Apparatus and method

Abstract

The disclosure relates to an apparatus comprising: means for receiving, from a network node, a scheduling request configuration for transmitting a scheduling request for indicating usage of apparatus capabilities or a change in usage of apparatus capabilities; determining usage of apparatus capabilities or a change in usage of apparatus capabilities; and transmitting, to the network node, a scheduling request for indicating usage of apparatus capabilities or a change in the usage of apparatus capabilities based on the scheduling request configuration.

Description

[0001] APPARATUS, METHOD, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM

[0002] Field of the disclosure

[0003] The present disclosure relates to apparatuses, a methods, and computer programs for indicating usage of apparatus capabilities or a change in usage of apparatus capabilities in a communication system.

[0004] Background

[0005] A communication system can be seen as a facility that enables communication sessions between two or more entities such as communication devices, base stations and / or other nodes by providing carriers between the various entities involved in the communications path.

[0006] The communication system may be a wireless communication system. Examples of wireless systems comprise public land mobile networks (PLMN) operating based on radio standards such as those provided by 3GPP, satellite based communication systems and different wireless local networks, for example wireless local area networks (WLAN). The wireless systems can typically be divided into cells, and are therefore often referred to as cellular systems.

[0007] The communication system and associated devices typically operate in accordance with a given standard or specification which sets out what the various entities associated with the system are permitted to do and how that should be achieved. Communication protocols and / or parameters which shall be used for the connection are also typically defined. Examples of standard are 4G, 5G or 6G standards.

[0008] Summary

[0009] According to an aspect there is provided an apparatus comprising: means for receiving, from a network node, a scheduling request configuration for transmitting a scheduling request for indicating usage of apparatus capabilities or a change in usage of apparatus capabilities; means for determining usage of apparatus capabilities or a change in usage of apparatus capabilities; and means for transmitting, to the network node, a scheduling request for indicating usage of apparatus capabilities or a change in the usage of apparatus capabilities based on the scheduling request configuration.

[0010] The scheduling request may indicate a change in usage of apparatus capabilities (i.e., there is a change in usage of apparatus capabilities).

[0011] The scheduling request may not indicate the details of the change in usage of apparatus capabilities (i.e., what is the change in usage of apparatus capabilities).

[0012] The details of the change in the usage of apparatus capabilities may comprise a parameter (e.g., number of CSI-RSs currently used by the UE).

[0013] The details of the change in the usage of apparatus capabilities may comprise a trend (e.g., increase or decrease).

[0014] The details of the change in the usage of apparatus capabilities may comprise an amount (e.g., N).

[0015] The apparatus capabilities may comprise apparatus capabilities shared between the network node and another network node serving the apparatus. The network node may be one of a master node or a secondary node. The other network node may be another one of the secondary node or the master node. The apparatus may be in dual connectivity with the master node and the secondary node.

[0016] It will be understood that the expressions “usage” and “availability” may be used interchangeably.

[0017] The scheduling request configuration may be received via radio resource configuration. The scheduling request configuration comprises physical uplink control channel resources for transmitting a scheduling request for indicating usage of apparatus capabilities or a change in usage of apparatus capabilities.

[0018] Apparatus capabilities may comprise at least one of: a maximum number of synchronization signal block resources supported by the apparatus; a maximum number of channel state information reference signal resources supported by the apparatus; a maximum number of channel state information interference measurement resources supported by the apparatus; a maximum number of non-zero power channel state information reference signal resources supported by the apparatus; a maximum number of aperiodic channel state information interference measurement resources supported by the apparatus; a maximum number of semi- persistent scheduling configuration supported by the apparatus; a maximum number of tracking reference signal resources supported by the apparatus; a maximum number of component carriers supported by the apparatus; a maximum number of multiple input multiple output layers supported by the apparatus; a maximum number of simultaneous channel state information reference signal resources supported by the apparatus; a maximum number of channel state information reference signal ports in simultaneous channel state information reference signal resources supported by the apparatus; a number of channel state information reports that the apparatus is capable of simultaneously processing; or a number of sounding reference signal resources that the apparatus is capable of simultaneously processing.

[0019] The usage of apparatus capabilities may be per a master cell group or a secondary cell group.

[0020] The usage of apparatus capabilities may be across a master cell group and a secondary cell group.

[0021] The usage of apparatus capabilities may be per a frequency range FR1 or frequency range FR2. The usage of apparatus capabilities may be across frequency ranges FR1 and FR2.

[0022] The network node may comprise a master node.

[0023] The network node may comprise a secondary node.

[0024] The apparatus may comprise: means for receiving, from the network node, a request to transmit details of the change in usage of apparatus capabilities; and means for transmitting, to the network node, a response indicating the details of the change in usage of apparatus capabilities.

[0025] The response comprising the details of the change in usage of apparatus capabilities may be transmitted via medium access control control element, downlink control information or radio resource signaling.

[0026] The apparatus may comprise a user equipment.

[0027] The apparatus may be in dual connectivity with a master node and a secondary node.

[0028] According to an aspect there is provided a method comprising: receiving, from a network node, a scheduling request configuration for transmitting a scheduling request for indicating usage of apparatus capabilities or a change in usage of apparatus capabilities; determining usage of apparatus capabilities or a change in usage of apparatus capabilities; and transmitting, to the network node, a scheduling request for indicating usage of apparatus capabilities or a change in the usage of apparatus capabilities based on the scheduling request configuration.

[0029] The method may be performed by an apparatus.

[0030] The scheduling request may indicate a change in usage of apparatus capabilities (i.e., there is a change in usage of apparatus capabilities). The scheduling request may not indicate the details of the change in usage of apparatus capabilities (i.e. , what is the change in usage of apparatus capabilities).

[0031] The details of the change in the usage of apparatus capabilities may comprise a parameter (e.g., number of CSI-RSs currently used by the UE).

[0032] The details of the change in the usage of apparatus capabilities may comprise a trend (e.g., increase or decrease).

[0033] The details of the change in the usage of apparatus capabilities may comprise an amount (e.g., N).

[0034] The apparatus capabilities may comprise apparatus capabilities shared between the network node and another network node serving the apparatus. The network node may be one of a master node or a secondary node. The other network node may be another one of the secondary node or the master node. The apparatus may be in dual connectivity with the master node and the secondary node.

[0035] It will be understood that the expressions “usage” and “availability” may be used interchangeably.

[0036] The scheduling request configuration may be received via radio resource configuration.

[0037] The scheduling request configuration comprises physical uplink control channel resources for transmitting a scheduling request for indicating usage of apparatus capabilities or a change in usage of apparatus capabilities.

[0038] Apparatus capabilities may comprise at least one of: a maximum number of synchronization signal block resources supported by the apparatus; a maximum number of channel state information reference signal resources supported by the apparatus; a maximum number of channel state information interference measurement resources supported by the apparatus; a maximum number of non-zero power channel state information reference signal resources supported by the apparatus; a maximum number of aperiodic channel state information interference measurement resources supported by the apparatus; a maximum number of semi- persistent scheduling configuration supported by the apparatus; a maximum number of tracking reference signal resources supported by the apparatus; a maximum number of component carriers supported by the apparatus; a maximum number of multiple input multiple output layers supported by the apparatus; a maximum number of simultaneous channel state information reference signal resources supported by the apparatus; a maximum number of channel state information reference signal ports in simultaneous channel state information reference signal resources supported by the apparatus; a number of channel state information reports that the apparatus is capable of simultaneously processing; or a number of sounding reference signal resources that the apparatus is capable of simultaneously processing.

[0039] The usage of apparatus capabilities may be per a master cell group or a secondary cell group.

[0040] The usage of apparatus capabilities may be across a master cell group and a secondary cell group.

[0041] The usage of apparatus capabilities may be per a frequency range FR1 or frequency range FR2.

[0042] The usage of apparatus capabilities may be across frequency ranges FR1 and FR2.

[0043] The network node may comprise a master node.

[0044] The network node may comprise a secondary node. The method may comprise: receiving, from the network node, a request to transmit details of the change in usage of apparatus capabilities; and transmitting, to the network node, a response indicating the details of the change in usage of apparatus capabilities.

[0045] The response comprising the details of the change in usage of apparatus capabilities may be transmitted via medium access control control element, downlink control information or radio resource signaling.

[0046] The apparatus may comprise a user equipment.

[0047] The apparatus may be in dual connectivity with a master node and a secondary node.

[0048] According to an aspect there is provided an apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform: receiving, from a network node, a scheduling request configuration for transmitting a scheduling request for indicating usage of apparatus capabilities or a change in usage of apparatus capabilities; determining usage of apparatus capabilities or a change in usage of apparatus capabilities; and transmitting, to the network node, a scheduling request for indicating usage of apparatus capabilities or a change in the usage of apparatus capabilities based on the scheduling request configuration.

[0049] According to an aspect there is provided an apparatus comprising circuitry configured to perform: receiving, from a network node, a scheduling request configuration for transmitting a scheduling request for indicating usage of apparatus capabilities or a change in usage of apparatus capabilities; determining usage of apparatus capabilities or a change in usage of apparatus capabilities; and transmitting, to the network node, a scheduling request for indicating usage of apparatus capabilities or a change in the usage of apparatus capabilities based on the scheduling request configuration. According to an aspect there is provided a computer program comprising computer executable code which when run on at least one processor is configured to perform: receiving, from a network node, a scheduling request configuration for transmitting a scheduling request for indicating usage of apparatus capabilities or a change in usage of apparatus capabilities; determining usage of apparatus capabilities or a change in usage of apparatus capabilities; and transmitting, to the network node, a scheduling request for indicating usage of apparatus capabilities or a change in the usage of apparatus capabilities based on the scheduling request configuration.

[0050] According to an aspect there is provided an apparatus comprising: means for transmitting, to a user equipment, a scheduling request configuration for transmitting a scheduling request for indicating usage of user equipment capabilities or a change in usage of user equipment capabilities; and means for receiving, from the user equipment, a scheduling request for indicating usage of user equipment capabilities or a change in usage of user equipment capabilities based on the scheduling request configuration.

[0051] The apparatus may comprise: means for adjusting a parameter based on the scheduling request; and means for communicating, with the user equipment, based on the adjusted parameter.

[0052] The means for adjusting a parameter based on the scheduling request may comprise: means for adjusting a parameter based on the scheduling request on details of a change in usage of apparatus capabilities implicitly indicated by the scheduling request.

[0053] The details of the change in usage of apparatus capabilities may be pre-configured at the apparatus.

[0054] The apparatus may comprise: means for transmitting, to the user equipment, a request to transmit details of the change in usage of user equipment capabilities based on the scheduling request; and means for receiving, from the user equipment, a response indicating the details of the change in usage of user equipment capabilities.

[0055] The means for adjusting a parameter based on the scheduling request may comprise: means for adjusting a parameter based on the details of the change in usage of user equipment capabilities explicitly indicated by the response.

[0056] The parameter may comprise at least one of: a number of synchronization signal block resources used by the user equipment and the apparatus; a number of channel state information reference signal resources used by the user equipment and the apparatus; a number of channel state information interference measurement resources used by the user equipment and the apparatus; a number of non-zero power channel state information reference signal resources used by the user equipment and the apparatus; a number of aperiodic channel state information interference measurement resources used by the user equipment and the apparatus; a number of semi-persistent scheduling configuration used by the user equipment and the apparatus; a number of tracking reference signal resources used by the user equipment and the apparatus; a number of component carriers used by the user equipment and the apparatus; a number of multiple input multiple output layers used by the user equipment and the apparatus; a number of simultaneous channel state information reference signal resources used by the user equipment and the apparatus; a number of channel state information reference signal ports in simultaneous channel state information reference signal resources used by the user equipment and the apparatus; a number of channel state information reports that the user equipment and the apparatus is simultaneously processing; or a number of sounding reference signal resources that the user equipment and the apparatus is simultaneously processing.

[0057] The means for communicating, with the user equipment, based on the adjusted parameter comprises at least one of: means for receiving, from the user equipment, data transmissions based on the adjusted parameter; or means for transmitting, to the user equipment, data transmissions based on the adjusted parameter. The apparatus may comprise a network node.

[0058] The apparatus may comprise a master node.

[0059] The apparatus may comprise a secondary node.

[0060] The apparatus may comprise a base station.

[0061] The apparatus may comprise a base station distributed unit.

[0062] According to an aspect there is provided a method comprising: transmitting, to a user equipment, a scheduling request configuration for transmitting a scheduling request for indicating usage of user equipment capabilities or a change in usage of user equipment capabilities; and receiving, from the user equipment, a scheduling request for indicating usage of user equipment capabilities or a change in usage of user equipment capabilities based on the scheduling request configuration.

[0063] The method may be performed by an apparatus.

[0064] The method may comprise: adjusting a parameter based on the scheduling request; and means for communicating, with the user equipment, based on the adjusted parameter.

[0065] The adjusting a parameter based on the scheduling request may comprise: adjusting a parameter based on the scheduling request on details of a change in usage of apparatus capabilities implicitly indicated by the scheduling request.

[0066] The details of the change in usage of apparatus capabilities may be pre-configured at the apparatus. The method may comprise: transmitting, to the user equipment, a request to transmit details of the change in usage of user equipment capabilities based on the scheduling request; and receiving, from the user equipment, a response indicating the details of the change in usage of user equipment capabilities.

[0067] The adjusting a parameter based on the scheduling request may comprise: adjusting a parameter based on the details of the change in usage of user equipment capabilities explicitly indicated by the response.

[0068] The parameter may comprise at least one of: a number of synchronization signal block resources used by the user equipment and the apparatus; a number of channel state information reference signal resources used by the user equipment and the apparatus; a number of channel state information interference measurement resources used by the user equipment and the apparatus; a number of non-zero power channel state information reference signal resources used by the user equipment and the apparatus; a number of aperiodic channel state information interference measurement resources used by the user equipment and the apparatus; a number of semi-persistent scheduling configuration used by the user equipment and the apparatus; a number of tracking reference signal resources used by the user equipment and the apparatus; a number of component carriers used by the user equipment and the apparatus; a number of multiple input multiple output layers used by the user equipment and the apparatus; a number of simultaneous channel state information reference signal resources used by the user equipment and the apparatus; a number of channel state information reference signal ports in simultaneous channel state information reference signal resources used by the user equipment and the apparatus; a number of channel state information reports that the user equipment and the apparatus is simultaneously processing; or a number of sounding reference signal resources that the user equipment and the apparatus is simultaneously processing.

[0069] The communicating, with the user equipment, based on the adjusted parameter may comprise at least one of: receiving, from the user equipment, data transmissions based on the adjusted parameter; or transmitting, to the user equipment, data transmissions based on the adjusted parameter.

[0070] The apparatus may comprise a network node.

[0071] The apparatus may comprise a master node.

[0072] The apparatus may comprise a secondary node.

[0073] The apparatus may comprise a base station.

[0074] The apparatus may comprise a base station distributed unit.

[0075] According to an aspect there is provided an apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform: transmitting, to a user equipment, a scheduling request configuration for transmitting a scheduling request for indicating usage of user equipment capabilities or a change in usage of user equipment capabilities; and receiving, from the user equipment, a scheduling request for indicating usage of user equipment capabilities or a change in usage of user equipment capabilities based on the scheduling request configuration.

[0076] According to an aspect there is provided an apparatus comprising circuitry configured to perform: transmitting, to a user equipment, a scheduling request configuration for transmitting a scheduling request for indicating usage of user equipment capabilities or a change in usage of user equipment capabilities; and receiving, from the user equipment, a scheduling request for indicating usage of user equipment capabilities or a change in usage of user equipment capabilities based on the scheduling request configuration.

[0077] According to an aspect there is provided a computer program comprising computer executable code which when run on at least one processor is configured to perform: transmitting, to a user equipment, a scheduling request configuration for transmitting a scheduling request for indicating usage of user equipment capabilities or a change in usage of user equipment capabilities; and receiving, from the user equipment, a scheduling request for indicating usage of user equipment capabilities or a change in usage of user equipment capabilities based on the scheduling request configuration.

[0078] According to an aspect, there is provided a computer readable medium comprising program instructions stored thereon for performing at least one of the above methods.

[0079] According to an aspect, there is provided a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions stored thereon for performing at least one of the above methods.

[0080] According to an aspect, there is provided a non-volatile tangible memory medium comprising program instructions stored thereon for performing at least one of the above methods.

[0081] In the above, many different aspects have been described. It should be appreciated that further aspects may be provided by the combination of any two or more of the aspects described above.

[0082] Various other aspects are also described in the following detailed description and in the attached claims.

[0083] List of abbreviations

[0084] AF: Application Function

[0085] AMF: Access and Mobility Management Function

[0086] BFD : Beam Failure Detection

[0087] BS: Base Station

[0088] BWP: Bandwidth Part

[0089] CC : Component Carrier CE: Control Element

[0090] CSI: Channel State Information

[0091] CSI-RS: Channel State Information Reference Signal

[0092] CSI-IM: Channel State Information Interference Measurement

[0093] CU: Centralized Unit

[0094] DC: Dual Connectivity

[0095] DCI: Downlink Control Information

[0096] DL: Downlink gNB: gNodeB loT: Internet of Things

[0097] L1 : Layer 1

[0098] MAC CE: Medium Access Control Control Element

[0099] MCG : Master Cell Group

[0100] MN : Master Node

[0101] MS: Mobile Station

[0102] MTC: Machine Type Communication

[0103] NEF: Network Exposure Function

[0104] NF: Network Function

[0105] NR: New radio

[0106] NRF: Network Repository Function

[0107] NZP: Non-Zero Power

[0108] PDCCH: Physical Downlink Control Channel

[0109] PUCCH: Physical Uplink Control Channel

[0110] RAM: Random Access Memory

[0111] (R)AN: (Radio) Access Network

[0112] RLM: Radio Link Monitoring

[0113] ROM: Read Only Memory

[0114] RRC: Radio Resource Control

[0115] RS: Reference Signal

[0116] RSRP: Reference Signal Received Power

[0117] RSRQ: Reference Signal Received Quality

[0118] SCG: Secondary Cell Group SINR: Signal to Interference plus Noise Ratio

[0119] SMF: Session Management Function

[0120] SN: Secondary Node

[0121] SPS: Semi-Persistent Scheduling

[0122] SSB: Synchronization Signal Block

[0123] TRS: Tracking Reference Signal

[0124] UE: User Equipment

[0125] 4G: 4thGeneration

[0126] 5G: 5thGeneration

[0127] 5GC: 5G Core network

[0128] 5GS: 5G System

[0129] 6G: 6thGeneration

[0130] Brief Description of the Figures

[0131] Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying Figures in which:

[0132] Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of an example 5G system;

[0133] Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of an example control apparatus;

[0134] Fig. 3 shows a schematic representation of an example user equipment;

[0135] Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 show a signaling diagram of an example of a method for indicating usage of apparatus capabilities or a change in usage of apparatus capabilities in a communication system;

[0136] Fig. 6 shows a block diagram of an example of a method for indicating usage of apparatus capabilities or a change in usage of apparatus capabilities in a communication system; Fig. 7 shows a block diagram of an example of a method for indicating usage of user equipment capabilities or a change in usage of user equipment capabilities in a communication system; and

[0137] Fig. 8 shows a schematic representation of a non-volatile memory medium storing instructions which when executed by a processor allow a processor to perform one or more of the steps of the method of Fig. 6 and Fig.7.

[0138] Detailed Description of the Figures

[0139] In the following certain embodiments are explained with reference to mobile communication devices capable of communication via a wireless cellular system and mobile communication systems serving such mobile communication devices. Before explaining in detail the exemplifying embodiments, certain general principles of a wireless communication system, access systems thereof, and mobile communication devices are briefly explained with reference to Fig. 1 , Fig.2 and Fig.3 to assist in understanding the technology underlying the described examples.

[0140] FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of an example of a 5G system (5GS). The 5GS may comprises user equipment (UEs), a (radio) access network ((R)AN), a 5G core network (5GC), one or more application functions (AF) and one or more data networks (DN).

[0141] The 5G (R)AN may comprise one or more gNodeBs (gNBs). The gNodeBs may comprise one or more gNB distributed unit connected to one or more gNB centralized unit.

[0142] The 5GC may comprise an access and mobility management function (AMF), a session management function (SMF), an authentication server function (AUSF), a user data management (UDM), a user plane function (UPF), a network exposure function (NEF). Fig. 2 illustrates an example of a control apparatus 200 for controlling a function of the (R)AN or the 5GC as illustrated on Fig. 1 . The control apparatus may comprise at least one random access memory (RAM) 211 a, at least on read only memory (ROM) 211 b, at least one processor 212, 213 and an input / output interface 214. The at least one processor 212, 213 may be coupled to the RAM 211 a and the ROM 211 b. The at least one processor 212, 213 may be configured to execute an appropriate software code 215. The software code 215 may for example allow to perform one or more steps to perform one or more of the present aspects. The software code 215 may be stored in the ROM 211 b. The control apparatus 200 may be interconnected with another control apparatus 200 controlling another function of the 5G (R)AN or the 5GC. In some embodiments, each function of the (R)AN or the 5GC comprises a control apparatus 200. In alternative embodiments, two or more functions of the (R)AN or the 5GC may share a control apparatus.

[0143] Fig. 3 illustrates an example of a user equipment 300, such as the terminal illustrated on Fig. 1. The UE 300 may be provided by any device capable of sending and receiving radio signals. Non-limiting examples comprise a user equipment, a mobile station (MS) or mobile device such as a mobile phone or what is known as a ’smart phone’, a computer provided with a wireless interface card or other wireless interface facility (e.g., USB dongle), a personal data assistant (PDA) or a tablet provided with wireless communication capabilities, a machine-type communications (MTC) device, a Cellular Internet of things (CloT) device or any combinations of these or the like. The UE 300 may provide, for example, communication of data for carrying communications. The communications may be one or more of voice, electronic mail (email), text message, multimedia, data, machine data and so on.

[0144] The UE 300 may receive signals over an air or radio interface 307 via appropriate apparatus for receiving and may transmit signals via appropriate apparatus for transmitting radio signals. In Fig. 3 transceiver apparatus is designated schematically by block 306. The transceiver apparatus 306 may be provided for example by means of a radio part and associated antenna arrangement. The antenna arrangement may be arranged internally or externally to the mobile device. The UE 300 may be provided with at least one processor 301 , at least one memory ROM 302a, at least one RAM 302b and other possible components 303 for use in software and hardware aided execution of tasks it is designed to perform, including control of access to and communications with access systems and other communication devices. The at least one processor 301 is coupled to the RAM 302b and the ROM 302a. The at least one processor 301 may be configured to execute an appropriate software code 308. The software code 308 may for example allow to perform one or more of the present aspects. The software code 308 may be stored in the ROM 302a.

[0145] The processor, storage and other relevant control apparatus can be provided on an appropriate circuit board and / or in chipsets. This feature is denoted by reference 304. The device may optionally have a user interface such as keypad 305, touch sensitive screen or pad, combinations thereof or the like. Optionally one or more of a display, a speaker and a microphone may be provided depending on the type of the device.

[0146] NR Dual Connectivity (NR-DC) is a connectivity option where a UE may establish a connection to a master node (MN) and a connection to a secondary node (SN) to access the 5GC. Serving cells provided by the MN define a master cell group (MCG). Serving cells provided by the SN define a secondary cell group (SCG).

[0147] The MN may comprise a gNB and the SN may comprise another gNB. Alternatively, the MN may comprise a gNB distributed unit and the SN may comprise another gNB distributed unit. The gNB distributed unit and the other gNB distributed unit may be connected to a same gNB centralized units.

[0148] The MN may be connected to the SN via a Xn interface.

[0149] The connection to the MN or the SN may use FR2 to provide a higher throughput due to increased available bandwidth (e.g., for data transfer). The connection to the MN or SN may use FR1 to provide a better coverage. NR-DC is advantageous in that it provides seamless mobility by exploiting heterogeneous network environments (e.g., connection to a large macro cell for mobility anchor and connection a local small cell for data transfer in optimal radio condition).

[0150] NR-DC is advantageous in that it provides throughput enhancements using multiple radio resources (e.g., scheduled by the MN and the SN) to improve data rates experienced by a UE.

[0151] The MN and / or SN may have knowledge of UE capabilities and may transmit to the UE based on the UE capabilities.

[0152] UE capabilities may be UE capabilities shared between the MN and the SN.

[0153] UE capabilities may comprise ‘maxNumberAperiodicCSI-RS-Resource’, ‘maxNumberCSI-RS-Resource’, ‘maxNumberCSI-RS-Resource’, ‘maxNumberCSI- RS-SSB-CBD’, ‘maxNumberSSB-BFD’, ‘maxNumberCSI-RS-BFD’, ‘maxNumberConfigsAIICC-r16’ and / or ‘maxConfiguredResourceSetsAIICC’ (see 3GPP TS 38.306 and TS 38.331 ).

[0154] ‘maxNumberResAcrossCC-AcrossFR-r16’ may indicate a maximum total number of synchronization signal block (SSB), channel state information reference signal (CSI- RS) and / or channel state information interference measurement (CSI-IM) resources configured across all component carriers (CCs) across all frequency ranges (FRs) for any of layer 1 reference signal received power (L1 -RSRP) measurement, layer 1 signal to interference plus noise ratio (L1 -SINR) measurement, pathloss measurement, beam failure detection (BFD), radio link monitoring (RLM) and new beam identification.

[0155] ‘maxNumberAperiodicCSI-RS-Resource’ may indicate a maximum number of configured aperiodic CSI-RS resources across all serving cells (e.g., MCG and SCG). ‘maxNumberCSI-RS-Resource’ may indicate a maximum total number of configured non-zero power channel state information reference signal (NZP-CSI-RS) resources that are used by the UE to measure L1 -RSRP as specified in 3GPP TS 38.215 across all serving cells (e.g., MCG and SCG).

[0156] ‘maxNumberCSI-RS-SSB-CBD’ may indicate a maximal number of different CSI-RS and / or SSB resources across all CCs for new beam identification.

[0157] ‘maxNumberSSB-BFD’ may indicate a maximal number of different SSBs across all CCs for UE to monitor.

[0158] ‘maxNumberCSI-RS-BFD’ may indicate a maximal number of CSI-RS resources across all serving cells (e.g., MCG and SCG) for UE to monitor a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) quality.

[0159] ‘maxNumberConfigsAIICC-r16’ may indicate a maximum number of active semi- persistent scheduling (SPS) configurations across all serving cells (e.g., MCG and SCG) in a MAC entity.

[0160] ‘maxConfiguredResourceSetsAIICC’ may indicate a maximum number of tracking reference signal (TRS) resource sets configured to UE across CCs.

[0161] A problem with existing solutions is that the MN and / or SN have no knowledge of usage (i.e. , availability) of UE capabilities and therefore cannot take full advantage of UE capabilities without risking exceeding the UE capabilities.

[0162] One or more aspects of this disclosure provide techniques for indicating usage of UE capabilities or a change in usage of UE capabilities in a communication system.

[0163] One or more aspects of this disclosure provide techniques for dynamically indicating usage of UE capabilities or a change in usage of UE capabilities using L1 signaling. Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 show a signaling diagram of an example of a method for indicating usage of UE capabilities or a change in usage of UE capabilities in a communication system.

[0164] At step 1 , a UE may receive, from a MN and / or a SN, a scheduling request (SR) configuration (e.g, SR-config-dyn-UE-CAP) for transmitting a SR for indicating usage of UE capabilities or a change in usage of UE capabilities. The SR configuration may comprise physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) resources for transmitting a SR for indicating usage of UE capabilities or a change in usage of UE capabilities. The SR configuration may be received via RRC.

[0165] UE capabilities may comprise a maximum number of SSB resources supported by the UE, a maximum number of CSI-RS resources supported by the UE, a maximum number of CSI-IM resources supported by the UE, a maximum number of NZP-CSI- RS resources supported by the UE, a maximum number of aperiodic CSI-IM resources supported by the UE, a maximum number of SPS configuration supported by the UE, a maximum number of TRS resources supported by the UE, a maximum number of CCs supported by the UE, a maximum number of multiple input multiple output (MIMO) layers supported by the UE, a maximum number of simultaneous CSI-RS resources supported by the UE, a maximum number of CSI-RS ports in simultaneous CSI-RS resources supported by the UE, a number of CSI reports that the UE is capable of simultaneously processing and / or a number of SRS resources that the UE is capable of simultaneously processing.

[0166] UE capabilities may be per MCG or SCG. UE capabilities may be across MCG and SCG.

[0167] UE capabilities may be per FR1 or FR2. UE capabilities may be across FR1 and FR2. UE capabilities may be UE capabilities shared between the MN and the SN. UE capabilities may comprise ‘maxNumberAperiodicCSI-RS-Resource’, ‘maxNumberCSI-RS-Resource’, ‘maxNumberCSI-RS-Resource’, ‘maxNumberCSI- RS-SSB-CBD’, ‘maxNumberSSB-BFD’, ‘maxNumberCSI-RS-BFD’, ‘maxNumberConfigsAIICC-r16’ and / or ‘maxConfiguredResourceSetsAIICC’ (see 3GPP TS 38.306 and TS 38.331 ).

[0168] UE capabilities may comprise ‘maxNumberSimultaneousNZP-CSI-RS-ActBWP- AIICC’,‘totalNumberPortsSimultaneousNZP-CSI-RS-ActBWP-AIICC’, ‘simultaneousCSI-ReportsAIICC and / or simultaneousSRS-AssocCSI-RS-AIICC.

[0169] ‘maxNumberSimultaneousNZP-CSI-RS-ActBWP-AIICC’ may indicate a maximum number of simultaneous CSI-RS resources in active bandwidth parts (BWPs) across all serving cells (e.g., MCG and SCG).

[0170] ‘totalNumberPortsSimultaneousNZP-CSI-RS-ActBWP-AIICC’ may indicate a maximum number of CSI-RS ports in simultaneous CSI-RS resources across all serving cells (e.g., MCG and SCG). simultaneousCSI-ReportsAIICC may indicate a number of CSI reports which the UE can simultaneously process across all serving cells (e.g., MCG and SCG). simultaneousSRS-AssocCSI-RS-AIICC may indicate a number of SRS resources that the UE can process simultaneously across all serving cells (e.g., MCG and SCG).

[0171] The UE may communicate with the MN and / or SN based on parameters. The UE may receive, from the MN and / or SN, data transmissions. The UE may transmit, to the MN and / or SN, data transmissions.

[0172] The parameters may comprise a number of SSB resources used by the UE and the MN and / or SN, a number of CSI-RS resources used by the UE and the MN and / or SN, a number of CSI-IM resources used by the UE and the MN and / or SN, a number of NZP-CSI-RS resources used by the UE and the MN and / or SN, a number of aperiodic CSI-IM resources used by the UE and the MN and / or SN, a number of SPS configuration used by the UE and the MN and / or SN, a number of TRS resources used by the UE and the MN and / or SN, a number of CCs used by the UE and the MN and / or SN, a number of multiple input multiple output (MIMO) layers used by the UE and the MN and / or SN, a number of simultaneous CSI-RS resources used by the UE and the MN and / or SN, a number of CSI-RS ports in simultaneous CSI-RS resources used by the UE and the MN and / or SN and / or a number of CSI reports that the UE and the MN and / or SN is simultaneously processing or a number of SRS resources that the UE and the MN and / or SN is simultaneously processing.

[0173] The UE may determine usage of UE capabilities or a change in usage of UE capabilities (e.g., SN and / or MN increases or decreases usage of CSI-RS or MIMO layers).

[0174] At step 2, the UE may transmit, to the MN and / or SN, a SR for indicating usage of UE capabilities or a change in usage of the UE capabilities based on the SR configuration.

[0175] It will be understood that the SR may indicate a change in usage of UE capabilities (i.e. , there is a change in usage of UE capabilities). However, the SR may not indicate the details of the change in usage of UE capabilities (i.e., what is the change in usage of UE capabilities). The details of the change in the usage of UE capabilities may comprise a parameter (e.g., number of CSI-RSs or MIMO layers used by the UE). The details of the change in the usage of UE capabilities may comprise a trend (e.g., increase or decrease). The details of the change in the usage of UE capabilities may comprise an amount (e.g., N).

[0176] The MN and / or SN may receive the SR for indicating usage of UE capabilities or a change in usage of the UE capabilities based on the SR configuration.

[0177] At step 3, the MN and / or SN may adjust the parameters based on the SR. In a first option, the details of the change in usage of UE capabilities may be implicitly indicated by the SR. The details of the change in usage of UE capabilities may be pre-configured at the MN and / or SN. The details of the change in usage of UE capabilities may not be explicitly requested. The MN and / or SN may adjust the parameters based on the details of the change in usage of UE capabilities preconfigured at the MN and / or SN.

[0178] In a second option, the details of the change in usage of UE capabilities may not be implicitly indicated by the SR. The details of the change in usage of UE capabilities may be explicitly requested.

[0179] The UE may receive, from the MN and / or SN, a request to transmit details of the change in usage of UE capabilities. The UE may receive, from the MN and / or SN, an UL resource allocation.

[0180] The UE may transmit, to the MN and / or SN, a response indicating the details of the change in usage of UE capabilities. The UE may transmit, to the MN and / or SN, a response indicating the details of the change in usage of UE capabilities based on the UL resource allocation. The response may be transmitted via medium access control (MAC CE), radio resource control (RRC) or downlink control information (DCI). The MN and / or SN may adjust the parameters based on the details of the change in usage of UE capabilities indicated by the response. The MAC CE may have a logical channel identifier. Each logical channel identifier may have a priority for transmission. The priority here may be used by the UE to determine which MAC CE to transmit first, when the UE has more than one MAC CE to transmit.

[0181] The UE may communicate with the MN and / or SN based on adjusted parameters. The UE may receive, from the MN and / or SN, data transmissions. The UE may transmit, to the MN and / or SN, data transmissions Fig. 6 shows a block diagram of an example of a method for indicating apparatus capabilities or a change in apparatus capabilities in a communication system. The method may be performed by an apparatus (e.g., UE).

[0182] At step 600, the apparatus may receive, from a network node, a scheduling request configuration for transmitting a scheduling request for indicating usage of apparatus capabilities or a change in usage of apparatus capabilities.

[0183] At step 602, the apparatus may determine usage of apparatus capabilities or a change in usage of apparatus capabilities.

[0184] At step 604, the apparatus may transmit, to the network node, a scheduling request for indicating usage of apparatus capabilities or a change in the usage of apparatus capabilities based on the scheduling request configuration.

[0185] Fig. 7 shows a block diagram of an example of a method for indicating UE capabilities or a change in UE capabilities in a communication system. The method may be performed by an apparatus (e.g., network node).

[0186] At step 700, the apparatus may transmit, to a UE, a scheduling request configuration for transmitting a scheduling request for indicating usage of UE capabilities or a change in usage of UE capabilities.

[0187] At step 702, the apparatus may receive, from the UE, a scheduling request for indicating usage of UE capabilities or a change in usage of UE capabilities based on the scheduling request configuration.

[0188] Fig. 8 shows a schematic representation of non-volatile memory media 1000 storing instructions which when executed by a processor allow the processor to perform one or more of the steps of the methods of Fig. 6 and Fig. 7. It is noted that while the above describes example embodiments, there are several variations and modifications which may be made to the disclosed solution without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0189] The embodiments may thus vary within the scope of the attached claims. In general, some embodiments may be implemented in hardware or special purpose circuits, software, logic or any combination thereof. For example, some aspects may be implemented in hardware, while other aspects may be implemented in firmware or software which may be executed by a controller, microprocessor or other computing device, although embodiments are not limited thereto. While various embodiments may be illustrated and described as block diagrams, flow charts, or using some other pictorial representation, it is well understood that these blocks, apparatus, systems, techniques or methods described herein may be implemented in, as non-limiting examples, hardware, software, firmware, special purpose circuits or logic, general purpose hardware or controller or other computing devices, or some combination thereof.

[0190] The embodiments may be implemented by computer software stored in a memory and executable by at least one data processor of the involved entities or by hardware, or by a combination of software and hardware. Further in this regard it should be noted that any procedures, e.g., as in Fig. 6 and Fig. 7, may represent program steps, or interconnected logic circuits, blocks and functions, or a combination of program steps and logic circuits, blocks and functions. The software may be stored on such physical media as memory chips, or memory blocks implemented within the processor, magnetic media such as hard disk or floppy disks, and optical media such as for example DVD and the data variants thereof, CD.

[0191] The memory may be of any type suitable to the local technical environment and may be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as semiconductor-based memory devices, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory and removable memory. The data processors may be of any type suitable to the local technical environment, and may include one or more of general purpose computers, special purpose computers, microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), gate level circuits and processors based on multi-core processor architecture, as non-limiting examples.

[0192] Alternatively or additionally some embodiments may be implemented using circuitry. The circuitry may be configured to perform one or more of the functions and / or method steps previously described. That circuitry may be provided in the base station and / or in the communications device.

[0193] As used in this application, the term “circuitry” may refer to one or more or all of the following:

[0194] (a) hardware-only circuit implementations (such as implementations in only analogue and / or digital circuitry);

[0195] (b) combinations of hardware circuits and software, such as:

[0196] (i) a combination of analogue and / or digital hardware circuit(s) with software / firmware and

[0197] (ii) any portions of hardware processor(s) with software (including digital signal processor(s)), software, and memory(ies) that work together to cause an apparatus, such as the communications device or base station to perform the various functions previously described; and

[0198] (c) hardware circuit(s) and or processor(s), such as a microprocessor(s) or a portion of a microprocessor(s), that requires software (e.g., firmware) for operation, but the software may not be present when it is not needed for operation.

[0199] This definition of circuitry applies to all uses of this term in this application, including in any claims. As a further example, as used in this application, the term circuitry also covers an implementation of merely a hardware circuit or processor (or multiple processors) or portion of a hardware circuit or processor and its (or their) accompanying software and / or firmware. The term circuitry also covers, for example integrated device. The term “means” as used in the description and in the claims may refer to one or more individual elements configured to perform the corresponding recited functionality or functionalities, or it may refer to several elements that perform such functionality or functionalities. Furthermore, several functionalities recited in the claims may be performed by the same individual means or the same combination of means. For example, performing such functionality or functionalities may be caused in an apparatus by a processor that executes instructions stored in a memory of the apparatus. The foregoing description has provided by way of exemplary and non-limiting examples a full and informative description of some embodiments However, various modifications and adaptations may become apparent to those skilled in the relevant arts in view of the foregoing description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims. However, all such and similar modifications of the teachings will still fall within the scope as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1 . An apparatus comprising: means for receiving, from a network node, a scheduling request configuration for transmitting a scheduling request for indicating usage of apparatus capabilities or a change in usage of apparatus capabilities; means for determining usage of apparatus capabilities or a change in usage of apparatus capabilities; and means for transmitting, to the network node, a scheduling request for indicating usage of apparatus capabilities or a change in the usage of apparatus capabilities based on the scheduling request configuration.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the scheduling request configuration is received via radio resource configuration.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 or claim 2, where apparatus capabilities comprise at least one of: a maximum number of synchronization signal block resources supported by the apparatus; a maximum number of channel state information reference signal resources supported by the apparatus; a maximum number of channel state information interference measurement resources supported by the apparatus; a maximum number of non-zero power channel state information reference signal resources supported by the apparatus; a maximum number of aperiodic channel state information interference measurement resources supported by the apparatus; a maximum number of semi-persistent scheduling configuration supported by the apparatus; a maximum number of tracking reference signal resources supported by the apparatus;a maximum number of component carriers supported by the apparatus; a maximum number of multiple input multiple output layers supported by the apparatus; a maximum number of simultaneous channel state information reference signal resources supported by the apparatus; a maximum number of channel state information reference signal ports in simultaneous channel state information reference signal resources supported by the apparatus; a number of channel state information reports that the apparatus is capable of simultaneously processing; or a number of sounding reference signal resources that the apparatus is capable of simultaneously processing.

4. The apparatus of any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the network node comprises a master node.

5. The apparatus of any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the network node comprises a secondary node.

6. The apparatus of any of claims 1 to 5, comprising: means for receiving, from the network node, a request to transmit details of the change in usage of apparatus capabilities; and means for transmitting, to the network node, a response indicating the details of the change in usage of apparatus capabilities.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the response comprising the details of the change in usage of apparatus capabilities is transmitted via medium access control control element, downlink control information or radio resource signaling.

8. The apparatus of any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the apparatus comprises a user equipment.

9. The apparatus of any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the apparatus is in dual connectivity with a master node and a secondary node.

10. An apparatus comprising : means for transmitting, to a user equipment, a scheduling request configuration for transmitting a scheduling request for indicating usage of user equipment capabilities or a change in usage of user equipment capabilities; and means for receiving, from the user equipment, a scheduling request for indicating usage of user equipment capabilities or a change in usage of user equipment capabilities based on the scheduling request configuration.11 . The apparatus of claim 10, comprising: means for adjusting a parameter based on the scheduling request; and means for communicating, with the user equipment, based on the adjusted parameter.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the means for adjusting a parameter based on the scheduling request comprises: means for adjusting a parameter based on the scheduling request on details of a change in usage of apparatus capabilities implicitly indicated by the scheduling request.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, comprising: means for transmitting, to the user equipment, a request to transmit details of the change in usage of user equipment capabilities based on the scheduling request; and means for receiving, from the user equipment, a response indicating the details of the change in usage of user equipment capabilities.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the means for adjusting a parameter based on the scheduling request comprises:means for adjusting a parameter based on the details of the change in usage of user equipment capabilities explicitly indicated by the response.

15. The apparatus of any of claims 11 to 14, wherein the parameter comprises at least one of: a number of synchronization signal block resources used by the user equipment and the apparatus; a number of channel state information reference signal resources used by the user equipment and the apparatus; a number of channel state information interference measurement resources used by the user equipment and the apparatus; a number of non-zero power channel state information reference signal resources used by the user equipment and the apparatus; a number of aperiodic channel state information interference measurement resources used by the user equipment and the apparatus; a number of semi-persistent scheduling configuration used by the user equipment and the apparatus; a number of tracking reference signal resources used by the user equipment and the apparatus; a number of component carriers used by the user equipment and the apparatus; a number of multiple input multiple output layers used by the user equipment and the apparatus; a number of simultaneous channel state information reference signal resources used by the user equipment and the apparatus; a number of channel state information reference signal ports in simultaneous channel state information reference signal resources used by the user equipment and the apparatus; a number of channel state information reports that the user equipment and the apparatus is simultaneously processing; or a number of sounding reference signal resources that the user equipment and the apparatus is simultaneously processing.

16. The apparatus of any of claims 13 to 15, wherein the means for communicating, with the user equipment, based on the adjusted parameter comprises at least one of: means for receiving, from the user equipment, data transmissions based on the adjusted parameter; or means for transmitting, to the user equipment, data transmissions based on the adjusted parameter.

17. The apparatus of any of claims 10 to 16, wherein the apparatus comprises a network node.

18. The apparatus of any of claims 10 to 17, wherein the apparatus comprises a master node.

19. The apparatus of any of claims 10 to 17, wherein the apparatus comprises a secondary node.

20. The apparatus of any of claim 10 to 19, wherein the apparatus comprises a base station.21 . The apparatus of any of claims 10 to 20, wherein the apparatus comprises a base station distributed unit.

22. A method comprising: receiving, from a network node, a scheduling request configuration for transmitting a scheduling request for indicating usage of apparatus capabilities or a change in usage of apparatus capabilities; determining usage of apparatus capabilities or a change in usage of apparatus capabilities; andtransmitting, to the network node, a scheduling request for indicating usage of apparatus capabilities or a change in the usage of apparatus capabilities based on the scheduling request configuration.

23. A method comprising: transmitting, to a user equipment, a scheduling request configuration for transmitting a scheduling request for indicating usage of user equipment capabilities or a change in usage of user equipment capabilities; and receiving, from the user equipment, a scheduling request for indicating usage of user equipment capabilities or a change in usage of user equipment capabilities based on the scheduling request configuration.

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