Radio network node, user equipment and methods for handling spectrum sharing in a wireless communication network

Abstract

Embodiments herein may disclose a method performed by a radio network node (120) for handling access to a wireless communication network. The radio network node (120) configures in the wireless communication network, one or more SSBs for a first RAT and a second RAT. The SSB composition for the second RAT is the same as for the first RAT or defines one or more same SSB candidates as for the first RAT. Alternatively, or additionally, the radio network node (120) configures in the wireless communication network a first resource of a NZP-CSI-RS for the second RAT, that matches a second resource of a ZP-CSI-RS for the first RAT, and / or a third resource of a ZP-CSI-RS for the second RAT, that matches a fourth resource of a NZP-CSI-RS for the first RAT.

Description

[0001] RADIO NETWORK NODE, USER EQUIPMENT AND METHODS FOR HANDLING SPECTRUM SHARING IN A WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORK

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] Embodiments herein relate to a radio network node, a user equipment (UE), and methods performed therein for wireless communication. Furthermore, a computer program and a computer readable storage medium are also provided herein. In particular, embodiments herein relate to accessing a wireless communication network.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] In a typical wireless communication network, UEs, also known as wireless communication devices, mobile stations, stations (STA) and / or wireless devices, communicate via a Radio Access Network (RAN) with one or more core networks (CN). The RAN covers a geographical area which is divided into service areas or cell areas, with each service area or cell area being served by radio network node such as an access node e.g. a Wi-Fi access point or a radio base station (RBS), which in some networks may also be called, for example, a NodeB, a gNodeB, or an eNodeB. The service area or cell area is a geographical area where radio coverage is provided by the radio network node. The radio network node operates on radio frequencies to communicate over an air interface with the UEs within range of the radio network node. The radio network node communicates over a downlink (DL) to the UE and the UE communicates over an uplink (UL) to the radio network node.

[0006] A Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) is a third generation telecommunications network, which evolved from the second generation (2G) Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM). The UMTS terrestrial radio access network (UTRAN) is essentially a RAN using wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA) and / or High-Speed Packet Access (HSPA) for communication with user equipment. In a forum known as the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), telecommunications suppliers propose and agree upon standards for present and future generation networks and UTRAN specifically, and investigate enhanced data rate and radio capacity. In some RANs, e.g., as in UMTS, several radio network nodes may be connected, e.g., by landlines or microwave, to a controller node, such as a radio network controller (RNC) or a base station controller (BSC), which supervises and coordinates various activities of the plural radio network nodes connected thereto. The RNCs are typically connected to one or more core networks.

[0007] Specifications for the Evolved Packet System (EPS) have been completed within the 3GPP and this work continues in the coming 3GPP releases, such as 5G networks for example New Radio (NR). The EPS comprises the Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN), also known as the Long-Term Evolution (LTE) radio access network, and the Evolved Packet Core (EPC), also known as System Architecture Evolution (SAE) core network. E-UTRAN / LTE is a 3GPP radio access technology wherein the radio network nodes are directly connected to the EPC core network. As such, the Radio Access Network (RAN) of an EPS has an architecture comprising radio network nodes connected directly to one or more core networks.

[0008] With the emerging 5G technologies such as new radio (NR), focus is on a set of features such as the use of very many transmit- and receive-antenna elements that makes it possible to utilize beamforming, such as transmit-side and receive-side beamforming. Transmit-side beamforming means that the transmitter can amplify the transmitted signals in a selected direction or directions, while suppressing the transmitted signals in other directions. Similarly, on the receive-side, a receiver can amplify signals from a selected direction or directions, while suppressing unwanted signals from other directions. NR is connected to the 5G Core Network (5GC) which comprises a number of Network Functions (NF) such as Session Management Function (SMF), Access Management Function (AMF), Authentication Service Function (AUSF), Policy Control Function (PCF), Unified Data Manager (UDM), Network Repository Function (NRF), Network Exposure Function (NEF), just to mention some. In the 5GC, NFs can discover other NFs by using a discovery service provided by the NRF.

[0009] The most valuable spectrum for mobile communication is in the low- and midband spectrum due to its advantageous propagation conditions. Already in the transition from 4G to NR, the spectrum in these bands was very scarce, there are very few, if any, spectrum bands solely assigned to NR, but not to 4G. The same situation can be expected from the transition from NR to 6G, i.e. , there will be very few, or no, spectrum bands in the low- and midband that will be only allocated to 6G but not to NR.

[0010] It is therefore important to enable an efficient spectrum sharing between NR and 6G, i.e., it must be possible to operate NR and 6G simultaneously on a same spectrum resource.

[0011] NR SSB composition When an NR UE is switched on or searches for a new cell in handover, the UE tries to detect the so-called Synchronization Signal Block (SSB). Fig. 1a shows the signal structure of SSB. It consists of a primary synchronization signal (PSS), secondary synchronization signal (SSS), and physical broadcast channel (PBCH).

[0012] The UE searches for the PSS, typically with a time-domain filter, and performs rough time- and frequency synchronization based on the PSS. Once it finds the PSS, the UE can process the next three symbols to detect the SSS. Since the UE is already time- and frequency synchronized this step typically happens in the frequency-domain, i.e. , the UE transforms each symbol into the frequency-domain and correlates the received SSS symbols with SSS candidates. The found PSS, in total 3 PSS sequences exist, together with the found SSS sequence, in total 336 SSS sequences exist, define the cell ID, in total 3 x 336 = 1008. After successful detection of the PSS and the SSS, the UE can demodulate and decode the PBCH, which contains the master information block (MIB) as well as some physical-layer created payload, which together enable the UE to proceed in accessing the cell.

[0013] The NR PSS is based on an m-sequence of length 127, which is cyclic shifted in the frequency-domain and the NR SSS is based on a Gold sequence of length 127. Both synchronization signals are binary phase shift keying (BPSK) modulated.

[0014] Fig. 1a shows an SSB structure, wherein one physical resource block (PRB) is 12 subcarriers.

[0015] Especially during an initial access procedure the UE has no notion about the timing of the cell. The SSB is therefore periodically transmitted so that a UE - irrespective of when it is switched on - always finds an SSB. An SSB is repeated with an SSB periodicity which can vary in NR from 5 to 160 ms and is assumed to be 20 ms for an initial access procedure.

[0016] Especially at higher frequencies the coverage of an SSB may be insufficient to cover the complete desired cell area. It is therefore possible to transmit multiple SSBs within an SSB period. Even though the standard does not prescribe how the different SSBs are transmitted, with regards to spatial domain, a common setup is to transmit SSBs within an SSB period with different beams, i.e., spatial precoders, to cover the desired cell area. Fig. 1b together with Fig. 1c shows the placement in time of SSB candidates within an SSB period, this is sometimes called SSB composition. Fig. 1b shows the symbols within two slots that can carry SSB candidates, depending on the SSB composition pattern A to E. Since two slots are not sufficient to carry the maximum number of SSB candidates, more than two slots per SSB period can carry SSBs, this is shown in Fig. 1c. Fig. 1c shows slot positions of SSB blocks.

[0017] Since coverage is worse at higher frequencies, narrower beams are needed at higher frequencies to achieve the desired coverage. Therefore, SSB compositions contain more SSB candidates at higher frequencies than at lower frequencies, see Table 1. Depending on the carrier frequency, with numerology = 0 or = 1, up to 4 or 8 SSB candidates are supported per SSB period, respectively.

[0018] Table 1: Number of possible SSB candidates per SSB period

[0019] Number of SSBs that are actually used is conveyed in the parameter ssb- PositionsInBurst.

[0020] A Channel state information (CSI)- reference signal (RS) resource spans 1, 2, or 4 orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols. A CSI-RS resource may start at any symbol in a slot, such as at symbol 0-13. Some examples of CSI-RS footprints are shown in Fig. 1d. Fig. 1d shows a Time-frequency footprint of zero power (ZP)-CSI-RS and non zero power (NZP)-CSI-RS.

[0021] 5G defines NZP-CSI-RS and ZP-CSI-RS. NZP-CSI-RS are used for transmitting CSI-RS which are used for e.g. reference signal received power (RSRP) measurements, CSI acquisition, reference for uplink power control, and / or spatial reference for sounding reference signal (SRS). ZP-CSI-RS have a matching footprint to the NZP-CSI-RS and can be used by other UEs, not receiving the NZP-CSI-RS, to rate match their physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) around the NZP-CSI-RS in case they collide.

[0022] In addition, NR also defines CSI-interference measurement (IM) resources, which are used to indicate resource elements where the UE can measure, e.g., inter-cell, interference, e.g. as part of the CSI reporting. As there typically should be no transmissions on CSI-IM resources within the cell, devices should be configured with the corresponding resources as ZP-CSI-RS resources. NZP-CSI-RS and ZP-CSI-RS can be periodic, e.g., radio resource control (RRC) configured, semi-persistent, e.g., activated with medium access control (MAC) control element (CE), or aperiodic, downlink control information (DCI) triggered with CSI- measurement.

[0023] SUMMARY

[0024] As part of developing embodiments herein one or more problems have been identified. When sharing a carrier between 5G and 6G some resource conflicts, e.g., for the shared channels, can be avoided via coordinated scheduling while others can’t.

[0025] 6G UEs can always be protected from undesirable 5G signals by introducing required functionality in 6G. However, 5G UEs must be protected from 6G signals using existing 5G functionality.

[0026] Protecting 5G UEs from 6G SSBs and CSI-RS can of course also be done by scheduling, but this leads to large scheduling restrictions: 6G SSB has a rather small footprint, probably comparable to 5G, so rate matching around it would be nice, as compared to avoiding symbols or resource blocks in a 5G PDSCH scheduling. CSI-RSs are typically regularly repeated across frequencies occupying one or few symbols that can span a rather large bandwidth, leading to lost symbols when one needs to schedule around it, and also an increased control channel load if a PDSCH needs to be split to avoid CSI-RS symbols.

[0027] While existing 5G rate matching functionality can likely be used to rate match around 6G SSBs, at the cost of consuming a rate matching pattern, it is less clear that existing 5G rate matching functionality is sufficient to rate match around 6G CSI-RS.

[0028] Not being able to rate match around 6G SSB and / or CSI-RS leads either to large scheduling restrictions, avoiding any resource blocks carrying 6G CSI-RS or SSB, or performance degradation, such as puncturing a 5G PDSCH by 6G CSI-RS, and this is not really possible for 6G SSB.

[0029] An object of embodiments herein is to provide a mechanism for enabling communication, such as handling access, in a wireless communication network in an efficient manner.

[0030] According to an aspect the object is achieved by providing a method performed by a radio network node for handling access to a wireless communication network. The radio network node allocates or configures in the wireless communication network, one or more SSBs for a first RAT and a second RAT. The SSB composition for the second RAT is the same as for the first RAT or defines same one or more SSB candidates as for the first RAT. Alternatively, or additionally, the radio network node allocates or configures in the wireless communication network a first resource of a NZP-CSI-RS for the second RAT, that matches a second resource of a ZP-CSI-RS for the first RAT, and / or a third resource of a ZP-CSI-RS for the second RAT, that matches a fourth resource of a NZP-CSI-RS for the first RAT. The radio network node may further provide information to a UE of the first RAT indicating one or more SSBs for the first RAT and the second RAT, wherein the first and second RATs use same SSB compositions. Alternatively, or additionally, the radio network node may provide configuration indicating that the resource of the NZP-CSI-RS of the first RAT matches the resource of the ZP-CSI-RS of the second RAT.

[0031] According to another aspect the object is achieved by providing a method performed by a UE for handling access to a wireless communication network. The UE obtains information regarding one or more SSBs of a first RAT and the second RAT, wherein SSB composition for the second RAT is the same as for the first RAT or defines same one or more SSB candidates as for the first RAT. Alternatively, or additionally, the UE obtains configuration indicating that a first resource of a NZP-CSI-RS of the second RAT matches a second resource of a ZP-CSI-RS of the first RAT and / or a third resource of the ZP-CSI-RS for the second RAT matches a fourth resource of the NZP-CSI-RS for the first RAT. The UE performs an action taking the information and / or configuration into account.

[0032] It is furthermore provided herein a computer program comprising instructions, which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out any of the methods herein, as performed by the UE or the radio network node, respectively. It is additionally provided herein a computer-readable storage medium, having stored thereon a computer program comprising instructions which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out the methods herein, as performed by the UE or the radio network node, respectively.

[0033] According to yet another aspect the object is achieved, according to embodiments herein, by providing a radio network node, and a UE configured to perform the methods herein, respectively.

[0034] Thus, according to an aspect the object is achieved by providing a radio network node for handling access to a wireless communication network. The radio network node is configured to allocate or configure in the wireless communication network, one or more SSBs for a first RAT and a second RAT. The SSB composition for the second RAT is the same as for the first RAT or defines same one or more SSB candidates as for the first RAT. Alternatively, or additionally, the radio network node is configured to allocate or configure in the wireless communication network a first resource of a NZP-CSI-RS for the second RAT, that matches a second resource of a ZP-CSI-RS for the first RAT, and / or a third resource of a ZP-CSI-RS for the second RAT, that matches a fourth resource of a NZP-CSI-RS for the first RAT.

[0035] According to another aspect the object is achieved by providing a UE for handling access to a wireless communication network. The UE is configured to obtain information regarding one or more SSBs of a first RAT and a second RAT, wherein SSB composition for the second RAT is the same as for the first RAT or defines same one or more SSB candidates as for the first RAT. Alternatively, or additionally, the UE is configured to obtain configuration indicating that a first resource of a NZP-CSI-RS of the second RAT matches a second resource of a ZP-CSI-RS of the first RAT and / or a third resource of the ZP-CSI- RS for the second RAT matches a fourth resource of the NZP-CSI-RS for the first RAT. The UE is configured to perform an action taking the information and / or configuration into account.

[0036] The second RAT, such as 6G, defines SSB compositions that match at least some of the first RAT SSB candidates such as 5G SSB candidates. Preferably the 6G SSB compositions are the same or a super-set of the 5G SSB compositions, at least for those SSB compositions that may be relevant for multi-radio spectrum sharing (MRSS). SSB composition defines placement in time of SSB candidates within an SSB period. The second RAT, such as 6G, defines resource configuration of NZP-CSI-RS that matches at least one or some 5G ZP-CSI-RS resource configurations. Alternatively, or additionally, the 6G defines ZP-CSI-RS that contains at least some 5G NZP-CSI-RS resource configurations.

[0037] In embodiments herein both systems, such as one or more radio network nodes, may indicate to their UEs the combination of SSB candidates used in both RATs such as in 5G and in 6G. UEs in each RAT are therefore aware of the other RAT’s SSBs and can rate match around them.

[0038] To protect 5G UEs: the radio network node may configure ZP-CSI-RS resources that match the NZP-CSI-RS resources used by 6G.

[0039] To protect 6G UEs: : the radio network node may configure ZP-CSI-RS, or any other kind of rate matching pattern, that matches the NZP-CSI-RS resource configuration used by 5G.

[0040] In this way, UEs of each RAT can rate match, using ZP-CSI-RS, around NZP-CSI-

[0041] RS of the other RAT. Embodiments herein suggest that two RATs, such as NR and 6G, share the same resource elements for SSBs and / or that resources of a ZP-CSI-RS for one RAT match resource elements of a NZP-CSI-RS for the second RAT.

[0042] Thus, first RAT UEs such as 5G UEs can be configured to easily rate match around second RAT SSBs and / or CSI-RS. The same also applies for second RAT UEs. Being able to rate match improves performance and / or reduces scheduler restrictions. Thus, enabling communication, such as enabling access, to the wireless communication network in an efficient manner.

[0043] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0044] Embodiments will now be described in more detail in relation to the enclosed drawings, in which:

[0045] Fig. 1a shows an SSB structure;

[0046] Fig. 1b shows symbols that can carry SSBs;

[0047] Fig. 1c shows slot positions of SSBs;

[0048] Fig. 1d shows a Time-frequency footprint of zero power (ZP)-CSI-RS and non zero power (NZP)-CSI-RS;

[0049] Fig. 2 is a schematic overview depicting a wireless communication network according to embodiments herein;

[0050] Fig. 3 is a combined flowchart and signalling scheme according to some embodiments herein;

[0051] Fig. 4 is a flowchart depicting a method performed by a UE according to embodiments herein;

[0052] Fig. 5 is a flowchart depicting a method performed by a radio network node according to embodiments herein;

[0053] Fig. 6 shows an example when 6G SSB composition is the same as 5G SSB composition according to some embodiments herein;

[0054] Fig. 7 is a block diagram depicting a UE according to embodiments herein;

[0055] Fig. 8 is a block diagram depicting a radio network node according to embodiments herein;

[0056] Fig. 9 schematically illustrates embodiments of a communication system, Fig. 10 is a generalized block diagram of embodiments of a UE,

[0057] Fig. 11 is a generalized block diagram of embodiments of a network node, and Fig. 12 is a generalized block diagram of embodiments of a virtualization environment.

[0058] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0059] Embodiments herein relate to communication networks in general. Fig. 2 is a schematic overview depicting a wireless communication network 1 . The wireless communication network 1 comprises one or more RANs and one or more CNs. The wireless communication network 1 may use a number of different technologies, such as 6G, Wi-Fi, Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced, NR, Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), Global System for Mobile communications / Enhanced Data rate for GSM Evolution (GSM / EDGE), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMax), or Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), just to mention a few possible implementations.

[0060] In the wireless communication network 1 , wireless devices e.g. a user equipment (UE) 10 such as a mobile station, a non-access point (non-AP) STA, a STA, a wireless device and / or a wireless terminal, communicate via one or more Access Networks (AN), e.g. RAN, to one or more core networks (CN). It should be understood by those skilled in the art that “UE” is a non-limiting term which means any terminal, wireless communication terminal, internet of things (loT) capable device, Machine Type Communication (MTC) device, Device to Device (D2D) terminal, or node, e.g., smart phone, laptop, mobile phone, sensor, relay, mobile tablets or even a base station communicating within a cell. The UE may be a first RAT UE, such as a 5G UE, or a second RAT UE, such as a 6G UE.

[0061] The wireless communication network 1 comprises a first radio network node 12 providing radio coverage over a geographical area, a first service area or first cell 11 , of a first radio access technology (RAT), such as 6G, NR, LTE, UMTS, Wi-Fi or similar. The radio network node 12 may be a radio access network node such as a transmission and reception point (TRP), an access point such as a wireless local area network (WLAN) access point or an Access Point Station (AP STA), an access controller, a base station, e.g. a radio base station such as a NodeB, an eNodeB, a gNodeB (gNB), a base transceiver station, Access Point Base Station, base station router, a transmission arrangement of a radio base station, a stand-alone access point or any other network unit capable of serving a UE within the service area served by the first radio network node 12 depending e.g. on the first radio access technology and terminology used. The first radio network node 12 may be denoted as serving RAN node, serving node, source node, or first radio network node 12. The wireless communication network 1 comprises a second radio network node 13 providing radio coverage over a geographical area, a second service area, or second cell 14, of a second RAT, such as 6G, NR, LTE, UMTS, Wi-Fi or similar. The second radio network node 13 may be a radio access network node such as TRP, an access point such as a WLAN access point or an AP STA, an access controller, a base station, e.g. a radio base station such as a NodeB, an eNodeB, a gNodeB (gNB), a base transceiver station, Access Point Base Station, base station router, a transmission arrangement of a radio base station, a stand-alone access point or any other network unit capable of serving a UE within the service area served by the second radio network node 13 depending e.g. on the second radio access technology and terminology used. The second radio network node 13 may be denoted as target RAN node, neighboring node, target node or radio network node.

[0062] The respective node may be a standalone server, a cloud-implemented server, a distributed server or processing resources in a server farm or same node. Embodiments herein may be implemented as physical bare metal, virtual or cloud native such as Kubernetes environment in, e.g., hyper-cloud networks.

[0063] According to embodiments herein the UE 10 performs a random access (RA) attempt to a radio network node 120 such as the first radio network node 12 or the second network node 13. The UE 10 may be of the first RAT or the second RAT. The first RAT may comprise 5G and the second RAT may comprise 6G, or vice versa.

[0064] The radio network node 120 configures, in the wireless communication network, one or more SSBs for the first RAT and the second RAT. The SSB composition for the second RAT is the same as for the first RAT or defines one or more same SSB candidates as for the first RAT. Alternatively, or additionally, the radio network node 120 configures in the wireless communication network a first resource of the NZP-CSI-RS for the second RAT that matches a second resource of the ZP-CSI-RS for the first RAT, and / or a third resource of the ZP-CSI-RS for the second RAT, that matches a fourth resource of the NZP-CSI-RS for the first RAT. The SSB composition of the second RAT may match one or more SSB candidates for the first RAT, which one or more SSB candidates may be relevant for multi-radio spectrum sharing (MRSS) deployment.

[0065] SSB:

[0066] 6G defines its SSB compositions matching at least some 5G SSB candidates. Preferably, the 6G SSB compositions are the same or a super-set of the 5G SSB compositions, at least for those compositions relevant for MRSS, such as Case A and Case C. 5G uses one or multiple SSB candidates out of the available ones, and 6G does the same, different from the ones used in 5G.

[0067] The 5G system configures the 5G UEs with SSB positions used in the 5G system and the 6G system. The 6G system does the same with 6G UEs.

[0068] In this way a 5G UE is aware of the 6G SSBs in the same way as it is aware of the 5G SSBs. The same applies for 6G UEs.

[0069] CSI-RS:

[0070] 6G defines NZP-CSI-RS which match at least some resource configurations of 5G ZP-CSI-RS, either all or at least those ones relevant for 5G systems under MRSS deployments, and potentially additionally NZP-CSI-RS.

[0071] 6G defines ZP-CSI-RS, or any other kind of rate matching pattern, which match at least some resource configuration of 5G NZP-CSI-RS, either all or at least those ones relevant for 5G systems under MRSS deployments, and potentially additionally ZP-CSI- RS.

[0072] The radio network node of the 6G system, such as the radio network node 120, may configure 6G UEs with NZP-CSI-RS and the radio network node of the 5G system, such as the radio network node 120, may configure 5G UEs with matching ZP-CSI-RS.

[0073] The radio network node of the 5G system may configure 5G UEs with NZP-CSI- RS and the radio network node of the 6G system may configure 6G UEs with matching ZP-CSI-RS (or any other kind of rate matching pattern matching the 5G NZP-CSI-RS).

[0074] In this way 5G UEs can rate match around 6G NZP-CSI-RS and / or 6G UEs can rate match around 5G NZP-CSI-RS.

[0075] 5G UEs can be configured to easily rate match around 6G SSBs and / or 6G CSI- RS. The same also applies for 6G UEs. Being able to rate match improves performance and / or reduces scheduler restrictions. Rate matching may be used to align a bit count in each encoded segment with available transmission resources.

[0076] Fig. 3 is a combined flowchart and signalling scheme according to some embodiments herein exemplifying one embodiment herein, wherein a carrier between two RATs such as 5G and 6G is shared, e.g., a shared channel.

[0077] Action 300. The radio network node 120 allocates or configures in the wireless communication network, one or more SSBs for the first RAT and the second RAT. The SSB composition for the second RAT is the same as for the first RAT or defines one or more same SSB candidates as for the first RAT. Alternatively, or additionally, the radio network node 120 allocates or configures in the wireless communication network the first resource of the NZP-CSI-RS for the second RAT, that matches the second resource of the ZP-CSI-RS for the first RAT. The radio network node 120 may further match the third resource of the ZP-CSI-RS for the second RAT, to the fourth resource of the NZP-CSI-RS for the first RAT. The SSB composition of the second RAT may match one or more SSB candidates for the first RAT, which one or more SSB candidates are relevant for MRSS.

[0078] Action 301. The radio network node 120 may configure the UE 10 of the first RAT with information indicating the one or more SSBs of the first RAT and the second RAT, wherein the first and second RATs use same SSB composition. Alternatively, or additionally, the radio network node 120 may provide configuration indicating that a resource of the NZP-CSI-RS of the first RAT matches a resource of a ZP-CSI-RS of the second RAT. The radio network node 120 may provide information to the UE 10 of the second RAT indicating the one or more SSBs for the first RAT and the second RAT, and / or a configuration indicating that the first resource of the NZP-CSI-RS of the second RAT matches the second resource of the ZP-CSI-RS of the first RAT, and / or that the third resource of the ZP-CSI-RS for the second RAT, matches to the fourth resource of the NZP-CSI-RS for the first RAT.

[0079] Action 302. The UE 10 may perform an action taking this information and / or configuration into account. The performed action may comprise rate matching or determining one or more valid physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) candidates based on the information and / or configuration. The UE 10 may monitor for a SSB of the first RAT, or perform the action such as measurement, or rate matching taking the information and / or the configuration into account. Thus, the radio network node 120 may transmit the one or more SSBs as allocated or configured, and / or a CSI-RS comprising the NZP resources, and the UE 10 monitors for the same.

[0080] The method actions performed by the UE 10 for handling access to the wireless communication network according to embodiments will now be described with reference to a flowchart depicted in Fig. 4. The actions do not have to be taken in the order stated below but may be taken in any suitable order. Dashed boxes indicate optional features. The UE 10 may be of the first RAT or the second RAT.

[0081] Action 401. The UE 10 obtains information regarding one or more SSBs of the first RAT and the second RAT, wherein the SSB composition for the second RAT is the same as for the first RAT or defines one or more same SSB candidates as for the first RAT. Thus, the first and second RATs may use same SSB composition. Alternatively, or additionally, the UE 10 may obtain configuration indicating that the first resource of the NZP-CSI-RS of the second RAT matches the second resource of the ZP-CSI-RS of the first RAT, and / or the third resource of the ZP-CSI-RS for the second RAT matches the fourth resource of the NZP-CSI-RS for the first RAT. Alternatively, or additionally, the UE 10 may obtain configuration indicating that a resource of a NZP-CSI-RS of the first RAT matches a resource of the ZP-CSI-RS of the second RAT, and / or a resource of the ZP-CSI-RS of the first RAT matches a resource of the NZP-CSI-RS of the second RAT.

[0082] Action 402. The UE 10 performs an action taking the information and / or the configuration into account, such as measurement, or rate matching taking the information and / or the configuration into account. As an example, the UE 10 rate matches or determines one or more valid PDCCH candidates based on the information and / or configuration. UEs of each RAT can rate match (using ZP-CSI-RS) around NZP-CSI-RS of the other RAT. 5G UEs may be configured to easily rate match around 6G SSBs and / or 6G CSI-RS. The same also applies for 6G UEs. That the UE is able to rate match, improves performance and / or reduces scheduler restrictions. When a 5G UE is scheduled with a PDSCH overlapping a 6G NZP-CSI-RS transmission the UE 10 may rate-match around it. A reciprocal configuration may be applied to 6G UEs which protects 6G UEs from 5G NZP-CSI-RS. The rate matching pattern for 6G UEs may either be based on ZP- CSI-RS resource configurations or any other kind of suitable rate matching which the 6G standard will offer. A UE, such as the UE 10, may be scheduled with a data channel PDSCH. When some resource elements, occupied by an indicated SSB and / or ZP CSI- RS, overlaps PDSCH, the UE 10 may not consider these resource elements when demodulating and / or decoding the PDSCH.

[0083] The method actions performed by the radio network node 120 for handling access in the wireless communication network according to embodiments will now be described with reference to a flowchart depicted in Fig. 5. The actions do not have to be taken in the order stated below but may be taken in any suitable order. Dashed boxes indicate optional features.

[0084] Action 500. The radio network node 120 configures, also referred to as allocates, sets-up or assigns, in the wireless communication network, one or more SSBs for the first RAT and the second RAT. The SSB composition for the second RAT is the same as for the first RAT or defines one or more same SSB candidates as for the first RAT. Alternatively, or additionally, the radio network node 120 configures in the wireless communication network the first resource of the NZP-CSI-RS for the second RAT that matches the second resource of the ZP-CSI-RS for the first RAT, and / or the third resource of the ZP-CSI-RS for the second RAT, that matches the fourth resource of the NZP-CSI-RS for the first RAT. The SSB composition of the second RAT may match one or more SSB candidates for the first RAT, which one or more SSB candidates are relevant for MRSS deployment. That the SSB composition for the second RAT is the same as for the first RAT or defines same SSB candidates as for the first RAT, means that, for example, 6G SSB composition matches at least some SSB candidates of the 5G. The 6G SSB composition may also define the same SSB candidates as 5G does, and potentially even more SSB candidates.

[0085] Action 501. The radio network node 120 may provide information to the UE 10 of the second RAT indicating the one or more SSBs for the first RAT and the second RAT. Alternatively, or additionally, the radio network node 120 may provide the configuration indicating the first resource of the NZP-CSI-RS of the second RAT matching the second resource of the ZP-CSI-RS of the first RAT, and / or indicating the third resource of the ZP- CSI-RS for the second RAT matching the fourth resource of the NZP-CSI-RS for the first RAT. The radio network node 120 may provide information to the UE of the first RAT indicating the one or more SSBs for the first RAT and the second RAT; and / or a configuration indicating the second resource of the ZP-CSI-RS of the first RAT, and / or the fourth resource of the NZP-CSI-RS for the first RAT. The radio network node 120 may provide information to the UE 10 of the first RAT indicating one or more SSBs for the first RAT and the second RAT, wherein the first and second RATs use same SSB compositions. Alternatively, or additionally, the radio network node 120 may provide configuration indicating that a resource of an NZP-CSI-RS of the first RAT matches a resource of a ZP-CSI-RS of the second RAT.

[0086] Action 502. The radio network node 120 may transmit the one or more SSBs as configured, and / or a CSI-RS comprising the NZP-CSI-RS for the second RAT. The CSI-RS may comprise NZP-CSI-RSs and / or ZP-CSI-RS.

[0087] Embodiments:

[0088] SSB:

[0089] NR defines multiple SSB candidates (Case A to D). This may be relevant to MRSS, and below SSB composition design proposal is mainly targeting those SSB compositions that are used in MRSS bands, i.e. Case A and Case C, and, if NR should define FR3 frequency bands (7-15 GHz), then the below SSB composition design proposal is also for SSB compositions used in this band.

[0090] Let us consider Case C as an example, see Fig. 1b for 5G SSB composition Case C. The corresponding 6G SSB composition would then match at least some candidates, e.g. the first two SSB compositions, of Case C. However, preferable 6G SSB composition would define the same SSB candidates as 5G does, and potentially even more SSB candidates. This is similar for other relevant SSB compositions.

[0091] An NR UE, such as the UE 10, is configured with the union of SSBs used in NR and 6G, i.e. the parameter ssb-PositionsInBurst contains both NR and 6G SSBs.

[0092] Signaling for 6G is not yet decided, but it is assumed that a 6G UE, such as the UE 10, is configured with ssb-PositionsInBurstNR and ssb-PositionslnBurst6G to configure used NR and 6G SSBs, respectively. Alternatively, a 6G UE may be configured with a parameter ssb-PositionslnBurstNRand6G comprising both NR and 6G SSBs, or any other parameters that convey the position of the 5G and 6G SSBs.

[0093] Fig. 6 shows an example where 5G and 6G use the same SSB composition of Case C, with four possible SSB candidates. The 5G system uses the first SSB candidate and the 6G system uses the second SSB candidate. The last two SSB candidates are not used in this example. The 5G system configures its UEs via ssb-PositionsInBurstNR that the first two SSBs are used, but a 5G UE will not find / access the 6G SSB / cell, since 5G and 6G SSB design differ. The radio network node 120 such as a 6G system node configures its UEs that 6G uses the second SSB. The first SSB used by 5G system may either be configured to also be “used” by 6G, but 6G system does not send it and a 6G UE will not find / access 5G SSB / cell, since 5G and 6G SSB design differ, or configured to be used by 5G system via separate information elements.

[0094] Impact

[0095] UEs in both 5G and 6G systems are aware of all SSBs transmitted by both 5G and 6G and may consider this information for, e.g., rate matching, or determining valid PDCCH candidates, etc. This is especially useful for 5G UEs, since existing 5G functionality is used to make 5G UEs aware of 6G signaling, which may then use this information for rate matching, or determining valid PDCCH candidates, etc..

[0096] In the same way 6G UEs are protected from 5G SSBs. However, since 6G is not yet defined 6G may also introduce other functionality to protect 6G UEs from 5G SSB transmissions. These are examples of the action 402 in Fig. 4.

[0097] CSI-RS:

[0098] The 6G specification may specify NZP-CSI-RS that match some or all 5G ZP-CSI- RS resource configurations. On top of that the radio network node of 6G, such as the radio network node 120, may specify additional NZP-CSI-RS resource configurations.

[0099] In addition, the radio network node of 6G may specify ZP-CSI-RS resource configurations, or any other kind of rate matching pattern, that matches some or all 5G NZP-CSI-RS resource configurations. Especially important are those NZP-CSI-RS resource configurations that are typically used in MRSS deployments. Additionally, ZP- CSI-RS resource configurations may be defined, e.g. to match any 6G NZP-CSI-RS resource configurations.

[0100] The radio network node of the 6G system may configure its UEs with NZP-CSI-RS resource configurations and the radio network node of the 5G system may configure its UEs with matching ZP-CSI-RS resource configurations. If the 6G NZP-CSI-RS is periodic, the matching ZP-CSI-RS in 5G needs also to be periodic. In case 6G uses aperiodic or semi-persistent NZP-CSI-RS, the matching ZP-CSI-RS in 5G may either be periodic or also activate dynamic or semi-persistent matching ZP-CSI-RS. The latter requires scheduler coordination between 5G and 6G, however, this is anyway required in MRSS.

[0101] The radio network node of the 5G system may configure its UEs with NZP-CSI-RS resource configurations and the radio network node of the 6G system may configure its UEs with matching ZP-CSI-RS resource configurations, or any other kind of rate matching pattern. If the 5G NZP-CSI-RS is periodic, the matching ZP-CSI-RS in 6G needs also to be periodic. In case 5G uses aperiodic or semi-persistent NZP-CSI-RS, the matching ZP- CSI-RS in 6G may either be periodic or also activated dynamically or semi-persistently. The latter requires scheduler coordination between 5G and 6G, however, this is anyway required in MRSS.

[0102] Impact:

[0103] Whenever a 6G NZP-CSI-RS transmission occurs, 5G UEs are aware of that due to their configuration of, for example, matching ZP-CSI-RS. When a 5G UE is scheduled with a PDSCH overlapping a 6G NZP-CSI-RS transmission the 5G UE, being an example of the UE 10, may rate-match around it. In case 6G uses periodic NZP-CSI-RS the 5G UE applies its periodic ZP-CSI-RS configuration. In case 6G uses aperiodic or semi-persistent NZP-CSI-RS the 5G UE may either be configured with a periodic ZP-CSI-RS matching the resources of the 6G NZP-CSI-RS or it is configured with a matching aperiodic or semi- persistent ZP-CSI-RS. In the latter case the 5G system needs to dynamically activate the ZP-CSI-RS using either DCI or MAC-CE signaling.

[0104] A reciprocal configuration, being an example of the configuration in action 500, is applied to 6G UEs, which is an example of the UE 10, which protects 6G UEs from 5G NZP-CSI-RS. The rate matching pattern for 6G UEs may either be based on ZP-CSI-RS resource configurations or any other kind of suitable rate matching which the 6G standard may offer.

[0105] Fig. 7 shows a block diagram depicting the UE 10 for handling access to the wireless communication network 1.

[0106] The UE 10 may comprise processing circuitry 701 , e.g. one or more processors, configured to perform the methods herein.

[0107] The UE 10 and / or the processing circuitry 701 is configured to obtain the information regarding the one or more SSBs of the first RAT and the second RAT, wherein the SSB composition for the second RAT is the same as for the first RAT or defines one or more same SSB candidates as for the first RAT. Alternatively, or additionally, the UE 10 and / or the processing circuitry 701 is configured to obtain the configuration indicating that the first resource of the NZP-CSI-RS of the second RAT matches the second resource of the ZP-CSI-RS of the first RAT and / or the third resource of the ZP-CSI-RS for the second RAT matches the fourth resource of the NZP-CSI-RS for the first RAT.

[0108] The UE 10 of the first RAT and / or the processing circuitry 701 is configured to perform the action taking the information and / or the configuration into account, such as measurement, or rate matching or determining one or more valid PDCCH candidates taking the information and / or the configuration into account.

[0109] The UE 10 may further comprise a memory 705. The memory comprises one or more units to be used to store data on, such as indications, configuration, resource information, SSB information, signal strengths or qualities, indications, RACH resource mappings to SSBs, values, timers, applications to perform the methods disclosed herein when being executed, and similar. The UE 10 comprises a communication interface 706 comprising transmitter, receiver, transceiver and / or one or more antennas. Thus, it is herein provided the UE for handling access to a communication network, wherein the UE comprises processing circuitry and a memory, said memory comprising instructions executable by said processing circuitry whereby said UE is operative to perform any of the methods herein.

[0110] The methods according to the embodiments described herein for the UE 10 are respectively implemented by means of, e.g., a computer program product 707 or a computer program product, comprising instructions, i.e. , software code portions, which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out the actions described herein, as performed by the UE 10. The computer program product 707 may be stored on a computer-readable storage medium 708, e g. a universal serial bus (USB) stick, a disc or similar. The computer-readable storage medium 708, having stored thereon the computer program product, may comprise the instructions which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out the actions described herein, as performed by the UE 10. In some embodiments, the computer-readable storage medium may be a non-transitory or transitory computer- readable storage medium.

[0111] Fig. 8 shows a block diagram depicting the radio network node 120 for handling communication in the communication network.

[0112] The radio network node 120 may comprise processing circuitry 801 , e.g., one or more processors, configured to perform the methods herein.

[0113] The radio network node 120 and / or the processing circuitry 801 is configured to configure in the wireless communication network, the one or more SSBs for the first RAT and the second RAT. The SSB composition for the second RAT is the same as for the first RAT or defines the one or more same SSB candidates as for the first RAT. The one or more SSB candidates may be relevant for MRSS deployment.

[0114] Alternatively, or additionally, the radio network node 120 and / or the processing circuitry 801 is configured to configure in the wireless communication network the first resource of the NZP-CSI-RS for the second RAT, that matches the second resource of the ZP-CSI-RS for the first RAT, and / or the third resource of the ZP-CSI-RS for the second RAT, that matches the fourth resource of a NZP-CSI-RS for the first RAT.

[0115] The radio network node 120 and / or the processing circuitry 801 may further be configured to provide information to the UE 10 of the second RAT indicating the one or more SSBs for the first RAT and the second RAT; and / or the configuration indicating the first resource of the NZP-CSI-RS of the second RAT matching the second resource of the ZP-CSI-RS of the first RAT, and / or the third resource of the ZP-CSI-RS for the second RAT matching the fourth resource of the NZP-CSI-RS for the first RAT. The radio network node 120 and / or the processing circuitry 801 may further be configured to provide information to the UE 10 of the first RAT indicating the one or more SSBs for the first RAT and the second RAT; and / or the configuration indicating the second resource of the ZP-CSI-RS of the first RAT, and / or the fourth resource of the NZP- CSI-RS for the first RAT.

[0116] The radio network node 120 and / or the processing circuitry 801 may further be configured to transmit the one or more SSBs as allocated or configured, and / or the CSI- RS comprising the NZP-CSI-RS for the second RAT.

[0117] The radio network node 120 further comprises a memory 805. The memory comprises one or more units to be used to store data on, such as indications, configuration, resource information, SSB information, signal strengths or qualities, indications, RACH resource mappings to SSBs, values, timers, applications to perform the methods disclosed herein when being executed, and similar. The radio network node 120 comprises a communication interface 806 comprising transmitter, receiver, transceiver and / or one or more antennas. Thus, it is herein provided the radio network node 120 for handling communication in a communication network, wherein the radio network node 120 comprises processing circuitry and a memory, said memory comprising instructions executable by said processing circuitry whereby said radio network node 120 is operative to perform any of the methods herein.

[0118] The methods according to the embodiments described herein for the radio network node 120 are respectively implemented by means of, e.g., a computer program product 807 or a computer program product, comprising instructions, i.e. , software code portions, which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out the actions described herein, as performed by the radio network node 120. The computer program product 807 may be stored on a computer-readable storage medium 808, e.g., a USB stick, a disc or similar. The computer-readable storage medium 808, having stored thereon the computer program product, may comprise the instructions which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out the actions described herein, as performed by the radio network node 120. In some embodiments, the computer-readable storage medium may be a non-transitory or transitory computer-readable storage medium.

[0119] In some embodiments the non-limiting term wireless device or user equipment (UE) is used and it refers to any type of wireless device communicating with a network node and / or with another wireless device in a cellular or mobile communication system. Examples of UE are target device, device to device (D2D) UE, proximity capable UE (aka ProSe UE), loT capable device, machine type UE or UE capable of machine to machine (M2M) communication, Tablet, mobile terminals, smart phone, laptop embedded equipped (LEE), laptop mounted equipment (LME), USB dongles etc.

[0120] Embodiments are applicable to any RAT or multi-RAT systems, where the wireless device receives and / or transmit signals (e.g. data) e.g. 6G, NR, Wi-Fi, LTE, LTE- Advanced, Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), Global System for Mobile communications / enhanced Data rate for GSM Evolution (GSM / EDGE), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMax), or Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), just to mention a few possible implementations.

[0121] In some embodiments a more general term “radio network node” is used and it can correspond to any type of radio network node or any network node, which communicates with a wireless device and / or with another network node. Examples of network nodes are NodeB, Master eNB, Secondary eNB, a network node belonging to Master cell group (MCG) or Secondary Cell Group (SCG), base station (BS), multistandard radio (MSR) radio node such as MSR BS, eNodeB, network controller, radio network controller (RNC), base station controller (BSC), relay, donor node controlling relay, base transceiver station (BTS), access point (AP), transmission points, transmission nodes, Remote Radio Unit (RRU), Remote Radio Head (RRH), nodes in distributed antenna system (DAS), core network node e.g. Mobility Switching Centre (MSC), Mobile Management Entity (MME) etc., Operation and Maintenance (O&M), Operation Support System (OSS), Self-Organizing Network (SON), positioning node e.g. Evolved Serving Mobile Location Centre (E-SMLC), Minimizing Drive Test (MDT), etc.

[0122] The embodiments are described for 5G and 6G. However, the embodiments are applicable to any RAT or multi-RAT systems, where the UE receives and / or transmit signals (e.g. data) e.g. LTE, LTE FDD / TDD, WCDMA / HSPA, GSM / GERAN, Wi Fi, WLAN, CDMA2000 etc.

[0123] As will be readily understood by those familiar with communications design, functions means or modules may be implemented using digital logic and / or one or more microcontrollers, microprocessors, or other digital hardware. In some embodiments, several or all of the various functions may be implemented together, such as in a single application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or in two or more separate devices with appropriate hardware and / or software interfaces between them. Several of the functions may be implemented on a processor shared with other functional components of a wireless device or network node, for example.

[0124] Alternatively, several of the functional elements of the processing means discussed may be provided through the use of dedicated hardware, while others are provided with hardware for executing software, in association with the appropriate software or firmware. Thus, the term “processor” or “controller” as used herein does not exclusively refer to hardware capable of executing software and may implicitly include, without limitation, digital signal processor (DSP) hardware, read-only memory (ROM) for storing software, random-access memory for storing software and / or program or application data, and non-volatile memory. Other hardware, conventional and / or custom, may also be included. Designers of communications devices will appreciate the cost, performance, and maintenance trade-offs inherent in these design choices.

[0125] Fig. 9 shows an example of a communication system 15100 in accordance with some embodiments.

[0126] In the example, the communication system 15100 includes a telecommunications network 15102 that includes an access network 15104, such as a radio access network (RAN), and a core network 15106, which includes one or more core network nodes 15108. The access network 15104 includes one or more access network nodes or base stations of various types, access network nodes 15110A and 15110B are depicted (which may be collectively referred to as network nodes 15110 or radio network node 120), or any other similar 3rdGeneration Partnership Project (3GPP) access nodes or non-3GPP access points (APs). Some embodiments of the access network 15104 may include more than one access network technology. The network nodes 15110 of access network 15104 facilitate direct or indirect connection of wireless devices, also referred to as UEs, such as by connecting UEs 15112A, 15112B, 15112C, and 15112D (one or more of which may be generally referred to as UEs 15112 or UE 10) to the core network 15106 over one or more wireless connections.

[0127] Moreover, a network node is not necessarily limited to an implementation in which a radio portion and a baseband portion are supplied and integrated by a single vendor. Thus, it will be understood that network nodes include disaggregated implementations or portions thereof. For example, in some embodiments, the telecommunications network 15102 includes one or more Open-RAN (ORAN) network nodes. An ORAN network node is a network node in the telecommunications network 15102 that supports an ORAN specification (e.g., a specification published by the O-RAN Alliance, or any similar organization) and may operate alone or together with other network nodes to implement one or more functionalities of any network node in the telecommunications network 15102, including one or more access network nodes 15110 and / or core network nodes 15108 such as first / second network node.

[0128] Examples of an ORAN network node include an open radio unit (0-Rll), an open distributed unit (0-Dll), an open central unit (O-CU), including an O-CU control plane (O- CLI-CP) or an O-CU user plane (O-CU-UP), a RAN intelligent controller (near-real time or non-real time) hosting software or software plug-ins, such as a near-real time control application (e.g., xApp) or a non-real time control application (e.g., rApp), or any combination thereof (the adjective “open” designating support of an ORAN specification). An ORAN network node may support a specification by, for example, supporting an interface defined by the ORAN specification, such as an A1, F1, W1, E1, E2, X2, Xn interface, an open fronthaul user plane interface, or an open fronthaul management plane interface. Moreover, an ORAN network node may be a logical node in a physical node. Furthermore, an ORAN network node may be implemented in a virtualization environment (described further below) in which one or more network functions are virtualized. For example, the virtualization environment may include an O-Cloud computing platform orchestrated by a Service Management and Orchestration Framework via an 0-2 interface defined by the O-RAN Alliance or comparable technologies.

[0129] The network nodes 15110 facilitate direct or indirect connection of one or more UEs 15112 to the core network 15106 over one or more wireless connections. Example wireless communications over a wireless connection include transmitting and / or receiving wireless signals using electromagnetic waves, radio waves, infrared waves, and / or other types of signals suitable for conveying information without the use of wires, cables, or other material conductors. Moreover, in different embodiments, the communication system 15100 may include any number of wired or wireless networks, network nodes, UEs, and / or any other components or systems that may facilitate or participate in the communication of data and / or signals whether via wired or wireless connections. The communication system 15100 may include and / or interface with any type of communication, telecommunication, data, cellular, radio network, and / or other similar type of system.

[0130] The UEs 15112 may be any of a wide variety of communication devices, including wireless devices arranged, configured, and / or operable to communicate wirelessly with the network nodes 15110 and other communication devices. Similarly, the network nodes 15108, 15110 are arranged, capable, configured, and / or operable to communicate directly or indirectly (e.g., via other devices of telecommunications network 15102) with the UEs 15112 and / or with other network nodes or equipment in the telecommunications network 15102 to enable and / or provide network access, such as wireless network access, and / or to perform other functions, such as administration in the telecommunications network 15102. More specifically, UEs 15112 may send messages, data, and / or other signals to network nodes 15108, 15110 or other elements of the telecommunications network 15102 by transmitting such signals to the relevant device directly without the signals passing through any intervening devices or by transmitting such signals to the relevant device indirectly through an intervening device (or multiple intervening devices) that then transmit the signal to the relevant device. Similarly, network nodes 15108, 15110 may send messages, data, and other signals to UEs 151122, other network nodes 15108, 15110, and other devices in telecommunications network 15102 directly or indirectly. As one specific example, a core network node 108 may transmit a particular message to a UE 15112 by transmitting the message to an access network node 15110 that will then transmit the message to the intended UE 15112. Similarly, a core network node 108 may receive a particular message from a UE 15112 by receiving the message from an access network node 15110 that itself received the message from the UE 15112.

[0131] In the depicted example, the core network 15106 connects elements of the access network 15104 (e.g., one or more of the network nodes 15110) to one or more host computing systems, such as host 15116. These connections may be direct or indirect via one or more intermediary networks or devices. In other examples, network nodes may be directly coupled to hosts. The core network 15106 includes one or more core network nodes (e.g., core network node 15108) of various types, one or more of which may be generally referred to as network nodes 15108. Network nodes 15108 are structured with hardware and software components. Features of these components may be substantially similar to those described with respect to the UEs, access network nodes, and / or hosts, such that the descriptions thereof are generally applicable to the corresponding components of the core network node 15108. Example core network nodes provide functions of one or more of a Mobile Switching Center (MSC), Mobility Management Entity (MME), Home Subscriber Server (HSS), Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), Session Management Function (SMF), Authentication Server Function (AUSF), Subscription Identifier De-concealing function (SIDF), Unified Data Management (UDM), Security Edge Protection Proxy (SEPP), Network Exposure Function (NEF), and / or a User Plane Function (UPF). The host 15116 may be under the ownership or control of a service provider other than an operator or provider of the access network 15104 and / or the telecommunications network 15102. The host 15116 may be operated by the service provider or on behalf of the service provider. The host 15116 may host a variety of applications to provide one or more service. Examples of such applications include live and pre-recorded audio / video content, data collection services such as retrieving and compiling data on various ambient conditions detected by a plurality of UEs, analytics functionality, social media, functions for controlling or otherwise interacting with remote devices, functions for an alarm and surveillance center, or any other such function performed by a server.

[0132] As a whole, the communication system 15100 of Figure 9 enables connectivity between the UEs, network nodes, and hosts. In that sense, the communication system 15100 may be configured to operate according to predefined rules or procedures, such as specific standards that include, but are not limited to: Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM); Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS); Long Term Evolution (LTE), and / or other suitable 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G standards, or any applicable future generation standard (e.g., 6G); wireless local area network (WLAN) standards, such as the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 standards (WiFi); and / or any other appropriate wireless communication standard, such as the Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (Wi-Max), Bluetooth, Z-Wave, Near Field Communication (NFC) ZigBee, Li-Fi, and / or any low-power wide-area network (LPWAN) standards such as LoRa and Sigfox. Moreover, the communication system 15100 may be configured to support multiple different standards, protocols, or other rule sets, with individual components supporting all of the relevant rule sets or with different components or sub-systems within the communication system 15100 supporting different standards, protocols, or rule sets.

[0133] As one example, in certain embodiments, access network 15104 may contain some access network nodes 15110 that support 3GPP radio access technologies (RAT), such as LTE or NR, while other access network nodes 15110 support (or the same access network nodes 15110 additionally support) non-3GPP RATs, such as Wi-Fi or a proprietary RAT. As another example, telecommunications network 15102 may support multiple generations of related communication standards, e.g., 4G and 5G 3GPP communication standards, and, as a result, may include an access network 104 and / or a core network 106 that supports multiple different standard generations or may include multiple access networks 104 and / or multiple core networks 106 with individual networks 104, 106 supporting different standard generations. Telecommunications network 15102 may support network slicing to provide different logical networks to different devices that are connected to the telecommunications network 15102. For example, the telecommunications network 15102 may provide Ultra Reliable Low Latency Communication (URLLC) services to some UEs, while providing Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB) services to other UEs, and / or Massive Machine Type Communication (mMTC) / Massive loT services to yet further UEs.

[0134] In some examples, one or more of the UEs 15112 are configured to transmit and / or receive information without direct human interaction. For instance, a UE may be designed to transmit information to the access network 15104 on a predetermined schedule, when triggered by an internal or external event, or in response to requests from the access network 15104. Additionally, a UE may be configured for operating in single- or multi-RAT or multi-standard mode. For example, a UE may operate with any one or combination of Wi-Fi, NR (New Radio) and LTE, i.e. being configured for multi-radio dual connectivity (MR-DC), such as E-UTRAN (Evolved-UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network) New Radio - Dual Connectivity (EN-DC).

[0135] In the example, the hub 15114 communicates with the access network 15104 to facilitate indirect communication between one or more UEs (e.g., UE 15112C and / or 15112D) and network nodes (e.g., network node 15110B). In some examples, the hub 15114 may be a controller, router, content source and analytics, or any of the other communication devices described herein regarding UEs. For example, the hub 15114 may be a broadband router enabling access to the core network 15106 for the UEs. As another example, the hub 15114 may be a controller that sends commands or instructions to one or more actuators in the UEs. Commands or instructions may be received from the UEs, network nodes 15110, or by executable code, script, process, or other instructions in the hub 15114.

[0136] As another example, the hub 15114 may be a data collector that acts as temporary storage for UE data and, in some embodiments, may perform analysis or other processing of the data. As another example, the hub 15114 may be a content source. For example, for a UE that is a VR headset, display, loudspeaker or other media delivery device, the hub 15114 may retrieve VR assets, video, audio, or other media or data related to sensory information via a network node, which the hub 15114 then provides to the UE either directly, after performing local processing, and / or after adding additional local content. In still another example, the hub 15114 acts as a proxy server or orchestrator for the UEs, in particular if one or more of the UEs are low energy loT devices. The hub 15114 may have a constant / persistent or intermittent connection to the network node 1511 OB. The hub 15114 may also allow for a different communication scheme and / or schedule between the hub 15114 and UEs (e.g., UE 15112C and / or 15112D), and between the hub 15114 and the core network 15106. In other examples, the hub 15114 is connected to the core network 15106 and / or one or more UEs via a wired connection. Moreover, the hub 15114 may be configured to connect to an M2M service provider over the access network 15104 and / or to another UE over a direct connection. In some scenarios, UEs may establish a wireless connection with the network nodes 15110 while still connected via the hub 15114 via a wired or wireless connection. In some embodiments, the hub 15114 may be a dedicated hub - that is, a hub whose primary function is to route communications to / from the UEs from / to the network node 15110B. In other embodiments, the hub 15114 may be a non-dedicated hub - that is, a device which is capable of operating to route communications between the UEs and network node 15110B, but which is additionally capable of operating as a communication start and / or end point for certain data channels.

[0137] Figure 10 shows a wireless device 15300, which may be configured to operate in communication system 15100 of Figure 9. The wireless device 15300 may be alternatively referred to as a UE 15300, like a UE 15112 or the UE 10 within the context of communication system 15100, or as a station (STA) 15300 or as a non-access-point station (non-AP STA) 15300, in accordance with respective embodiments. As used herein, a wireless device refers to a device capable, configured, arranged and / or operable to communicate wirelessly with network nodes and / or other wireless devices. Examples of a wireless device include, but are not limited to, a smart phone, mobile phone, cell phone, voice over IP (VoIP) phone, wireless local loop phone, desktop computer, personal digital assistant (PDA), wireless cameras, gaming console or device, music storage device, playback appliance, wearable terminal device, wireless endpoint, mobile station, tablet, laptop, laptop-embedded equipment (LEE), laptop-mounted equipment (LME), smart device, wireless customer-premise equipment (CPE), vehicle, vehicle-mounted or vehicle embedded / integrated wireless device, and wireless terminal. Other examples include any type of UE identified by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), including a narrow band internet of things (NB-loT) UE, a machine type communication (MTC) UE, and / or an enhanced MTC (eMTC) UE.

[0138] A wireless device 15300 may support device-to-device (D2D) communication, for example by implementing a 3GPP standard for sidelink communication, Dedicated Short- Range Communication (DSRC), vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V), vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I), or vehicle-to-everything (V2X). In other examples, wireless device 15300 may not necessarily have a user in the sense of a human user who owns and / or operates the relevant device. Instead, wireless device 15300 may represent a device that is intended for sale to, or operation by, a human user but which may not, or which may not initially, be associated with a specific human user (e.g., a smart sprinkler controller). Alternatively, wireless device 15300 may represent a device that is not intended for sale to, or operation by, an end user but which may be associated with or operated for the benefit of a user (e.g., a smart power meter).

[0139] In particular embodiments, wireless device 15300 includes processing circuitry 15302 that is operatively coupled via a bus 15304 to an input / output interface 15306, a power source 15308, a memory 15310, a communication interface 15312, and / or any other component, or any combination thereof. Certain embodiments of wireless device 15300 may include all or a subset of the components shown in Figure 10. The level of integration between the components may vary from one embodiment of wireless device 15300 to another. In general, in a particular embodiment of wireless device 15300, processing circuitry 15302, input / output interface 15306, power source 15308, memory 15310, and communication interface 15312 may, in whole or in part, represent or include physical components common to or shared by one or more of the other elements of wireless device 15300. Further, certain embodiments of wireless devices 15300 may contain multiple instances of a component, such as multiple processors, memories, transceivers, transmitters, receivers, etc.

[0140] The processing circuitry 15302 is configured to process instructions and data and may be configured to implement any sequential state machine operative to execute instructions stored as machine-readable computer programs in the memory 15310. The processing circuitry 15302 may be implemented as one or more hardware-implemented state machines (e.g., in discrete logic, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), etc.); programmable logic together with appropriate firmware; one or more stored computer programs, general-purpose processors, such as a microprocessor or digital signal processor (DSP), together with appropriate software; or any combination of the above. For example, the processing circuitry 15302 may include multiple central processing units (CPUs).

[0141] In the example, the input / output interface 15306 may be configured to provide an interface or interfaces to an input device, output device, or one or more input and / or output devices. Examples of an output device include a speaker, a sound card, a video card, a display, a monitor, a printer, an actuator, an emitter, a smartcard, another output device, or any combination thereof. An input device may allow a user to capture information into wireless device 15300. Examples of an input device include a touch- sensitive or presence-sensitive display, a camera (e.g., a digital camera, a digital video camera, a web camera, etc.), a microphone, a sensor, a mouse, a trackball, a directional pad, a trackpad, a scroll wheel, a smartcard, and the like. The presence-sensitive display may include a capacitive or resistive touch sensor to sense input from a user. A sensor may be, for instance, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a tilt sensor, a force sensor, a magnetometer, an optical sensor, a proximity sensor, a biometric sensor, etc., or any combination thereof. An output device may use the same type of interface port as an input device. For example, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port may be used to provide an input device and an output device.

[0142] In some embodiments, the power source 15308 is structured as a battery or battery pack. Other types of power sources, such as an external power source (e.g., an electricity outlet), photovoltaic device, or power cell, may be used to supply power to circuitry or to charge an associated battery. The power source 15308 may further include power circuitry for delivering power from the power source 15308 itself, and / or an external power source, to the various parts of wireless device 15300 via input circuitry or an interface such as an electrical power cable. Power source 15308 may perform any formatting, converting, or other modification to make accessible power suitable for the respective components of the wireless device 15300 to which power is supplied.

[0143] The memory 15310 may be or be configured to include memory such as random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), magnetic disks, optical disks, hard disks, removable cartridges, flash drives, and so forth. In one example, the memory 15310 includes one or more programs 15314, such as an operating system, web browser application, a widget, gadget engine, or other application, and corresponding data 15316. The memory 15310 may store, for use by wireless device 15300, any of a variety of various operating systems or combinations of operating systems.

[0144] The memory 15310 may be configured to include a number of physical drive units, such as redundant array of independent disks (RAID), flash memory, USB flash drive, external hard disk drive, thumb drive, pen drive, key drive, high-density digital versatile disc (HD-DVD) optical disc drive, internal hard disk drive, Blu-Ray optical disc drive, holographic digital data storage (HDDS) optical disc drive, external mini-dual in-line memory module (DIMM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), external micro- DI MM SDRAM, smartcard memory such as tamper resistant module in the form of a universal integrated circuit card (IIICC) including one or more subscriber identity modules (SIMs), such as a IISIM and / or ISIM, other memory, or any combination thereof. The IIICC may for example be an embedded IIICC (elllCC), integrated IIICC (illlCC) or a removable IIICC commonly known as ‘SIM card.’ The memory 15310 may allow wireless device 15300 to access instructions, programs and the like, stored on transitory or non-transitory memory media, to off-load data, or to upload data. An article of manufacture, such as one utilizing a communication system may be tangibly embodied as or in the memory 15310, which may be or comprise a device-readable storage medium.

[0145] The processing circuitry 15302 may be configured to communicate with an access network or other network via or using the communication interface 15312. The communication interface 15312 may comprise one or more communication subsystems and may include or be communicatively coupled to an antenna 15322. The communication interface 15312 may include one or more transceivers used to communicate, such as by communicating with one or more remote transceivers of another device capable of wireless communication (e.g., another wireless device or a network node in an access network). Each transceiver may include a transmitter 15318 and / or a receiver 15320 appropriate to provide network communications (e.g., optical, electrical, frequency allocations, and so forth). Moreover, the transmitter 15318 and receiver 15320 may be coupled to one or more antennas (e.g., antenna 15322) and may share circuit components, software or firmware, or alternatively be implemented separately.

[0146] In the illustrated embodiment, communication functions of the communication interface 15312 may include cellular communication, Wi-Fi communication (e.g., according to an IEEE 802.11 family standard), LPWAN communication, data communication, voice communication, multimedia communication, short-range communications such as Bluetooth, near-field communication, location-based communication such as the use of the global positioning system (GPS) to determine a location, another like communication function, or any combination thereof. Communications may be implemented according to one or more communication protocols and / or standards, such as IEEE 802.11 , Code Division Multiplexing Access (CDMA), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), GSM, LTE, New Radio (NR), UMTS, WiMax, Ethernet, transmission control protocol / internet protocol (TCP / IP), synchronous optical networking (SONET), Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM), QUIC, Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), and so forth. In particular embodiments, wireless device 15300 may provide an output of data captured via a sensor, through its communication interface 15312, via a wireless connection to a network node, and / or in any appropriate manner. Data captured by sensors of a wireless device 15300 can be communicated through a wireless connection to a network node via another wireless device 15300. In particular embodiments, such output may be periodic (e.g., once every 15 minutes if it reports the sensed temperature), random (e.g., to even out the load from reporting from several sensors), in response to a triggering event (e.g., when moisture is detected an alert is sent), in response to a request (e.g., a user initiated request), or a continuous stream (e.g., a live video feed of a patient).

[0147] As another example, wireless device 15300 comprises an actuator, a motor, or a switch, related to a communication interface configured to receive wireless input from a network node via a wireless connection. In response to the received wireless input the states of the actuator, the motor, or the switch may change. For example, wireless device 15300 may comprise a motor that adjusts the control surfaces or rotors of a drone in flight according to the received input or to a robotic arm performing a medical procedure according to the received input.

[0148] Wireless device 15300, when in the form of an Internet of Things (loT) device, may be a device for use in one or more application domains, these domains comprising, but not limited to, wearable technology, extended industrial application and healthcare. Nonlimiting examples of such an loT device are a device which is or which is embedded in: a connected refrigerator or freezer, a TV, a connected lighting device, an electricity meter, a robot vacuum cleaner, a voice controlled smart speaker, a home security camera, a motion detector, a thermostat, a smoke detector, a door / window sensor, a flood / moisture sensor, an electrical door lock, a connected doorbell, an air conditioning system like a heat pump, an autonomous vehicle, a surveillance system, a weather monitoring device, a vehicle parking monitoring device, an electric vehicle charging station, a smart watch, a fitness tracker, a wearable for tactile augmentation or sensory enhancement, a water sprinkler, an animal- or item-tracking device, a sensor for monitoring a plant or animal, an industrial robot, an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), and any kind of medical device, like a heart rate monitor or a remote controlled surgical robot. In particular embodiments, wireless device 15300 represents an loT device that comprises circuitry and / or software in dependence of the intended application of the loT device in addition to other components as described in relation to the example embodiment of wireless device 15300 shown in Figure 10. As yet another specific example, in an loT scenario, wireless device 15300 may represent a machine or other device that performs monitoring and / or measurements, and transmits the results of such monitoring and / or measurements to another wireless device and / or a network node. Wireless device 15300 may in this case be an M2M device, which may in a 3GPP context be referred to as an MTC device. As one particular example, wireless device 15300 may implement the 3GPP NB-loT standard. In other scenarios, wireless device 15300 may represent a vehicle, such as a car, a bus, a truck, a ship and an airplane, or other equipment that is capable of monitoring and / or reporting on its operational status or other functions associated with its operation.

[0149] In practice, any number of wireless devices 15300 may be used together with respect to a single use case. For example, a first wireless device 15300 might be or be integrated in a drone and provide the drone’s speed information (obtained through a speed sensor) to a second wireless device 15300 that is a remote controller operating the drone. When a user makes changes from the remote controller, the first wireless device 15300 may adjust the throttle on the drone (e.g. by controlling an actuator) to increase or decrease the drone’s speed. The first and / or the second wireless device 15300 can also include more than one of the functionalities described above. For example, wireless device 15300 might comprise the sensor and the actuator, and handle communication of data for both the speed sensor and the actuators.

[0150] Figure 11 shows a network node 15400 in accordance with some embodiments. As used herein, network node refers to equipment capable, configured, arranged and / or operable to communicate directly or indirectly with a UE and / or with other network nodes or equipment, in a telecommunications network. In accordance with respective embodiments, network node 15400 may be configured to operate in communication system 15100 of Figure 9, like network nodes 15108 or 15110 or the radio network node 12. Examples of network nodes include, but are not limited to, access points (APs) (e.g., radio access points), base stations (BSs) (e.g., radio base stations, Node Bs, evolved Node Bs (eNBs) and NR NodeBs (gNBs)), O-RAN nodes or components of an O-RAN node (e.g., O-RU, O-DU, O-CU).

[0151] Network nodes 15400 may be categorized based on the amount of coverage they provide (or, stated differently, their transmit power level) and so, depending on the provided amount of coverage, may be referred to as femto base stations, pico base stations, micro base stations, or macro base stations. Network node 15400 may be a relay node or a relay donor node controlling a relay. Network nodes 15400 may also include one or more (or all) parts of a distributed radio base station such as centralized digital units, distributed units (e.g., in an O-RAN access node) and / or remote radio units (RRUs), sometimes referred to as Remote Radio Heads (RRHs). Such remote radio units may or may not be integrated with an antenna as an antenna integrated radio. Parts of a distributed radio base station may also be referred to as nodes in a distributed antenna system (DAS).

[0152] Other examples of network nodes 15400 include multiple transmission point (multi- TRP) 5G access nodes, multi-standard radio (MSR) equipment such as MSR BSs, network controllers such as radio network controllers (RNCs) or base station controllers (BSCs), base transceiver stations (BTSs), transmission points, transmission nodes, multi- cell / multicast coordination entities (MCEs), Operation and Maintenance (O&M) nodes, Operations Support System (OSS) nodes, Self-Organizing Network (SON) nodes, positioning nodes (e.g., Evolved Serving Mobile Location Centers (E-SMLCs)), and / or Minimization of Drive Tests (MDTs).

[0153] In particular embodiments, network node 15400 includes a processing circuitry 15402, a memory 15404, a communication interface 15406, and a power source 15408. In general, in a particular embodiment of network node 15400, processing circuitry 15402, memory 15404, communication interface 15406, and power source 15408 may, in whole or in part, represent or include physical components common to or shared by one or more of the other elements of network node 15400.

[0154] The network node 15400 may be composed of multiple distinct network entities (e.g., a NodeB entity and a RNC entity, or a BTS entity and a BSC entity, etc.), which may each have or utilize their own respective physical components. In certain scenarios in which the network node 15400 comprises multiple such entities (e.g., BTS and BSC), one or more of the separate entities may be shared among several network nodes. For example, a single RNC may control multiple NodeBs. In such a scenario, each unique NodeB and RNC pair, may in some instances be considered a single separate network node. In some embodiments, the network node 15400 may be configured to support multiple radio access technologies (RATs). In such embodiments, some components may be duplicated (e.g., separate memories 15404 or portions of memory 15404 for different RATs) and some components may be reused (e.g., a same antenna 15410 may be shared by different RATs). The network node 15400 may also include multiple sets of the various illustrated components for different wireless technologies integrated into network node 15400, for example GSM, WCDMA, LTE, NR, Wi-Fi (e.g., according to an IEEE 802.11 family standard), Zigbee, Z-wave, LoRaWAN, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) or Bluetooth wireless technologies. These wireless technologies may be integrated into the same or different chip or set of chips and other components within network node 15400.

[0155] The processing circuitry 15402 may comprise a combination of one or more of a microprocessor, controller, microcontroller, central processing unit, digital signal processor, application-specific integrated circuit, field programmable gate array, or any other suitable computing device, resource, or combination of hardware, software and / or encoded logic operable to provide, either alone or in conjunction with other components, such as the memory 15404, to provide network node 15400 functionality.

[0156] In some embodiments, the processing circuitry 15402 includes a system on a chip (SOC). In some embodiments, the processing circuitry 15402 includes one or more of radio frequency (RF) transceiver circuitry 15412 and baseband processing circuitry 15414. In some embodiments, the RF transceiver circuitry 15412 and the baseband processing circuitry 15414 may be on separate chips (or sets of chips), boards, or units, such as radio units and digital units. In alternative embodiments, part or all of RF transceiver circuitry 15412 and baseband processing circuitry 15414 may be on the same chip or set of chips, boards, or units.

[0157] The memory 15404 may comprise any form of volatile or non-volatile computer- readable memory including, without limitation, persistent storage, solid-state memory, remotely mounted memory, magnetic media, optical media, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), mass storage media (for example, a hard disk), removable storage media (for example, a flash drive, a Compact Disk (CD) or a Digital Video Disk (DVD)), and / or any other volatile or non-volatile, non-transitory device- readable and / or computer-executable memory devices that store information, data, and / or instructions that may be used by the processing circuitry 15402. The memory 15404 may store any suitable instructions, data, or information, including a computer program, software, an application including one or more of logic, rules, code, tables, and / or other instructions capable of being executed by the processing circuitry 15402 and utilized by the network node 15400. The memory 15404 may be used to store any calculations made by the processing circuitry 15402 and / or any data received via the communication interface 15406. In some embodiments, the processing circuitry 15402 and memory 15404 is integrated.

[0158] The communication interface 15406 is used in wired or wireless communication of signaling and / or data with UEs, other network nodes, and / or any other network equipment. In the illustrated embodiment, communication interface 15406 comprises port(s) / terminal(s) 15416 to send and receive data, for example to and from a network over a wired connection. In particular embodiments, network node 15300 may be capable of wireless communication and communication interface 15406 may also include radio front-end circuitry 15418 that may be coupled to, or in certain embodiments a part of, an antenna 15410. Particular embodiments of radio front-end circuitry 15418 include filter(s) 15420 and amplifier(s) 15422. The radio front-end circuitry 15418 may be connected to an antenna 15410 and processing circuitry 15402. The radio front-end circuitry may be configured to condition signals communicated between antenna 15410 and processing circuitry 15402. The radio front-end circuitry 15418 may receive digital data that is to be sent out to other network nodes or UEs via a wireless connection. The radio front-end circuitry 15418 may convert the digital data into a radio signal(s) having the appropriate channel and bandwidth parameters using a combination of filters 15420 and / or amplifiers 15422. The radio signal(s) may then be transmitted via the antenna 15410. Similarly, when receiving data, the antenna 15410 may collect radio signals which are then converted into digital data by the radio front-end circuitry 15418. The digital data may be passed to the processing circuitry 15402. In other embodiments, the communication interface may comprise different components and / or different combinations of components.

[0159] In certain alternative embodiments, network node 15400 may be capable of wireless communication but does not include separate radio front-end circuitry 15418, instead, the processing circuitry 15402 includes radio front-end circuitry and is connected to the antenna 15410. Similarly, in some embodiments, all or some of the RF transceiver circuitry 15412 is part of the communication interface 15406. In still other embodiments, the communication interface 15406 includes one or more ports or terminals 15416, the radio front-end circuitry 15418, and the RF transceiver circuitry 15412, as part of a radio unit (not shown), and the communication interface 15406 communicates with the baseband processing circuitry 15414, which is part of a digital unit (not shown).

[0160] The antenna 15410 may include one or more antennas, or antenna arrays, configured to send and / or receive wireless signals. The antenna 15410 may be coupled to the radio front-end circuitry 15418 and may be any type of antenna capable of transmitting and receiving data and / or signals wirelessly. In certain embodiments, the antenna 15410 is separate from the network node 15400 and connectable to the network node 15400 through one or more interfaces or ports.

[0161] The antenna 15410, communication interface 15406, and / or the processing circuitry 15402 may be configured to perform some or all of the receiving operations and / or obtaining operations described herein as being performed by the network node 15400. Any information, data and / or signals may be received from a UE, another network node and / or any other network equipment. Similarly, the antenna 15410, the communication interface 15406, and / or the processing circuitry 15402 may be configured to perform some or all of the transmitting or sending operations described herein as being performed by the network node 15400. Any information, data and / or signals may be transmitted to a UE, another network node and / or any other network equipment.

[0162] The power source 15408 provides power to the various components of network node 15400 in a form suitable for the respective components (e.g., at a voltage and current level needed for each respective component). The power source 15408 may further comprise, or be coupled to, power management circuitry to supply the components of the network node 15400 with power for performing the functionality described herein. For example, the network node 15400 may be connectable to an external power source (e.g., the power grid, an electricity outlet) via an input circuitry or interface such as an electrical cable, whereby the external power source supplies power to power circuitry of the power source 15408. As a further example, the power source 15408 may comprise a source of power in the form of a battery or battery pack which is connected to, or integrated in, power circuitry. The battery may provide backup power should the external power source fail.

[0163] Embodiments of the network node 15400 may include additional components beyond those shown in Figure 11 for providing certain aspects of the network node’s functionality, including any of the functionality described herein and / or any functionality necessary to support the subject matter described herein. For example, the network node 15400 may include user interface equipment to allow input of information into the network node 15400 and to allow output of information from the network node 15400. This may allow a user to perform diagnostic, maintenance, repair, and other administrative functions for the network node 15400.

[0164] Figure 12 is a block diagram illustrating a virtualization environment 15500 in which functions implemented by some embodiments may be virtualized. In the present context, virtualizing means creating virtual versions of apparatuses or devices which may include virtualizing hardware platforms, storage devices and networking resources. As used herein, virtualization can be applied to any device described herein, or components thereof, and relates to an implementation in which at least a portion of the functionality is implemented as one or more virtual components. Some or all of the functions described herein may be implemented as virtual components executed by one or more virtual machines (VMs) implemented in one or more virtual environments 15500 hosted by one or more of hardware nodes, such as a hardware computing device that operates as an access network node, UE, core network node, or host. Further, in embodiments in which a virtual node does not require radio connectivity (e.g., a core network node or host), then the node may be entirely virtualized. In some embodiments, the virtualization environment 15500 includes components defined by the O-RAN Alliance, such as an O-Cloud environment orchestrated by a Service Management and Orchestration Framework via an 0-2 interface.

[0165] Applications 15502 (which may alternatively be called software instances, virtual appliances, network functions, virtual nodes, virtual network functions, etc.) are run in the virtualization environment Q400 to implement some of the features, functions, and / or benefits of some of the embodiments disclosed herein.

[0166] Hardware 15504 includes processing circuitry, memory that stores software and / or instructions executable by hardware processing circuitry, and / or other hardware devices as described herein, such as a network interface, input / output interface, and so forth. Software may be executed by the processing circuitry to instantiate one or more virtualization layers 15506 (also referred to as hypervisors or virtual machine monitors (VMMs)), provide VM 15508A and VM 15508B (which may be collectively referred to as VMs 15508), and / or perform any of the functions, features and / or benefits described in relation with some embodiments described herein. The virtualization layer 15506 may present a virtual operating platform that appears like networking hardware to one or more of the VMs 15508.

[0167] The VMs 15508 comprise virtual processing, virtual memory, virtual networking or interface and virtual storage, and may be run by virtualization layer 15506. Different embodiments of the instance of a virtual appliance 15502 may be implemented on one or more of VMs 15508, and the implementations may be made in different ways. Virtualization of the hardware is in some contexts referred to as network function virtualization (NFV). NFV may be used to consolidate many network equipment types onto industry standard high volume server hardware, physical switches, and physical storage, which can be located in data centers, and customer premise equipment.

[0168] In the context of NFV, each of the VMs 15508 may be a software implementation of a physical machine that runs programs as if they were executing on a physical, nonvirtualized machine. Each of the VMs 15508, and that part of hardware 15504 that executes that VM, be it hardware dedicated to that VM and / or hardware shared by that VM with others of the VMs, forms separate virtual network elements. Still in the context of NFV, a virtual network function is responsible for handling specific network functions that run in one or more of the VMs 15508 on top of the hardware 15504 and corresponds to an application 15502.

[0169] Hardware 15504 may be implemented in a standalone network node with generic or specific components. Hardware 15504 may implement some functions via virtualization. Alternatively, hardware 15504 may be part of a larger cluster of hardware (e.g. such as in a data center or CPE) where many hardware nodes work together and are managed via management and orchestration 15510, which, among others, oversees lifecycle management of applications 15502. In some embodiments, hardware 15504 is coupled to one or more radio units that each include one or more transmitters and one or more receivers that may be coupled to one or more antennas. Radio units may communicate directly with other hardware nodes via one or more appropriate network interfaces and may be used in combination with the virtual components to provide a virtual node with radio capabilities, such as a radio access node or a base station. In some embodiments, some signaling can be provided with the use of a control system 15512 which may alternatively be used for communication between hardware nodes and radio units.

[0170] Although the computing devices described herein (e.g., UEs, network nodes, hosts) may include the illustrated combination of hardware components, other embodiments may comprise computing devices with different combinations of components. It is to be understood that these computing devices may comprise any suitable combination of hardware and / or software needed to perform the tasks, features, functions and methods disclosed herein. Determining, calculating, obtaining or similar operations described herein may be performed by processing circuitry, which may process information by, for example, converting the obtained information into other information, comparing the obtained information or converted information to information stored in the network node, and / or performing one or more operations based on the obtained information or converted information, and as a result of said processing making a determination. Moreover, while components are depicted as single boxes located within a larger box, or nested within multiple boxes, in practice, computing devices may comprise multiple different physical components that make up a single illustrated component, and functionality may be partitioned between separate components. For example, a communication interface may be configured to include any of the components described herein, and / or the functionality of the components may be partitioned between the processing circuitry and the communication interface. In another example, non-computationally intensive functions of any of such components may be implemented in software or firmware and computationally intensive functions may be implemented in hardware.

[0171] In certain embodiments, some or all of the functionality described herein may be provided by processing circuitry executing instructions stored on in memory, which in certain embodiments may be a computer program product in the form of a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. In alternative embodiments, some or all of the functionality may be provided by the processing circuitry without executing instructions stored on a separate or discrete device-readable storage medium, such as in a hard-wired manner. In any of those particular embodiments, whether executing instructions stored on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium or not, the processing circuitry can be configured to perform the described functionality. The benefits provided by such functionality are not limited to the processing circuitry alone or to other components of the computing device, but are enjoyed by the computing device as a whole, and / or by end users and a wireless network generally.

[0172] As will be readily understood by those familiar with communications design, functions means or modules may be implemented using digital logic and / or one or more microcontrollers, microprocessors, or other digital hardware. In some embodiments, several or all of the various functions may be implemented together, such as in a single application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or in two or more separate devices with appropriate hardware and / or software interfaces between them. Several of the functions may be implemented on a processor shared with other functional components of a wireless device or network node, for example.

[0173] Alternatively, several of the functional elements of the processing means discussed may be provided through the use of dedicated hardware, while others are provided with hardware for executing software, in association with the appropriate software or firmware. Thus, the term “processor” or “controller” as used herein does not exclusively refer to hardware capable of executing software and may implicitly include, without limitation, digital signal processor (DSP) hardware, read-only memory (ROM) for storing software, random-access memory for storing software and / or program or application data, and non-volatile memory. Other hardware, conventional and / or custom, may also be included. Designers of communications devices will appreciate the cost, performance, and maintenance trade-offs inherent in these design choices.

[0174] It will be appreciated that the foregoing description and the accompanying drawings represent non-limiting examples of the methods and apparatus taught herein. As such, the apparatus and techniques taught herein are not limited by the foregoing description and accompanying drawings. Instead, the embodiments herein are limited only by the following claims and their legal equivalents.

[0175] Embodiments:

[0176] Embodiment A1. A method performed by a UE for handling access to a wireless communication network, the UE is of a first RAT and the method comprising: obtaining information regarding one or more SSBs of the first RAT and a second RAT, wherein the first and second RATs use same SSB composition, alternatively, or additionally, obtaining configuration indicating that a resource of a NZP-CSI-RS of the first RAT matches a resource of a ZP-CSI-RS of the second RAT ; and performing an action taking this information and / or configuration into account.

[0177] Embodiment B1. A method performed by a radio network node for handling access to a wireless communication network, the method comprising providing information to a UE of a first RAT indicating one or more SSBs for the first RAT and a second RAT, wherein the first and second RATs use same SSB compositions, alternatively, or additionally, providing configuration indicating that a resource of an NZP-CSI-RS of the first RAT matches a resource of a ZP-CSI-RS of the second RAT.

[0178] Embodiment C1. A UE for handling access to a wireless communication network, the

[0179] UE is configured for a first RAT and is configured to: obtain information regarding one or more SSBs of the first RAT and a second RAT, wherein the first and second RATs use same SSB composition, alternatively, or additionally, obtain configuration indicating that a resource of a NZP-CSI-RS of the first RAT matches a resource of a ZP-CSI-RS of the second RAT; and perform an action taking this information and / or configuration into account.

[0180] Embodiment D1. A radio network node for handling access to a wireless communication network, the radio network node is configured to: provide information to a UE of a first RAT indicating one or more SSBs for the first RAT and a second RAT, wherein the first and second RATs use same SSB compositions, alternatively, or additionally, provide configuration indicating that a resource of an NZP- CSI-RS of the first RAT matches a resource of a ZP-CSI-RS of the second RAT.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A method performed by a radio network node (120) for handling access to a wireless communication network, the method comprising configuring (500) in the wireless communication network, one or more Synchronization Signal Blocks, SSB, for a first radio access technology, RAT, and a second RAT, wherein SSB composition for the second RAT is the same as for the first RAT or defines one or more same SSB candidates as for the first RAT; alternatively, or additionally, configuring (500) in the wireless communication network a first resource of a non-zero-power channel state information - reference signal, NZP-CSI-RS, for the second RAT, that matches a second resource of a zero-power channel state information - reference signal, ZP-CSI-RS, for the first RAT, and / or a third resource of a ZP-CSI-RS for the second RAT, that matches a fourth resource of a NZP-CSI-RS for the first RAT.

2. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising- providing (501) information to a user equipment, UE, of the second RAT indicating the one or more SSBs for the first RAT and the second RAT; and / or a configuration indicating the first resource of the NZP-CSI-RS of the second RAT matching the second resource of the ZP-CSI-RS of the first RAT, and / or the third resource of the ZP-CSI-RS for the second RAT matching the fourth resource of the NZP-CSI-RS for the first RAT.

3. The method according to any of the claims 1-2, further comprising- providing (501) information to a user equipment, UE, of the first RAT indicating the one or more SSBs for the first RAT and the second RAT; and / or a configuration indicating the second resource of the ZP-CSI-RS of the first RAT, and / or the fourth resource of the NZP-CSI-RS for the first RAT.

4. The method according to any of the claims 1-3, wherein the SSB composition of the second RAT matches one or more SSB candidates for the first RAT, which one or more SSB candidates are relevant for multi-radio spectrum sharing, MRSS, deployment.

5. The method according to any of the claims 1-4, further comprisingtransmitting (502) the one or more SSBs as allocated or configured, and / or a CSI-RS comprising the NZP-CSI-RS for the second RAT.

6. A method performed by a user equipment, UE, (10) for handling access to a wireless communication network, the method comprising: obtaining (401) information regarding one or more Synchronization Signal Blocks, SSB, of a first radio access technology, RAT, and a second RAT, wherein SSB composition for the second RAT is the same as for the first RAT or defines one or more same SSB candidates as for the first RAT, alternatively, or additionally, obtaining configuration indicating that a first resource of a nonzero power-channel state information-reference signal, NZP-CSI-RS, of the second RAT matches a second resource of a zero power-channel state information-reference signal, ZP-CSI-RS, of the first RAT, and / or a third resource of the ZP-CSI-RS for the second RAT matches a fourth resource of the NZP-CSI-RS for the first RAT; and- performing (402) an action taking the information and / or the configuration into account.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the performed action comprises rate matching or determining one or more valid physical downlink control channel, PDCCH, candidates based on the information and / or configuration.

8. A radio network node (120) for handling access to a wireless communication network, wherein the radio network node (120) is configured to: configure in the wireless communication network, one or more Synchronization Signal Blocks, SSB, for a first radio access technology, RAT, and a second RAT, wherein SSB composition for the second RAT is the same as for the first RAT or defines one or more same SSB candidates as for the first RAT; alternatively, or additionally, configure in the wireless communication network a first resource of a non-zero-power channel state information - reference signal, NZP-CSI-RS, for the second RAT, that matches a second resource of a zeropower channel state information - reference signal, ZP-CSI-RS, for the first RAT, and / or a third resource of a ZP-CSI-RS for the second RAT, that matches a fourth resource of a NZP-CSI-RS for the first RAT.

9. The radio network node (120) according to claim 8, wherein the radio network node (120) is configured to: provide information to a user equipment, UE, of the second RAT indicating the one or more SSBs for the first RAT and the second RAT; and / or a configuration indicating the first resource of the NZP-CSI-RS of the second RAT matching the second resource of the ZP-CSI-RS of the first RAT, and / or the third resource of the ZP-CSI-RS for the second RAT matching the fourth resource of the NZP-CSI-RS for the first RAT.

10. The radio network node (120) according to any of the claims 8-9, wherein the radio network node (120) is configured to: provide information to a user equipment, UE, of the first RAT indicating the one or more SSBs for the first RAT and the second RAT; and / or a configuration indicating the second resource of the ZP-CSI-RS of the first RAT, and / or the fourth resource of the NZP-CSI-RS for the first RAT.

11. The radio network node (120) according to any of the claims 8-10, wherein the SSB composition of the second RAT matches one or more SSB candidates for the first RAT, which one or more SSB candidates are relevant for multi-radio spectrum sharing, MRSS, deployment.

12. The radio network node (120) according to any of the claims 8-11, wherein the radio network node (120) is configured to: transmit the one or more SSBs as allocated or configured, and / or a CSI- RS comprising the NZP-CSI-RS for the second RAT.

13. A user equipment, UE, (10) for handling access to a wireless communication network, wherein the UE (10) is configured to: obtain information regarding one or more Synchronization Signal Blocks, SSB, of a first radio access technology, RAT, and a second RAT, wherein SSB composition for the second RAT is the same as for the first RAT or defines one or more same SSB candidates as for the first RAT, alternatively, or additionally, obtaining configuration indicating that a first resource of a non-zero powerchannel state information-reference signal, NZP-CSI-RS, of the second RAT matches a second resource of a zero power-channel state information-reference signal, ZP-CSI-RS, of the first RAT, and / or a third resource of the ZP- CSI-RS for the second RAT matches a fourth resource of the NZP-CSI-RS for the first RAT; and perform an action taking the information and / or the configuration into account.

14. The UE (10) according to claim 13, wherein the UE is configured to perform the action by rate matching or determining one or more valid PDCCH candidates based on the information and / or configuration.

15. A computer program comprising instructions, which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out the method according to any of the claims 1-7, as performed by the UE or the radio network node, respectively.

16. A computer-readable storage medium, having stored thereon a computer program comprising instructions which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out the method according to any of the claims 1-7, as performed by the UE or the radio network node, respectively.

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