301 may exchange data with processor circuitry 302 over a data bus. Control lines and an address bus between memory circuitry 301 and processor circuitry 302 also may be present (not shown in Fig. 5). Memory circuitry 301 is considered a non-transitory computer readable medium.

[0167] Memory circuitry 301 may be configured to store information, e.g., information indicating precoders, collaboration capability information, information on group(s) of wireless devices, reference signals, resource elements, and / or codeword assignments in a part of the memory.

[0168] Fig. 7 shows a signaling diagram where a technique as disclosed herein is applied. Fig. 7 shows an example scenario for assigning codewords to a first wireless device, where the codewords are to be used in a transmission associated with a certain number of layers. Fig. 7 shows a signaling diagram of an example communication 500 between a radio network node 400, a first WD 300, and a second WD 300A according to this disclosure. For example, Fig. 7 shows a communication when a wireless device collaboration group has been set up.

[0169] The first wireless device 300 and the second wireless device 300A may setup 502 a wireless device collaboration group. The setup 502 may correspond to the setting up of a collaboration group as disclosed herein.

[0170] The first wireless device 300 may indicate 504A, to the NN 400, a capability of collaborating for precoding between the first wireless device 300 and the second wireless device 300A for a unicast DL transmission and / or a capability of flexible codeword assignment of the first wireless device. The indication 504A may correspond to the indication S204 of Fig. 4. The second wireless device 300A may indicate 504B, to the NN 400, a capability of collaborating for precoding between the first wireless device 300 and the second wireless device 300A for a unicast DL transmission and / or a capability of flexible codeword assignment of the second wireless device.

[0171] The NN 400 may transmit 506A, to the first wireless device 300, an acknowledgement of reception of the indication of a capability of the first wireless device 300. In one or more examples or embodiments, the NN 400 may transmit 506A, to the first wireless device 300, a codeword capability indicative of capabilities related to codeword assignments supported by the network node. In one or more examples or embodiments, the NN 400 may transmit 506A, to the first wireless device 300, an indication of a second group of collaborating wireless devices, where the first wireless device 300 and the second wireless device 300A form part of the second group. In one or more examples or embodiments, the NN 400 may transmit 506A, to the first wireless device 300, an indication that information indicating precoders for use in the common resource element are expected to be received. The transmission 506B may correspond to the indication of S102 of Fig. 2.

[0172] The NN 400 may transmit 506B, to the second wireless device 300A, an acknowledgement of reception of the indication of a capability of the second wireless device 300A. In one or more examples or embodiments, the NN 400 may transmit 506B, to the second wireless device 300A, a codeword capability indicative of capabilities related to codeword assignments supported by the network node. In one or more examples or embodiments, the NN 400 may transmit 506B, to the second wireless device 300A, an indication of a second group of collaborating wireless devices, where the first wireless device 300 and the second wireless device 300A form part of the second group.

[0173] In one or more examples or embodiments, the NN 400 may transmit 506B, to the second wireless device 300A, an indication that information indicating precoders for use in the common resource element are expected to be received.

[0174] In one or more examples or embodiments, the NN 400 indicates 508A, to the first wireless device 300, the common resource element in which the DL transmissions will occur. The indication 508A may correspond to the indication of the common resource element as disclosed herein.

[0175] The NN 400 may indicate 508B, to the second wireless device 300A, the common resource element in which the DL transmissions will occur. The indication 508B may correspond to the indication of the common resource element as disclosed herein.

[0176] In one or more examples or embodiments, the first wireless device 300 transmits 510A, to the network node 400, information indicating precoders for use in the common resource element. The transmission 510A may correspond to the transmission of information indicating precoders and the reception of information indicating precoders as disclosed herein.

[0177] In one or more examples or embodiments, the second wireless device 300A transmits 510B, to the network node 400, information indicating precoders for use in the common resource element. The transmission 510B may correspond to the reception of information indicating precoders as disclosed herein. The first wireless device 300 transmits 512A, to the network node 400, an indication of a requested codeword assignment associated with a first number of layers, e.g., the first number of layers being associated with the DL transmissions. The transmission 512A may correspond to the transmission S206 of Fig. 4 and the reception S106 of Fig. 2.

[0178] In one or more examples or embodiments, the second wireless device 300A transmits 512B, to the network node 400, an indication of a requested codeword assignment associated with a second number of layers, e.g., the second number of layers being associated with the DL transmissions. The transmission 512B may correspond to the reception S106 of Fig. 2.

[0179] In one or more examples or embodiments, the first wireless device 300 transmits 514A, to the network node 400, information indicating a second set of precoders for separate precoding for the first wireless device 300 and the second wireless device 300A. The transmission 514A may correspond to the reception of information indicating a second set of precoders and the transmission of information indicating a second set of precoders as disclosed herein.

[0180] In one or more examples or embodiments, the second wireless device 300A transmits 514B, to the network node 400, information indicating a second set of precoders for separate precoding for the first wireless device 300 and the second wireless device 300A. The transmission 514B may correspond to the reception of information indicating a second set of precoders and the transmission of information indicating a second set of precoders as disclosed herein.

[0181] In one or more examples or embodiments, the NN 400 may transmit 516A, to the first wireless device 300, an indication of unicast DL transmissions to the first wireless device and the second wireless device in a common resource element. The transmission 516A may correspond to the transmission of an indication of unicast DL transmissions and the reception an indication of unicast DL transmissions as disclosed herein.

[0182] In one or more examples or embodiments, the NN 400 may transmit 516B, to the second wireless device 300A, an indication of unicast DL transmissions to the first wireless device and the second wireless device in a common resource element. The transmission 516B may correspond to the transmission of an indication of unicast DL transmissions and the reception of an indication of unicast DL transmissions as disclosed herein.

[0183] The NN 400 transmits 518A the one or more codewords to the first wireless device 300 based on the first number of layers. The transmission 518A may correspond to the transmission of S110 of Fig. 2 and the reception S210 of Fig. 4. In one or more examples or embodiments, the NN 400 transmits 518A, in the unicast DL transmissions, DL data to the first wireless device 300. The transmission 518A may correspond to the performance of S112, S112A, S112B, S112C, S112D, S112E, and / or S112F of Fig. 2 and the reception S212 of Fig. 4.

[0184] In one or more examples or embodiments, the NN 400 transmits 518B the one or more codewords to the second wireless device 300A based on the second number of layers. The transmission 518B may correspond to the transmission of the one or more codewords to the second wireless device and the reception the one or more codewords at the second wireless device as disclosed herein.

[0185] In one or more examples or embodiments, the NN 400 transmits 518B, in the unicast DL transmissions, DL data to the second wireless device 300A. The transmission 518B may correspond to the performance of S112, S112A, S112B, S112C, S112D, S112E, and / or S112F of Fig. 2 and the reception of DL data at the second wireless device 300A as disclosed herein.

[0186] In one or more examples or embodiments, the first wireless device 300 and the second wireless device 300A may collaborate 520 after the reception of the one or more codewords and / or the reception of the DL data. The collaboration 520 may at least partly correspond to the decoding collaboration S214 and the reception S216 of Fig. 4.

[0187] Fig. 8 illustrates an example scenario where an example technique as disclosed herein is applied.

[0188] It may be appreciated that Figs. 8-10 illustrate example solutions of how to the complications relating to partitioning as described herein. In all three scenarios illustrated in Figs. 8-10, the first wireless device (UE1 ) and the second wireless device (UE2) are collaborating in the reception of DL data (such as collaborating in the reception of codewords).

[0189] Fig. 8 illustrates a technique of splitting data between two collaborating wireless devices which may be transparent to layer 1 , L1 .

[0190] The NN (gNB) receives, from the first wireless device, an indication of a requested codeword assignment associated with a first number of layers. The requested codeword assignment indicates the use of two codewords b_1 and b_2 where the first number of layers is four. The four layers x_1 , x_2, x_3, and x_4 are associated with the codewords b_1 and b_2, e.g., b_1 is associated with layers x_1 and x_2 and b_2 is associated with layers x_3 and x_4. The NN is illustrated with different blocks in two tracks, a first wireless device source track (UE1 source) and a second wireless device source track (UE2 source). In one or more examples or embodiments, the indication of a requested codeword assignment may indicate a collaborative codeword assignment between the first wireless device (UE1 ) and a second wireless device (UE2) for unicast downlink, DL, transmissions from the network node to the first wireless device and the second wireless device in a common resource element. In one or more examples or embodiments, the indication of a requested codeword assignment may indicate separate codeword assignments to the first wireless device and the second wireless device. For example, the codeword assignment may be performed in a L1 -transparent way. The NN may assign one codeword associated with two layers for each wireless device. At application layer, each wireless device sink entity re-routes the original data streams generated by the corresponding wireless device source entity (UE source).

[0191] The NN generates one or more codewords based on the requested codeword assignment. The NN generates the one or more codewords by partitioning the first DL data into a first portion of first DL data s_1 and a second portion of first DL data s’_1. The first portion s_1 is to be carried by the first wireless device layers x_1 and x_2 and the second portion s’_1 is to be carried by the second wireless device layers x_3 and x_4. The second DL data s_2 is intended for the second wireless device and to be carried by the second wireless device layers x_3 and x_4. The first portion s_1 is encoded in codeword b_1 whereas the second portion s’_1 and the second DL data s_2 are jointly encoded in the same codeword b_2.

[0192] The indication of a requested codeword assignment may have indicated a collaborative codeword assignment between the first wireless device (UE1 ) and the second wireless device (UE2) for unicast downlink, DL, transmissions from the network node to the first wireless device and the second wireless device in a common resource element.

[0193] For example, the requested codeword assignment indication may have indicated that a second portion of first DL data s’_1 associated with the first wireless device but carried by the second wireless device is to be encoded for the second wireless device in the same second codeword b_2 as the second DL data s_2. In Fig. 8, the NN has merged the second portion s’_1 and the second DL data s_2 into a single codeword (such as transport block, TB) b_2, encoded it and then transmits the second codeword b 2 to the second wireless device.

[0194] In one or more examples or embodiments, the first codeword b_1 and the second codeword b_2 are modulated separately (d_1 and d_2) as illustrated in Fig. 8. The two codewords b_1 and b_2 are then mapped to their different respective layers (layer mapping in Fig. 8). The first codeword b_1 is mapped to layers x_1 and x_2 and the second codeword b_2 is mapped to layers x_3 and x_4. The first codeword b_1 associated with the first layers x_1 and x_2 is precoded in P_1 and the second codeword b_2 is precoded in P_2. H = is the aggregated

[0195] H2channel between the NN and the wireless devices (UE1 e <C2xMare the channels between each of the wireless devices and the NN. P1,P26 CMx2are the DL precoders selected by the first wireless device (UE 1 ) and / or the second wireless device (UE 2). Further, it may be defined that E = HP e <C4x4is the effective channel, where P = [Pi P2] gives the collaborative (such as aggregate or joint) precoder of the first wireless device and the second wireless device (UE1 and UE2).

[0196] The NN then transmits the codewords over the unicast DL channels to the first wireless device and the second wireless device. As may be seen in Fig. 8, the noise introduced in the channels is illustrated by the +. Although the noise signal is only connected to y_4 in the figure, there may be noise being applied to y_1 , y_2, y_3, and y_4. There may be four corresponding noise signals: noise 1 , noise 2, noise 3, and noise 4. In the figure, only noise 4 is shown. It may be appreciated that the noise signals may be assumed statistically independent from each other. The resulting signals are y_1 , y_2 to the first wireless device and y_3, y_4 to the second wireless device.

[0197] The first wireless device decodes the received symbols x_1 , x_2 and codeword b_1 to extract the first portion s_1 and the second wireless device decodes the received symbols x_3 and x_4 and codeword b_2 to extract the second DL data s_2 and the second portion s’_1 . The second wireless device may then transmit the second portion of the first DL data s’_1 to the first wireless device as z = si, e.g., via a direct link z between the first wireless device and the second wireless device. In other words, the NN performs, using the common resource element, the DL transmissions based on the requested codeword assignment. It may be appreciated that this scenario has some limitations. If the second wireless device would have sent a linear combination of its received signal component, for example z_1 = y_1 , to the first wireless device, the first wireless device would not be able to decode the content of z_1 = y_1. y_1 comprises information about both s’_1 and s_2 since they have been encoded in the same codeword. Therefore, in order to extract s’_1 , the first wireless device would have to decode s’_1 and s_2 to extract s’_1. However, the first wireless device would not have enough independent observations to decode s_1 , s’_1 , and s_2.

[0198] Fig. 9 illustrates an example scenario where an example technique as disclosed herein is applied. Fig. 9 illustrates a similar scenario as the example scenario of Fig. 8. It may be appreciated that the notation and references in Fig. 9 correspond to the notation of Fig. 8. The difference in the scenario of Fig. 9 is that the second portion of the first DL data s’_1 is encoded in a separate third codeword b_2. In other words, the first portion of the first DL data s_1 for the first wireless device is encoded in a first codeword b_1 , the second DL data s_2 for the second wireless device is encoded in a second codeword b_3, and the second portion of first DL data s’_1 for the second wireless device is encoded in a third codeword b_2 separate from the second codeword b_3. In one or more examples or embodiments, the second portion s’_1 , such as the third codeword, is modulated separately from the second codeword. In one or more examples or embodiments, the first codeword b_1 , the second codeword b_3, and the third codeword b_2 are modulated separately (d_1 , d_2, d_3) as illustrated in Fig. 9. The first codeword b_1 is mapped to layers x_1 and x_2, the second codeword b_3 is mapped to layer x_4, and the third codeword b_2 is mapped to layer x_3. In other words, the first codeword b_1 associated with the first layers x_1 and x_2 is precoded in P_1 and the third codeword b_2 and the second codeword b_3 are precoded in P_2.

[0199] The scenario of Fig. 9 provides additional flexibility compared to the scenario of Fig. 8. On one hand, the second wireless device (UE 2) can now choose to decode s’_1 and send it to the first wireless device (UE 1), i.e., by setting z = si, or it can send a linear combination of its received signals, e.g., by setting z_1=d~_2. The first wireless device and the second wireless device may need to agree on the content of the signal z_1. On the other hand, the second wireless device (UE 2) may request that data for the first wireless device (UE 1) and data for itself are encoded in separate codewords. For example, the second wireless device (UE 2) may select (e.g., based on an indication from the first wireless device, UE1 ) different modulations and coding schemes, depending on the degree of redundancy intended for each codeword. As a difference with known systems, the NN (such as L1) may have to accept two codewords, such as TBs, (given by s’_1 and s_2 in this example), although it would normally use just one (unless the combined amount of data offered by s’_1 and s_2 is large, and the second wireless device’s channel supports five or more layers, in which case two TBs may be possible). In one or more examples or embodiments, s_1 and s’_1 could be seen, from the perspective of the first wireless device (UE 1), as two different TBs as opposed to a single TB that is “shared” by two wireless devices (UEs), as represented here.

[0200] Fig. 10 illustrates an example scenario where an example technique as disclosed herein is applied. Fig. 10 illustrates a similar scenario as the example scenarios of Fig. 8 and Fig. 9. It may be appreciated that the notation and references in Fig. 10 correspond to the notation of Fig. 8 and Fig. 9.

[0201] The difference in the scenario of Fig. 10 is that the first DL data is encoded into a single codeword first codeword {b1, b'1) comprising a first portion b_1 and a second portion b’_1 . The second portion b’_1 of the first codeword is for the second wireless device. In other words, the second portion b’_1 of the first codeword is transmitted to the second wireless device. In one or more examples or embodiments, the second portion b’_1 of the first codeword is modulated separately from the second codeword and the first portion b_1 of the first codeword. Therefore, the second portion b’_1 , the first portion b_1 , and the second codeword b_2 are modulated separately (d_1 , d_2, d_3) as illustrated in Fig. 10. The first portion b_1 is mapped to layers x_1 and x_2, the second portion b’_1 is mapped to layer x_3, and the second codeword b_2 is mapped to layer x_4. In other words, the first portion b_1 associated with the first layers x_1 and x_2 is precoded in P_1 , the second portion b’_1 and the second codeword b_2 are precoded jointly in P_2.

[0202] It may be appreciated that the first portion b_1 and the second portion b’_1 of the first codeword may have to be decoded together. Thus, the second wireless device may transmit a linear combination of y_3 and y_4 to the first wireless device, e.g., such that zt= d2. This technique may be more flexible in that different modulations and coding schemes may be used for b’_1 b_2. It may be appreciated that the NN (such as L1) merely has to share a single codeword {*1^'1} between the wireless devices. This is an advantage compared to known systems, where this is not possible.

[0203] Examples of methods and products (network node and first wireless device) according to the disclosure are set out in the following items:

[0204] Item 1 . A method (100), performed by a network node, for assigning codewords to a first wireless device, wherein the codewords are to be used in a transmission associated with a certain number of layers, the method comprising: receiving (S106), from the first wireless device, an indication of a requested codeword assignment associated with a first number of layers; generating (S108) one or more codewords based on the requested codeword assignment; and transmitting (S110) the one or more codewords to the first wireless device based on the first number of layers.

[0205] Item 2. The method according to item 1 , the method comprising indicating (S102) to the first wireless device a codeword capability indicative of capabilities related to codeword assignments supported by the network node.

[0206] Item 3. The method according to any of the previous items, the method comprising receiving (S104), from the first wireless device, an indication of a capability of the first wireless device, wherein the capability is indicative of a capability of flexible codeword assignment.

[0207] Item 4. The method according to any of the previous items, wherein receiving (S106) an indication of a requested codeword assignment comprises receiving (S106A), from the first wireless device, a codeword assignment indication indicating one or more codeword assignment parameters, and wherein generating (S108) one or more codewords comprises generating (S108A) one or more codewords according to the one or more codeword assignment parameters.

[0208] Item 5. The method according to item 4, wherein the indication of a requested codeword assignment explicitly indicates codeword assignment parameters to be used or indicates how to obtain the codeword assignment parameters to be used.

[0209] Item 6. The method according to any of the previous items, wherein the indication of a requested codeword assignment indicates how the first number of layers are to be associated with one or more codewords to be used.

[0210] Item 7. The method according to any of the previous items, wherein the indication of a requested codeword assignment indicates a collaborative codeword assignment between the first wireless device and a second wireless device for unicast downlink, DL, transmissions from the network node to the first wireless device and the second wireless device in a common resource element, and wherein the method (100) comprises performing (S112), using the common resource element, the DL transmissions based on the requested codeword assignment.

[0211] Item 8. The method according to item 7, wherein receiving (S106) the requested codeword assignment indication comprises receiving (S106B) a message indicating that a second portion of first DL data associated with the first wireless device but carried by the second wireless device is to be encoded for the second wireless device in the same second codeword as the second DL data.

[0212] Item 9. The method according to item 7, wherein performing (S112) the DL transmissions comprises encoding (S112A) a first portion of the first DL data for the first wireless device in a first codeword, encoding (S112B) the second DL data for the second wireless device in a second codeword, and encoding (S112C) the second portion of first DL data for the second wireless device in a third codeword separate from the second codeword .

[0213] Item 10. The method according to item 7, wherein performing (S112) the DL transmissions comprises encoding (S112D) the first DL data in a first codeword comprising a first portion and a second portion, and wherein the second portion of the first codeword is for the second wireless device.

[0214] Item 11. The method according to item 10, wherein performing (S112) the DL transmissions comprises encoding (S112E) the second DL data for the second wireless device in a second codeword, and modulating (S112F) the second portion of the first codeword separately from the second codeword.

[0215] Item 12. A method (100A), performed by a network node, for enabling unicast downlink, DL, transmissions from the network node to a first wireless device and a second wireless device in a common resource element, the method comprising: receiving (S103), from the first wireless device and / or the second wireless device, an indication of a requested codeword assignment associated with a first number of layers and / or a second number of layers and indicating a collaborative codeword assignment between the first wireless device and the second wireless device for the unicast DL transmissions; performing (S112) the DL transmissions based on the codeword assignment indication.

[0216] Item 13. A method (200), performed by a first wireless device, for assigning codewords for the first wireless device, wherein the codewords are to be used in a transmission associated with a certain number of layers, the method comprising: transmitting (S206), to the network node, an indication of a requested codeword assignment associated with a first number of layers; and receiving (S210), from the network node, one or more codewords based on the requested codeword assignment.

[0217] Item 14. The method according to item 13, the method comprising receiving (S202), from the network node, an indication of a codeword capability indicative of capabilities related to codeword assignments supported by the network node.

[0218] Item 15. The method according to any of items 13-14, the method comprising indicating (S204), to the network node, a capability of the first wireless device, wherein the capability is indicative of a capability of flexible codeword assignment.

[0219] Item 16. The method according to any of items 13-15, the method comprising wherein transmitting (S206) an indication of a requested codeword assignment comprises transmitting (S206A), to the network node, a codeword assignment indication indicating one or more codeword assignment parameters.

[0220] Item 17. The method according to item 16, wherein the indication of a requested codeword assignment explicitly indicates codeword assignment parameters to be used or indicates how to obtain the codeword assignment parameters to be used. Item 18. The method according to any of items 13-17, wherein the indication of a requested codeword assignment indicates how the first number of layers are to be associated with one or more codewords to be used.

[0221] Item 19. The method according to any of items 13-18, wherein the indication of a requested codeword assignment indicates a collaborative codeword assignment between the first wireless device and a second wireless device for unicast downlink, DL, transmissions from the network node to a first wireless device and a second wireless device in a common resource element.

[0222] Item 20. The method according to any of items 13-19, the method comprising receiving (S212), from the network node via the unicast DL transmissions, DL data based on the requested codeword assignment.

[0223] Item 21. The method according to any of items 19-20, wherein transmitting (S206) an indication of a requested codeword assignment comprises transmitting (S206A), to the network node, a message indicating that a second portion of first DL data associated with the first wireless device but carried by the second wireless device is to be encoded for the second wireless device in the same second codeword as the second DL data.

[0224] Item 22. The method according to any of items 13-21 , the method comprising receiving (S208), from the network node, an indication of unicast DL transmissions in a common resource element.

[0225] Item 23. The method according to any of items 13-22, the method comprising decoding (S214) the one or more codewords in collaboration with the second wireless device.

[0226] Item 24. The method according to any of items 13-23, the method comprising receiving (S216), from the second wireless device via a direct link between the first wireless device and a second wireless device, a second portion of first DL data associated with the first wireless device but carried by the second wireless device.

[0227] Item 25. A network node comprising memory circuitry, processor circuitry, and a wireless interface, wherein the network node is configured to perform any of the methods according to any of items 1-12.

[0228] Item 26. A first wireless device comprising memory circuitry, processor circuitry, and a wireless interface, wherein the wireless device is configured to perform any of the methods according to any of items 13-24. The use of the terms “first”, “second”, “third” and “fourth”, “primary”, “secondary”, “tertiary” etc. does not imply any particular order, but are included to identify individual elements. Moreover, the use of the terms “first”, “second”, “third” and “fourth”, “primary”, “secondary”, “tertiary” etc. does not denote any order or importance, but rather the terms “first”, “second”, “third” and “fourth”, “primary”, “secondary”, “tertiary” etc. are used to distinguish one element from another. Note that the words “first”, “second”, “third” and “fourth”, “primary”, “secondary”, “tertiary” etc. are used here and elsewhere for labelling purposes only and are not intended to denote any specific spatial or temporal ordering. Furthermore, the labelling of a first element does not imply the presence of a second element and vice versa.

[0229] It may be appreciated that the figures comprise some circuitries or operations which are illustrated with a solid line and some circuitries, components, features, or operations which are illustrated with a dashed line. Circuitries or operations which are comprised in a solid line are circuitries, components, features or operations which are comprised in the broadest example. Circuitries, components, features, or operations which are comprised in a dashed line are examples which may be comprised in, or a part of, or are further circuitries, components, features, or operations which may be taken in addition to circuitries, components, features, or operations of the solid line examples. It should be appreciated that these operations need not be performed in order presented. Furthermore, it should be appreciated that not all of the operations need to be performed. The example operations may be performed in any order and in any combination. It should be appreciated that these operations need not be performed in order presented. Circuitries, components, features, or operations which are comprised in a dashed line may be considered optional.

[0230] Other operations that are not described herein can be incorporated in the example operations. For example, one or more additional operations can be performed before, after, simultaneously, or between any of the described operations.

[0231] Certain features discussed above as separate implementations can also be implemented in combination as a single implementation. Conversely, features described as a single implementation can also be implemented in multiple implementations separately or in any suitable sub-combination. Moreover, although features may be described above as acting in certain combinations, one or more features from a claimed combination can, in some cases, be excised from the combination, and the combination may be claimed as any sub-combination or variation of any sub-combination.

[0232] It is to be noted that the word "comprising" does not necessarily exclude the presence of other elements or steps than those listed.

[0233] It is to be noted that the words "a" or "an" preceding an element do not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. It is to be noted that the term "indicative of may be seen as “associated with”, “related to”, “descriptive of’, “characterizing”, and / or “defining”. The terms “indicative of”, “associated with”, “related to”, “descriptive of’, “characterizing”, and “defining” can be used interchangeably. The term “indicative of” can be seen as indicating a relation. For example, weight data indicative of weight may comprise one or more weight parameters.

[0234] It is to be noted that the word "based on" may be seen as “as a function of” and / or “derived from”. The terms “based on” and “as a function of’ can be used interchangeably. For example, a parameter determined “based on” a data set can be seen as a parameter determined “as a function of” the data set. In other words, the parameter may be an output of one or more functions with the data set as an input.

[0235] A function may be characterizing a relation between an input and an output, such as mathematical relation, a database relation, a hardware relation, logical relation, and / or other suitable relations.

[0236] It should further be noted that any reference signs do not limit the scope of the claims, that the examples may be implemented at least in part by means of both hardware and software, and that several "means", "units" or "devices" may be represented by the same item of hardware.

[0237] The various example methods, devices, nodes and systems described herein are described in the general context of method steps or processes, which may be implemented in one aspect by a computer program product, embodied in a computer-readable medium, including computerexecutable instructions, such as program code, executed by computers in networked environments. A computer-readable medium 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 (DVD), etc. Generally, program circuitries may include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc. that perform specified tasks or implement specific abstract data types. Computer-executable instructions, associated data structures, and program circuitries 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.

[0238] Although features have been shown and described, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the claimed disclosure, and it will be made obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the claimed disclosure. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than restrictive sense. The claimed disclosure is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents.

Claims

CLAIMS1 . A method (100), performed by a network node, for assigning codewords to a first wireless device, wherein the codewords are to be used in a transmission associated with a certain number of layers, the method comprising: receiving (S106), from the first wireless device, an indication of a requested codeword assignment associated with a first number of layers; generating (S108) one or more codewords based on the requested codeword assignment; and transmitting (S110) the one or more codewords to the first wireless device based on the first number of layers.

2. The method according to claim 1 , the method comprising indicating (S102) to the first wireless device a codeword capability indicative of capabilities related to codeword assignments supported by the network node.

3. The method according to any of the previous claims, the method comprising receiving (S104), from the first wireless device, an indication of a capability of the first wireless device, wherein the capability is indicative of a capability of flexible codeword assignment.

4. The method according to any of the previous claims, wherein receiving (S106) an indication of a requested codeword assignment comprises receiving (S106A), from the first wireless device, a codeword assignment indication indicating one or more codeword assignment parameters, and wherein generating (S108) one or more codewords comprises generating (S108A) one or more codewords according to the one or more codeword assignment parameters, and / or wherein the indication of a requested codeword assignment explicitly indicates codeword assignment parameters to be used or indicates how to obtain the codeword assignment parameters to be used.

5. The method according to any of the previous claims, wherein the indication of a requested codeword assignment indicates how the first number of layers are to be associated with one or more codewords to be used.

6. The method according to any of the previous claims, wherein the indication of a requested codeword assignment indicates a collaborative codeword assignment between the first wireless device and a second wireless device for unicast downlink, DL, transmissions from the network node to the first wireless device and the second wireless device in a common resource element, and wherein the method (100) comprises performing (S112), using the common resource element, the DL transmissions based on the requested codeword assignment.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein receiving (S106) the requested codeword assignment indication comprises receiving (S106B) a message indicating that a second portion of first DL data associated with the first wireless device but carried by the second wireless device is to be encoded for the second wireless device in the same second codeword as the second DL data.

8. The method according to claim 6, wherein performing (S112) the DL transmissions comprises encoding (S112A) a first portion of the first DL data for the first wireless device in a first codeword, encoding (S112B) the second DL data for the second wireless device in a second codeword, and encoding (S112C) the second portion of first DL data for the second wireless device in a third codeword separate from the second codeword .

9. The method according to claim 6, wherein performing (S112) the DL transmissions comprises encoding (S112D) the first DL data in a first codeword comprising a first portion and a second portion, and wherein the second portion of the first codeword is for the second wireless device, and wherein performing (S112) the DL transmissions comprises encoding (S112E) the second DL data for the second wireless device in a second codeword, and modulating (S112F) the second portion of the first codeword separately from the second codeword.

10. A method (100A), performed by a network node, for enabling unicast downlink, DL, transmissions from the network node to a first wireless device and a second wireless device in a common resource element, the method comprising: receiving (S103), from the first wireless device and / or the second wireless device, an indication of a requested codeword assignment associated with a first number oflayers and / or a second number of layers and indicating a collaborative codeword assignment between the first wireless device and the second wireless device for the unicast DL transmissions; performing (S112) the DL transmissions based on the codeword assignment indication.11 . A method (200), performed by a first wireless device, for assigning codewords for the first wireless device, wherein the codewords are to be used in a transmission associated with a certain number of layers, the method comprising: transmitting (S206), to the network node, an indication of a requested codeword assignment associated with a first number of layers; and receiving (S210), from the network node, one or more codewords based on the requested codeword assignment.

12. The method according to claim 11 , the method comprising receiving (S202), from the network node, an indication of a codeword capability indicative of capabilities related to codeword assignments supported by the network node.

13. The method according to any of claims 11-12, the method comprising indicating (S204), to the network node, a capability of the first wireless device, wherein the capability is indicative of a capability of flexible codeword assignment.

14. The method according to any of claims 11-13, the method comprising wherein transmitting (S206) an indication of a requested codeword assignment comprises transmitting (S206A), to the network node, a codeword assignment indication indicating one or more codeword assignment parameters.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the indication of a requested codeword assignment explicitly indicates codeword assignment parameters to be used or indicates how to obtain the codeword assignment parameters to be used; and / or wherein the indication of a requested codeword assignment indicates how the first number of layers are to be associated with one or more codewords to be used.

16. The method according to any of claims 11-15, wherein the indication of a requested codeword assignment indicates a collaborative codeword assignment between the first wireless device and a second wireless device for unicast downlink, DL, transmissions from the network node to a first wireless device and a second wireless device in a common resource element.

17. The method according to any of claims 11-16, the method comprising receiving (S212), from the network node via the unicast DL transmissions, DL data based on the requested codeword assignment.

18. The method according to any of claims 16-17, wherein transmitting (S206) an indication of a requested codeword assignment comprises transmitting (S206A), to the network node, a message indicating that a second portion of first DL data associated with the first wireless device but carried by the second wireless device is to be encoded for the second wireless device in the same second codeword as the second DL data.

19. The method according to any of claims 11-18, the method comprising receiving (S208), from the network node, an indication of unicast DL transmissions in a common resource element.

20. The method according to any of claims 11-19, the method comprising decoding (S214) the one or more codewords in collaboration with the second wireless device; and / or receiving (S216), from the second wireless device via a direct link between the first wireless device and a second wireless device, a second portion of first DL data associated with the first wireless device but carried by the second wireless device.

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