Uplink transmission in a cellular communication network

Abstract

According to an example aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method, comprising obtaining, in a cellular communication network, information related to at least one antenna port or at least one spatial layer of an apparatus, wherein said information is for controlling power adjustment due to a power imbalance, determining, based on said information, a power adjustment parameter of the at least one antenna port or the at least one spatial layer, for compensating for the power imbalance and transmitting, to a wireless network node, an uplink transmission via the at least one antenna port or the at least one spatial layer at least partially based on the power adjustment parameter.

Description

UPLINK TRANSMISSION IN A CELLULAR COMMUNICATION NETWORKFIELD

[0001] Various example embodiments relate in general to cellular communication networks and more specifically, to an uplink transmission in such networks.BACKGROUND

[0002] Uplink transmissions may be performed at least in various cellular communication networks, such as, in cellular communication networks operating according to 5G radio access technology. 5G radio access technology may also be referred to as New Radio, NR, access technology. 3rd Generation Partnership Project, 3GPP, develops standards for 5G / NR and for future radio access technologies. In case of uplink transmissions, a User Equipment, UE, may transmit an uplink transmission to a wireless network node. Nevertheless, there is a need to enhance uplink transmission at least for 5G / NR and future radio access technologies.SUMMARY

[0003] According to some aspects, there is provided the subject-matter of the independent claims. Some example embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.

[0004] The scope of protection sought for various example embodiments of the disclosure 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 disclosure.

[0005] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an apparatus comprising at least one processing core and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processing core, cause the apparatus at least to obtain, in a cellular communication network, information related to at least one antenna port or at least one spatial layer of the apparatus, wherein said information is for controlling power adjustment due to a power imbalance, determine, based on said information, a power adjustment parameter of theat least one antenna port or the at least one spatial layer, for compensating for the power imbalance and transmit, to a wireless network node, an uplink transmission via the at least one antenna port or the at least one spatial layer at least partially based on the power adjustment parameter. The apparatus may be a user equipment or a control device configured to control the functioning thereof, when installed therein. Example embodiments of the aspect may comprise at least one feature from the following bulleted list or any combination of the following features:• wherein the at least one processing core and the at least one memory further cause the apparatus at least to determine, based on said information, whether the apparatus is allowed to adjust a power of the at least one antenna port or the at least one spatial layer;• wherein said information comprises information about whether the apparatus is allowed to adjust a power of the at least one antenna port or the at least one spatial layer, for compensating for the power imbalance, and the at least one processing core and the at least one memory further cause the apparatus at least to determine, based on said information, that the apparatus is allowed to adjust the power of the at least one antenna port or the at least one spatial layer or determine, based on said information, that the apparatus is not allowed to adjust the power of the at least one antenna port or the at least one spatial layer;• wherein the at least one processing core and the at least one memory further cause the apparatus at least to obtain said information by receiving configuration information from the wireless network node, or by monitoring or by determining the power imbalance related to the at least one antenna port or the at least one spatial layer;• wherein said information comprises information about a power difference between the at least one antenna port or the at least one spatial layer, and a reference level;• wherein the reference level relates to a power difference between the at least one antenna port and at least one other antenna port, or the between at least one spatial layer and at least one other spatial layer;• wherein said information comprises information about how much the apparatus is allowed to adjust a power of the at least one antenna port or the at least one spatial layer, for compensating for the power imbalance;• wherein said information comprises an indication of a required power at a wireless network node for the at least one antenna port or the at least one spatial layer, and the at least one processing core and the at least one memory further cause the apparatus at least to adjust a power of the at least one antenna port or the at least one spatial layer based at least on the required power;• wherein the power adjustment parameter is below at least one threshold;• wherein the at least one processing core and the at least one memory further cause the apparatus at least to determine a first imbalance threshold and a second imbalance threshold and determine to adjust a power of the at least one antenna port or the at least one spatial layer when the imbalance related to the at least one antenna port or the at least one spatial layer is between the first imbalance threshold and the second imbalance threshold;• wherein the at least one processing core and the at least one memory further cause the apparatus at least to transmit, to the wireless network node, an indication about a power difference threshold for the at least one antenna port or the at least one spatial layer;• wherein the at least one processing core and the at least one memory further cause the apparatus at least to determine or obtain a compensation threshold to be reached after the compensation and adjust a power of the at least one antenna port or the at least one spatial layer according to the compensation threshold;• wherein the at least one processing core and the at least one memory further cause the apparatus at least to transmit, to the wireless network node, an indication about at least one of whether a condition to adjust a power is satisfied, whether the apparatus has adjusted the power, to which extent the apparatus has adjusted the power or the at least one antenna port or the at least one spatial layer of which power has been adjusted;• wherein the at least one processing core and the at least one memory further cause the apparatus at least to transmit, to the wireless network node, a request to disable the compensation for the imbalance or an indication indicating that the apparatus has disabled the compensation for the imbalance;• wherein the compensation for the imbalance corresponds to pathloss compensation.

[0006] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an apparatus comprising at least one processing core and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processing core, cause the apparatus at least to transmit, to a user equipment in a cellular communication network, information related to at least one antenna port or at least one spatial layer of the user equipment, wherein said information is for controlling power adjustment due to a power imbalance and receive from the user equipment an uplink transmission via at least one antenna port or at least one spatial layer of the user equipment, wherein the uplink transmission is at least partially based on a power adjustment parameter. The apparatus may be a wireless network node or a control device configured to control the functioning thereof, when installed therein.

[0007] According to an aspect, there is provided a first method comprising, obtaining, in a cellular communication network, information related to at least one antenna port or at least one spatial layer of an apparatus, wherein said information is for controlling power adjustment due to a power imbalance, determining, based on said information, a power adjustment parameter of the at least one antenna port or the at least one spatial layer, for compensating for the power imbalance and transmitting, to a wireless network node, an uplink transmission via the at least one antenna port or the at least one spatial layer at least partially based on the power adjustment parameter. The first method may be performed by a user equipment or a control device configured to control the functioning thereof, when installed therein.

[0008] According to an aspect, there is provided a second method comprising, transmitting, to a user equipment in a cellular communication network, information related to at least one antenna port or at least one spatial layer of the user equipment, wherein said information is for controlling power adjustment due to a power imbalance and receiving from the user equipment an uplink transmission via at least one antenna port or at least one spatial layer of the user equipment, wherein the uplink transmission is at least partially based on a power adjustment parameter. The second method may be performed by a wireless network node or a control device configured to control the functioning thereof, when installed therein.

[0009] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an apparatus comprising means for obtaining, in a cellular communication network, information related to at least one antenna port or at least one spatial layer of an apparatus, wherein said information is for controlling power adjustment due to a power imbalance, means for determining, based on said information, a power adjustment parameter of the at least one antenna port or the atleast one spatial layer, for compensating for the power imbalance and means for transmitting, to a wireless network node, an uplink transmission via the at least one antenna port or the at least one spatial layer at least partially based on the power adjustment parameter. The apparatus of the aspect may be a user equipment or a control device configured to control the functioning thereof, when installed therein.

[0010] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an apparatus comprising means for transmitting, to a user equipment in a cellular communication network, information related to at least one antenna port or at least one spatial layer of the user equipment, wherein said information is for controlling power adjustment due to a power imbalance and means for receiving from the user equipment an uplink transmission via at least one antenna port or at least one spatial layer of the user equipment, wherein the uplink transmission is at least partially based on a power adjustment parameter. The apparatus of the aspect may be a wireless network node or a control device configured to control the functioning thereof, when installed therein.

[0011] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a computer program comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to carry out obtaining, in a cellular communication network, information related to at least one antenna port or at least one spatial layer of the apparatus, wherein said information is for controlling power adjustment due to a power imbalance, determining, based on said information, a power adjustment parameter of the at least one antenna port or the at least one spatial layer, for compensating for the power imbalance and transmitting, to a wireless network node, an uplink transmission via the at least one antenna port or the at least one spatial layer at least partially based on the power adjustment parameter.

[0012] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a computer program comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to carry out transmitting, to a user equipment in a cellular communication network, information related to at least one antenna port or at least one spatial layer of the user equipment, wherein said information is for controlling power adjustment due to a power imbalance and receiving from the user equipment an uplink transmission via at least one antenna port or at least one spatial layer of the user equipment, wherein the uplink transmission is at least partially based on a power adjustment parameter.

[0013] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a non- transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon a set of computer readable instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause an apparatus to at least perform obtaining, in a cellular communication network, information related to at least one antenna port or at least one spatial layer of the apparatus, wherein said information is for controlling power adjustment due to a power imbalance, determining, based on said information, a power adjustment parameter of the at least one antenna port or the at least one spatial layer, for compensating for the power imbalance and transmitting, to a wireless network node, an uplink transmission via the at least one antenna port or the at least one spatial layer at least partially based on the power adjustment parameter.

[0014] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a non- transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon a set of computer readable instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause an apparatus to at least perform transmitting, to a user equipment in a cellular communication network, information related to at least one antenna port or at least one spatial layer of the user equipment, wherein said information is for controlling power adjustment due to a power imbalance and receiving from the user equipment an uplink transmission via at least one antenna port or at least one spatial layer of the user equipment, wherein the uplink transmission is at least partially based on a power adjustment parameter.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a network scenario in accordance with at least some example embodiments;

[0016] FIG. 2a illustrates a first signalling graph in accordance with at least some example embodiments;

[0017] FIG. 2b illustrates a second signalling graph in accordance with at least some example embodiments;

[0018] FIG. 3 illustrates an example apparatus capable of supporting at least some example embodiments;

[0019] FIG. 4 illustrates a flow graph of a first method in accordance with at least some example embodiments; and

[0020] FIG. 5 illustrates a flow graph of a second method in accordance with at least some example embodiments;EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

[0021] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide enhancements for uplink transmissions in cellular communication networks. More specifically, a User Equipment, UE, may transmit an uplink transmission via at least one antenna port or at least one spatial layer to a wireless network node. The uplink transmission may be transmitted at least partially based on a power adjustment parameter, wherein the power adjustment parameter may have been determined by the UE based on information that is for controlling power adjustment due to a power imbalance. Thus, uplink transmissions may be enhanced by compensating for the power imbalance, e.g., by taking into account power consumption and / or battery life of UE 110.

[0022] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a network scenario in accordance with at least some example embodiments. According to the example scenario of FIG. 1, there may be a beam-based wireless communication system, which comprises UE 110, wireless network node 120 and core network element 130. UE 110 may be connected to wireless network node 120 via air interface using beams 115, either simultaneously or one at a time.

[0023] UE 110 may comprise, for example, a smartphone, a cellular phone, a Machine- to-Machine, M2M, node, Machine-Type Communications, MTC, node, an Internet of Things, loT, node, a car telemetry unit, a laptop computer, a tablet computer or, indeed, any kind of suitable wireless terminal. In the example system of FIG. 1, UE 110 may communicate wirelessly with wireless network node 120 via at least one beam 115. Wireless network node 120 may be considered as a serving node for UE 110 and one cell of wireless network node 120 may be a serving cell for UE 110.

[0024] Air interface between UE 110 and wireless network node 120 may be configured in accordance with a Radio Access Technology, RAT, which both UE 110 and wireless network node 120 are configured to support. Examples of cellular RATs include Long TermEvolution, LTE, New Radio, NR, which may also be known as fifth generation, 5G, radio access technology, 6G radio access technology, and MulteFire.

[0025] For example in the context of LTE, wireless network node 120 may be referred to as eNB while wireless network node 120 may be referred to as gNB in the context of NR. In some example embodiments, wireless network node 120 may be referred to as a Transmission and Reception Point, TRP, or control multiple TRPs that may be co-located or non-co-located. In any case, example embodiments of the present disclosure are not restricted to any particular wireless technology. Instead, example embodiments may be exploited in any wireless communication system, wherein uplink transmissions are transmitted.

[0026] Wireless network node 120 may be connected, directly or via at least one intermediate node, with core network 130 via interface 125. Core network 130 may be, in turn, coupled via interface 135 with another network (not shown in FIG. 1), via which connectivity to further networks may be obtained, for example via a worldwide interconnection network. Wireless network node 120 may be connected, directly or via at least one intermediate node, with core network 130 or with another core network.

[0027] In some example embodiments, the network scenario may comprise a relay node instead of, or in addition to, UE 110 and / or wireless network node 120. Relaying may be used for example when operating on millimeter- wave frequencies. One example of the relay node may be an Integrated Access and Backhaul, IAB, node. The IAB node may be referred to as a self-backhauling relay as well. Another example of a relay may be an out-band relay. In general, the relay node may comprise two parts:1) Distributed Unit, DU, part which may facilitate functionalities of wireless network node 120, such as a gNB. Thus, in some example embodiments, the DU part of a relay may be referred to as wireless network node 120 and the DU may perform tasks of wireless network node 120;2) Mobile Termination, MT, part which may facilitate functionalities of UE 110, i.e., a backhaul link which may be the communication link between a parent node (DU), such as a DU part of wireless network node 120, and the relay, such as an IAB node. In some example embodiments, the MT part may be referred to as UE 110 and perform tasks of UE 110.

[0028] Losses and / or errors and / or imbalances at a transmitter and / or receiver, such as Tx / Rx insertion loss, antenna gain imbalance, calibrations errors, may incur power imbalancebetween antenna ports or spatial layers. For example, considering Sounding Reference Signals, SRS, and Physical Uplink Shared Channel, PUSCH, transmissions, wherein SRS may be used for downlink beamforming, such power imbalance may negatively impact uplink as well as downlink performance. In addition to such losses, the propagation path may also lead to power imbalance between antenna ports or spatial layers.

[0029] Compensating for the power imbalance of SRS and / or PUSCH transmissions may be beneficial at least from the link efficiency perspective, i.e., for optimizing downlink and uplink throughput, respectively. However, such compensation may negatively impact the power consumption and battery life of UE 110.

[0030] Embodiments of the present disclosure therefore enable compensation for the power imbalance, e.g., minimization of the power imbalance, while considering the impact of the power imbalance on the power consumption and / or battery life of UE 110. UE 110 may obtain, in cellular communication network, information related to at least one antenna port or at least one spatial layer of UE 110, wherein said information is for controlling power adjustment due to a power imbalance. For example, UE 110 may obtain said information related to supplementing and / or adjusting power for the at least one antenna port or the at least one spatial layer due to at least receiver and / or transmitter errors and / or losses, and more generally due to a power imbalance at UE 110 or Signal-to-Interference-plus-Noise Ratio, SINR, imbalance between received antenna ports or spatial layers at wireless network node 120.

[0031] In some example embodiments, a spatial layer may be referred simply as a layer or a transmission layer, i.e., the terms may be used interchangeably. In addition, or alternatively, a spatial layer may be referred to as an uplink transmission layer, such as a PUSCH transmission layer, e.g., as defined in a 3GPP standard specification TS 38.214.

[0032] UE 110 may further determine, based on said information, a power adjustment parameter of the at least one antenna port or the at least one spatial layer, for compensating for the power imbalance. For example, UE 110 may determine to supplement and / or adjust the power for the at least one antenna port or the at least one spatial layer based at least partially on the power adjustment parameter, i.e., based at least partially on said information. After that, UE 110 may transmit to wireless network node 120 an uplink transmission, such as an SRS or PUSCH transmission, via the at least one antenna port or the at least one spatial layer at least partially based on the power adjustment parameter. Transmitting the uplink transmission atleast partially based on the power adjustment parameter may refer to adjusting a power of the at least one antenna port or the at least one spatial layer, and then transmitting via the at least one antenna port or the at least one spatial layer using the adjusted power.

[0033] In some example embodiments, UE 110 may determine, based on said information, whether the apparatus is allowed to adjust the power of the at least one antenna port or the at least one spatial layer. Said information may comprise information about whether UE 110 is allowed to adjust the power of the at least one antenna port or the at least one spatial layer, for compensating for the power imbalance. In such a case, UE 110 may determine, based on said information, that UE 110 is allowed to adjust the power of the at least one antenna port or the at least one spatial layer. Alternatively, UE 110 may determine, based on said information, that the apparatus is not allowed to adjust the power of the at least one antenna port or the at least one spatial layer. Alternatively, or in addition, said information may comprise information about how much or to which extent, UE 110 is allowed to adjust the power of the at least one antenna port or the at least one spatial layer, for compensating for the power imbalance. Said information may explicitly enable, disable or limit UE 110 for supplementing and / or adjusting the power to compensate for the power imbalance. Alternatively, said information may conditionally enable, disable or limit / control UE 110 for supplementing and / or adjusting power to compensate for the power imbalance.

[0034] In some example embodiments, said information may comprise information about a power difference between the at least one antenna port or the at least one spatial layer, and a reference level. The reference level may relate to a power difference between the at least one antenna port and at least one other antenna port, or the between at least one spatial layer and at least one other spatial layer. For example, said information may be indicative of a power difference corresponding to the at least one antenna port or the at least one spatial layer with respect to the reference level. The reference level may be a power level or (power) error / loss level, e.g., corresponding to another antenna port or another spatial layer.

[0035] In some example embodiments, UE 110 may obtain said information by receiving configuration information from wireless network node 120, or by monitoring or by determining the power imbalance related to the at least one antenna port or the at least one spatial layer. UE 110 may obtain said information related to the power adjustment parameter for the at least one antenna port or the at least one spatial layer, wherein the power adjustment parameter may bepositive or negative. UE 110 may then determine the power adjustment for the at least one antenna port or the at least one spatial layer at least partially based on the obtained information.

[0036] In some example embodiments, wireless network node 120 may indicate a lower limit threshold of the power adjustment parameter to avoid significant impact on a strongest spatial layer when the impact is negative. A positive upper limit threshold for the supplement power or the power adjustment parameter may be determined based on an indication of UE 110 to limit its power consumption and / or an indication of wireless network node 120, e.g., considering tolerance of the network for interference.

[0037] In some example embodiments, said information may comprise an indication of a required power at wireless network node 120 for the at least one antenna port or the at least one spatial layer. In such a case, UE 110 may adjust the power of the at least one antenna port or the at least one spatial layer based at least on the required power. Said information may thus be indicative of, or represent, the required power for the at least one antenna port or the at least one spatial layer, in order to balance an uplink SINR difference at wireless network node 120, with respect to a reference level. The indication of the required power may be used to minimize, or counterbalance, the effect of different interferences among the received spatial layers even if there is no power imbalance at UE 110, i.e., at the transmitter side. Different interferences may occur, e.g., due to any interference source(s) from same and / or different cells impacting the received signal at wireless network node 120. Uplink SINR balancing may be referred to as post equalization SINR at wireless network node 120, i.e., at the receiver.

[0038] In some example embodiments, there might be no need to indicate an uplink SINR (per spatial layer) to UE 110, but the indication of the required supplement power for the at least one antenna port or the at least one spatial layer may relate to the required power value. Wireless network node 120 may determine the indicative required power value to achieve uplink SINR balancing per spatial layer within one codeword, e.g., boosting a weaker antenna port may be used to allow for post equalizer layer SINR balancing.

[0039] In some example embodiments, the power adjustment parameter may be below at least one threshold. In such a case, UE 110 may determine to supplement and / or adjust the power for the at least one antenna port or the at least one spatial layer if the power difference or the required power adjustment to balance SINR at wireless network node 120 is below the at least one threshold (full imbalance compensation). Alternatively, or additionally, if the difference is above the at least one threshold, UE 110 may determine not to supplement and / oradjust the power or supplement the power for the at least one antenna port or the at least one spatial layer up to the at least one threshold (partial imbalance compensation). The benefit provided by such a conditional behavior is that it is made possible for UE 110, and / or wireless network node 120, to control and / or limit the impact of the supplementing the power on battery life and / or power consumption of UE 110.

[0040] In some example embodiments, said information may relate to a minimum power difference, e.g., between antenna ports, wherein the power imbalance compensation should be applied by UE 110. For example, UE 110 may apply power imbalance compensation until a power difference of antenna port reaches 3 dB. Said information may also relate to a maximum power difference, e.g., between antenna ports, wherein the power imbalance compensation should be applied by UE 110. For example, UE 110 may apply power imbalance compensation if a power difference between antenna ports is < 6 dB, otherwise not.

[0041] In some example embodiments, UE 110 may determine a first imbalance threshold and a second imbalance threshold and further determine to adjust the power of the at least one antenna port or the at least one spatial layer when the imbalance related to the at least one antenna port or the at least one spatial layer is between the first imbalance threshold and the second imbalance threshold. For example, said information may relate to a combination of the minimum and maximum power difference, e.g., UE 110 may apply power imbalance compensation if a power difference between the antenna ports is < 6 dB and until a power difference between the antenna ports is < 3 dB.

[0042] In some example embodiments, UE 110 may determine to supplement and / or adjust the power for the at least one antenna port or the at least one spatial layer if the power difference is above a threshold. If not, UE 110 may determine not to supplement the power. The determined supplement power, i.e., the power adjustment parameter for the at least one antenna port or the at least one spatial layer may be the same for a subset of antenna ports or a subset of spatial layers. For example, the same supplement power may be used for all elements in antenna panel (hybrid / analog beamforming) or used for transmitting the same spatial layer.

[0043] In some example embodiments, UE 110 may transmit to wireless network node 120 an indication about a power difference threshold for the at least one antenna port or the at least one spatial layer. UE 110 may indicate and / or report the power difference threshold, e.g., per at least one antenna port, or maximum power difference and / or adjustment threshold to wireless network node 120. UE 110 may transmit such an indication, e.g., as a UE capabilityor as assistance information, possibly through Radio Resource Control, RRC, Medium Access Control Control Element, MAC CE, or Uplink Control Information, UCI.

[0044] The power difference threshold may correspond to a maximum power UE 110 may supplement for the at least one antenna port or the at least one spatial layer, or the power difference threshold may correspond to the cases where UE 110 may consider supplementing the power for the at least one antenna port or the at least one spatial layer. The indicated power difference threshold may correspond to infinity or to a certain value and / or range that is sufficiently big, in which case UE 110 may supplement power without considerations on impact on battery life and / or power consumption (e.g., Fixed Wireless Access, FWA, device, etc.).

[0045] In some example embodiments, UE 110 may determine or obtain a compensation threshold to be reached after the compensation and adjust the power of the at least one antenna port or the at least one spatial layer according to the compensation threshold. For example, wireless network node 120 may indicate the compensation threshold to UE 110, wherein the compensation threshold may be for interference management in the cell or network tolerance for additional interference. The compensation threshold may be specific for UE 110 and less than the indicated power difference threshold of UE 110. Alternatively, the compensation threshold may be common for all or a group of UEs in a cell. In such a case, each UE may determine the supplement power, if any, using a lowest threshold, i.e., min(NW threshold, UE indicated threshold). Wireless network node 120 may set its indicated threshold to zero to disable the supplementing the power per antenna port. The compensation threshold may correspond to a target maximum power imbalance to be reached by UE 110 after compensation, e.g., UE 110 may compensate until the power imbalance is below 1 dB.

[0046] In some example embodiments, UE 110 may determine to supplement and / or adjust the power for the at least one antenna port or the at least one spatial layer if at least one of the following is above a threshold, below a threshold or within a range:• a corresponding output power;• an (output) power corresponding to a reference antenna port or spatial layer;• a total power considering all antenna port or spatial layers;• a maximum configured output power for the at least one antenna port or the at least one spatial layer; or• a power headroom corresponding to the at least one antenna port or the at least one spatial layer, e.g., UE 110 may apply antenna port power compensation for as long as power headroom is above a threshold. The threshold may be a first threshold (e.g., power headroom > 0 or X dB, etc.) and used to determine if supplementing power per antenna port is enabled or not. For example, supplementing power per antenna port may be disabled if there is no sufficient power headroom, e.g., power headroom <=0 or X dB. A second threshold may be used to determine the supplement power value considering power consumption of UE 110 and would be an upper limit of imbalance compensation (e.g., partial compensation).

[0047] FIG. 2a illustrates a first signalling graph in accordance with at least some example embodiments. On the vertical axes are disposed, from the left to the right, UE 110 and wireless network node 120 of FIG. 1.

[0048] At step 201, UE 110 may transmit an indication of a maximum power threshold to wireless network node 120. At step 202, wireless network node 120 may configure UE 110, e.g., using RRC configuration, related to supplementing and / or adjusting a power of at least one antenna port or at least one spatial layer of UE 110. Wireless network node 120 may configure UE 110 with potential threshold(s), event(s), etc.

[0049] At step 203, wireless network node 120 may transmit an activation command to UE 110, to activate supplementing and / or adjusting power. At step 204, UE 110 may determine a power adjustment parameter of the at least one antenna port or the at least one spatial layer, i.e., determine to adjust the power of the at least one antenna port or the at least one spatial layer, for compensating for the power imbalance. For example, UE 110 may determine, for the at least one antenna port or the at least one spatial layer of an uplink channel / signal transmission, that a power difference is below a threshold. In such a case, UE 110 may determine to supplement and / or adjust a power for the at least one antenna port or the at least one spatial layer. UE 110 may then transmit an uplink transmission via the at least one antenna port or the at least one spatial layer at least partially based on the power adjustment parameter. Wireless network node 120 may receive from UE 110 the uplink transmission (at least) via the at least one antenna port or the at least one spatial layer of UE 110, wherein the uplink transmission is at least partially based on the power adjustment parameter.

[0050] At step 205, UE 110 may transmit to wireless network node an indication of supplementing and / or adjusting the power of the at least one antenna port or the at least onespatial layer. At step 206, UE 110 may transmit to wireless network node an indication of a minimum power difference satisfied based on the supplementing and / or adjusting.

[0051] FIG. 2b illustrates a second signalling graph in accordance with at least some example embodiments. On the vertical axes are disposed, from the left to the right, UE 110 and wireless network node 120 of FIG. 1.

[0052] At step 211, wireless network node 120 may transmit a per port(s) power control command to UE 110. At step 212, UE 110 may obtain a power difference information related to supplementing the power for the at least one antenna port or the at least one spatial layer.

[0053] At step 213, wireless network node 120 may transmit a per port(s) power saving command to UE 110. At step 214, UE 110 may determine to limit the power. UE 110 may determine for the at least one antenna or the at least one spatial layer of uplink channel / signal transmission, that a target transmission level is above a power save limitation. In such a case, UE 110 may also decide to supplement or limit the power for the at least antenna port or the at least one spatial layer.

[0054] At step 215, UE 110 may transmit uplink transmission with a power supplemented or limited for the at least one antenna.

[0055] In some example embodiments, UE 110 may transmit to wireless network node 120 an indication about at least one of:• whether a condition to adjust a power is satisfied. For example, UE 110 may indicate to wireless network node 120 whether a condition to supplement and / or adjust a power is satisfied (or not) for the at least one antenna port or the at least one spatial layer, such as whether the power difference is below / within a threshold;• whether UE 110 has adjusted the power. For example, UE 110 may indicate whether it has supplemented and / or adjusted the power for the at least one antenna port or the at least one spatial layer;• to which extent UE 110 has adjusted the power. For example, UE 110 may indicate to which extent it has supplemented and / or adjusted the power for the at least one antenna port or the at least one spatial layer, e.g., an indication of an applied per port power compensation or an indication of a maximum port power imbalance allowed level; or• the at least one antenna port or the at least one spatial layer of which power has been adjusted. For example, UE 110 may determine and report an indicative information ofthe at least one antenna port or the at least one spatial layer, where a supplement power is applied or where the applied supplement power is above another threshold.

[0056] Wireless network node 120 may consider such information in the next uplink scheduling and / or configuration, e.g., minimize or avoid using antenna ports requiring an excessive supplement power to limit potential power consumption increase of UE 110. Wireless network node 120 may indicate a threshold for one or all UEs. The threshold may be for the indication purpose only, i.e., indicate to UE(s) where the supplemental power is applied if and only if it is significant, but not otherwise.

[0057] In some example embodiments, wireless network node 120 may indicate at least one power difference threshold to UE 110, wherein the threshold(s) may correspond to at least one specific antenna port or at least one specific spatial layer, or may be common for all antenna ports or spatial layers. If the indicated value is 0, UE 110 might not consider supplementing and / or adjusting the power for the at least one antenna port or the at least one spatial layer.

[0058] In some example embodiments, wireless network node 120 may enable or disable, e.g., through an indication via MAC CE, Downlink Control Information, DCI, or RRC, the behavior of UE 110 for supplementing and / or adjusting the power for the at least one antenna port or the at least one spatial layer.

[0059] In some example embodiments, UE 110 may transmit to wireless network node 120 a request to disable the compensation for the imbalance or an indication indicating that UE 110 has disabled the compensation for the imbalance. UE 110 may indicate to the network the need to disable the compensation for the imbalance or that UE 110 has disabled the compensation for the imbalance, e.g., due to the power consumption of UE 110. UE 110 may disable the compensation for the imbalance temporarily (for a given duration) or until the network re-enables the compensation for the imbalance.

[0060] In some example embodiments, UE 110 may be configured, indicated or specified to supplement the power until achieving an equal power or until the power difference is less than a threshold. The threshold may be indicated by UE 110 in capabilities. Then, wireless network node 120 may dynamically indicate to UE 110 the threshold to be applied and / or UE 110 may indicate to wireless network node 120 the threshold UE 110 may currently satisfy or apply or consider or prefer.

[0061] The compensation for the imbalance may correspond to pathloss compensation. For example, supplementing / adjusting the power of the at least one antenna port or the at least one spatial layer may correspond to pathloss compensation for the at least one antenna port or the at least one spatial layer. In such a case, UE 110 may additionally consider the pathloss per the at least one antenna port or the at least one spatial layer, and supplement the corresponding power considering the at least one condition. Supplementing / adjusting the power for the at least one antenna port or the at least one spatial layer may be applicable within antenna ports or spatial layers used for transmitting one transport block or codeword, or may be applicable across or separately for antenna ports or spatial layers used for transmitting at least two transport blocks or codewords.

[0062] In some example embodiments, the at least one antenna port or the at least one spatial layer used for transmitting each transport block or codeword may be a group of antenna ports or a group of spatial layers. The power imbalance and the power adjustment may be considered between antenna ports in a group of antenna ports or between spatial layers in a group of spatial layers, wherein the power or the power level for a group may be assumed as the average, minimum, maximum or any other function of the powers corresponding to the antenna ports or spatial layers of a group. Alternatively, or additionally, the power imbalance and / or the power adjustment may be considered between groups of antenna ports or groups of spatial layers, wherein the power or the power level for a group may be assumed as the average, minimum, maximum or any other function of the powers corresponding to the antenna ports or spatial layers of the group. UE 110 may use the supplemented / adjusted power for transmitting via the at least one antenna port or the at least one spatial layer any uplink transmission, such as SRS (e.g., in case of SRS switching) or PUSCH.

[0063] In some example embodiments, at least one antenna port or antenna port group may correspond to, or be associated with, at least one reference signal resource, such as at least one SRS resource. At least one antenna port or antenna port group, for which power imbalance and / or power adjustment is considered, may correspond to a same reference signal resource set or to different reference signal resource sets.

[0064] Embodiments of the present disclosure therefore enable supplementing (or adjusting) power imbalance for the at least one antenna port or the at least one spatial layer of UE 110, e.g., by taking into account power consumption and / or battery life of UE 110. Some embodiments further enable UE 110 to stop, or indicate stopping, supplementing and / oradjusting the power imbalance, in order to limit the power consumption of UE 110. Some embodiments may be used to prevent excess power consumption of UE 110 due to supplementing uplink and having network-aware supplementing and / or adjustment mechanisms. Some embodiments enable different types of UEs, or power classes, to be applied for supplementing and / or adjusting differently. For example, handheld UEs may supplement power until power difference is below x dB while FWA UEs may supplement maximally, because such UEs are plugged devices.

[0065] FIG. 3 illustrates an example apparatus capable of supporting at least some example embodiments. Illustrated is device 300, which may comprise, for example, UE 110 or wireless network node 120, or a control device configured to control the functioning thereof, possibly when installed therein. Comprised in device 300 is processor 310, which may comprise, for example, a single- or multi-core processor wherein a single-core processor comprises one processing core and a multi-core processor comprises more than one processing core. Processor 310 may comprise, in general, a control device. Processor 310 may comprise more than one processor. Processor 310 may be a control device. Processor 310 may comprise at least one application-specific integrated circuit, ASIC. Processor 310 may comprise at least one field-programmable gate array, FPGA. Processor 310 may be means for performing method steps in device 300. Processor 310 may be configured, at least in part by computer instructions, to perform actions.

[0066] A processor may comprise circuitry, or be constituted as circuitry or circuitries, the circuitry or circuitries being configured to perform phases of methods in accordance with example embodiments described herein. As used in this application, the term “circuitry” may refer to one or more or all of the following: (a) hardware-only circuit implementations, such as implementations in only analog and / or digital circuitry, and (b) combinations of hardware circuits and software, such as, as applicable: (i) a combination of analog and / or digital hardware circuit(s) with software / firmware and (ii) any portions of hardware processor(s) with software (including digital signal processor(s)), software, and memory(ies) that work together to cause an apparatus, such as a mobile phone or server, to perform various functions) and (c) hardware circuit(s) and or processor(s), such as a microprocessor(s) or a portion of a microprocessor(s), that requires software (e.g., firmware) for operation, but the software may not be present when it is not needed for operation.

[0067] This definition of circuitry applies to all uses of this term in this application, including in any claims. As a further example, as used in this application, the term circuitry also covers an implementation of merely a hardware circuit or processor (or multiple processors) or portion of a hardware circuit or processor and its (or their) accompanying software and / or firmware. The term circuitry also covers, for example and if applicable to the particular claim element, a baseband integrated circuit or processor integrated circuit for a mobile device or a similar integrated circuit in server, a cellular network device, or other computing or network device.

[0068] Device 300 may comprise memory 320. Memory 320 may comprise randomaccess memory and / or permanent memory. Memory 320 may comprise at least one RAM chip. Memory 320 may comprise solid-state, magnetic, optical and / or holographic memory, for example. Memory 320 may be at least in part accessible to processor 310. Memory 320 may be at least in part comprised in processor 310. Memory 320 may be means for storing information. Memory 320 may comprise computer instructions that processor 310 is configured to execute. When computer instructions configured to cause processor 310 to perform certain actions are stored in memory 320, and device 300 overall is configured to run under the direction of processor 310 using computer instructions from memory 320, processor 310 and / or its at least one processing core may be considered to be configured to perform said certain actions. Memory 320 may be at least in part comprised in processor 310. Memory 320 may be at least in part external to device 300 but accessible to device 300.

[0069] Device 300 may comprise a transmitter 330. Device 300 may comprise a receiver 340. Transmitter 330 and receiver 340 may be configured to transmit and receive, respectively, information in accordance with at least one cellular or non-cellular standard. Transmitter 330 may comprise more than one transmitter. Receiver 340 may comprise more than one receiver. Transmitter 330 and / or receiver 340 may be configured to operate in accordance with Global System for Mobile communication, GSM, Wideband Code Division Multiple Access, WCDMA, Long Term Evolution, LTE, and / or 5G / NR standards, for example.

[0070] Device 300 may comprise a Near-Field Communication, NFC, transceiver 350. NFC transceiver 350 may support at least one NFC technology, such as Bluetooth, Wibree or similar technologies.

[0071] Device 300 may comprise User Interface, UI, 360. UI 360 may comprise at least one of a display, a keyboard, a touchscreen, a vibrator arranged to signal to a user by causingdevice 300 to vibrate, a speaker and a microphone. A user may be able to operate device 300 via UI 360, for example to accept incoming telephone calls, to originate telephone calls or video calls, to browse the Internet, to manage digital files stored in memory 320 or on a cloud accessible via transmitter 330 and receiver 340, or via NFC transceiver 350, and / or to play games.

[0072] Device 300 may comprise or be arranged to accept a user identity module 370. User identity module 370 may comprise, for example, a Subscriber Identity Module, SIM, card installable in device 300. A user identity module 370 may comprise information identifying a subscription of a user of device 300. A user identity module 370 may comprise cryptographic information usable to verify the identity of a user of device 300 and / or to facilitate encryption of communicated information and billing of the user of device 300 for communication effected via device 300.

[0073] Processor 310 may be furnished with a transmitter arranged to output information from processor 310, via electrical leads internal to device 300, to other devices comprised in device 300. Such a transmitter may comprise a serial bus transmitter arranged to, for example, output information via at least one electrical lead to memory 320 for storage therein. Alternatively to a serial bus, the transmitter may comprise a parallel bus transmitter. Likewise processor 310 may comprise a receiver arranged to receive information in processor 310, via electrical leads internal to device 300, from other devices comprised in device 300. Such a receiver may comprise a serial bus receiver arranged to, for example, receive information via at least one electrical lead from receiver 340 for processing in processor 310. Alternatively to a serial bus, the receiver may comprise a parallel bus receiver.

[0074] Device 300 may comprise further devices not illustrated in FIG. 3. For example, where device 300 comprises a smartphone, it may comprise at least one digital camera. Some devices 300 may comprise a back-facing camera and a front-facing camera, wherein the back- facing camera may be intended for digital photography and the front-facing camera for video telephony. Device 300 may comprise a fingerprint sensor arranged to authenticate, at least in part, a user of device 300. In some example embodiments, device 300 lacks at least one device described above. For example, some devices 300 may lack a NFC transceiver 350 and / or user identity module 370.

[0075] Processor 310, memory 320, transmitter 330, receiver 340, NFC transceiver 350, UI 360 and / or user identity module 370 may be interconnected by electrical leads internal todevice 300 in a multitude of different ways. For example, each of the aforementioned devices may be separately connected to a master bus internal to device 300, to allow for the devices to exchange information. However, as the skilled person will appreciate, this is only one example and depending on the example embodiment various ways of interconnecting at least two of the aforementioned devices may be selected without departing from the scope of the example embodiments.

[0076] FIG. 4 is a flow graph of a first method in accordance with at least some example embodiments. The phases of the illustrated first method may be performed by UE 110 or by a control device configured to control the functioning thereof, when installed therein.

[0077] The first method may comprise, at step 410, obtaining, in a cellular communication network, information related to at least one antenna port or at least one spatial layer of an apparatus, wherein said information is for controlling power adjustment due to a power imbalance. The first method may also comprise, at step 420, determining, based on said information, a power adjustment parameter of the at least one antenna port or the at least one spatial layer, for compensating for the power imbalance. Finally, the first method may comprise, at step 430, transmitting, to a wireless network node, an uplink transmission via the at least one antenna port or the at least one spatial layer at least partially based on the power adjustment parameter.

[0078] FIG. 5 is a flow graph of a second method in accordance with at least some example embodiments. The phases of the illustrated first method may be performed by wireless network node or by a control device configured to control the functioning thereof, when installed therein.

[0079] The second method may comprise, at step 510, transmitting, to a user equipment in a cellular communication network, information related to at least one antenna port or at least one spatial layer of the user equipment, wherein said information is for controlling power adjustment due to a power imbalance. The second method may also comprise, at step 520, receiving from the user equipment an uplink transmission via the at least one antenna port or the at least one spatial layer of the user equipment, wherein the uplink transmission is at least partially based on a power adjustment parameter.

[0080] It is to be understood that the example embodiments disclosed are not limited to the particular structures, process steps, or materials disclosed herein, but are extended toequivalents thereof as would be recognized by those ordinarily skilled in the relevant arts. It should also be understood that terminology employed herein is used for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting.

[0081] Reference throughout this specification to one example embodiment or an example embodiment means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the example embodiment is included in at least one example embodiment. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one example embodiment” or “in an example embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same example embodiment. Where reference is made to a numerical value using a term such as, for example, about or substantially, the exact numerical value is also disclosed.

[0082] As used herein, a plurality of items, structural elements, compositional elements, and / or materials may be presented in a common list for convenience. However, these lists should be construed as though each member of the list is individually identified as a separate and unique member. Thus, no individual member of such list should be construed as a de facto equivalent of any other member of the same list solely based on their presentation in a common group without indications to the contrary. In addition, various example embodiments and examples may be referred to herein along with alternatives for the various components thereof. It is understood that such example embodiments, examples, and alternatives are not to be construed as de facto equivalents of one another, but are to be considered as separate and autonomous representations.

[0083] In an example embodiment, an apparatus, such as, for example, UE 110 or wireless network node 120, may comprise means for carrying out the example embodiments described above and any combination thereof.

[0084] In an example embodiment, a computer program may be configured to cause a method in accordance with the example embodiments described above and any combination thereof. In an example embodiment, a computer program product, embodied on a non- transitory computer readable medium, may be configured to control a processor to perform a process comprising the example embodiments described above and any combination thereof.

[0085] In an example embodiment, an apparatus, such as, for example, UE 110 or wireless network node 120, may comprise at least one processor, and at least one memory including computer program code, wherein the at least one memory and the computer programcode are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform the example embodiments described above and any combination thereof.

[0086] Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more example embodiments. In the preceding description, numerous specific details are provided, such as examples of lengths, widths, shapes, etc., to provide a thorough understanding of example embodiments of the disclosure. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the disclosure can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the disclosure.

[0087] While the forgoing examples are illustrative of the principles of the example embodiments in one or more particular applications, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications in form, usage and details of implementation can be made without the exercise of inventive faculty, and without departing from the principles and concepts of the disclosure. Accordingly, it is not intended that the disclosure be limited, except as by the claims set forth below.

[0088] The verbs “to comprise” and “to include” are used in this document as open limitations that neither exclude nor require the existence of also un-recited features. The features recited in depending claims are mutually freely combinable unless otherwise explicitly stated. Furthermore, it is to be understood that the use of "a" or "an", that is, a singular form, throughout this document does not exclude a plurality.INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0089] At least some example embodiments find industrial application in cellular communication networks, for example in 3GPP networks.ACRONYMS LIST3GPP 3rd Generation Partnership ProjectBS Base StationDCI Downlink Control InformationDU Distributed UnitFWA Fixed Wireless AccessGSM Global System for Mobile communicationIAB Integrated Access and Backhaul loT Internet of ThingsLTE Long-Term EvolutionM2M Machine-to-MachineMAC CE Medium Access Control Control ElementMIMO Multiple-Input Multiple- OutputMT Mobile TerminationMTC Machine-Type CommunicationsNFC Near-Field CommunicationNR New RadioPUSCH Physical Uplink Shared ChannelRAN Radio Access NetworkRRC Radio Resource ControlSINR Signal-to-Interference-plus-Noise RatioSRS Sounding Reference SignalTRP Transmission and Reception PointUCI Uplink Control InformationUE User EquipmentUI User InterfaceUL ULWCDMA Wideband Code Division Multiple AccessWiMAX Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave AccessWLAN Wireless Local Area NetworkREFERENCE SIGNS LIST

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. An apparatus comprising at least one processing core and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processing core, cause the apparatus at least to:- obtain, in a cellular communication network, information related to at least one antenna port or at least one spatial layer of the apparatus, wherein said information is for controlling power adjustment due to a power imbalance;- determine, based on said information, a power adjustment parameter of the at least one antenna port or the at least one spatial layer, for compensating for the power imbalance; and- transmit, to a wireless network node, an uplink transmission via the at least one antenna port or the at least one spatial layer at least partially based on the power adjustment parameter.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one processing core and the at least one memory further cause the apparatus at least to:- determine, based on said information, whether the apparatus is allowed to adjust a power of the at least one antenna port or the at least one spatial layer.

3. The apparatus according to any of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said information comprises information about whether the apparatus is allowed to adjust a power of the at least one antenna port or the at least one spatial layer, for compensating for the power imbalance, and the at least one processing core and the at least one memory further cause the apparatus at least to:- determine, based on said information, that the apparatus is allowed to adjust the power of the at least one antenna port or the at least one spatial layer; or- determine, based on said information, that the apparatus is not allowed to adjust the power of the at least one antenna port or the at least one spatial layer.

4. The apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one processing core and the at least one memory further cause the apparatus at least to:obtain said information by receiving configuration information from the wireless network node, or by monitoring or by determining the power imbalance related to the at least one antenna port or the at least one spatial layer.

5. The apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said information comprises information about a power difference between the at least one antenna port or the at least one spatial layer, and a reference level.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the reference level relates to a power difference between the at least one antenna port and at least one other antenna port, or the between at least one spatial layer and at least one other spatial layer.

7. The apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said information comprises information about how much the apparatus is allowed to adjust a power of the at least one antenna port or the at least one spatial layer, for compensating for the power imbalance.

8. The apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said information comprises an indication of a required power at a wireless network node for the at least one antenna port or the at least one spatial layer, and the at least one processing core and the at least one memory further cause the apparatus at least to:- adjust a power of the at least one antenna port or the at least one spatial layer based at least on the required power.

9. The apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the power adjustment parameter is below at least one threshold.

10. The apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one processing core and the at least one memory further cause the apparatus at least to:- determine a first imbalance threshold and a second imbalance threshold; and- determine to adjust a power of the at least one antenna port or the at least one spatial layer when the imbalance related to the at least one antenna port or the at least onespatial layer is between the first imbalance threshold and the second imbalance threshold.

11. The apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one processing core and the at least one memory further cause the apparatus at least to:- transmit, to the wireless network node, an indication about a power difference threshold for the at least one antenna port or the at least one spatial layer.

12. The apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one processing core and the at least one memory further cause the apparatus at least to:- determine or obtain a compensation threshold to be reached after the compensation; and- adjust a power of the at least one antenna port or the at least one spatial layer according to the compensation threshold.

13. The apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one processing core and the at least one memory further cause the apparatus at least to:- transmit, to the wireless network node, an indication about at least one of: o whether a condition to adjust a power is satisfied; o whether the apparatus has adjusted the power; o to which extent the apparatus has adjusted the power; or o the at least one antenna port or the at least one spatial layer of which power has been adjusted.

14. The apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one processing core and the at least one memory further cause the apparatus at least to:- transmit, to the wireless network node, a request to disable the compensation for the imbalance or an indication indicating that the apparatus has disabled the compensation for the imbalance.

15. An apparatus comprising at least one processing core and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processing core, cause the apparatus at least to:- transmit, to a user equipment in a cellular communication network, information related to at least one antenna port or at least one spatial layer of the user equipment, wherein said information is for controlling power adjustment due to a power imbalance; and- receive from the user equipment an uplink transmission via at least one antenna port or at least one spatial layer of the user equipment, wherein the uplink transmission is at least partially based on a power adjustment parameter.

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