Apparatus and method for assistance information with enhanced carrier aggregation maximum power reduction

Abstract

Systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for assistance information with enhanced carrier aggregation maximum power reduction. One method may include obtaining an assistance information reporting configuration associated with at least one inactive candidate cell; based on the obtained assistance information reporting configuration, determining assistance information related to or comprising at least one maximum transmit power at least based on the at least one inactive candidate cell; and transmitting the assistance information to a network entity.

Description

TITLEASSISTANCE INFORMATION WITH ENHANCED CARRIER AGGREGATION MAXIMUM POWER REDUCTIONTECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] Some example embodiments may generally relate to mobile or wireless telecommunication systems, such as 3rdGeneration Partnership Project (3GPP) Long Term Evolution (LTE), 5thgeneration (5G) radio access technology (RAT), new radio (NR) access technology, 6thgeneration (6G), and / or other communications systems. For example, certain example embodiments may relate to systems and / or methods for assistance information with enhanced carrier aggregation maximum power reduction.BACKGROUND

[0002] Examples of mobile or wireless telecommunication systems may include radio frequency (RF) 5G RAT, the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN), LTE Evolved UTRAN (E-UTRAN), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), LTE-A Pro, NR access technology, and / or MulteFire Alliance. 5G wireless systems refer to the next generation (NG) of radio systems and network architecture. A 5G system is typically built on a 5G NR, but a 5G (or NG) network may also be built on E-UTRA radio. It is expected that NR can support service categories such as enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), ultra-reliable low-latency- communication (URLLC), and massive machine-type communication (mMTC). NR is expected to deliver extreme broadband, ultra-robust, low-latency connectivity, and massive networking to support the Internet of Things (loT). The next generation radio access network (NG-RAN) represents the radio access network (RAN) for 5G, which may provide radio access for NR, LTE, and LTE-A. It is noted that the nodes in 5G providing radio access functionality to a user equipment (e.g., similar to the Node B in UTRAN or the Evolved Node B (eNB) in LTE) may be referred to as next-generation Node B (gNB) when built on NR radio, and may be referred to as next-generation eNB (NG-eNB) when built on E-UTRA radio.SUMMARY

[0003] In accordance with some example embodiments, a method may include obtaining, by a user equipment, an assistance information reporting configuration associated with at least one inactive candidate cell. The method may further include based on the obtained assistance information reporting configuration, determining, by the user equipment, assistance information related to or comprising at least one maximum transmit power at least based on the at least one inactive candidate cell. The method may further include transmitting, by the user equipment, the assistance information to a network entity.

[0004] In accordance with certain example embodiments, an apparatus may include means for obtaining an assistance information reporting configuration associated with at least one inactive candidate cell. The apparatus may further include based on the obtained assistance information reporting configuration, means for determining assistance information related to or comprising at least one maximum transmit power at least based on the at least one inactive candidate cell. The apparatus may further include means for transmitting the assistance information to a network entity.

[0005] In accordance with various example embodiments, a non-transitory computer readable medium may include program instructions that, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least a method. The method may include obtaining an assistance information reporting configuration associated with at least one inactive candidate cell. The method may further include based on the obtained assistance information reporting configuration, determining assistance information related to or comprising at least one maximum transmit power at least based on the at least one inactive candidate cell. The method may further include transmitting the assistance information to a network entity.

[0006] In accordance with some example embodiments, a computer program product may perform a method. The method may include obtaining an assistance information reporting configuration associated with at least one inactive candidate cell. The method may further include based on the obtained assistance information reportingconfiguration, determining assistance information related to or comprising at least one maximum transmit power at least based on the at least one inactive candidate cell. The method may further include transmitting the assistance information to a network entity.

[0007] In accordance with certain example embodiments, an apparatus may include 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 obtain an assistance information reporting configuration associated with at least one inactive candidate cell. The at least one memory and instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, may further cause the apparatus at least to based on the obtained assistance information reporting configuration, determine assistance information related to or comprising at least one maximum transmit power at least based on the at least one inactive candidate cell. The at least one memory and instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, may further cause the apparatus at least to transmit the assistance information to a network entity.

[0008] In accordance with various example embodiments, an apparatus may include obtaining circuitry configured to perform obtaining an assistance information reporting configuration associated with at least one inactive candidate cell. The apparatus may further include determining circuitry configured to perform, based on the obtained assistance information reporting configuration, determining assistance information related to or comprising at least one maximum transmit power at least based on the at least one inactive candidate cell. The apparatus may further include transmitting circuitry configured to perform transmitting the assistance information to a network entity.

[0009] In accordance with some example embodiments, a method may include obtaining, by a user equipment, an assistance information reporting configuration associated with or comprising a set of time periods. The method may further include based on the obtained assistance information reporting configuration, determining, by the user equipment, assistance information related to or comprising at least one maximum transmit power corresponding to one or more time periods of the set of timeperiods. The method may further include transmitting, by the user equipment, the assistance information to a network entity.

[0010] In accordance with certain example embodiments, an apparatus may include means for obtaining an assistance information reporting configuration associated with or comprising a set of time periods. The apparatus may further include means for determining assistance information related to or comprising at least one maximum transmit power corresponding to one or more time periods of the set of time periods based on the obtained assistance information reporting configuration. The apparatus may further include means for transmitting the assistance information to a network entity.

[0011] In accordance with various example embodiments, a non-transitory computer readable medium may include program instructions that, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least a method. The method may include obtaining an assistance information reporting configuration associated with or comprising a set of time periods. The method may further include determining assistance information related to or comprising at least one maximum transmit power corresponding to one or more time periods of the set of time periods based on the obtained assistance information reporting configuration. The method may further include transmitting the assistance information to a network entity.

[0012] In accordance with some example embodiments, a computer program product may perform a method. The method may include obtaining an assistance information reporting configuration associated with or comprising a set of time periods. The method may further include determining assistance information related to or comprising at least one maximum transmit power corresponding to one or more time periods of the set of time periods based on the obtained assistance information reporting configuration. The method may further include transmitting the assistance information to a network entity.

[0013] In accordance with certain example embodiments, an apparatus may include 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 obtain an assistance information reporting configuration associated with or comprising a set of time periods. The at leastone memory and instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, may further cause the apparatus at least to based on the obtained assistance information reporting configuration, determine assistance information related to or comprising at least one maximum transmit power corresponding to one or more time periods of the set of time periods. The at least one memory and instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, may further cause the apparatus at least to transmit the assistance information to a network entity.

[0014] In accordance with various example embodiments, an apparatus may include obtaining circuitry configured to perform obtaining an assistance information reporting configuration associated with or comprising a set of time periods. The apparatus may further include determining circuitry configured to perform based on the obtained assistance information reporting configuration, determine assistance information related to or comprising at least one maximum transmit power corresponding to one or more time periods of the set of time periods. The apparatus may further include transmitting circuitry configured to perform transmitting the assistance information to a network entity.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] For a proper understanding of example embodiments, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0016] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a signaling diagram according to certain example embodiments;

[0017] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a flow diagram of a method according to various example embodiments;

[0018] FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a flow diagram of a method according to various example embodiments;

[0019] FIG. 4 illustrates an example of various network devices according to some example embodiments; and

[0020] FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a 5G network and system architecture according to certain example embodiments.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] It will be readily understood that the components of certain example embodiments, as generally described and illustrated in the figures herein, may be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the following detailed description of some example embodiments of systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for assistance information (Al) with enhanced carrier aggregation maximum power reduction is not intended to limit the scope of certain example embodiments, but is instead representative of selected example embodiments.

[0022] In 3GPP LTE and NR, a UE may be configured to send power headroom reports via MAC control element on certain slots. In addition to the power headroom value and other quantities, a PHR may provide quantized information on the UE maximum output power PCMAX< / < c(i). Inaddition, the PHR may provide quantized information on power management power-reduction MPR (P-MPR). UEs may be configured to report power headroom using PHR MAC CEs that report the headroom between the current UE Tx power (estimated power) and the nominal power. The PHR may report support power-aware packet scheduling, and allow the network to choose the appropriate uplink bandwidth and MCS on a specific subframe without exceeding UE power limitations. Power headroom may indicate how much transmission power is left for a UE to use in addition to the power being used by current transmission or reference format.

[0023] The power headroom reporting procedure may be used to provide the serving gNB with certain information. For example, Type 1 power headroom may include the difference between the nominal UE maximum transmit power and the estimated power for UL-SCH transmission per activated Serving Cell. In addition, Type 2 power headroom may include the difference between the nominal UE maximum transmit power and the estimated power for UL-SCH and PUCCH transmission on SpCell of the other MAC entity (e.g., E-UTRA MAC entity in EN-DC, NE-DC, and NGEN-DC cases). Furthermore, Type 3 power headroom may include the differencebetween the nominal UE maximum transmit power and the estimated power for SRS transmission per activated Serving Cell. MPE P-MPR may refer to the power backoff to meet the MPE FR2 requirements for a Serving Cell operating on FR2. DPC may refer to the adjustment to maximum output power for a given power class for a Serving Cell operating on FR1. DPC_BC may refer to the adjustment to maximum output power for a given power class for a Band Combination operating on FR1.

[0024] IE PHR-Config may be used to configure parameters for power headroom reporting. PHR in case of CA is configured as multi-entry PHR in phr-config. For example, multiplePHR may indicate if power headroom shall be reported using the Single Entry PHR MAC control element or Multiple Entry PHR MAC control element. True means to use Multiple Entry PHR MAC control element and False means to use the Single Entry PHR MAC control element. The network configures this field to true for MR-DC and UL CA for NR, and to false in all other cases.

[0025] UE may determine PHR type and values, and send PHR MAC-CE if it is triggered and not cancelled and the allocated UL resources can accommodate it, based on different reporting conditions in the case of multiplePHR=true for CA / DC.

[0026] 5G NR supports cell activation / deactivation in RRC / MAC-CE, and SCells have a deactivation timer. The deactivation timer may restart based on some events, and not all cells may be able to track potential deactivation instant of all cells in the configured band combination.

[0027] One cell may not know in a timely manner when the other cell(s) are activated especially for loose CA / DC coordination.

[0028] Pcmax,CA is based on the configured band combination (configured cells), but may be based on active cells to enhance MPR. A large gap may exist between possible MPR (e.g., assume the modulation in all CCs is at most 16QAM, UE PC2 and allocation is any region).

[0029] The UE may dynamically update its maximum transmit power based on the corresponding MPR at least with the currently active UL CCs (z.e., no longer based on configured CCs in higher layer that can be known for all cells). Thus, it may be challenging to have coordination at this level between cells.

[0030] The Pcmax,CA determination based on active cells may improve MPR, but may be changing more dynamically, leading to scheduling problem at the gNB and potential ping-pong issue of activating / deactivating cells due to Pcmax unpredicted variation and its performance / coverage impact, no proactive Al, slow reactive information in existing PHR, etc.

[0031] Certain example embodiments described herein may have various benefits and / or advantages to overcome the disadvantages described above. For example, certain example embodiments may provide NW Al proactively about Pcmax or its variation according to possible active CCs that may change more dynamically. Furthermore, various example embodiments may assist the base station with scheduling and deciding to activate / deactivate cells or request carrier switching. In addition, some example embodiments may reduce or avoid significant coverage issues, especially for critical UL transmission(s) due to potential over estimation of available UL maximum power. Without this proactive solution, NW isn’t aware of potential maximum power impact when at least one additional cell(s) is activated, and the UL configuration / scheduling may be based on outdated Pcmax that could be no more valid at the instant of UE transmission due to potential change in the active cell(s). Although power sharing and power prioritization may initially provide the power for higher priority and critical UL transmissions, UE maximum UL power may still be insufficient based on current active cells that may differ from those active in the considered Pcmax for scheduling / configuring this UL (e.g., 10 dB MPR decrease due to one cell activated). This disadvantage may occur after the more dynamic MPR selection based on active cells after Rel-19, rather than configured cells that may reflect the worst MPR case and avoid such coverage issue. With the proactive information described in some example embodiments, the base station may take conservative measures in the scheduling or configuration of critical UL e.g., number of repetitions, MCS, etc.) considering the worst case of MPR. Thus, certain example embodiments discussed below are directed to improvements in computer-related technology.

[0032] Unless stated otherwise, throughout this disclosure, “maximum transmit power,” “maximum output power,” and “configured maximum output power” may be used interchangeably. Furthermore, throughout this disclosure, a cell may be referred to as, or may be replaced by, a carrier or component carrier (CC) or BWP (bandwidth part) or frequency domain allocation.

[0033] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a signaling diagram 100 depicting Al with enhanced carrier aggregation maximum power reduction. NE 540 and UE 550 may be similar to NE 410 and UE 420, as illustrated in FIG. 4, according to certain example embodiments.

[0034] At operation 101, NE 120 may transmit to UE 110 a configuration for reporting Al for assumed active cells. However, this configuration may be pre-configured.

[0035] In certain example embodiments, NE 120 may request Al based on assumed active cells.

[0036] In some example embodiments, NE 120 may configure the combination of possible assumed active cell(s) and NW may request Al for one or more combination of assumed active cell(s).

[0037] In various example embodiments, NE 120 may configure UE 110 with threshold(s) related to triggering or reporting conditions for the Al based on assumed active cells.

[0038] In certain example embodiments, NE 120 may indicate to UE 110 (e.g., via MAC CE or DCI) one or more cells (or CCs or carriers) that UE 110 should consider as assumed active cells, and for which UE 110 should / may report Al, or UE 110 should / may consider in determining the Al.

[0039] In some example embodiments, Al based on assumed active cells may be periodically triggered, in which case a corresponding timer value may be configured or indicated via RRC or MAC CE. Once the timer expires, UE 110 may trigger the Al based on assumed active cells.

[0040] In various example embodiments, the Al based on assumed active cells may be semi-persistent where the activation / deactivation or trigger is done via MAC CE or DCI.

[0041] In certain example embodiments, the proactive Al may be configured to enable NE 120 to determine whether to activate / deactivate cell(s), request carrier switching, and / or schedule at least one UL transmission in at least one cell (e.g., primary cell) that may consider potential UL maximum power change with the activation / deactivation of cell(s) before the UL transmission. Scheduling based on Al may be for dynamic PUSCH or CG-PUSCH type 1 or 2, or other UL critical transmissions e.g., PUCCH format and / or its number of repetitions, etc.).

[0042] At operation 102, UE 110 may determine and indicate Al related to MTP for CA / DC based on a pre-defined or pre-configured set of assumed active cell(s) within the configured band combination.

[0043] In certain example embodiments, the Al may consider one or more possible combination of assumed active cells. Lor example, the Al may be based upon predefined / pre-configured single CC assumed active, or best / worst Pcmax,CA with single CC active in the configured band combination and potentially the associated cell CC index. This may assist NE 120 in determining if carrier switching may improve coverage due to lower MPR (P-MPR, A-MPR, MPR, etc.).

[0044] Al may also consider two cells in the assumed active set of cells, either pre- defined / pre-configured assumed active cells or best / worst case associated with the index of assumed active cells. This may be restricted to be based on a subset of the current active cell(s) that are still active, and one or more additional cell may be (de)activated to reduce the possible combinations of active cells. Lor example, three cells may be currently active, and the two assumed active cells may be among these three cells. One cell may be currently active, and the two assumed active cells may include the active cell, and the other cell may be included in the configured cells in the band combination. This may assist NE 120 in determining if it is better to active / deactivate more cells with at least one of the current active cell.

[0045] In some example embodiments, the Al based on assumed active cell(s) may consider real transmission for currently active cells in the assumed set e.g., CC1 and CC2 may be in the assumed active set of cells, and CC1 may be currently active and have real transmission). Alternatively, the Al may be based on reference format forall cells in the assumed active set of cells regardless of the current status of cell(s) and real transmission(s).

[0046] In various example embodiments, proactive Al may be Pcmax,CA for the assumed active cell(s) or deltaPcmax,CA= Current Pcmax,CA - Assumed Pcmax,CA where these Pcmax are using non-zero MPR (not necessarily considering other A- MPR / P-MPR) and may be based on reference format common only for all currently inactive cells in the assumed active set of cells or for all cells in the assumed active set regardless of their current activation status. deltaPcmax,CA can be positive or negative. Similarly, proactive Al may be based on other factors indicating maximum UL power variation (e.g., assumed MPR or deltaMPR between current one and MPR with the assumed active cell(s)). In some example embodiment, proactive Al may include Pcmax, f,c for each assumed active set indicating the Pcmax, CA and the potential Pcmax, f,c split among assumed active cells e.g., may be due to hardware / RF consideration). In various example embodiments, proactive Al may include power class for any of the cells that may change, so delta power class (DPC) information may also be reported based on the assumed active cells. Proactive Al may also include PHR for the assumed active cell(s).

[0047] At 103, UE 110 may determine to report or omit reporting Al for assumed active cell(s) based various reporting conditions, where UE 110 may provide an indication indicative of such reporting or omission of the reporting of Al. For example, the reporting conditions may include UE 110 determining to report the Al based on assumed active cell(s) if its maximum UL power difference compared to the current one with currently active cells is expected to be greater than or equal to, or lower than, a predefined / preconfigured threshold.

[0048] At operation 104, UE 110 may determine an instant to potentially report the Al for assumed active cell(s) based on specific (additional) triggering conditions. The proactive Al may be aperiodic and triggered by NE 120, or triggered by UE 110 based on specific triggering conditions e.g., deactivation timer for at least one cell <= predefined / preconfigured threshold (NW may configure this threshold): UE 110 may report Al considering the related cell is assumed inactive; UE 110 may receive fromNE 120 an indication for new assumed active cell(s) or set of active cell(s); UE 110 may receive from NE 120 an indication for new configured band combination: UE 110 may report pre-defined / pre-configured assumed active cells with this band combination (e.g., UE 110 may report Al considering one or more cell is assumed active).

[0049] At operation 105, UE 110 may indicate the Al to NE 120. UE 110 may indicate the proactive Al in the PHR MAC-CE or in a separate MAC CE or other L1 / L2 signaling. In addition, UE 110 may indicate the Al in new field(s) or re-purposed field(s) of any multiple entry PHR for CA / DC considering the assumed active cell(s). The Al based on assumed active cells may be reported jointly within the same multiple entry MAC-CE PHR for current active cells, or in separate independent MAC-CE PHR for assumed active cells.

[0050] In various example embodiments, UE 110 may indicate the proactive Al using lower layer UCI, where UE 110 may use a minimal number of bits if the indication of deltaPcmax or assumed Pcmax with assumed active cells is below, larger than, or equal to a threshold or within pre-defined ranges.

[0051] At operation 106, NE 120 may determine cells that UE 110 should activate and / or deactivate.

[0052] At operation 107, NE 120 may instruct UE 110 to activate and / or deactivate the cells.

[0053] In certain example embodiments, a UE may determine and indicate Al related to maximum transmit power, or more generally PHR, based on or corresponding to a determined or configured set of time periods. A time period of the set of time periods may correspond to or may comprise at least one period where (or during which) there is a single time-non overlapping UL transmission or at least two time- overlapping / concurrent UL transmissions, where the UL transmission(s) is / are on different (active) CCs / cells / BWPs (or frequency domain allocations) or on a same CC / cell, OR on different assumed active CCs / cells / BWPs (or frequency domain allocations) or on a same assumed active CC / cell. The Al related to maximum transmit power, or more generally PHR, based on or corresponding to a determinedor configured set of time periods may be sent in the same MAC CE or in separate MAC CEs.

[0054] The Al related to maximum transmit power, or more generally PHR, may be determined based on MPR assumption / consideration associated with (i) time-non- overlapping UL transmission or corresponding CC / cell / BWP (or frequency domain allocation), or (ii) time- overlapping UL transmissions or corresponding (active or assumed active) CCs / cells / BWPs (or frequency domain allocations).

[0055] The Al related to maximum transmit power, or more generally PHR, is determined based on the applicable MPR assumption / consideration associated with UE (hardware / RF) capability (e.g., PA or LO architecture e.g., dual PA or non-dual PA (z.e., single PA), with applicable LO (local oscillator) architecture e.g., dual LO architecture or single LO architecture (i.e., single PA architecture))).

[0056] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a flow diagram of a method 200 that may be performed by a UE, such as UE 420 illustrated in FIG. 4, according to various example embodiments.

[0057] At step 201, the method may include obtaining an assistance information reporting configuration associated with at least one inactive candidate cell. The at least one inactive candidate cell may be associated with or comprise an assumed at least one active cell. The at least one inactive cell, based on which the assistance information is determined, may be determined based on a configuration or an indication from the network entity or based on at least one rule. Obtaining the assistance information reporting configuration associated with or comprising a set of time periods may correspond to receiving the assistance information reporting configuration from the network entity. Obtaining the assistance information reporting configuration associated with or comprising a set of time periods may correspond to determining the assistance information reporting configuration at least based on at least one condition or rule.

[0058] At step 202, the method may further include, based on the obtained assistance information reporting configuration, determining assistance information related to or comprising at least one maximum transmit power at least based on the at least oneinactive candidate cell. The assistance information may be determined based at least upon one or more active cells. The at least one maximum transmit power may be configured for carrier aggregation or dual connectivity or bandwidth part aggregation. The assistance information related to or comprising at least one maximum transmit power, determined at least based on the at least one inactive candidate cell, may be associated with or determined per an antenna port group or an uplink signal port group or a transport block or a codeword. As an example, an uplink signal may correspond to or be a sounding reference signal (SRS), demodulation reference signal (DMRS), PUSCH, or PUCCH. The assistance information related to or comprising at least one maximum transmit power, determined at least based on the at least one inactive candidate cell, may be associated with or determined considering all antenna ports or all uplink signal ports or at least one transport block or at least one codeword.

[0059] At step 203, the method may further include transmitting the assistance information to a network entity. The assistance information related to or comprising at least one maximum transmit power may be transmitted based upon the assistance information reporting configuration.

[0060] The assistance information related to or comprising at least one maximum transmit power, determined at least based on the at least one inactive candidate cell, may be determined within a configured band combination.

[0061] In certain example embodiments, the method may further include determining at least one trigger condition is satisfied for reporting the assistance information.

[0062] In some example embodiments, the method may further include receiving at least one indication of one or more cells to activate or deactivate, and determining at least one of the assistance information or the transmission of the assistance information based on at least the at least one indication.

[0063] In various example embodiments, the method may further include determining activation or deactivation of at least one cell, and determining at least one of the assistance information or the transmission of the assistance information based at least on the determination of activation or deactivation of the at least one cell.

[0064] FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a flow diagram of a method 300 that may be performed by a UE, such as UE 420 illustrated in FIG. 4, according to various example embodiments.

[0065] At step 301, the method may include obtaining an assistance information reporting configuration associated with or comprising a set of time periods.

[0066] In some example embodiments, the one or more time periods may include at least one period including at least two concurrent uplink transmissions, wherein the uplink transmissions are on a same active cell, a same assumed active cell, different active cells, different assumed active cells, or at least one active cell and at least one assumed active cell.

[0067] In various example embodiments, the one or more time periods may include at least one period including at least one uplink transmission, wherein the at least one uplink transmission is on an active cell or an assumed active cell, and wherein the at least one uplink transmission is not time-overlapping or concurrent with another at least one uplink transmission on another at least one active cell or at least one assumed active cell.

[0068] In certain example embodiments, a set of time period or at least one timer period of the set of time periods may correspond to or may comprise any of TDD pattern (e.g., static / semi-static or dynamic TDD) or sub-band full duplex (SBFD) pattern; DL slots / symbols, UL slots / symbols, and / or flexible slots / symbols; DL monitoring or measurement period; UL active cells; configured or scheduled UL transmission(s); BWP or SCell dormancy status e.g., dormant and non-dormant BWP or Scell configuration and / or indication e.g., via RRC / MAC CE or DCI) from the network; persistent or semi -persistent or periodic UL transmissions (e.g., SRS, configured PUCCH transmissions, etc.); UL gap symbols (e.g., ul-GapFr2-r!7); guard periods (e.g., in TDD between UL and DL, wherein the UE won’t have a UL during the guard period for the concerned active cell); a period where UL transmission(s) on at least one cell are not possible (e.g., due to RE requirements such as RE retuning time. Such period may correspond to interruption time e.g., in case of carrier switching (for SRS)); cell DRX configuration of at least one of the activecell(s) (e.g., non-active periods of cell DRX); cell DRX active time or inactive time; UE DTX configuration in at least one of the active cell(s) e.g., non-active periods of UE DTX); at least one spatial pattern at the network and / or at the UE, wherein a spatial pattern corresponds to active / muted spatial elements e.g., antenna ports, antenna elements, reference signals, panels, etc.); at least one power domain level at the network and / or at the UE.

[0069] In certain example embodiments, the one or more time periods may be associated with one or more active cells.

[0070] At step 302, the method may further include, based on the obtained assistance information reporting configuration, determine assistance information related to or comprising at least one maximum transmit power corresponding to one or more time periods of the set of time periods.

[0071] At step 303, the method may further include transmitting the assistance information to a network entity.

[0072] In various example embodiments, the assumed at least one active cell may be associated with or comprises at least one inactive candidate cell.

[0073] The assistance information related to or comprising at least one maximum transmit power, corresponding to one or more time periods of the set of time periods, is associated with or is determined per an antenna port group or an uplink signal port group or a transport block or a codeword. An antenna port group may include one or more antenna ports. Similarly, an uplink signal port group may include one or more ports. An uplink signal may correspond to or be sounding reference signal (SRS), demodulation reference signal (DMRS), PUSCH, or PUCCH.

[0074] In certain example embodiments, the assistance information related to or comprising at least one maximum transmit power, corresponding to one or more time periods of the set of time periods, may be associated with or is determined considering all antenna ports or all uplink signal ports or at least two transport blocks or at least two codewords.

[0075] FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a system according to certain example embodiments. In one example embodiment, a system may include multiple devices, such as, for example, NE 410 and / or UE 420.

[0076] NE 410 may be one or more of a base station (e.g., 3G UMTS NodeB, 4G LTE Evolved NodeB, or 5G NR Next Generation NodeB), a serving gateway, a server, and / or any other access node or combination thereof.

[0077] NE 410 may further include at least one gNB -centralized unit (CU), which may be associated with at least one gNB -distributed unit (DU). The at least one gNB-CU and the at least one gNB -DU may be in communication via at least one Fl interface, at least one Xn-C interface, and / or at least one NG interface via a 5thgeneration core (5GC).

[0078] UE 420 may include one or more of a mobile device, such as a mobile phone, smart phone, personal digital assistant (PDA), tablet, or portable media player, digital camera, pocket video camera, video game console, navigation unit, such as a global positioning system (GPS) device, desktop or laptop computer, single-location device, such as a sensor or smart meter, or any combination thereof. Furthermore, NE 410 and / or UE 420 may be one or more of a citizens broadband radio service device (CBSD).

[0079] NE 410 and / or UE 420 may include at least one processor, respectively indicated as 411 and 421. Processors 411 and 421 may be embodied by any computational or data processing device, such as a central processing unit (CPU), application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or comparable device. The processors may be implemented as a single controller, or a plurality of controllers or processors.

[0080] At least one memory may be provided in one or more of the devices, as indicated at 412 and 422. The memory may be fixed or removable. The memory may include computer program instructions or computer code contained therein. Memories 412 and 422 may independently be any suitable storage device, such as a non-transitory computer-readable medium. The term “non-transitory,” as used herein, may correspond to a limitation of the medium itself (z.e., tangible, not a signal) as opposed to a limitation on data storage persistency e.g., random access memory (RAM) vs. read-only memory (ROM)). A hard disk drive (HDD), random access memory(RAM), flash memory, or other suitable memory may be used. The memories may be combined on a single integrated circuit as the processor, or may be separate from the one or more processors. Furthermore, the computer program instructions stored in the memory, and which may be processed by the processors, may be any suitable form of computer program code, for example, a compiled or interpreted computer program written in any suitable programming language.

[0081] Processors 411 and 421 , memories 412 and 422, and any subset thereof, may be configured to provide means corresponding to the various blocks of FIGs. 1-3. Although not shown, the devices may also include positioning hardware, such as GPS or micro electrical mechanical system (MEMS) hardware, which may be used to determine a location of the device. Other sensors are also permitted, and may be configured to determine location, elevation, velocity, orientation, and so forth, such as barometers, compasses, and the like.

[0082] As shown in FIG. 4, transceivers 413 and 423 may be provided, and one or more devices may also include at least one antenna, respectively illustrated as 414 and 424. The device may have many antennas, such as an array of antennas configured for multiple input multiple output (MIMO) communications, or multiple antennas for multiple RATs. Other configurations of these devices, for example, may be provided. Transceivers 413 and 423 may be a transmitter, a receiver, both a transmitter and a receiver, or a unit or device that may be configured both for transmission and reception.

[0083] The memory and the computer program instructions may be configured, with the processor for the particular device, to cause a hardware apparatus, such as UE, to perform any of the processes described above (z.e., FIGs. 1-3). Therefore, in certain example embodiments, a non-transitory computer-readable medium may be encoded with computer instructions that, when executed in hardware, perform a process such as one of the processes described herein. Alternatively, certain example embodiments may be performed entirely in hardware.

[0084] In certain example embodiments, an apparatus may include circuitry configured to perform any of the processes or functions illustrated in FIGs. 1-3. As used in this application, the term “circuitry” may refer to one or more or all of thefollowing: (a) hardware-only circuit implementations (such as implementations in only analog and / or digital circuitry), (b) combinations of hardware circuits and software, such as (as applicable): (i) a combination of analog and / or digital hardware circuit(s) with software / firmware and (ii) any portions of hardware processor(s) with software (including digital signal processor(s)), software, and memory(ies) that work together to cause an apparatus, such as a mobile phone or server, to perform various functions), and (c) hardware circuit(s) and or processor(s), such as a microprocessor(s) or a portion of a microprocessor(s), that requires software (e.g., firmware) for operation, but the software may not be present when it is not needed for operation. This definition of circuitry applies to all uses of this term in this application, including in any claims. As a further example, as used in this application, the term circuitry also covers an implementation of merely a hardware circuit or processor (or multiple processors) or portion of a hardware circuit or processor and its (or their) accompanying software and / or firmware. The term circuitry also covers, for example and if applicable to the particular claim element, a baseband integrated circuit or processor integrated circuit for a mobile device or a similar integrated circuit in server, a cellular network device, or other computing or network device.

[0085] FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a 5G network and system architecture according to certain example embodiments. Shown are multiple network functions that may be implemented as software operating as part of a network device or dedicated hardware, as a network device itself or dedicated hardware, or as a virtual function operating as a network device or dedicated hardware. The NE and UE illustrated in FIG. 5 may be similar to NE 410 and UE 420, respectively. The user plane function (UPF) may provide services such as intra-RAT and inter-RAT mobility, routing and forwarding of data packets, inspection of packets, user plane quality of service (QoS) processing, buffering of downlink packets, and / or triggering of downlink data notifications. The application function (AF) may primarily interface with the core network to facilitate application usage of traffic routing and interact with the policy framework.

[0086] According to certain example embodiments, processors 411 and 421, and memories 412 and 422, may be included in or may form a part of processing circuitryor control circuitry. In addition, in some example embodiments, transceivers 413 and 423 may be included in or may form a part of transceiving circuitry.

[0087] In some example embodiments, an apparatus (e.g., NE 410 and / or UE 420) may include means for performing a method, a process, or any of the variants discussed herein. Examples of the means may include one or more processors, memory, controllers, transmitters, receivers, and / or computer program code for causing the performance of the operations.

[0088] In various example embodiments, apparatus 420 may be controlled by memory 422 and processor 421 to obtain an assistance information reporting configuration associated with at least one inactive candidate cell; based on the obtained assistance information reporting configuration, determine assistance information related to or comprising at least one maximum transmit power at least based on the at least one inactive candidate cell; and transmit the assistance information to a network entity.

[0089] Certain example embodiments may be directed to an apparatus that includes means for performing any of the methods described herein including, for example, means for obtaining an assistance information reporting configuration associated with at least one inactive candidate cell; means for determining assistance information related to or comprising at least one maximum transmit power at least based on the at least one inactive candidate cell based on the obtained assistance information reporting configuration; and means for transmitting the assistance information to a network entity.

[0090] In various example embodiments, apparatus 420 may be controlled by memory 422 and processor 421 to obtain an assistance information reporting configuration associated with or comprising a set of time periods; based on the obtained assistance information reporting configuration, determine assistance information related to or comprising at least one maximum transmit power corresponding to one or more time periods of the set of time periods; and transmit the assistance information to a network entity.

[0091] Certain example embodiments may be directed to an apparatus that includes means for performing any of the methods described herein including, for example, means for obtaining an assistance information reporting configuration associated withor comprising a set of time periods; means for determining assistance information related to or comprising at least one maximum transmit power corresponding to one or more time periods of the set of time periods based on the obtained assistance information reporting configuration; and means for transmitting the assistance information to a network entity.

[0092] The features, structures, or characteristics of example embodiments described throughout this specification may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more example embodiments. For example, the usage of the phrases “various embodiments,” “certain embodiments,” “some embodiments,” or other similar language throughout this specification refers to the fact that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an example embodiment may be included in at least one example embodiment. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in various embodiments,” “in certain embodiments,” “in some embodiments,” or other similar language throughout this specification does not necessarily all refer to the same group of example embodiments, and the described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more example embodiments.

[0093] As used herein, “at least one of the following: ” and “at least one of ” and similar wording, where the list of two or more elements are joined by “and” or “or,” mean at least any one of the elements, or at least any two or more of the elements, or at least all the elements.

[0094] Additionally, if desired, the different functions or procedures discussed above may be performed in a different order and / or concurrently with each other. Furthermore, if desired, one or more of the described functions or procedures may be optional or may be combined. As such, the description above should be considered as illustrative of the principles and teachings of certain example embodiments, and not in limitation thereof.

[0095] One having ordinary skill in the art will readily understand that the example embodiments discussed above may be practiced with procedures in a different order, and / or with hardware elements in configurations which are different than those which are disclosed. Therefore, although some embodiments have been described based uponthese example embodiments, it would be apparent to those of skill in the art that certain modifications, variations, and alternative constructions would be apparent, while remaining within the spirit and scope of the example embodiments.

[0096] Partial Glossary

[0097] 3GPP 3rdGeneration Partnership Project

[0098] 5G 5thGeneration

[0099] 5GC 5thGeneration Core

[0100] 6G 6thGeneration

[0101] AF Application Function

[0102] AMF Access and Mobility Management Function

[0103] ASIC Application Specific Integrated Circuit

[0104] BS Base Station

[0105] CBSD Citizens Broadband Radio Service Device

[0106] CE Control Elements

[0107] CN Core Network

[0108] CPU Central Processing Unit

[0109] CU Centralized Unit

[0110] DCI Downlink Control Information

[0111] DL Downlink

[0112] DU Distributed Unit

[0113] eMBB Enhanced Mobile Broadband

[0114] eNB Evolved Node B

[0115] gNB Next Generation Node B

[0116] GPS Global Positioning System

[0117] HDD Hard Disk Drive

[0118] loT Internet of Things

[0119] LTE Long-Term Evolution

[0120] LTE-A Long-Term Evolution Advanced

[0121] MAC Medium Access Control

[0122] MEMS Micro Electrical Mechanical System

[0123] MIMO Multiple Input Multiple Output

[0124] mMTC Massive Machine Type Communication

[0125] NE Network Entity

[0126] NG Next Generation

[0127] NG-eNB Next Generation Evolved Node B

[0128] NG-RAN Next Generation Radio Access Network

[0129] NR New Radio

[0130] PDA Personal Digital Assistance

[0131] PHR Power Headroom Report

[0132] PUCCH Physical Uplink Control Channel

[0133] PUSCH Physical Uplink Shared Channel

[0134] QoS Quality of Service

[0135] RAM Random Access Memory

[0136] RAN Radio Access Network

[0137] RAT Radio Access Technology

[0138] RE Resource Element

[0139] RF Radio Frequency

[0140] ROM Read-Only Memory

[0141] RRC Radio Resource Control

[0142] RS Reference Signal

[0143] RSRP Reference Signal Received Power

[0144] SSB Synchronization Signal Block

[0145] TB Transport Block

[0146] TDD Time Division Duplex

[0147] TR Technical Report

[0148] TS Technical Specification

[0149] TTI Transmission Time Interval

[0150] Tx Transmission

[0151] UCI Uplink Control Information

[0152] UE User Equipment

[0153] UL Uplink

[0154] UMTS Universal Mobile Telecommunications System

[0155] UPF User Plane Function

[0156] URLLC Ultra- Reliable and Low-Latency Communication

[0157] UTRAN Universal Mobile Telecommunications System TerrestrialRadio Access Network

[0158] WLAN Wireless Local Area Network

Claims

WE CLAIM:

1. 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: obtain an assistance information reporting configuration associated with at least one inactive candidate cell; based on the obtained assistance information reporting configuration, determine assistance information related to or comprising at least one maximum transmit power at least based on the at least one inactive candidate cell; and transmit the assistance information to a network entity.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the assistance information related to or comprising at least one maximum transmit power is transmitted based upon the assistance information reporting configuration.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein the assistance information related to or comprising at least one maximum transmit power, determined at least based on the at least one inactive candidate cell, is determined within a configured band combination.

4. The apparatus of any of claims 1-3, wherein the at least one inactive candidate cell is associated with or comprises an assumed at least one active cell.

5. The apparatus of any of claims 1-4, wherein the assistance information is determined based at least upon one or more active cells.

6. The apparatus of any of claims 1-5, wherein the at least one inactive cell, based on which the assistance information is determined, is determined based on a configuration or an indication from the network entity or based on at least one rule.

7. The apparatus of any of claims 1-6, wherein the at least one maximum transmit power is configured for carrier aggregation or dual connectivity or bandwidth part aggregation.

8. The apparatus of any of claims 1-7, wherein the at least one memory and the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus at least to: determine at least one trigger condition is satisfied for reporting the assistance information.

9. The apparatus of any of claims 1-8, wherein the at least one memory and the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus at least to: receive at least one indication of one or more cells to activate or deactivate; and determine at least one of the assistance information or the transmission of the assistance information based on at least the at least one indication.

10. The apparatus of any of claims 1-9, wherein the at least one memory and the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus at least to: determine activation or deactivation of at least one cell; and determine at least one of the assistance information or the transmission of the assistance information based at least on the determination of activation or deactivation of the at least one cell.

11. The apparatus of any of claims 1-10, wherein the assistance information related to or comprising at least one maximum transmit power, determined at least based on the at least one inactive candidate cell, is associated with or is determined per an antenna port group or an uplink signal port group or a transport block or a codeword.

12. The apparatus of any of claims 1-11, wherein the assistance information related to or comprising at least one maximum transmit power, determined at least based on the at least one inactive candidate cell, is associated with or is determined considering all antenna ports or all uplink signal ports or at least one transport block or at least one codeword.

13. A method comprising : obtaining, by a user equipment, an assistance information reporting configuration associated with at least one inactive candidate cell; based on the obtained assistance information reporting configuration, determining, by the user equipment, assistance information related to or comprising at least one maximum transmit power at least based on the at least one inactive candidate cell; and transmitting, by the user equipment, the assistance information to a network entity.

14. An apparatus comprising: means for obtaining an assistance information reporting configuration associated with at least one inactive candidate cell; means for determining assistance information related to or comprising at least one maximum transmit power at least based on the at least one inactive candidate cell based on the obtained assistance information reporting configuration; and means for transmitting the assistance information to a network entity.

Images