Determining transmission power of an uplink transmission

Abstract

Devices, methods and computer programs for enabling determining a transmission power of at least one uplink transmission. At least some example embodiments may allow enabling, in response to a power control condition being met, to determine the transmission power of the at least one uplink transmission.

Description

[0001] DETERMINING TRANSMISSION POWER OF AN UPLINK TRANSMISSION

[0002] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0003] This application claims the benefit of Fl application No.20245483, filed April 16, 2024. The content of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

[0004] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0005] The disclosure relates generally to communications and, more particularly but not exclusively, to determining a transmission power of an uplink transmission.

[0006] BACKGROUND

[0007] Uplink transmission power from a terminal device, such as user equipment, UE, to an access node (e.g., gNb in 5G) may be based on open-loop power control, such as fractional path-loss compensation, where the UE estimates the uplink path-loss based on downlink measurements and sets the transmit power accordingly. Alternatively, or in combination with the open-loop power control, uplink transmission power may be further based on closed-loop power control based on explicit transmit powercontrol (TPC) commands provided by network.

[0008] The terminal device may determine, for example, PUSCH (Physical Uplink Shared Channel) transmission power, PPUSCH by closed-loop parameters such as power control adjustment state or TPC command, and open-loop parameters such as path loss reference and the parameter that defines target power level at base station, PO_PUSCH.

[0009] PC PUSCH may be split into two terms, PO_NOMINAL_PUSCH, which is used by all the UEs in the cell and PO_UE_PUSCH, which is specifically dedicated to the UE.

[0010] For different uplink channels different target power level parameters Po are configured, for example, the parameter of sounding reference signal, SRS, is PO_SRS and the parameter of physical uplink control channel, PUCCH, is PO_PUCCH.

[0011] Setting the value of an Po parameter may determine the SINR (Signal to Interference and Noise Ratio) and consequently the link quality of the connection between the UE and a network node. A high Po parameter value is desired for best throughput performance at the cost of higher interference to neighbour cells.

[0012] Currently, Closed Loop Power Control, CLPC policies may be used to control the uplink transmission power by, for example, allocating a low PO_NOMINAL_PUSCH and using the CLPC to increment transmission power of only the UE’s that are expected to stay longer in a cell and keeping any UE with lower expected traffic at lower power level.

[0013] The power adjustment using these methods may be slow, as it requires multiple TPC command steps to get a UE with high traffic to a desired output power level, possibly at a cost of performance. BRIEF SUMMARY

[0014] The scope of protection sought for various example embodiments of the invention is set out by the independent claims. The example embodiments and features, if any, described in this specification that do not fall under the scope of the independent claims are to be interpreted as examples useful for understanding various example embodiments of the invention.

[0015] It is an object of the invention to at least allow a user device and a network node device to enable determination of a transmission power of at least one uplink transmission by determining if at least one power control condition is met, and in response if the at least one power control condition is met, adjust at least one power control parameter, such as a power offset value added to an overhead power value.

[0016] According to a first aspect, a terminal device is disclosed. The terminal device comprises: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the terminal device to at least: obtain, from a network node device, power control configuration information comprising at least one power control parameter and at least one associated power control condition; and determine, in response to one or more of the at least one associated power control condition being met, a transmission power of at least one uplink transmission based on, at least partially, one or more of the at least one power control parameter.

[0017] In an implementation form of the first aspect, the at least one power control parameter may comprise at least one power offset value, wherein the at least one power offset value indicates at least one amount of adjustment for the transmission power of the at least one uplink transmission.

[0018] In an implementation form of the first aspect, the at least one power control parameters may further comprise at least one of: one or more thresholds; one or more ranges; or one or more reference power values.

[0019] In an implementation form of the first aspect the at least one power control parameter may further comprise time control information on the determining of the transmission power of the at least one uplink transmission.

[0020] In an implementation form of the first aspect, the transmission power of the at least one uplink transmission is determined for a time period comprised in the time control information.

[0021] In an implementation form of the first aspect, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the terminal device at least to adjust, at least once, the determined transmission power of the at least one uplink transmission within a time period comprised in the time control information.

[0022] In an implementation form of the first aspect the at least one power control condition may be associated with at least one of: one or more data buffer status values; one or more channel state information values; one or more downlink channel quality indicator values; one or more downlink signal to noise ratios; or one or more path loss values.

[0023] In an implementation form of the first aspect, the at least one power control condition may comprise at least one of: the one or more data buffer status values being at least one of: above or below a first threshold or within a first range; the one or more channel state information values being at least one of: above or below a second threshold or within a second range; the one or more downlink channel quality indicator values being at least one of: above or below a third threshold or within a third range; the one or more downlink signal to noise ratios being at least one of: above or below a fourth threshold or within a fourth range; or the one or more path loss values being at least one of: above or below a fifth threshold or within a fifth range.

[0024] In an implementation form of the first aspect the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, may further cause the terminal device at least to provide information on the at least one uplink transmission to the network node device.

[0025] According to a second aspect, a method is disclosed. The method comprises: obtaining, by a terminal device from a network node device, power control configuration information comprising at least one power control parameter and at least one associated power control condition; and determining, by the terminal device, in response to one or more of the at least one associated power control condition being met, a transmission power of at least one uplink transmission based on, at least partially, one or more of the at least one power control parameter.

[0026] According to a third aspect, an apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus comprises means for carrying out the method according to the second aspect.

[0027] According to a fourth aspect, a computer program is disclosed. The computer program comprises instructions for causing a terminal device to perform at least the following: obtaining, from a network node device, power control configuration information comprising at least one power control parameter and at least one associated power control condition; and determining, in response to one or more of the at least one associated power control condition being met, a transmission power of at least one uplink transmission based on, at least partially, one or more of the at least one power control parameter.

[0028] According to a fifth aspect, a network node device is disclosed. The network node device comprises: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the network node device to at least: transmit power control configuration information to a terminal device, the power control configuration information comprising at least one power control parameter and at least one associated power control condition, and the power control configuration information being for use by the terminal device to identify an uplink transmission power of at least one uplink transmission; and receive at least one uplink transmission from the terminal device, wherein the at least one uplink transmission has a transmission power that is at least partially based on one or more of the at least one power control parameter.

[0029] According to a sixth aspect, a method is disclosed. The method comprises: transmitting, by a network node device, power control configuration information to a terminal device, the power control configuration information comprising at least one power control parameter and at least one associated power control condition, and the power control configuration information being for use by the terminal device to identify an uplink transmission power of at least one uplink transmission; and receiving, by the network node device, at least one uplink transmission from the terminal device, wherein the at least one uplink transmission has a transmission power that is at least partially based on one or more of the at least one power control parameter.

[0030] According to a seventh aspect, an apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus comprises means for carrying out the method according to the sixth aspect.

[0031] According to an eight aspect, a computer program is disclosed. The computer program comprises instructions for causing a network node device to perform at least the following: transmitting power control configuration information to a terminal device, the power control configuration information comprising at least one power control parameter and at least one associated power control condition; wherein the power control configuration information is for use by the terminal device to identify an uplink transmission power of at least one uplink transmission; and receiving at least one uplink transmission from the terminal device, wherein the at least one uplink transmission comprises a transmission power that is at least partially based on one or more of the at least one power control parameter.

[0032] DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the embodiments and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments and together with the description help to explain the principles of the embodiments. In the drawings:

[0034] FIG. 1 shows an example embodiment of the subject matter described herein illustrating an example system, where various embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented;

[0035] FIG. 2A shows an example embodiment of the subject matter described herein illustrating a terminal device;

[0036] FIG. 2B shows an example embodiment of the subject matter described herein illustrating a network node device;

[0037] FIG. 3A shows an example embodiment of the subject matter described herein illustrating a signalling diagram between a network node device and a terminal device;

[0038] FIG. 3B shows an example embodiment of the subject matter described herein illustrating a signalling diagram between a network node device and a terminal device; FIG. 4A shows an example embodiment of the subject matter described herein illustrating a method for a terminal device; and

[0039] FIG. 4B shows an example embodiment of the subject matter described herein illustrating a method for a network node device.

[0040] Like reference numerals are used to designate like parts in the accompanying drawings.

[0041] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The detailed description provided below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of the present examples and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the present example may be constructed or utilized. The description sets forth the functions of the example and the sequence of steps for constructing and operating the example. However, the same or equivalent functions and sequences may be accomplished by different examples.

[0043] Fig. 1 illustrates example system 100, where various embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented. System 100 illustrates three terminal devices 200A.B C and a network node device 220. At least one of terminal devices 200A, B.C may be in a process of an uplink transmission from terminal device 200 to network node device 220. Network node device 220 may comprise, for example, a base station. The base station may include, e.g., any device suitable for providing an air interface for user devices to connect to a wireless network via wireless transmissions.

[0044] Terminal device 200A. B.C may comprise, e.g., a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet computer, a smart watch, or any hand-held, portable and / or wearable device. Terminal device 200A.B.C may also be referred to as a user equipment (UE) or user device.

[0045] In Fig. 1 , each uplink transmission comprises a power of the uplink transmission, PUPLINK.ABC. It is of importance to properly adjust the transmission power for each of terminal devices 200A.B.C, as not to increase interference between terminal devices 200A.B.C, and to achieve best possible throughput performance.

[0046] An uplink transmission, wherein various example embodiments may be enabled in may comprise, for example, Physical Uplink Shared Channel, PUSCH, transmission. It will be noted that while various example embodiments refer to PUSCH transmission for the sake of clarity of the description, an uplink transmission, wherein various example embodiments may be enabled in may further comprise, for example, Sounding Reference Signal, SRS, transmission or a Physical Uplink Control channel, PUCCH, transmission.

[0047] Existing PUSCH power control may be based on a combination of open-loop power control, OLPC, parameters and closed-loop power control, CLPC, parameters. OLPC parameters may comprise path loss compensation, for example.

[0048] Some of the CLPC parameters may comprise, for example, closed-loop index, also known as PC adjustment state, and TPC command (TPC, Transmit power control). TPC command may be carried in a downlink control information, DCI, scheduling a PUSCH transmission. Some of the OLPC parameters may comprise, for example, path loss reference, RS, target received power at base station, Po, an alpha value for partial or full path loss compensation and a power adjustment component, DELTA_TF. DELTA_TF models how required received power varies when the number of information bits per resource element changes due to different modulation schemes and channel-coding rates.

[0049] Po may be split into two terms, PO_NOMINAL_PUSCH and PO_UE_PUSCH as per 3GPP specifications. The latter term, PO_UE_PUSCH, which is dedicated specifically to a singular terminal device 200, was introduced for a possibility to correct any systematic errors made by the specific terminal device 200. PO_UE_PUSCH may be, for example, a fixed value based on an associated operation and management, OAM, parameter.

[0050] Furthermore, TS 38.213 and TS 38.212 may comprise information relevant to determining power of an uplink transmission.

[0051] In the following, various example embodiments will be discussed. At least some of these example embodiments described herein may allow enabling determination of a transmission power of at least one uplink transmission, at least partially, in response, to a power control configuration information from a network node device to a terminal device. The power control configuration information may comprise at least one power control parameter indicating, for example, a specific part of the transmission power of the at least one uplink transmission to be controlled. Furthermore, various example embodiments may enable improving latency according to traffic requirements by a user device or to improve performance by determining uplink power values based on different terminal device requirements.

[0052] It is to be noted that some example embodiments may refer to “determining, a transmission power of at least one uplink transmission based on, at least partially, the at least one power control parameter”. By ‘at least partially’, it is indicated that the transmission power of the at least one uplink transmission may not be fully determined based on the at least one power control condition, as technical specification(s) may define parameters that may not be, at least directly, affected.

[0053] The at least one power control parameter may comprise, for example, one or more thresholds, one or more ranges or one or more reference power values.

[0054] In some embodiments, the power control configuration information may further comprise at least one power control condition. The at least one power control condition may be associated with one or more of the at least one power control parameter.

[0055] For example, the at least one power control condition may comprise a performance parameter related to the at least one uplink transmission such as a data buffer status value and / or a data buffer status threshold value, a downlink channel quality indicator, or the like. Each of the one or more at least one power control condition may then indicate to, when one or more of the at least one condition is met, one or more of the at least one power control parameter.

[0056] At least some of the embodiments may enable a terminal device to determine a transmission power of at least one uplink transmission, based on, at least partially, one or more of the at least one power control parameter. For example, when one or more of the at least one condition is associated with a data buffer status value (e.g., how much data the UE has to send to the base station), the network node device may provide a list of data buffer status threshold values to the terminal device, such that the terminal device may inspect the current status of the data buffer and compare it to the list of data buffer status threshold values. If a threshold value in the list of data buffer status threshold values is met, the terminal device may determine a transmission power of at least one uplink transmission, at least partially, based on at least one power control parameter comprised in the power control configuration information due to the association.

[0057] In other words, a list of data buffer status values and / or data buffer status threshold values may be provided by network to a terminal device, via, for example, a downlink transmission. The at least one power control condition may comprise, for example, the data buffer status value being above or below a first threshold. The first threshold may refer to any threshold chosen by a network / an operator, etc. that corresponds to a buffer status value.

[0058] In general, the at least one power control condition and the at least one power control parameter are, at least partially, associated. For example, if the at least one power control parameter comprises a power offset value or a direct power control parameter, at least one or more of the at least one power control condition is associated with one or more of the at least power control parameters. E.g., if the network node device provides a list of threshold values, each threshold value may be associated with a power offset value.

[0059] In other words, if a terminal device determines that a condition from the list of threshold values is satisfied, the satisfied condition indicates to a power offset value (or a direct output power control value, or the like) to be applied to the transmission power of the at least one uplink transmission.

[0060] Furthermore, at least some of the example embodiments described herein may allow an introduction of a new power control offset parameter, Po_offset. Po.offset may be a value that is added to a PO_UE_PUSCH value. Po.offset may be a positive value or a negative value, depending on if a decrement or an increment in power is determined.

[0061] In other words, the power offset value indicates at least one amount of adjustment for the transmission power of the at least one uplink transmission.

[0062] The power offset may be referred to as a power offset value in the description.

[0063] In some embodiments, terminal device may adjust the determined transmission power of the at least one uplink transmission. “Adjusting the determined transmission power of the at least one uplink transmission”, may comprise, for example, applying an incremental or a decremental step.

[0064] In some example embodiments, network may provide terminal device time control information on the determining of the transmission power of the at least one uplink transmission. For example, a transmission power of an uplink transmission may be determined for a time period comprised in the time control information. In other words, at least some of the example embodiments described herein may allow inhibiting a decrement and / or an increment of the Po.offset or power of an uplink transmission for a determined amount of time, via for example, the time control information comprised in the power control configuration information, even if one or more of the at least one associated power control condition is met.

[0065] In another example, a terminal device may adjust, at least once, the determined transmission power of the at least one uplink transmission within a time period comprised in the time control information.

[0066] In other words, the above example embodiment enables one or more adjustments to the determined transmission power value, within a time period. The at least one adjustment may be enabled to be, for example, only incremental adjustments, and decremental adjustments may be discarded (or vice versa), even if one or more of the at least one associated power control condition is met.

[0067] Time control information may be implemented by, for example, comprising one or more timers. The one or more timers may comprise instructions that may, or may not, inhibit any decremental adjustments to the Po.offset during a time period defined by the one or more timers. In an example, incremental and / or decremental steps may, or may not be, allowed to be applied to the Po.offset during the time period. Some embodiments may inhibit incremental steps and allow decremental steps.

[0068] Furthermore, at least some of the example embodiments described herein may allow providing, by a network node device to a terminal device, a table of data buffer status values, that corresponds to a given Po.offset, or a PO_UE_PUSCH / Po.offset value pair, or directly to a PO_UE_PUSCH value. For example, if a data buffer that a user device is about to send to a network node device, is of a size that corresponds to a value in the table of data buffer status values, a Po_uE_puscH / Po_0ffset value pair may be chosen during the uplink transmission of the data buffer that the user device is about to send to the network node device.

[0069] Furthermore, at least some of the example embodiments described herein may utilize channel state information as a condition for determining the transmission power of the at least one uplink transmission. For example, when an instantaneous channel state information is known, such as a CQI value (e.g., as defined in technical specification TS 38.214), it can be used as a condition that if a certain CQI value is achieved, the transmission power of the at least one uplink transmission may be reduced to prevent interference to other terminal devices operating in a different cell (s) .

[0070] Fig. 2A is a block diagram of terminal device 200, in accordance with an example embodiment.

[0071] Terminal device 200 comprises one or more processors 202 and one or more memories 204 that comprise computer program code. Terminal device 200 may also include other elements, such as transceiver 206 configured to enable terminal device 200 to transmit and / or receive information to / from other devices, as well as other elements not shown in Fig. 2A. In one example, terminal device 200 may use transceiver 206 to transmit or receive signalling information and data in accordance with at least one cellular communication protocol. Transceiver 206 may be configured to provide at least one wireless radio connection, such as for example a 3GPP mobile broadband connection (e.g., 5G or 6G). Transceiver 206 may comprise, or be configured to be coupled to, at least one antenna to transmit and / or receive radio frequency signals.

[0072] Although terminal device 200 is depicted to include only one processor 202, terminal device 200 may include more processors. In an embodiment, memory 204 is capable of storing instructions, such as an operating system and / or various applications. Furthermore, memory 204 may include a storage that may be used to store, e.g., at least some of the information and data used in the disclosed embodiments.

[0073] Furthermore, processor 202 is capable of executing the stored instructions. In an embodiment, processor 202 may be embodied as a multi-core processor, a single core processor, or a combination of one or more multi-core processors and one or more single core processors. For example, processor 202 may be embodied as one or more of various processing devices, such as a coprocessor, a microprocessor, a controller, a digital signal processor (DSP), a processing circuitry with or without an accompanying DSP, or various other processing devices including integrated circuits such as, for example, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a microcontroller unit (MCU), a hardware accelerator, a special-purpose computer chip, a neural network (NN) chip, an artificial intelligence (Al) accelerator, a tensor processing unit (TPU), a neural processing unit (NPU), or the like. In an embodiment, processor 202 may be configured to execute hard-coded functionality. In an embodiment, processor 202 is embodied as an executor of software instructions, wherein the instructions may specifically configure processor 202 to perform the algorithms and / or operations described herein when the instructions are executed.

[0074] Memory 204 may be embodied as one or more volatile memory devices, one or more nonvolatile memory devices, and / or a combination of one or more volatile memory devices and non-volatile memory devices. For example, memory 204 may be embodied as semiconductor memories (such as mask ROM, PROM (programmable ROM), EPROM (erasable PROM), flash ROM, RAM (random access memory), etc.).

[0075] Terminal device 200 may comprise any of various types of devices used directly by an end user entity and capable of communication in a wireless network, such as a user equipment (UE). Such devices include but are not limited to smartphones, tablet computers, smart watches, lap top computers, internet-of-things (loT) devices, massive machine-to-machine (M2M) devices, massive machine type communications (mMTC) devices, industrial internet-of-things (lloT) devices, enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) devices, ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC) devices, relay nodes (such as integrated access and backhaul nodes) configured to facilitate backhaul connections, and / or devices mounted in vehicles, etc.

[0076] When executed by at least one processor 202, instructions stored in at least one memory 204 causes terminal device 200 at least to obtain, from network node device 220, power control configuration information. The power control configuration information may comprise at least one power control parameter and at least one associated power control condition. For example, the network node device may provide the power control configuration information by a medium access control, MAC, control element. In other embodiments, the network node device may provide the power control configuration information by a downlink control information, DCI. Alternatively, in other embodiments, the network node device may provide the power control configuration information by a radio resource control, RRC, message.

[0077] One or more of the at least one power control condition comprises an association with one or more of the at least one power control parameter. For example, the at least one associated power control condition may comprise an indication (e.g., an index) to a table of power control parameter values, when the at least one condition is satisfied.

[0078] In an example embodiment, the at least one power control parameter may comprise a mapping rule. The mapping rule may comprise, for example, associations between one or more of the at least one power control condition and one or more of the at least one power control parameter.

[0079] In other words, the mapping rule may comprise, for example, a table (i.e., a matrix) wherein a first column may comprise power offset values or power values, in d B, for example. A second column may comprise threshold values of one of the at least one condition and a third column may comprise threshold values of other of the at least one condition and so forth. I.e., the mapping rule may comprise one or more of the associated at least one power control condition (the threshold values) and one or more of the power control parameters (power values).

[0080] The instructions, when executed by at least one processor 202, further cause terminal device 200 at least to determine, in response to one or more of the at least one power control condition being met, a transmission power of at least one uplink transmission based on, at least partially, one or more of the at least one power control parameter.

[0081] For example, in some embodiments, the at least one power control parameter may comprise at least one power offset value, Po_offset. In other embodiments, the at least one power offset value may comprise, for example, a Po_uE_puscH / Po_offset value pair or a list of Po_uE_puscH / Po_0ffset value pairs (i.e., an array of value pairs). Each of these example values may be modifiable by terminal device 200 before or during transmission(s), and applied to the transmission power of the at least one uplink transmission.

[0082] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the at least one power control parameter may further comprise one or more reference power values. For example, when one or more of the at least one condition is satisfied, terminal device 200 may execute a search algorithm that associates the at least one condition to a reference power value in a list (or a table, matrix, etc.) and terminal device 200 may apply this reference power value associated with the satisfied condition to the transmission power of the at least one uplink transmission.

[0083] The at least one associated power control condition may be associated with, for example, one or more data buffer status values, one or more channel state information values, one or more downlink channel quality indicator values, one or more downlink signal to noise ratios, and / or one or more path loss values. In reference to the previous paragraph, examples of the at least one power control condition may comprise, for example, the one or more data buffer status values being above or below the first threshold, the one or more channel state information values being above or below a second threshold, the one or more downlink channel quality indicator (DL CQI) values being above or below a third threshold, the one or more downlink signal to noise ratios being above or below a fourth threshold, and / or the one or more path loss values being above or below a fifth threshold.

[0084] Alternatively, or in addition to the above example, the at least one power control condition may comprise, for example, the one or more data buffer status values being within a first range, the one or more channel state information values being within a second range, the one or more DL CQI values being within a third range, the one or more downlink signal to noise ratios being within a fourth range, and / or the one or more path loss values being within a fifth range.

[0085] In other words, the at least one power control condition may be associated with at least one of: one or more data buffer status values, one or more channel state information values, one or more downlink channel quality indicator values, one or more downlink signal to noise ratios, or one or more path loss values.

[0086] The at least one condition may be evaluated by terminal device 200 during execution. I.e., the at least one condition may be determined to be met by terminal device 200.

[0087] In some example embodiments, network node device 220 may provide terminal device 200, time control information on the determining of the transmission power of the at least one uplink transmission.

[0088] For example, a transmission power of a first of the at least one uplink transmission may be determined for a first time period comprised in the time control information and a transmission power of a second of the at least one uplink transmission may be determined for a second time period.

[0089] In another example, terminal device 200 may adjust, at least once, the determined transmission power of the at least one uplink transmission within a third time period comprised in the time control information.

[0090] In other words, the above example embodiment enables one or more adjustments to the determined transmission power value, within a time period comprised in the time control information. The at least one adjustment may be enabled to be, for example, only incremental adjustments, and decremental adjustments may be discarded (or vice versa), even if one or more of the at least one associated power control condition is met.

[0091] Furthermore, as an example, any incremental steps to the transmission power of the at least one uplink transmission may be applied to a first uplink transmission, but any decremental step may be delayed during one or more several consecutive uplink transmissions after the first uplink transmission, even if one or more of the at least one condition is determined to be satisfied.

[0092] Terminal device 200 may be provided, by network node device 200, for example, a list of data buffer status (threshold) values, that correspond to a PO_UE_PUSCH / Po.offset value pair in a list of PO_UE_PUSCH / Po.offset value pairs, and the at least one condition comprises a check on a size of a data buffer (e.g., a data buffer that is prepared to be send to the network) and comparing the size of the data buffer to a value on the list of data buffer status (threshold) values. In other words, the at least one power control parameter may comprise a list of PO_UE_PUSCH / Po.offset value pairs, a list of PO_UE_PUSCH values or a list of Po_offset values, each of which may be associated with one or more of the at least one power control condition.

[0093] To summarize the above example, when terminal device 200 obtains a data buffer status value (e.g., an amount of current data buffer), the data buffer status value is compared to the list of data buffer (threshold) values that indicate a desired transmission power level for transmitting the data buffer.

[0094] In an embodiment of terminal device 200, the transmission power of the at least one uplink transmission is determined for a time period comprised in the time control information.

[0095] In an embodiment of terminal device 200, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor 202, further cause terminal device 200 at least to adjust, at least once, the determined transmission power of the at least one uplink transmission within a time period comprised in the time control information.

[0096] For example, increments to transmission power of uplink transmissions may be applied, when determining the transmission power of the at least one uplink transmission, but in contrast, decrements may be inhibited to the determining the transmission power of uplink transmissions during a predefined time period, even if the at least one condition is met. In other words, the time control information may inhibit, during the time period, adjusting the transmission power to either a higher value (increment) or a lower value (decrement), even if one or more of the at least associated power control condition is met. More detailed examples of these example embodiments are described in reference to Fig. 3A and Fig. 3B.

[0097] In an embodiment of terminal device 200, when executed by at least one processor 202, further cause terminal device 200 at least to provide information on the at least one uplink transmission to, for example, network node device 220.

[0098] For example, information on the at least one uplink transmission may comprise a value of the determined transmission power of the at least one uplink transmission to network node device 220. The value of the determined transmission power of the at least one uplink transmission may be used by network node device 200 to monitor, for example, different terminal devices connected to the cell, or to help manage traffic better by choosing to transmit different power control conditions to different UE’s than terminal device 200 operating in the cell.

[0099] In other example embodiment, information on the at least one uplink transmission may comprise an indication to at least one adjustment to the transmission power of the at least one uplink transmission. For example, network node device 220 may use an indication to an increment or decrement (i.e., an adjustment) for its own internal algorithms (typically CLPC and / or ULLA).

[0100] Fig. 2B is a block diagram of network node device 220, in accordance with an example embodiment. Network node device 220 comprises one or more processors 222 and one or more memories 224 that comprise computer program code. Network node device 220 may also include other elements, such as transceiver 226 configured to enable network node device 220 to transmit and / or receive information to / from other devices, as well as other elements not shown in Fig. 2B. In one example, network node device 220 may use transceiver 226 to transmit or receive signalling information and data in accordance with at least one cellular communication protocol. Transceiver 226 may be configured to provide at least one wireless radio connection, such as for example a 3GPP mobile broadband connection (e.g., 5G advanced or beyond). Transceiver 226 may comprise, or be configured to be coupled to, at least one antenna to transmit and / or receive radio frequency signals.

[0101] Although network node device 220 is depicted to include only one processor 222, network node device 220 may include more processors. In an embodiment, memory 224 is capable of storing instructions, such as an operating system and / or various applications. Furthermore, memory 224 may include a storage that may be used to store, e.g., at least some of the information and data used in the disclosed embodiments.

[0102] Furthermore, processor 222 is capable of executing the stored instructions. In an embodiment, processor 222 may be embodied as a multi-core processor, a single core processor, or a combination of one or more multi-core processors and one or more single core processors. For example, processor 222 may be embodied as one or more of various processing devices, such as a coprocessor, a microprocessor, a controller, a digital signal processor (DSP), a processing circuitry with or without an accompanying DSP, or various other processing devices including integrated circuits such as, for example, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a microcontroller unit (MCU), a hardware accelerator, a special-purpose computer chip, a neural network (NN) chip, an artificial intelligence (Al) accelerator, a tensor processing unit (TPU), a neural processing unit (NPU), or the like. In an embodiment, processor 222 may be configured to execute hard-coded functionality. In an embodiment, processor 222 is embodied as an executor of software instructions, wherein the instructions may specifically configure processor 222 to perform the algorithms and / or operations described herein when the instructions are executed.

[0103] Memory 224 may be embodied as one or more volatile memory devices, one or more nonvolatile memory devices, and / or a combination of one or more volatile memory devices and non-volatile memory devices. For example, memory 224 may be embodied as semiconductor memories (such as mask ROM, PROM (programmable ROM), EPROM (erasable PROM), flash ROM, RAM (random access memory), etc.).

[0104] Network node device 220 may comprise a base station, and / or a relay node (such as an integrated access and backhaul node) configured to facilitate child (access) links for client devices connected to the relay node. The base station may include, e.g., a 5G advanced or 6G base station (gNB) or any such device providing an air interface for user device 200 to connect to a wireless network via wireless transmissions, e.g., through TRPs 210A, 210B. It is to be noted that when referring to, for example, “providing”, or “obtaining” etc., it may comprise network node device 220 and terminal device 200 communicating information via, for example, at least one transceiver 206 and at least one transceiver 226.

[0105] When executed by at least one processor 222, instructions stored in at least one memory 224 cause network node device 220 at least to transmit first power control configuration to a terminal device, for example, terminal device 200 discussed above. The first power control configuration information may comprise at least one power control parameter and at least one associated power control condition.

[0106] The first power control configuration information may be for use by the terminal device to identify an uplink transmission power of at least one uplink transmission.

[0107] Furthermore, the instructions, when executed by at least one processor 222, may further cause network node device 220 at least to receive at least one uplink transmission from the terminal device, wherein the at least one uplink transmission comprises a transmission power that is at least partially based on the power control configuration information.

[0108] In an example embodiment of network node device 220, the first power control configuration information may be transmitted in response to at least one power performance criterion being met.

[0109] The at least one performance criterion may comprise, for example, traffic load in the cell being above or below a sixth threshold, a channel quality value being above or below a seventh threshold. Channel quality value may comprise, for example, a signal to noise ratio or downlink channel quality indicator or the like.

[0110] The at least one performance criterion may further comprise a service type required by terminal device 200, for example, or a service quality required by terminal device 200.

[0111] In an example embodiment of network node device 220, the instructions, when executed by at least one processor 222, may further cause network node device 200 at least to obtain information on at least one uplink transmission. E.g., obtain information on the at least one uplink transmission determined, at least partially, by one or more of the at least one power control parameter comprised in the first power control configuration information.

[0112] For example, the information on the at least one uplink transmission may comprise a value of a determined transmission power of the at least one uplink transmission. In other example, the information on the at least one uplink transmission may comprise an indication to at least one adjustment to the transmission power of the at least one uplink transmission.

[0113] In an example embodiment of network node device 220, the instructions, when executed by at least one processor 222, may further cause network node device 200 at least to determine, based on the information on the at least one uplink transmission, second power control configuration information.

[0114] The second power control configuration information may, for example, comprise adjustment to one or more of the at least one power control parameter and / or one or more of the at least one associated power control condition comprised in the first power control configuration information. In an example, network node device 220 may obtain more bandwidth due to multiple UE’s leaving a cell, thus obtaining more overhead on transmission power (i.e., less possible interference) and this overhead may be communicated to terminal device 200.

[0115] Fig. 3A illustrates a signalling diagram according to an example embodiment. In Fig. 3A, terminal device 200 (right) is set to communicate with network node device 220 (left).

[0116] At operation 302, network node device 220 may provide the power control configuration information to terminal device 200. For example, network node device 220 may provide a table of data buffer status threshold values that correspond to a given PO_UE_PUSCH / Po.offset value. Furthermore, the at least one power control parameter may comprise one or more timers. The one or more timers may comprise a time interval or a time value, Ti, during which PO_UE_PUSCH and / or Po.offset is not adjusted.

[0117] Furthermore, at operation 302, network node device 220 may provide terminal device 200 the PO_UE_PUSCH / Po.offset value(s) that the at least one condition is associated with. However, the PO_UE_PUSCH / Po offset value(s) may be comprised in, for example, the at least one memory 224 even before method 300 is being initiated. The PO_UE_PUSCH / Po offset value(s) may be comprised in, but not necessarily, in the power control configuration or the at least one power control parameter.

[0118] At operation 304, terminal device 200 may determine an example Po.offset value of Pox, in response to one or more of the at least one associated power control condition being met. In this case, the at least one power control condition comprises a data buffer status being above or below a threshold value. The at least one power control condition is met, when a current data buffer status value (for example, amount of the data buffer) matches with a value in the table of data buffer status threshold values.

[0119] At operation 306, terminal device 200 may perform a PUSCH transmission with the chosen power value (e.g., PO_UE_PUSCH + Pox + additional power terms related to total PUSCH transmission power). Network node device 220 may provide instructions to terminal device 200, if an incremental step will apply immediately or if it is being delayed. This instruction may be comprised in, for example, the time control information of the above example or in the one or more timers described in reference to operation 302.

[0120] In other words, one or more of the at least one timer may comprise a hysteresis timer, that will apply after a certain amount of time. In the example, the hysteresis is set for one uplink transmission operation (operation 306) (i.e., the effect of the timer applies after operation 306). In the example, the hysteresis timer may inhibit a decremental step in the power offset value but may allow an incremental step in the power offset value.

[0121] At operation 308, terminal device 200 may consider the value of the at least one timer, Ti, and apply an incremental step to the power offset value. In the example, the new value is Poy, which is larger than Pox.

[0122] At operation 310, terminal device 200 may perform a second uplink transmission with the new chosen power value.

[0123] At operation 312, terminal device 200 may perform a third uplink transmission with the power offset value of Poy. After this, the hysteresis timer may be set to expire and at operation 314, terminal device 200 may choose again the first power offset value Pox.

[0124] At operation 316, terminal device 200 may perform a fourth uplink transmission with the power offset value of Pox.

[0125] There are various different ways the example embodiment described in reference to Fig. 3 may be modified. For example, it may not be necessary to control a power offset value, but in an embodiment, it may be possible to directly control the value of PO_UE_PUSCH, without falling out of scope of the solution provided in this disclosure. The power offset value is given as an example to manipulate the desired power control parameter, i.e. , the transmission power itself.

[0126] The hysteresis of the at least one timer may be defined by an OAM value, or it may be determined by network node by means of proprietary algorithm, which may be valid for incremental and / or decremental delay depending on operator choice.

[0127] Fig. 3B illustrates a signalling diagram 320 according to an example embodiment. In Fig. 3B, terminal device 200 (right) is set to communicate with network node device 220 (left), similarly to Fig. 3A.

[0128] At operation 322, similarly to operation 302 in Fig. 3A, network node device 220 may provide the power control configuration information to terminal device 200 and one or more of the at least one power control parameter comprises at least the power offset value. The power control configuration information in this example, at operation 322, may comprise first power control configuration information, as network node device 220 may provide, during method 320, more than one power control configuration information.

[0129] At operation 324, terminal device 200 chooses power offset value of Pox for a first uplink transmission.

[0130] At operation 326, terminal device 200 perform the first uplink transmission with the chosen power offset value of Pox.

[0131] At operation 328, due to the at least one condition being met, terminal device 200 may choose a new power offset value of Poyfor a second uplink transmission.

[0132] At operation 330, terminal device 330 may perform second uplink transmission with the new chosen power offset value of Poy.

[0133] Now, in this example embodiment, network node device 220 may be configured to perform a downlink transmission that instructs terminal device 200 to suspend any power modifications during the next two consecutive uplink transmissions. In other words, network node device 220 may provide second power control configuration information to terminal device 200.

[0134] At operation 332, network node device 220 may transmit a suspend power modification command to terminal device 200 comprised in, for example, the second power control configuration information described above.

[0135] At operation 334, terminal device 200 may process the suspend power modification command and continues to perform uplink transmissions as per instructions. In other words, terminal device 200 may be instructed to not adjust one or more of the at least one uplink transmission. Terminal device 200 may keep this restriction until a resume power modifications command is obtained.

[0136] At operation 336 and operation 338, terminal device 200 may perform two consecutive uplink transmissions with the previous power offset value of Poy.

[0137] In some embodiments, the time control information comprises the suspend power modification command. The time control information may be valid for a certain amount of time (i.e. , a time interval, a certain amount of uplink / downlink transmissions etc.), or network node device 220 may transmit a resume power modification command to terminal device 200. One or more timers may be valid on network node device 220 side that, until expired, may restrict sending the resume power modifications command, for example.

[0138] At operation 340, network node device 220 may transmit a resume power modifications instructions to terminal device 200. The resume power modifications instructions may be comprised in, for example, third power control configuration information.

[0139] At operation 342, terminal device 200 may continue normal procedure and chooses a power offset value of Pox and performs a fifth uplink transmission.

[0140] Below, various example embodiments are discussed, which may refer to the terms used in reference to Fig. 3A and Fig. 3B, but differ in the way that the at least one condition and the at least one power control parameter are utilized.

[0141] In an example embodiment of the disclosure, network node device 220 may communicate a PO_UE_PUSCH and / or a Po.offset value to be assumed by terminal device 200 by providing a table comprising a range of downlink channel quality indicator, DL CQI, values measured by terminal device 200 that correspond to a given PO_UE_PUSCH and / or Po.offset value. Furthermore, network node device 200 may provide one or more timers, comprising at least one value (for example, Ti), which terminal device 200 should consider when determining a corresponding PO_UE_PUSCH and / or Po.offset value.

[0142] In the above example embodiment, terminal device 200 may not decrease PO_UE_PUSCH and / or Po offset value even due to a new DL CQI measurement, until the one or more timers have expired.

[0143] Furthermore, terminal device 200 may evaluate the measured DL CQI and determine a value for PO_UE_PUSCH and / or Po.offset to apply. Network node device 220 may decide, for example, if any incremental steps may apply immediately or being delayed, while possible decremental steps need to be delayed according to a hysteresis timer. As previously disclosed, hysteresis may be comprised in the one or more timers, or in other words, comprised in the time control information of previous examples.

[0144] In an example embodiment of the disclosure, network node device 220 may communicate a PO_UE_PUSCH and / or a Po.offset value to be assumed by terminal device 200 by providing a table comprising a range of data buffer status values that correspond to a given PO_UE_PUSCH and / or Po.offset value. Furthermore, network node device 200 may provide one or more timers, comprising at least one value (for example, Ti), which terminal device 200 should consider when determining a corresponding PO_UE_PUSCH and / or Po..offset value. In the above example embodiment, terminal device 200 may not, for example, decrease or increase a PO_UE_PUSCH and / or a Po.offset value even if a new data buffer status is determined by the at least one condition, until the one or more timers have expired.

[0145] In other embodiments, even if one or more of the at least one condition associated with one or more of the at least one power control parameter is satisfied (e.g., a data buffer status threshold value is satisfied), the timer may choose to inhibit decrements and / or increments during a pre-determined period. The pre-determined period may be configured by a network operator, via OAM, for example.

[0146] Furthermore, a relation between a measured DL CQI and a PO_UE_PUSCH and / or a Po.offset value may be directly proportional. E.g., a low value of DL CQI may correspond to a cell border positioning of terminal device 200 and therefore it corresponds to a higher probability of jamming neighbourhood. Consequently, incremental power steps calculated on the base of the data buffer status may be postponed or mitigated to avoid an excessive interference on a terminal device of neighbour cells.

[0147] Even furthermore, logic for applying decremental steps may be inverted. I.e., decremental power steps may be applied fast and hysteresis may be avoided or shortened to minimize possible jamming on other cells.

[0148] In an example embodiment of the disclosure, network node device 220 may communicate (i.e., provide, transmit, etc.) a PO_UE_PUSCH and / or a Po.offset value to be assumed by terminal device 200 by providing a table comprising a range of path loss values that correspond to a given PO_UE_PUSCH and / or Po.offset value. For example, terminal device 200 may evaluate a path loss after terminal device 200 has obtained a new beamforming configuration (via RRC, MAC-CE signalling etc.) and signal a request for overhead power correction to network node device 220. Alternatively, terminal device 200 may directly select PO_UE_PUSCH and / or Po.offset value corresponding to evaluated path loss value satisfying the at least one condition.

[0149] In the above example embodiment, network node device 220 may evaluate the request for overhead power correction and decide to consent to the overhead power correction request or deny it, depending on the current traffic conditions, for example.

[0150] Furthermore, in case of network node device 220 approves the overhead power correction request, terminal device 200 may adjust transmission power (e.g., PO_UE_PUSCH and / or Po offset value) appropriately.

[0151] In some embodiments, an increment or decrement may be indicated by terminal device 200 to network node device 220 to be used for own internal algorithms of network node device 220 (e.g., CLPC and / or ULLA).

[0152] Fig. 4A illustrates method 400 according to an example embodiment of the disclosure. Method 400 may be performed by, for example, terminal device 200.

[0153] At operation 402, method 400 may comprise obtaining power control configuration information. The power control configuration information may be obtained from, network node device 220, for example. The power control configuration information may comprise at least one power control parameter and at least one associated power control condition. At operation 404, method 400 may comprise determining, in response to one or more of the at least one condition being met, a transmission power of at least one uplink transmission based on, at least partially, one or more of the at least one power control parameter.

[0154] At optional operation 406, method 400 may comprise providing information on the at least one uplink transmission to network node device 220. For example, the information on the at least one uplink transmission may comprise a value of the determined transmission power of the at least one uplink transmission. In other example, the information on the at least one uplink transmission may comprise an indication to at least one adjustment to the transmission power of the at least one uplink transmission. An adjustment to the transmission power of the at least one uplink transmission may comprise, for example, an incremental step or a decremental step.

[0155] At optional operation 408, method 400 may comprise determining the transmission power of the at least one uplink transmission for a time period. For example, the power control configuration information may comprise time control information, and the time control information may comprise one or more timers comprising the time period. The time control information may affect the determining of the transmission power of the at least one uplink transmission as described in reference to above example embodiments.

[0156] At optional operation 410, method 400 may comprise adjusting, at least once, the determined transmission power of the at least one uplink transmission. The adjusting may be performed, but not necessarily, within a time period comprised in the power control configuration information, for example. I.e., the power control configuration information may comprise time control information, and the time control information may comprise one or more timers comprising the time period by which one or more adjustments may be made.

[0157] In other words, at optional operation 410, method 400 may comprise inhibiting applying a decrement and / or increment to the transmission power of the at least one uplink transmission.

[0158] Fig. 4B illustrates method 420 according to an example embodiment of the disclosure. Method 420 may be performed by network node device 220, for example.

[0159] At optional operation 422, method 420 may comprise determining, that at least one power performance criterion is met. The at least one power performance criterion may comprise, for example, traffic load in the cell being above or below a sixth threshold, a channel quality value being above or below a seventh threshold. Channel quality value may comprise, for example, a signal to noise ratio or downlink channel quality indicator or the like. The at least one performance criterion may further comprise a service type required by terminal device 200, for example, or a service quality required by terminal device 200.

[0160] At operation 424, method 420 may comprise transmitting first power control configuration information to a terminal device, for example, terminal device 200. It will be noted that the word ‘first’ is used to notate that, in some embodiments, more than one power control configuration information may be optionally determined and / or transmitted to terminal device 200. At operation 426, method 420 may comprise receiving at least one uplink transmission from the terminal device, wherein the at least one uplink transmission comprises a transmission power that is at least partially based on one or more of the at least one power control parameter comprised in the first power control configuration information.

[0161] At optional operation 428, method 420 may comprise obtaining information on at least one uplink transmission. For example, the information on the at least one uplink transmission may comprise a value of a determined transmission power of the at least one uplink transmission. In other example, the information on the at least one uplink transmission may comprise an indication to at least one adjustment to the transmission power of the at least one uplink transmission. An adjustment to the transmission power of the at least one uplink transmission may comprise, for example, an incremental step or a decremental step. An apparatus, such as network node 220 for example, performing method 420 may use an indication to an increment or decrement (i.e., an adjustment) for its own internal algorithms (typically CLPC and / or ULLA).

[0162] At optional operation 430, method 420 may comprise determining second power control configuration information. The determining the second power control configuration may be, at least partially, based on the information on the at least one uplink transmission provided in optional operation 428. For example, network node device 220 may, in response to the value of transmission power of the at least one uplink transmission, to determine new power control configuration for terminal device 220 (or to adjust the first one). If the power is, for example, determined by network node device 220 to be too small, by adjusting the first power control configuration information, any next uplink transmission power may be properly adjusted.

[0163] At optional operation 432, method 420 may comprise providing the second power control configuration information to, for example, terminal device 200.

[0164] Second power control configuration information may comprise any information discussed above in reference to power control configuration information. I.e., at least one power control parameter and at least one associated power control condition. For example, the at power control configuration information may comprise time control information, power offset value(s), an array of power offset values, a range of reference power values, a range of threshold values etc.

[0165] To summarize, the disclosure enables determination and / or adjustment of transmission power of at least one uplink transmission by disclosed signalling techniques. Some embodiments further enable time control on adjusting the transmission power. For example, by transmitting a suspend power modification command from a network node device 220 to terminal device 200 as was described in relation to Fig. 3B.

[0166] Embodiments and examples with regard to Fig. 3A, Fig. 3B and Fig. 4A may be carried out by terminal device 200 of Fig. 2A. Operations 404 and 408 may, for example, be carried out by at least one processor 202 and at least one memory 204 and operations 402 and 406 may, for example, be carried out by transceiver in conjunction with at least one processor 202 and at least one memory 204. Further features of method 400 directly resulting from the functionalities and parameters of terminal device 200 are not repeated here. Method 400 can be carried out by computer program(s) or portions thereof.

[0167] Another example of an apparatus suitable for carrying out the embodiments and examples with regards to Fig. 4A, Fig. 3A and Fig. 3B comprises at least means for: obtaining, from a network node device, power control configuration information comprising at least one power control parameter and at least one associated power control condition; and determining, in response to one or more of the at least one associated power control condition being met, a transmission power of at least one uplink transmission based on, at least partially, one or more of the at least one power control parameter.

[0168] The ‘comprising at least means for carrying out disclosed example embodiments’ may comprise, for example, a combination of at least one processor 202 (or 222), at least one memory 204 (or 224) and at least one transceiver 206 (or 226).

[0169] Embodiments and examples with regards to Fig. 3B and Fig. 4B may be carried out by network node device 220 of Fig. 2B. Operations 422 and 430 may, for example, be carried out by at least one processor 222 and at least one memory 224. Operations 424 and 426 may, for example, be carried out by transceiver 226 in conjunction with at least one processor 222 and at least one memory 224. Further features of method 420 directly resulting from the functionalities and parameters of network node device 220 are not repeated here. Method 420 can be carried out by computer program(s) or portions thereof.

[0170] Another example of an apparatus suitable for carrying out the embodiments and examples with regards to Fig. 3A, Fig. 3B and Fig. 4B may comprise means for: transmitting power control configuration information to a terminal device, the power control configuration information comprising at least one power control parameter and at least one associated power control condition; wherein the power control configuration information is for use by the terminal device to identify an uplink transmission power of at least one uplink transmission; and receiving at least one uplink transmission from the terminal device, wherein the at least one uplink transmission comprises a transmission power that is at least partially based on one or more of the at least one power control parameter comprised in the power control configuration information.

[0171] Furthermore, the example apparatus suitable for carrying out the embodiments and examples with regards to Fig. 3A, Fig. 3B and Fig. 4B may further comprise means for receiving, by the network node device, at least one uplink transmission from the terminal device, wherein the at least one uplink transmission comprises a transmission power that is at least partially based on one or more of the at least one power control parameter comprised in the power control configuration information.

[0172] In another example apparatus suitable for carrying out the embodiments and examples with regards to Fig. 3A, Fig. 3B and Fig. 4B may comprise means for determining that at least one power performance criterion is met and in response, transmitting the power control configuration information. Further features of network node device 220 directly result from the functionalities and parameters of terminal device 200 and thus are not repeated here.

[0173] It will be noted that while examples mostly refer to PO_UE_PUSCH and / or Po.offset value being affected, example embodiments may be used to determine values of different uplink channel power, such as SRS or PUCCH.

[0174] The functionality described herein can be performed, at least in part, by one or more computer program product components such as software components. According to an embodiment, terminal device 200 and / or network node device 220 may comprise a processor or processor circuitry, such as for example a microcontroller, configured by the program code when executed to execute the embodiments of the operations and functionality described. Alternatively, or in addition, the functionality described herein can be performed, at least in part, by one or more hardware logic components. For example, and without limitation, illustrative types of hardware logic components that can be used include Field-programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), Application-specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), Application-specific Standard Products (ASSPs), System-on-a-chip systems (SOCs), Complex Programmable Logic Devices (CPLDs), Tensor Processing Units (TPUs), and Graphics Processing Units (GPUs).

[0175] Any range or device value given herein may be extended or altered without losing the effect sought. Also, any embodiment may be combined with another embodiment unless explicitly disallowed.

[0176] Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and / or acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as examples of implementing the claims and other equivalent features and acts are intended to be within the scope of the claims.

[0177] It will be understood that the benefits and advantages described above may relate to one embodiment or may relate to several embodiments. The embodiments are not limited to those that solve any or all of the stated problems or those that have any or all of the stated benefits and advantages. It will further be understood that reference to 'an' item may refer to one or more of those items.

[0178] The steps of the methods described herein may be carried out in any suitable order, or simultaneously where appropriate. Additionally, individual blocks may be deleted from any of the methods without departing from the spirit and scope of the subject matter described herein. Aspects of any of the embodiments described above may be combined with aspects of any of the other embodiments described to form further embodiments without losing the effect sought.

[0179] The term 'comprising' is used herein to mean including the method, blocks or elements identified, but that such blocks or elements do not comprise an exclusive list and a method or apparatus may contain additional blocks or elements.

[0180] It will be understood that the above description is given by way of example only and that various modifications may be made by those skilled in the art. The above specification, examples and data provide a complete description of the structure and use of exemplary embodiments. Although various embodiments have been described above with a certain degree of particularity, or with reference to one or more individual embodiments, those skilled in the art could make numerous alterations to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of this specification.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A terminal device (200), comprising: at least one processor (202); and at least one memory (204) storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor (202), cause the terminal device (200) to at least: obtain, from a network node device (220), power control configuration information comprising at least one power control parameter and at least one associated power control condition; and determine, in response to one or more of the at least one associated power control condition being met, a transmission power of at least one uplink transmission based on, at least partially, one or more of the at least one power control parameter.

2. The terminal device (200) according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one power control parameter comprises at least one power offset value, wherein the at least one power offset value indicates at least one amount of adjustment for the transmission power of the at least one uplink transmission.

3. The terminal device (200) according to any of claims 1 to 2, wherein the at least one power control parameter further comprises at least one of:- one or more thresholds;- one or more ranges; or- one or more reference power values.

4. The terminal device (200) according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the power control configuration information comprises time control information on the determining of the transmission power of the at least one uplink transmission.

5. The terminal device (200) according to claim 4, wherein the transmission power of the at least one uplink transmission is determined for a time period comprised in the time control information.

6. The terminal device (200) according to claim 4, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor (202), further cause the terminal device (200) at least to adjust, at leastonce, the determined transmission power of the at least one uplink transmission within a time period comprised in the time control information.

7. The terminal device (200) according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the at least one power control condition is associated with at least one of:- one or more data buffer status values;- one or more channel state information values;- one or more downlink channel quality indicator values;- one or more downlink signal to noise ratios; or- one or more path loss values.

8. The terminal device (200) according to claim 7, wherein the at least one power control condition comprises at least one of:- the one or more data buffer status values being at least one of: above or below a first threshold or within a first range;- the one or more channel state information values being at least one of: above or below a second threshold or within a second range;- the one or more downlink channel quality indicator values being at least one of: above or below a third threshold or within a third range;- the one or more downlink signal to noise ratios being at least one of: above or below a fourth threshold or within a fourth range; or- the one or more path loss values being at least one of: above or below a fifth threshold or within a fifth range.

9. The terminal device (200) according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor (202), further cause the terminal device (200) at least to provide information on the at least one uplink transmission to the network node device (220).

10. A method (400) comprising: obtaining (402), by a terminal device (200) from a network node device (220), power control configuration information comprising at least one power control parameter and at least one associated power control condition; anddetermining (404), by the terminal device (200), in response to one or more of the at least one associated power control condition being met, a transmission power of at least one uplink transmission based on, at least partially, one or more of the at least one power control parameter.11 . An apparatus comprising means for carrying out the method (400) according to claim 10.

12. A computer program comprising instructions for causing a terminal device to perform at least the following: obtaining, from a network node device, power control configuration information comprising at least one power control parameter and at least one associated power control condition; and determining, in response to one or more of the at least one associated power control condition being met, a transmission power of at least one uplink transmission based on, at least partially, one or more of the at least one power control parameter.

13. A network node device (220), comprising: at least one processor (222); and at least one memory (224) storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor (222), cause the network node device (220) to at least: transmit power control configuration information to a terminal device (200), the power control configuration information comprising at least one power control parameter and at least one associated power control condition, and the power control configuration information being for use by the terminal device (200) to identify an uplink transmission power of at least one uplink transmission; and receive at least one uplink transmission from the terminal device (200), wherein the at least one uplink transmission has a transmission power that is at least partially based on one or more of the at least one power control parameter.

14. A method (420), comprising: transmitting (424), by a network node device (220), power control configuration information to a terminal device (200), the power control configuration information comprising at least one power control parameter and at least one associated power control condition, and the power control configuration information being for use by the terminal device (200) to identify an uplink transmission power of at least one uplink transmission; andreceiving (426), by the network node device (220), at least one uplink transmission from the terminal device (200), wherein the at least one uplink transmission has a transmission power that is at least partially based on one or more of the at least one power control parameter.

15. An apparatus, comprising means for carrying out the method of claim 14.

16. A computer program comprising instructions for causing a network node device to perform at least the following: transmitting power control configuration information to a terminal device, the power control configuration information comprising at least one power control parameter and at least one associated power control condition, and the power control configuration information being for use by the terminal device to identify an uplink transmission power of at least one uplink transmission; and receiving at least one uplink transmission from the terminal device, wherein the at least one uplink transmission has a transmission power that is at least partially based on one or more of the at least one power control parameter.

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