Mt-SDT and quality measurements

Abstract

Embodiments herein relate, for example, to a method performed by a user equipment, UE, (10) for handling communication in a wireless communication network. The UE is configured to report a measurement quantity and / or an estimation of a quality of a downlink from the network node (12) to the UE (10) in a message; and the UE transmits to a network node (12), a message, wherein the message comprises an indication of the measurement quantity and / or the estimation of a quality of a downlink from the network node (12) to the UE (10).

Description

[0001] MT-SDT AND QUALITY MEASUREMENTS

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] Embodiments herein relate to a user equipment (UE), network nodes and methods performed therein regarding wireless communication. Furthermore, a computer program product and a computer readable storage medium are also provided herein. In particular, embodiments herein relate to handling communication, such as handling data transmissions, in a wireless communication network.

[0004] BACKGROUND

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

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

[0007] Specifications for the Evolved Packet System (EPS) have been completed within the 3GPP and coming 3GPP releases, such as for New Radio (NR) and for 6G, are worked on. The EPS comprises the Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN), also known as the Long-Term Evolution (LTE) radio access network, and the Evolved Packet Core (EPC), also knownas System Architecture Evolution (SAE) core network. E-UTRAN / LTE is a 3GPP radio access technology wherein the radio network nodes are directly connected to the EPC core network. As such, the Radio Access Network (RAN) of an EPS comprises radio network nodes connected directly to one or more core networks.

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

[0009] In release (Rel)-17 Mobile Originated (MO)-Small Data Transmission (SDT) was introduced for NR to reduce the signaling overhead for small uplink data payloads, see RP-200954 ‘New Work Item on NR small data transmissions in INACTIVE state’. Two solutions were introduced, random access based SDT (RA-SDT) and configured grant SDT (CG-SDT). RA-SDT means that either legacy 4-step random access channel (RACH), or2-step RACH, procedure is used as a baseline but that a user-plane data payload may be appended, which may be multiplexed with the RRCResumeRequest message, in Msg3, or MsgA. CG-SDT means that the UEs configured via radio resource control (RRC) to have periodic CG-SDT occasions may, contention-freely, be used for uplink transmission. In this way Msg1 and Msg2 may be omitted but it is a requirement that the UE has a valid Timing Advance (TA) and is uplink synchronized to be able to use the resources for transmission.

[0010] For narrow band (NB) - internet of things (IoT) and LTE- for machines (LTE-M) similar signaling optimizations for small data have been introduced through Rel-15 Early Data Transmission (EDT) and Rel-16 Preconfigured Uplink Resources (PUR). The main differences for the NR SDT solutions are that the Rel-17 NR Small Data is only to be supported for RRC INACTIVE state, includes also 2-step RACH based small data, that it is supported by any NR UE, i.e., also mobile broadband (MBB) UEs and not limited to IoT UEs, and support transmission of subsequent data, i.e., larger payload sizes which require more than one transmission.

[0011] LTE support for mobile terminated (MT) data was later introduced in Rel-16, that is, supporting transmissions of small data payloads in the downlink. Note that for NB-loT and LTE-M different solutions were introduced for the IoT control-plane optimization, such as Data over nonaccess stratum (DoNAS) and loT user-plane optimizations, such as RRC suspend / resume, control plane (CP)-EDT and user plane (UP)-EDT, respectively, and that the NR solutions resemble the UP-EDT.

[0012] MT-SDT was being introduced in Rel-18 for NR. A Rel-18 MT-SDT work item description (WID) was approved in RAN#94e (Dec 2021) and can be found in RP-213583. The WID contains the following objectives:

[0013] Specify the support for paging-triggered SDT (MT-SDT) [RAN2, RAN3]

[0014] • MT-SDT triggering mechanism for UEs in RRC_INACTIVE, supporting RA-SDT and CG-SDT as the UL response;

[0015] • MT-SDT procedure for initial DL data reception and subsequent UL / DL data transmissions in RRC_INACTIVE.

[0016] Note: Data transmission in DL within paging message is not in scope of this work item (Wl).

[0017] SUMMARY

[0018] As part of developing embodiments herein one or more issues have been identified. For MO-SDT in release 17, a rough check on the radio environment, e.g., based on reference signal received power (RSRP), was introduced, to ensure that MO-SDT was not performed in radio environments that would lead to too many retransmissions on a non-quality controlled link. This is performed to not end up in a situation that requires a lot of extra signaling in RRC_INACTIVE, since it would be more effective for the network to move the UE to RRC_CONNECTED instead. The nature of MO-SDT means that the check has to be done by the UE before it makes a random access, and by then there exists no good estimation of the uplink radio channel. The option chosen is to perform a measurement of the downlink carriers signal strength, such as RSRP, and use that as an estimation of the uplink radio channel quality. Even though not perfect, it keeps the UE from attempting MO-SDT in the worst cases.

[0019] For MT-SDT, there are similar methods to check the RSRP threshold, however, there are no methods introduced that enable the network to apply link adaptation based on the downlink signal quality.

[0020] In EDT procedures from release 16, the triggering of a channel quality estimation was introduced based on a medium access control (MAC) control element (CE).

[0021] Support for MT-SDT was introduced in 3GPP Rel-18 but no link-adaptation to the UEs current radio condition is possible, since there is no UE report before Msg4 reception, which limits the potential gain of the feature. Although the received signal strength of the downlink carrier would give a hint of the current radio conditions to both the UE and the gNB, it does not consider the quality of the downlink, and thus the UE’s radio channel is not known to the gNB and therefore the gNB cannot select the optimal transport block size, modulation, and / or coding for the MT-SDT transmission to the UE. For the procedures of MT-SDT and other data transmissions, there is morenetwork control, and there would be room in the procedure for the network to initiate a channel quality estimation by the UE and have the UE report the channel quality estimation to the network.

[0022] An object of embodiments herein is to support communication, such as MT-SDT and other data communications, in a wireless communication network in an efficient manner.

[0023] According to an aspect the object is achieved, according to some embodiments herein, by providing a method performed by a UE for handling communication in a wireless communication network. The UE is configured to report, in a message being related to SDT, a measurement quantity and / or an estimation of a quality of a downlink from a network node to the UE. The UE further transmits to the network node, the message, wherein the message comprises an indication of the measurement quantity and / or the estimation of the quality of the downlink from the network node to the UE.

[0024] According to another aspect the object is achieved, according to some embodiments herein, by providing a method performed by a network node for handling communication in a wireless communication network. The network node configures a UE with a configuration indication indicating how and / or when to report a measurement quantity and / or an estimation of a quality of a downlink from the network node to the UE. The network node receives from the UE, a message related to SDT, wherein the message comprises an indication of the measurement quantity and / or the estimation of the quality of the downlink from the network node to the UE.

[0025] According to yet another aspect the object is achieved, according to some embodiments herein, by providing a method performed by a network node for handling communication in a wireless communication network. The network node transmits small data in a transmission based on a quality of a downlink to a UE, wherein the small data transmission is performed with link adaptation based on: a received indication from the UE, one or more radio conditions that the UE was using before the UE was released; or a quality of an UL from the UE.

[0026] It is furthermore provided herein a computer program product comprising instructions, which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out the methods herein, as performed by the UE and the network nodes, respectively. It is additionally provided herein a computer-readable storage medium, having stored thereon a computer program product comprising instructions which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out the methods herein, as performed by the UE and the network nodes, respectively.

[0027] Furthermore, according to another aspect the object is achieved, according to some embodiments herein, by providing a UE, and network nodes configured to perform the methods herein.

[0028] Thus, according to an aspect the object is achieved, according to some embodiments herein, by providing a UE for handling communication in a wireless communication network. The UE is configured to report, in a message, a measurement quantity and / or an estimation of a qualityof a downlink from a network node to the UE. The UE is configured to transmit to the network node, the message being related to SDT, wherein the message comprises an indication of the measurement quantity and / or the estimation of the quality of the downlink from the network node to the UE.

[0029] According to another aspect the object is achieved, according to some embodiments herein, by providing a network node for handling communication in a wireless communication network. The network node is configured to configure a UE with a configuration indication indicating how and / or when to report a measurement quantity and / or an estimation of a quality of a downlink from the network node to the UE. The network node is configured to receive from the UE, a message related to SDT, wherein the message comprises an indication of the measurement quantity and / or the estimation of the quality of the downlink from the network node to the UE.

[0030] According to yet another aspect the object is achieved, according to some embodiments herein, by providing a network node for handling communication in a wireless communication network. The network node is configured to transmit small data in a transmission based on a quality of a downlink to a UE, wherein the small data transmission is performed with link adaptation based on: a received indication from the UE, one or more radio conditions that the UE was using before the UE was released; or a quality of an UL from the UE.

[0031] With embodiments herein the network node wants to send SDT to a UE in, for example, RRC_INACTIVE mode with an SDT configuration or data configuration. The network node may page the UE with a transmission indication such as an MT-SDT indication. When the UE sends the message, for example an RRCResumeRequest message in Msg3, the UE may also include an estimation of the quality of the downlink and / or a measurement quantity, which enables link adaptation so the network node may respond with data based on the indication of quality estimation and / or measurement quantity, e.g., the network node may potentially encode the data of the SDT, or other data, e.g., more aggressively, select a larger transport block size (TBS) or the like.

[0032] In alternative embodiments, the network node may perform link adaptation based on prior information from the UE without the UE explicitly indicating its channel quality such as the measurement quantity and / or the estimation of the quality of the downlink from the network node to the UE.

[0033] One or more benefits from a quicker data transmission procedure may be reduced energy consumption for the UE, and / or reduced radio resource consumption for the network node.

[0034] Modulation and Coding Scheme comprises one or more parameters that determine how data is modulated and coded for transmission over the air interface.

[0035] Thus, embodiments herein support communication in a wireless communication network in an efficient manner.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] Embodiments will now be described in more detail in relation to the enclosed drawings, in which:

[0037] Fig. 1 shows an overview depicting a wireless communication network according to embodiments herein;

[0038] Fig. 2 is a combined flowchart and signaling scheme according to some embodiments herein;

[0039] Fig. 3A shows a flowchart illustrating a method performed by a UE according to embodiments herein;

[0040] Fig. 3B shows a flowchart illustrating a method performed by a network node according to embodiments herein;

[0041] Fig. 4A shows an overview depicting a Random Access Response or MsgB according to some embodiments herein;

[0042] Fig. 4B shows an overview depicting a Msg3 according to some embodiments herein; Fig. 5 is a signaling scheme according to some embodiments herein;

[0043] Fig. 6 shows a block diagram depicting embodiments of a UE according to embodiments herein;

[0044] Fig. 7 shows a block diagram depicting embodiments of a network node according to embodiments herein;

[0045] Fig. 8 shows an example of a communication system 15100 in accordance with some embodiments;

[0046] Fig. 9 shows a communication system 15200 in accordance with some embodiments; Fig. 10 shows a UE 15300 in accordance with some embodiments;

[0047] Fig. 11 is a block diagram of a network node 15400 in accordance with various aspects described herein; and

[0048] Fig. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a virtualization environment 15500 in which functions implemented by some embodiments may be virtualized.

[0049] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0050] Embodiments herein relate to communication networks in general. Fig. 1 is a schematic overview depicting a wireless communication network 1. The wireless communication network 1 comprises one or more RANs and one or more CNs. The wireless communication network 1 may use one or a number of different technologies. Embodiments herein relate to recent technology trends that are of particular interest in a NR context, however, embodiments are also applicable in further development of existing wireless communications systems such as e.g. LTE or Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), and / or upcoming wireless communications systems such as 6G.

[0051] In the wireless communication network 1, a UE 10 exemplified herein as a wireless device such as a mobile station, a non-access point (non-AP) station (STA), a STA and / or a wirelessterminal, is comprised communicating via e.g. one or more Access Networks (AN), e.g. RAN, to one or more CNs. It should be understood by the skilled in the art that “UE” is a non-limiting term which means any terminal, wireless communications terminal, user equipment, narrowband internet of things (NB-IoT) device, Machine Type Communication (MTC) device, LTE- Machine Type Communication (LTE-M), Device to Device (D2D) terminal, or node e.g. smart phone, smart watch, vehicle, laptop, mobile phone, sensor, relay, mobile tablets or even a small base station capable of communicating using radio communication with a radio network node within an area served by the radio network node.

[0052] The wireless communication network 1 comprises a network node 12, providing radio coverage over a geographical area, a first service area 11 or first cell, of a first radio access technology (RAT), such as 6G, NR, LTE, or similar. The network node 12 may be a transmission and reception point such as an access node, an access controller, a base station, e.g. a radio base station such as a gNodeB (gNB), an evolved Node B (eNB, eNode B), a NodeB, a base transceiver station, a radio remote unit, an Access Point Base Station, a base station router, a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) access point or an Access Point Station (AP STA), a transmission arrangement of a radio base station, a stand-alone access point, a scheduler, or any other network unit or node capable of communicating with a UE within the area served by the network node depending e.g. on the first radio access technology and terminology used. The network node may be referred to as a serving network node wherein the service area may be referred to as a serving cell, and the serving network node communicates with the UE in form of DL transmissions to the UE and UL transmissions from the UE. It should be noted that a service area may be denoted as cell, beam, beam group or similar to define an area of radio coverage.

[0053] The respective node may be a standalone server, a cloud-implemented server, a distributed server or processing resources in a server farm or same node. Embodiments herein may be implemented as physical bare metal, virtual or cloud native such as Kubernetes environment in, e.g., hyper-cloud networks.

[0054] According to embodiments herein, the UE 10 is configured with, for example, a configuration indication such as one or more conditions or preconditions for how to report a measurement quantity, and / or an estimation of a quality of the downlink. The UE 10 further transmits to the network node 12 a message, wherein the message, such as MsgA or

[0055] Msg3, comprises an indication, such as the measurement quantity, of an estimation of a quality of a downlink from the network node 12 to the UE 10. The transmission may be based on the one or more conditions. The indication may enable link adaptation at the network node 12 so the network node 12 may respond with a small data transmission based on the indication.

[0056] The network node 12 may indicate, e.g., with a configuration indication, being an explicit or implicit indication, to the UE 10 one or more conditions for quality reporting such as Msg3 reporting. The UE 10 may use the configuration indication to understand how to apply availablechannel quality measurements to report the channel quality to the network node 12. The UE 10 may then report the channel quality to the network node 12 accordingly. The network node 12 may then optimize the data transmission such as SDT, in, for example, Msg4 to the UE 10 based on the reported channel quality.

[0057] Alternatively, the network node 12 may estimate the channel quality of the UE 10 without any explicit indication from the UE 10 during a transmission procedure, such as a MT-SDT procedure, so as to optimize its data transmission in Msg4.

[0058] Since the UE 10 has already passed signal quality checks, such as RSRP checks, to initiate the transmission procedure it is likely that the UE 10 may benefit from data that are link adapted to the specific conditions of the UE 10, e.g. benefit from a larger TBS than may be possible on the cell-edge. If the network node 12 may encode the data with a modulation and coding scheme (MCS) other than 0, the link utilization may increase and the UE 10 may receive the data quicker and potentially avoiding subsequent retransmissions. The one or more benefits from the quicker data transmission procedure may be reduced energy consumption for the UE 10, and / or reduced radio resource consumption for the network node 12. MCS comprises one or more parameters that determine how data is modulated and coded for transmission over the air interface.

[0059] It should be noted that a measurement quantity and / or the estimation of the quality of the downlink may refer to any of the following, but not limited to:

[0060] • synchronization signal (SS)-reference signal received quality (RSRQ)

[0061] • channel state information (CSI)-RSRQ

[0062] SS-RSRP

[0063] CSI-RSRP

[0064] Fig. 2 is a combined flow chart and signaling scheme according to some embodiments herein. The order of the actions may be performed in any suitable manner.

[0065] Action 201. The network node 12 may inform the UE 10 with a configuration indication indicating, for example, one or more preconditions for, how to report a measurement quantity, the configuration indication may comprise any of the following:

[0066] o Common indication in system information (SI) if UEs should include a measurement report in a Msg3, and / or which format of the report should be used by the UE 10. o Dynamic indication in paging message that UEs should include a Msg3 measurement report, and / or which format of the report should be used by the UE 10.

[0067] o Dynamic indication in Msg2 that UEs should include a Msg3 measurement report, and / or which format of the report should be used by the UE 10.Action 202. The UE 10 may estimate, calculate, measure and / or determine, the quality of the downlink from the network node 12 to the UE 10.

[0068] Action 203. The UE 10 transmits the message, for example, a message related to SDT, such as Msg3, wherein the message comprises an indication of the estimation of the quality of the downlink.

[0069] Action 204. The network node 12 may perform the data transmission, such as SDT, based on quality of the DL, which quality may be estimated without any explicit indication from the UE 10 or based on the indication from the UE 10. For example, the network node 12 may optimize the SDT in Msg4 to the UE 10 based on the reported channel quality from the UE 10. Alternatively, the network node 12 may estimate the channel quality of the UE 10 without any explicit indication from the UE 10 during the transmission procedure, such as MT-SDT procedure, so as to optimize its small data transmission in Msg4. The network node 12 in these embodiments may base the small data transmission on previous channel estimations of the UE 10 and / or UL channel quality related to a previously reported DL channel quality.

[0070] The method actions performed by the UE 10 for handling communication in the wireless communication network, according to embodiments herein, will now be described with reference to a flowchart depicted in Fig. 3A. Optional features are indicated with dashed boxes and the order of the actions may be performed in any suitable manner.

[0071] Action 301. The UE 10 is configured to report the measurement quantity and / or the estimation of the quality of the downlink from the network node 12 to the UE 10 in a message. The UE 10 may be configured by the network node 12 with a configuration indication indicating how and / or when to report the measurement quantity and / or the estimation of the quality of a downlink. The configuration indication may indicate one or more conditions or preconditions to report the measurement quantity and / or the estimation of the quality of a downlink. The configuration indication may indicate whether or not to include the measurement quantity and / or a format of a report. The configuration indication comprises one or more of the following: a common indication in system information (SI) indicating a reporting of the measurement quantity, and / or a format of the reporting; a dynamic indication in a paging message indicating the reporting of the measurement quantity, and / or the format of the reporting; and / or a dynamic indication in an access response indicating the reporting of the measurement quantity, and / or the format of the reporting. The UE 10 is configured to report a measurement quantity in the message, such as a message related to SDT. The configuration indication may comprise one or more of the following:

[0072] o a common indication in SI indicating, for example, if UEs should include a Msg3 measurement report, and / or which format of the report should be used by the UE 10.o a dynamic indication in paging message, i.e., the paging message in action 303, indicating that UEs should include a Msg3 measurement report, and / or which format of the report should be used by the UE 10.

[0073] o a dynamic indication in Msg2, i.e. the access response in action 305, indicating that UEs should include a Msg3 measurement report, and / or which format of the report should be used by the UE 10.

[0074] The UE 10 may be configured with one or more conditions or preconditions for how to report a measurement quantity and / or estimation of the quality of the downlink.

[0075] Action 302. The UE 10 may estimate, calculate, measure and / or determine, the quality of the downlink from the network node 12 to the UE 10. The UE 10 may measure RSRP, RSRQ, signal to interference plus noise ratio (SINR), signal to noise ratio (SNR) or similar.

[0076] Action 303. The UE 10 may receive a paging or page message from the network node 12, wherein the paging or page message may comprise a transmission indication such as an SDT indication. The SDT indication indicates that the communication is related to SDT such as MT-SDT. As indicated in action 301, this page message may also comprise the configuration indication.

[0077] Action 304. The UE 10 may transmit to the network node 12 an access request, such as a random access message signaled from the UE 10.

[0078] Action 305. The UE 10 may further receive an access response from the network node 12 comprising an uplink grant. The access response may comprise the configuration indication, as mentioned in action 301. The access response may indicate for the UE 10 to report channel quality to the network node 12. An access response is exemplified below in Fig. 4A.

[0079] Action 306. The UE 10 transmits the message being related to SDT, such as Msg3, to the network node 12. The message comprises the indication of the measurement quantity and / or the estimation of the quality of the downlink from the network node 12 to the UE 10. The UE 10 may transmit the message, being a message related to the SDT, e.g., msg3 or msgA, wherein the message comprises the indication of the estimation of the quality of the downlink from the network node 12 to the UE 10, also referred to as indication of measurement quantity. The indication may be a real value, an index value, a relative value or similar. The indication may indicate RSRP, RSRQ, SINR, SNR or similar. This indication may enable link adaptation at the network node 12 so the network node 12 may perform a data transmission such as an SDT based on the indication. The message is exemplified below in Fig. 4B. The UE 10 may use the uplink grant when transmitting the message with the indication to the network node 12.

[0080] Action 307. The UE 10 may receive data in the data transmission, such as a SDT, based on quality of the downlink.

[0081] Thus, according to some example embodiments herein:A1. A method at a User Equipment (UE) that is the receiver of a page message for the reason of receiving mobile terminating data is provided. The method may be comprising:

[0082] The UE 10 may be configured with preconditions for how to report a measurement quantity, the configuration may comprise of any of the following:

[0083] Common indication in SI if MT-SDT UEs should include a Msg3 measurement report, and / or which format of the report should be used by the UE 10.

[0084] Dynamic indication in paging message that MT-SDT UEs should include a Msg3 measurement report, and / or which format of the report should be used by the UE 10 which occurs after the paging step below.

[0085] Dynamic indication in Msg2 that MT-SDT UEs should include a Msg3 measurement report, and / or which format of the report should be used by the UE 10 which occurs after paging step below.

[0086] The UE 10 may keep or obtain a measurement quantity for the cell it is in.

[0087] The UE 10 may be paged by the network node 12 for the purpose of receiving mobile terminated data.

[0088] The UE 10 may respond to the page by sending RRCResumeRequest

[0089] The UE 10 may in the same grant send an indication of the quality conditions to the network node 12 according to the configured report and format

[0090] The UE 10 may receive data with link adaptation based on the quality conditions reported A2. The method in A1 wherein the UE 10 may be configured with an explicit indication in signaling to report the downlink quality as part of Msg3 / MsgA, and optionally which format to use to for the report. This indication may be carried in the paging message, Msg2, the RRCRelease message e.g., for subsequent use, the system information, or be mandatory for UEs of a certain capability class.

[0091] A3. A method where the UE 10 may include a measurement report in Msg3 depending on the indication received in A2.

[0092] A4. The method in A1 and A2 wherein the configuration may comprise one or more thresholds for the UE 10 to map a measurement quantity against. The threshold meaning that the measurement quantity may be compared towards the threshold(s) and reported in different categories i.e. if one threshold is configured, then the measurement quantity may be reported as higher or lower that threshold, if two thresholds are configured then the measurement quantity may be reported as one of three categories based on the two thresholds or the like. As another option, the measurement quantity may be mapped to a table. This option may be useful when the report should contain a specific number of bits, and the number of table entries can correspond to what can be coded with the specified number of bits.

[0093] A5. The method in A1 and A2 wherein the UE 10 may report the full measurement quantity unmodified.A6. The method in A1 wherein the UE 10 may be paged with or without an indication of MT- SDT.

[0094] A7. The method in A1 and A2 wherein the UE 10 may respond to the page by performing a random access procedure.

[0095] A8. The method in A1 and A2 wherein the UE 10 may respond to the page by using a configured grant.

[0096] A9. The method in A1 wherein the UE 10 may send the quality indication by a MAC Control Element.

[0097] A10. The method in A1 wherein the UE 10 may send the quality indication in an RRC message.

[0098] A11. The method in A1 wherein the measurement quantity or estimation of channel quality may comprise one or more of:

[0099] SS-RSRQ

[0100] SS-RSRP

[0101] CSI-RSRQ

[0102] SS-RSRQ

[0103] SS-SINR

[0104] CSI-SINR

[0105] A new quality measurement

[0106] A12. The method of A11 where the measurement may be one or a combination of the measurement quantities e.g., already obtained for the purpose of cell re-selection in RRC Inactive mode.

[0107] A13. The method in A1 and A2 wherein the UE 10 may report the full measurement quantity quantized to a certain number of reporting levels, determining the number of bits required for the report. E.g. 8 levels, where each level indicate a SS-RSRP level larger than SS-RSRPN and smaller than SS-RSRPN+1, requires a 3 bit radio channel report in Msg3.

[0108] The method actions performed by the network node 12 for handling communication in the wireless communication network, according to embodiments herein, will now be described with reference to a flowchart depicted in Fig. 3B. Optional features are indicated with dashed boxes and the order of the actions may be performed in any suitable manner.

[0109] Action 311. The network node 12 configures the UE 10 with a configuration indication indicating how and / or when to report a measurement quantity and / or an estimation of a quality of a downlink from the network node 12 to the UE 10. The configuration indication may indicate one or more conditions or preconditions to report measurement quantity and / or the estimation of thequality of the downlink from the network node 12 to the UE 10. The configuration indication may indicate whether to include the measurement quantity and / or the format of the report. The configuration indication may comprise one or more of the following:

[0110] • The common indication in SI indicating a reporting of the measurement quantity, and / or a format of the reporting.

[0111] • The dynamic indication in the paging message indicating the reporting of the measurement quantity, and / or the format of the reporting.

[0112] • The dynamic indication in the access response indicating the reporting of the measurement quantity, and / or the format of the reporting.

[0113] The configuration indication may, thus, comprise one or more of the following:

[0114] o a common indication in SI indicating, for example, if UEs should include a Msg3 measurement report, and / or which format of the report should be used by the UE 10.

[0115] o a dynamic indication in paging message, i.e., the page message in action 312, indicating that UEs should include a Msg3 measurement report, and / or which format of the report should be used by the UE 10.

[0116] o a dynamic indication in Msg2, i.e. the access response in action 314, indicating that UEs should include a Msg3 measurement report, and / or which format of the report should be used by the UE 10.

[0117] Action 312. The network node 12 may transmit the paging message to the UE 10, wherein the paging message comprises the SDT indication. The network node 12 may page the UE 10 with the paging or page message. The page message may comprise the SDT indication. As indicated in action 311, the page message may also comprise the configuration indication.

[0118] Action 313. The network node 12 may receive the access request from the UE 10, such as a random access message signaled from the UE 10.

[0119] Action 314. The network node 12 may further transmit an access response to the UE 10, wherein the access response comprises the uplink grant. The access response may comprise the configuration indication, as mentioned in action 311. The access response may indicate for the UE 10 to report channel quality to the network node 12. The access response is exemplified below in Fig. 4A. The network node 12 may allocate a grant to the UE 10 with a size that may fit both the RRCResumeRequest message as well as a quality report.

[0120] Action 315. The network node 12 receives a message related to the SDT, such as msg3 or msgA, wherein the message comprises the indication of the measurement quantity and / or the estimation of the quality of the downlink from the network node 12 to the UE 10. The message comprises the indication of the estimation of the quality of the downlink from the network node 12 to the UE 10, also referred to as indication of measurement quantity. The indication may be a real value, an index value, a relative value or similar. The indication may indicate RSRP, RSRQ, SINR, SNR or similar. This indication may enable link adaptation at the network node 12 so the networknode 12 may perform an SDT based on the indication. The message is exemplified below in Fig.

[0121] 4B.

[0122] Action 316. Alternatively, the network node 12 performs the SDT using link adaptation based on the received indication in the message. The indication may be used to determine that the quality of the DL is sufficient to send the data to the UE 10 or if link adaptation is needed to send a Msg4 to the UE comprising small data. In an example, the network node 12 transmits small data in a transmission, such as an SDT, based on quality of the downlink. According to some embodiments herein, the network node 12 transmits downlink data to the UE 10 with link adaptation for the MT-SDT. As an example, the network node 12 may perform SDT in Msg4 using link adaptation based on the received indication in the message in action 315. The small data transmission may be performed with link adaptation based on: a received indication from the UE 10, one or more radio conditions that the UE 10 was using before the UE 10 was released; or a quality of an UL of the UE 10.

[0123] Thus, according to some embodiments herein:

[0124] B1. A method at the network node 12 e.g., gNB is provided. The method may be comprising:

[0125] The network node 12 configuring the UE 10 with if and how to report measurement quantity in Msg3

[0126] The network node 12 paging the UE 10, optionally with an indication that the page relates to an MT-SDT data session.

[0127] The network node 12 allocating a grant to the UE 10 with a size that may fit both the RRCResumeRequest message as well as a quality report.

[0128] The network node 12 using the information in the report from the UE 10 to send downlink data to the UE 10 with link adaptation for the MT-SDT transmission in Msg4. B2. The method in B1 wherein the network node 12 may signal the UE 10 with an explicit indication to report the measurement quantity as part of Msg3 / msgA. This indication may be carried in the paging message, Msg2, the RRCRelease message e.g., for subsequent use, the system information, or be mandatory for UEs of a certain capability class.

[0129] B3. The method in B1 and B2 wherein the configuration to the UE 10 may comprise one or more thresholds for the UE 10 to map a measurement quantity against. The threshold may refer to that the measurement quantity may be compared towards the threshold(s) and reported in different categories i.e. if one threshold is configured, then the measurement quantity may be reported as higher or lower that threshold, if two thresholds are configured then the measurement quantity may be reported as one of three categories based on the two thresholds and / or the like. As another option, the measurement quantity may be mapped to a table. This option may be useful when the report should comprise a specific number of bits, and the number of table entries can correspond to what can be coded with the specified number of bits.B4. The method in B1 and B2 wherein the network indication from the network node 12 may instruct the UE 10 to report the full measurement quantity unmodified.

[0130] B5. The method in B1 wherein the network node 12 may page the UE 10 with or without an indication of MT-SDT.

[0131] B6. The method in B1 and B2 wherein the UE 10 may report the full measurement quantity quantized to a certain number of reporting levels, determining the number of bits required for the report. E.g. 8 levels, where each level indicate a SS-RSRP level larger than SS-RSRPN and smaller than SS-RSRPw+v, requires a 3 bit radio channel report in Msg3.

[0132] B7. A method in B1 where the network node 12 may choose to instruct the UE 10 to include the Msg3 quality measurement report in 0 depending on the size of the downlink data to be transmitted to the UE 10.

[0133] B8. A method in B2 where the Msg3 quality report may be commonly and semi-persistently configured for UEs via SI broadcast as an extension to the Rel-18 MT-SDT RRC configuration in TS 38.331 (additions are underlined):

[0134] SIB1 message

[0135] — ASN1START

[0136] — TAG-SIB1-START

[0137] SIB1 SEQUENCE {

[0138] cellSelectionlnfo SEQUENCE {

[0139] q-RxLevMin Q-RxLevMin,

[0140] q-RxLevMinOf f set INTEGER ( 1.. 8 )

[0141] OPTIONAL, — Need S

[0142] q-RxLevMinSUL Q-RxLevMin

[0143] OPTIONAL, — Need R

[0144] q-QualMin Q-QualMin

[0145] OPTIONAL, — Need S

[0146] q-QualMinOf f set INTEGER ( 1.. 8 )

[0147] OPTIONAL — Need S

[0148] }

[0149] OPTIONAL, — Cond Standalone

[0150] cellAccessRelatedInfo CellAccessRelatedInfo,

[0151] connEstFailureControl ConnEstFailureControl

[0152] OPTIONAL, — Need R

[0153] si-SchedulingInfo SI-SchedulingInfo

[0154] OPTIONAL, — Need R

[0155] servingCellConfigCommon ServingCellConfigCommonSIB

[0156] OPTIONAL, — Need R

[0157] ims-EmergencySupport ENUMERATED { true }

[0158] OPTIONAL, — Need R

[0159] eCallOverIMS-Support ENUMERATED { true }

[0160] OPTIONAL, — Need R

[0161] ue-TimersAndConstants UE-TimersAndConstants

[0162] OPTIONAL, — Need R

[0163] uac-BarringInfo SEQUENCE {

[0164] uac-BarringForCommon UAC-BarringPerCatList

[0165] OPTIONAL, — Need S

[0166] uac-BarringPerPLMN-List UAC-BarringPerPLMN-List

[0167] OPTIONAL, — Need S

[0168] uac-BarringInfoSetList UAC-BarringInfoSetList,

[0169] uac-AccessCategory1-SelectionAssistanceInfo CHOICE {

[0170] plmnCommon UAC-AccessCategory1-SelectionAssistanceInfo, individualPLMNList SEQUENCE ( SIZE ( 2.. maxPLMN ) ) OF UAC- AccessCategory1-SelectionAssistanceInfo

[0171] }

[0172] OPTIONAL — Need S

[0173] }

[0174] OPTIONAL, — Need R

[0175] useFullResumelD ENUMERATED { true }

[0176] OPTIONAL, — Need RlateNonCriticalExtension OCTET STRING

[0177] OPTIONAL,

[0178] nonCriticalExtension SIBl-vlSlO-IEs

[0179] OPTIONAL

[0180] }

[0181] SIBl-vlSlO-IEs SEQUENCE {

[0182] idleModeMeasurementsEUTRA-rl6 ENUMERATED { true }

[0183] OPTIONAL, — Need R

[0184] idleModeMeasurementsNR-rl6 ENUMERATED { true }

[0185] OPTIONAL, — Need R

[0186] posSI-SchedulingInfo-r16 PosSI-SchedulingInfo-r16

[0187] OPTIONAL, — Need R

[0188] nonCriticalExtension SIBl-vl630-IEs

[0189] OPTIONAL

[0190] }

[0191] SIBl-vl630-IEs SEQUENCE {

[0192] uac-BarringInfo-v1630 SEQUENCE {

[0193] uac-ACl-SelectAssistInfo-rl6 SEQUENCE ( SIZE ( 2.. maxPLMN ) ) OF UAC-ACl-SelectAssistlnfo-rl6

[0194] }

[0195] OPTIONAL, — Need R

[0196] nonCriticalExtension SIBl-vl700-IEs

[0197] OPTIONAL

[0198] }

[0199] SIBl-vl700-IEs SEQUENCE {

[0200] hsdn-Cell-r 17 ENUMERATED { true }

[0201] OPTIONAL, — Need R

[0202] uac-BarringInfo-v1700 SEQUENCE {

[0203] uac-BarringInfoSetList-v1700 UAC-BarringInfoSetList-v1700

[0204] }

[0205] OPTIONAL, — Cond MINT

[0206] sdt-ConfigCommon-r17 SDT-ConfigCommonSIB-r17

[0207] OPTIONAL, — Need R

[0208] redCap-ConfigCommon-r17 RedCap-ConfigCommonSIB-r17

[0209] OPTIONAL, — Need R

[0210] featurePriorities-r17 SEQUENCE {

[0211] redCapPriority-r17 FeaturePriority-r17

[0212] OPTIONAL, — Need R

[0213] slicingPriority-r17 FeaturePriority-r17

[0214] OPTIONAL, — Need R

[0215] msg3-Repetitions-Priority-r17 FeaturePriority-r17

[0216] OPTIONAL, — Need R

[0217] sdt-Priority-r17 FeaturePriority-r17

[0218] OPTIONAL — Need R

[0219] }

[0220] OPTIONAL, — Need R

[0221] si-SchedulingInfo-v1700 SI-SchedulingInfo-v1700

[0222] OPTIONAL, — Need R

[0223] hyperSFN-r17 BIT STRING ( SIZE ( 10 ) )

[0224] OPTIONAL, — Need R

[0225] eDRX-AllowedIdle-r17 ENUMERATED { true }

[0226] OPTIONAL, — Need R

[0227] eDRX-AllowedInactive-r17 ENUMERATED { true }

[0228] OPTIONAL, — Cond EDRX-RC

[0229] IntraFreqReselectionRedCap-r17 ENUMERATED { allowed, notAllowed}

[0230] OPTIONAL, — Need S

[0231] cellBarredNTN-r17 ENUMERATED { barred, notBarred}

[0232] OPTIONAL, — Need S

[0233] nonCriticalExtension SIBl-vl740-IEs

[0234] OPTIONAL

[0235] }

[0236] SIB1-v1740-IEs ::= SEQUENCE {

[0237] si-SchedulingInfo-v1740 SI-SchedulingInfo-v1740

[0238] OPTIONAL, — Need R

[0239] nonCriticalExtension SIBl-vl800-IEs

[0240] OPTIONAL

[0241] }

[0242] SIB1-v1800-IEs ::= SEQUENCE {

[0243] ncr-Support-rl8 ENUMERATED { true }

[0244] OPTIONAL, — Need S

[0245] mt-SDT-ConfigCommonSIB-r18 MT-SDT-ConfigCommonSIB-r18

[0246] O

[0247]

[0248] PTIONAL, — Need Rmusim-CapRestrictionAllowed-r18 ENUMERATED { true } OPTIONAL, — Need R featurePriorities-v1800 SEQUENCE { msg1-Repetitions-Priority-r18 FeaturePriority-r17 OPTIONAL, — Need R eRedCapPriority-r18 FeaturePriority-r17 OPTIONAL — Need R } OPTIONAL, — Need R si-SchedulingInfo-v1800 SI-SchedulingInfo-v1800 OPTIONAL, — Need R cellBarredATG-r18 ENUMERATED { barred, notBarred } OPTIONAL, — Need S cellBarredNES-r18 ENUMERATED { notBarred } OPTIONAL, — Need R mobileIAB-Cell-r18 ENUMERATED { true } OPTIONAL, — Need R eDRX-AllowedInactive-r18 ENUMERATED { true } OPTIONAL, — Cond EDRX-RC IntraFreqReselection-eRedCap-r18 ENUMERATED { allowed, notAllowed } OPTIONAL, — Need S nonServingCellMII-r18 ENUMERATED { true } OPTIONAL, — Need R sdt-BeamFailureRecoveryProhibitTimer-r18 ENUMERATED { ms50, ms100, ms200, ms500, ms1000, ms1500, ms2000, ms3000 } OPTIONAL, — Need R eRedCap-ConfigCommon-r18 ERedCap-ConfigCommonSIB-r18 OPTIONAL, — Need R cellBarredFixedVSAT-r18 ENUMERATED { barred, notBarred} OPTIONAL, — Cond NTN cellBarredMobileVSAT-r18 ENUMERATED { barred, notBarred } OPTIONAL, — Cond NTN reselectionMeasurementsNR-r18 ENUMERATED { true } OPTIONAL, — Need R cellBarred2RxXR-r18 ENUMERATED { true } OPTIONAL, — Need R intraFreqReselection2RxXR-r18 ENUMERATED { allowed, notAllowed } OPTIONAL, — Need R nonCriticalExtension SEQUENCE { } OPTIONAL

[0249] } SIB1-v19XY-IEs ::= SEQUENCE { mt-SDT-ConfigCommonSIB-r19 MT-SDT-ConfigCommonSIB-r19 OPTIONAL, — Need R nonCriticalExtension SEQUENCE { } OPTIONAL

[0250] }

[0251]

[0252] UAC-AccessCategory1-SelectionAssistanceInfo ENUMERATED { a, b, c }

[0253] UAC-AC1-SelectAssistInfo-r16 ENUMERATED { a, b, c, notConfigured }

[0254] SDT-ConfigCommonSIB-r17 SEQUENCE {

[0255] sdt-RSRP-Threshold-r 17 RSRP-Range

[0256] OPTIONAL, — Need R

[0257] sdt-LogicalChannelSR-DelayTimer-r17 ENUMERATED { sf20, sf40, sf64, sf128, sf512, sf1024, sf2560, spare1 } OPTIONAL, — Need R

[0258] sdt-DataVolumeThreshold-r 17 ENUMERATED ( byte32, byte l O O, byte200, byte400, byte S O O, byte S O O, byte l O O O, byte2000, byte4000,

[0259] byte S O O O, byte 9000, byte l O O O O, byte l2000, byte24000, byte48000, byte 96000 },

[0260] t319a-rl7 ENUMERATED { ms l O O, ms200, ms 300, ms 400, ms S O O, ms l O O O, ms2000,

[0261] ms 3000, ms 4000, spare7, spare S, spared, spare4, spare3, spare2, spare l }

[0262] }

[0263] RedCap-Conf igCommonSIB-r 17 SEQUENCE {

[0264] hal fDuplexRedCapAllowed-rl7 ENUMERATED { true }

[0265] OPTIONAL, — Need R

[0266] cellBarredRedCap-r 17 SEQUENCE {

[0267] cellBarredRedCap lRx-rl7 ENUMERATED { barred, notBarred },

[0268] cellBarredRedCap2Rx-r 17 ENUMERATED { barred, notBarred }

[0269] }

[0270] OPTIONAL, — Need RERedCap-ConfigCommonSIB-r18 SEQUENCE {

[0271] cellBarredeRedCap-r18 SEQUENCE {

[0272] cellBarredeRedCap1Rx-r18 ENUMERATED { barred, notBarred },

[0273] cellBarredeRedCap2Rx-r18 ENUMERATED { barred, notBarred }

[0274] }

[0275] }

[0276] Featurepriority- r 17 INTEGER ( 0.. 7 )

[0277] MT-SDT-ConfigCommonSIB-r18 SEQUENCE {

[0278] mt-SDT-RSRP-Threshold-r18 RSRP-Range

[0279] OPTIONAL, — Need S

[0280] sdt-LogicalChannelSR-DelayTimer-r18 ENUMERATED { sf20, sf40, sf64, sf128, sf512, sf1024, sf2560, spare1 } OPTIONAL, — Cond MT-SDT1

[0281] t319a-rl 8 ENUMERATED ( ms l O O, ms200, ms 300, ms 400, ms S O O, ms l O O O, ms2000,

[0282] ms 3000, ms 4000, spare!, spare S, spared, spare4,

[0283] spare3, spare2, spare l }

[0284] OPTIONAL — Cond MT-SDT2

[0285] }

[0286]

[0287] MT-SDT-ConfigCommonSIB-r19 ::= SEQUENCE {

[0288] mt-SDT-RSRQ-Report-r19 ENUMERATED { true }

[0289] OPTIONAL, — Need R

[0290] mt-SDT-RSRQ-ReportFormat-r19 ENUMERATED { format1, format2, format3, spare } OPTIONAL — Need R

[0291] — TAG-SIBl-STOP

[0292] — ASN1STOP

[0293] B9. A method in B2 where the Msg3 quality report may be dynamically configured for the UE 10 in the paging message on PDSCH as an extension in TS 38.331 (additions are underlined):

[0294] Paging message

[0295] — ASN1START

[0296] — TAG-PAGING-START

[0297] Paging ::= SEQUENCE {

[0298] pagingRecordList PagingRecordList

[0299] OPTIONAL, — Need N

[0300] lateNonCriticalExtension OCTET STRING

[0301] OPTIONAL,

[0302] nonCriticalExtension Paging-vl700-IEs

[0303] OPTIONAL

[0304] }

[0305] Paging-v1700-IEs SEQUENCE {

[0306] pagingRecordList-vl700 PagingRecordList-vl700

[0307] OPTIONAL, — Need N

[0308] pagingGroupList-r 17 PagingGroupList-rl7

[0309] OPTIONAL, — Need N

[0310] nonCriticalExtension Paging-v1800-IEs

[0311] OPTIONAL

[0312] }

[0313] Paging-v1800-IEs SEQUENCE {

[0314] pagingRecordList-v1800 PagingRecordList-v1800

[0315] OPTIONAL, — Need N

[0316] pagingGroupList-v1800 PagingGroupList-v1800

[0317] OPTIONAL, — Need N

[0318] nonCriticalExtension SEQUENCE { }

[0319] OPTIONAL

[0320] }

[0321] Paging-v19XY-IEs ::= SEQUENCE {

[0322] pagingRecordList-v19XY PagingRecordList-v19XY

[0323] OPTIONAL, — Need NpagingGroupList-vl9XY PagingGroupList-vl9XY

[0324] OPTIONAL, — Need N

[0325] nonCriticalExtension SEQUENCE { }

[0326] OPTIONAL

[0327] 1

[0328] PagingRecordList ::= SEQUENCE (SIZE (1..maxNrofPageRec)) OF PagingRecord PagingRecordList-v1700 ::= SEQUENCE (SIZE (1..maxNrofPageRec)) OF PagingRecord-v1700 PagingGroupList-r17 ::= SEQUENCE (SIZE (1..maxNrofPageGroup-r17)) OF TMGI-r17 PagingRecordList-v1800 ::= SEQUENCE (SIZE (1..maxNrofPageRec)) OF PagingRecord-v1800 PagingGroupList-v1800 ::= SEQUENCE (SIZE (1..maxNrofPageGroup-r17)) OF GroupPaging-r18 PagingRecord:: = SEQUENCE {

[0329] ue-Identity PagingUE-Identity,

[0330] accessType ENUMERATED { non3GPP } OPTIONAL, — Need N

[0331] PagingRecord-vl700 SEQUENCE {

[0332] pagingCause-r 17 ENUMERATED { voice } OPTIONAL — Need N

[0333] PagingRecord-vl800 SEQUENCE {

[0334] mt-SDT ENUMERATED { true } OPTIONAL — Need N

[0335] PagingRecord-v19XY ::= SEQUENCE {

[0336] mt-SDT-RSRQ-Report-r19 ENUMERATED { true }

[0337] OPTIONAL, — Need N

[0338] mt-SDT-RSRQ-ReportFormat-r19 ENUMERATED { format1, format2, format3, spare }

[0339] OPTIONAL — Need N

[0340] PagingUE-Identity CHOICE {

[0341] ng-5G-S-TMSI NG-5G-S-TMSI,

[0342] fullI-RNTI I-RNTI-Value,

[0343] }

[0344] GroupPaging-rl8:: = SEQUENCE {

[0345] inactiveReceptionAllowed-r 18 ENUMERATED { true } OPTIONAL — Need N

[0346] }

[0347] — TAG-PAGING-STOP

[0348] — ASN1STOP

[0349] B10. A method in B2 where the Msg3 quality report may be dynamically configured for the UE 10 in the Random Access Response or MsgB contained in Msg2. In the example below the reserved bit R in the MAC RAR (or MsgB fallbackRAR, successRAR) in TS 38.321 is used to indicate if the UE 10 should include a DL measurement quality report in Msg3 or not, R=1 means the report should be included and R=0 means it should not / legacy operation. R-bit 401 indicated in Fig. 4A.

[0350] In an alternative to the above, a new MAC control element may be introduced for this indication of measurement quantity and / or estimation of the quality of the downlink, which also allows indication over a few predefined reporting formats.

[0351] B11. A method at the network node 12 e.g., gNB is provided The method may be comprising:The network node 12 adapting the down link to a MT-SDT configured UE 10 without an explicit indication from the UE 10.

[0352] B12. The method in B11 where the link adaptation may be performed in DL for the UEs operating in CG-SDT even without an explicit indication. In one embodiment, even without an explicit indication, the network node 12 may already adapt the DL link for a CG-SDT configured UE 10 based on the radio conditions that the UE 10 was using before it was released. In a variation of this embodiment, the network node 12 may try to be more conservative and adapt the link with smaller TBS than what was indicated in the quality reporting before the UE 10 was released.

[0353] B13. The method in B11 where in the network node 12 may learn based on the quality of the uplink channel about the radio conditions so as to adapt the DL channel quality accordingly. In one example, this may be based on extracting the multipath component out of the channel state information obtained on the uplink frequency, and then adding this multipath component to the channel estimated for the downlink frequency bands.

[0354] Fig. 4B is a schematic diagram depicting a non-limiting example of a MAC CE 411.

[0355] Particularly, the MAC CE 411 depicted in Fig. 4B may comprise the indication of actions 306 and 315 comprising a quality report 412 sent by the UE 10 to the network node 12. The MAC CE 411 depicted in Fig. 4B may be one octet 413, wherein first two bits are occupied by the quality report 412, and remaining six bits 414 are spare.

[0356] Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram depicting a non-limiting example of a signaling overview according to embodiments herein. In this particular non-limiting example of embodiments herein, the UE 10 and the network node 12 may perform the following actions.

[0357] At action 501, the network node 12 sends configuration indication to the UE 10. In accordance with action 302, at action 502, the UE 10 may estimate the DL quality of the channel e.g., radio channel with the network node 12. At action 503, the network node 12 may send a page message to the UE 10. As stated above the page message may comprise an MT-SDT indication. At action 504, the UE 10 may send the access request, such as a RA preamble, to the network node 12. At action 505, the network node 12 may send the access response such as a RAR to the UE 10. The access response may comprise an uplink grant. At action 506, the UE 10 sends the message, such as an Msg3, to the network node 12 comprising the indication indicating the estimated quality of the channel. At action 507, the network node 12 determines that the quality of the channel is sufficient to send the data to the UE 10 or link adaptation may be needed to send a Msg4 to the UE 10, which SDT comprises data.

[0358] Fig. 6 is a block diagram depicting the UE 10 for handling communication in the wireless communication network 1 according to embodiments herein.The UE 10 may comprise processing circuitry 601, e.g. one or more processors, configured to perform the methods herein.

[0359] The UE 10 and / or the processing circuitry 601 is configured to report a measurement quantity and / or an estimation of a quality of a downlink from the network node 12 to the UE 10, for example, in a message, such as a message related to SDT. As an example, the UE 10 and / or the processing circuitry 601 may be configured by the network node 12 with the configuration indication indicating how and / or when to report a measurement quantity. The configuration indication may indicate one or more conditions or preconditions to report measurement quantity. The configuration indication may indicate whether to include the measurement quantity and / or format of the report. The configuration indication may comprise one or more of the following:

[0360] o a common indication in SI indicating, for example, if UEs should include a Msg3 measurement report, and / or which format of the report should be used by the UE 10. o a dynamic indication in paging message, i.e., the page message in action 303, indicating that UEs should include a Msg3 measurement report, and / or which format of the report should be used by the UE.

[0361] o a dynamic indication in Msg2, i.e. the access response in action 305, indicating that UEs should include a Msg3 measurement report, and / or which format of the report should be used by the UE 10.

[0362] The UE 10 and / or the processing circuitry 601 may be configured with one or more conditions or preconditions for how to report a measurement quantity and / or estimation of the quality of the downlink.

[0363] The UE 10 and / or the processing circuitry 601 may be configured to receive the paging or page message from the network node 12. The paging or page message may comprise a transmission indication such as an SDT indication. The SDT indication may indicate that the communication is related to SDT such as MT-SDT. The page message may also comprise the configuration indication.

[0364] The UE 10 and / or the processing circuitry 601 may be configured to transmit to the network node 12 the access request, such as a random access message signaled from the UE 10.

[0365] The UE 10 and / or the processing circuitry 601 may be configured to receive the access response from the network node 12. The access response may comprise the configuration indication. The access response may indicate for the UE 10 to report channel quality to the network node 12.

[0366] The UE 10 and / or the processing circuitry 601 is configured to transmit the message related to SDT, e.g., msg3 or msgA, wherein the message comprises the indication of the measurement quantity and / or the estimation of the quality of the downlink from the network node 12 to the UE 10, also referred to as indication of measurement quantity. The indication may be a real value, an index value, a relative value or similar. The indication may indicate RSRP, RSRQ,signal to interference plus noise ratio (SINR), signal to noise ratio (SNR) or similar. This indication may enable link adaptation at the network node 12 so the network node 12 may perform a data transmission such as an SDT based on the indication.

[0367] The UE 10 and / or the processing circuitry 601 may be configured to receive data in the data transmission, such as a SDT, based on quality of the downlink.

[0368] The UE 10 and / or the processing circuitry 601 may be configured by the network node 12 with the configuration indication indicating how and / or when to report the measurement quantity and / or the estimation of the quality of the downlink. The configuration indication may indicate the one or more conditions or preconditions to report the measurement quantity and / or the estimation of the quality of the downlink. The configuration indication may indicate whether or not to include the measurement quantity and / or the format of the report. The configuration indication may comprise one or more of the following:

[0369] • the common indication in SI indicating a reporting of the measurement quantity, and / or the format of the reporting.

[0370] • the dynamic indication in the paging message indicating the reporting of the measurement quantity, and / or the format of the reporting.

[0371] • the dynamic indication in the access response indicating the reporting of the measurement quantity, and / or the format of the reporting.

[0372] The UE 10 and / or the processing circuitry 601 may further be configured to estimate the quality of the downlink.

[0373] The UE 10 and / or the processing circuitry 601 may further be configured to receive the paging message from the network node 12. The paging message may comprise the SDT indication.

[0374] The UE 10 and / or the processing circuitry 601 may further be configured to transmit the access request to the network node 12 and / or additionally receive the access response comprising the uplink grant, and use the uplink grant when transmitting the message with the indication to the network node 12.

[0375] The UE 10 may comprise a memory 605. The memory 605 comprises one or more units to be used to store data on, such as data packets, support information, indications, measurement quantity, channel quality, configuration, SI, events and applications to perform the methods disclosed herein when being executed, and similar. Furthermore, the UE 10 may comprise a communication interface 606 such as comprising a transmitter, a receiver, a transceiver and / or one or more antennas.

[0376] The methods according to the embodiments described herein for the UE 10 are respectively implemented by means of e.g. a computer program product 607 or a computer program, comprising instructions, i.e., software code portions, which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out the actions described herein, asperformed by the UE 10. The computer program product 607 may be stored on a computer-readable storage medium 608, e.g., a disc, a universal serial bus (USB) stick or similar. The computer-readable storage medium 608, having stored thereon the computer program product, may comprise the instructions which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out the actions described herein, as performed by the UE 10. In some embodiments, the computer-readable storage medium may be a transitory or a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. Thus, embodiments herein may disclose the UE 10 for handling communication in a communication network, wherein the UE 10 comprises processing circuitry and a memory, said memory comprising instructions executable by said processing circuitry whereby said UE 10 is operative to perform any of the methods herein.

[0377] Fig. 7 is a block diagram depicting the network node 12 for handling communication in the wireless communication network 1 according to embodiments herein.

[0378] The network node 12 may comprise processing circuitry 701, e.g. one or more processors, configured to perform the methods herein.

[0379] The network node 12 and / or the processing circuitry 701 is configured to configure the UE 10 with the configuration indication indicating how and / or when to report a measurement quantity and / or the estimation of the quality of the downlink from the network node 12 to the UE 10. The configuration indication may indicate one or more conditions or preconditions to report measurement quantity. The configuration indication may indicate whether to include the measurement quantity and / or format of the report. The configuration indication may comprise one or more of the following:

[0380] o the common indication in SI indicating, for example, if UEs should include a Msg3 measurement report, and / or which format of the report should be used by the UE 10.

[0381] o the dynamic indication in paging message, i.e., the page message in action 312, indicating that UEs should include a Msg3 measurement report, and / or which format of the report should be used by the UE.

[0382] o the dynamic indication in Msg2, i.e. the access response in action 314, indicating that UEs should include a Msg3 measurement report, and / or which format of the report should be used by the UE.

[0383] The network node 12 and / or the processing circuitry 701 may be configured to page the UE 10 with the paging or page message. The page message may comprise the SDT indication. The page message may also comprise the configuration indication.

[0384] The network node 12 and / or the processing circuitry 701 may be configured to receive the access request from the UE 10, such as a random access message signaled from the UE 10.

[0385] The network node 12 and / or the processing circuitry 701 may be configured to transmit the access response. The access response may comprise the configuration indication, as mentionedin action 311. The access response may indicate for the UE 10 to report channel quality to the network node 12. The network node 12 and / or the processing circuitry 701 may be configured to allocate a grant to the UE 10 with a size that can fit both the RRCResumeRequest message as well as a quality report.

[0386] The network node 12 and / or the processing circuitry 701 is further configured to receive the message from the UE 10, such as msg3 or msgA. The message is related to SDT and comprises the indication of the measurement quantity and / or the estimation of the quality of the downlink from the network node 12 to the UE 10, also referred to as indication of measurement quantity. The indication may be a real value, an index value, a relative value or similar. The indication may indicate RSRP, RSRQ, SINR, SNR or similar. This indication may enable link adaptation at the network node 12 so the network node 12 may perform an SDT based on the indication.

[0387] The network node 12 and / or the processing circuitry 701 is configured to transmit data in the transmission, such as an SDT, based on the quality of the downlink. The network node 12 transmits downlink data to the UE 10 with link adaptation for the transmission such as an MT-SDT. The network node 12 performs SDT e.g., in Msg4 using link adaptation based on the received indication from the UE 10, one or more radio conditions that the UE 10 was using before the UE 10 was released, or the quality of the uplink of the UE 10.

[0388] The configuration indication may indicate the one or more conditions or preconditions to report the measurement quantity and / or the estimation of the quality of the downlink from the network node 12 to the UE 10.

[0389] The configuration indication may comprise one or more of the following:

[0390] • the common indication in SI indicating a reporting of the measurement quantity, and / or a format of the reporting.

[0391] • the dynamic indication in the paging message indicating the reporting of the measurement quantity, and / or the format of the reporting.

[0392] • the dynamic indication in the access response indicating the reporting of the measurement quantity, and / or the format of the reporting.

[0393] The network node 12 and / or the processing circuitry 701 may be configured to perform the SDT using link adaptation based on the received indication in the message.

[0394] The network node 12 and / or the processing circuitry 701 may be configured to transmit the paging message to the UE 10, wherein the paging message comprises an SDT indication.

[0395] The network node 12 and / or the processing circuitry 701 may be configured to receive the access request from the UE 10; and transmit the access response to the UE 10, wherein the access response comprises an uplink grant.

[0396] The indication may be used to determine that the quality of the downlink is sufficient to send the data to the UE 10 or if link adaptation is needed to send a Msg4 to the UE 10 comprising small data.Alternatively, the network node 12 and / or the processing circuitry 701 is configured to transmit small data in a transmission based on the quality of a downlink, wherein the small data transmission is performed with the link adaptation based on: the received indication from the UE 10, the one or more radio conditions that the UE 10 was using before the UE 10 was released; or the quality of the uplink of the UE 10.

[0397] The network node 12 may comprise a memory 705. The memory 705 comprises one or more units to be used to store data on, such as data packets, link adaptations, indications, measurement quantity, channel quality, configuration, SI, events and applications to perform the methods disclosed herein when being executed, and similar. Furthermore, the network node 12 may comprise a communication interface 706 such as comprising a transmitter, a receiver, a transceiver and / or one or more antennas.

[0398] The methods according to the embodiments described herein for the network node 12 are respectively implemented by means of e.g. a computer program product 707 or a computer program, comprising instructions, i.e., software code portions, which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out the actions described herein, as performed by the network node 12. The computer program product 707 may be stored on a computer-readable storage medium 708, e.g., a disc, a universal serial bus (USB) stick or similar. The computer-readable storage medium 708, having stored thereon the computer program product, may comprise the instructions which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out the actions described herein, as performed by the network node 12. In some embodiments, the computer-readable storage medium may be a transitory or a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. Thus, embodiments herein may disclose the network node 12 for handling communication in a communication network, wherein the network node 12 comprises processing circuitry and a memory, said memory comprising instructions executable by said processing circuitry whereby said network node 12 is operative to perform any of the methods herein.

[0399] In some embodiments a more general term “network node” is used and it can correspond to any type of radio network node or any network node, which communicates with a wireless device and / or with another network node. Examples of network nodes are NodeB, Master eNB, Secondary eNB, a network node belonging to Master cell group (MCG) or Secondary Cell Group (SCG), base station (BS), multi-standard radio (MSR) radio node such as MSR BS, eNodeB, network controller, radio network controller (RNC), base station controller (BSC), relay, donor node controlling relay, base transceiver station (BTS), access point (AP), transmission points, transmission nodes, Remote Radio Unit (RRU), Remote Radio Head (RRH), nodes in distributed antenna system (DAS), core network node e.g. Mobility Switching Centre (MSC), Mobile Management Entity (MME) etc., Operation and Maintenance (O& M), Operation Support System(OSS), Self-Organizing Network (SON), positioning node e.g. Evolved Serving Mobile Location Centre (E-SMLC), Minimizing Drive Test (MDT), etc.

[0400] In some embodiments, the non-limiting term wireless device or user equipment (UE) is used and it refers to any type of wireless device communicating with a network node and / or with another UE in a cellular or mobile communication system. Examples of UE are target device, device-to-device (D2D) UE, proximity capable UE (aka ProSe UE), machine type UE or UE capable of machine to machine (M2M) communication, PDA, PAD, Tablet, mobile terminals, smart phone, laptop embedded equipped (LEE), laptop mounted equipment (LME), USB dongles etc.

[0401] The embodiments are described for 5G. However the embodiments are applicable to any RAT or multi-RAT systems, where the UE receives and / or transmit signals (e.g. data) e.g. LTE, LTE FDD / TDD, WCDMA / HSPA, GSM / GERAN, Wi Fi, WLAN, CDMA2000 etc.

[0402] Signaling herein may generally comprise one or more symbols and / or signals and / or messages. A signal may comprise and / or represent one or more bits, which may be modulated into a common modulated signal. An indication may represent signaling, and / or be implemented as a signal, or as a plurality of signals. One or more signals may be included in and / or represented by a message. Signaling, in particular control signaling, may comprise a plurality of signals and / or messages, which may be transmitted on different carriers and / or be associated to different acknowledgement signaling processes, e.g. representing and / or pertaining to one or more such processes. An indication may comprise signaling and / or a plurality of signals and / or messages and / or may be comprised therein, which may be transmitted on different carriers and / or be associated to different acknowledgement signaling processes, e.g. representing and / or pertaining to one or more such processes.

[0403] As will be readily understood by those familiar with communications design, functions means or modules may be implemented using digital logic and / or one or more microcontrollers, microprocessors, or other digital hardware. In some embodiments, several or all of the various functions may be implemented together, such as in a single application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or in two or more separate devices with appropriate hardware and / or software interfaces between them. Several of the functions may be implemented on a processor shared with other functional components of a wireless device or network node, for example.

[0404] Alternatively, several of the functional elements of the processing means discussed may be provided through the use of dedicated hardware, while others are provided with hardware for executing software, in association with the appropriate software or firmware. Thus, the term “processor” or “controller” as used herein does not exclusively refer to hardware capable of executing software and may implicitly include, without limitation, digital signal processor (DSP) hardware, read-only memory (ROM) for storing software, random-access memory for storing software and / or program or application data, and non-volatile memory. Other hardware,conventional and / or custom, may also be included. Designers of communications devices will appreciate the cost, performance, and maintenance trade-offs inherent in these design choices.

[0405] Fig. 8 shows an example of a communication system 15100 in accordance with some embodiments.

[0406] In the example, the communication system 15100 includes a telecommunications network 15102 that includes an access network 15104, such as a radio access network (RAN), and a core network 15106, which includes one or more core network nodes 15108. The access network 15104 includes one or more access network nodes or base stations of various types, access network nodes 15110A and 15110B are depicted (which may be collectively referred to as network nodes 15110 or network node 12), or any other similar 3rdGeneration Partnership Project (3GPP) access nodes or non-3GPP access points (APs). Some embodiments of the access network 15104 may include more than one access network technology. The network nodes 15110 of access network 15104 facilitate direct or indirect connection of wireless devices, also referred to as user equipments (UEs), such as by connecting UEs 15112A, 15112B, 15112C, and 15112D (one or more of which may be generally referred to as UEs 15112 or UE 10) to the core network 15106 over one or more wireless connections.

[0407] Moreover, a network node is not necessarily limited to an implementation in which a radio portion and a baseband portion are supplied and integrated by a single vendor. Thus, it will be understood that network nodes include disaggregated implementations or portions thereof. For example, in some embodiments, the telecommunications network 15102 includes one or more Open-RAN (ORAN) network nodes. An ORAN network node is a network node in the telecommunications network 15102 that supports an ORAN specification (e.g., a specification published by the O-RAN Alliance, or any similar organization) and may operate alone or together with other network nodes to implement one or more functionalities of any network node in the telecommunications network 15102, including one or more access network nodes 15110 and / or core network nodes 15108.

[0408] Examples of an ORAN network node include an open radio unit (O-RU), an open distributed unit (O-DU), an open central unit (O-CU), including an O-CU control plane (O-CU-CP) or an O-CU user plane (O-CU-UP), a RAN intelligent controller (near-real time or non-real time) hosting software or software plug-ins, such as a near-real time control application (e.g., xApp) or a non-real time control application (e.g., rApp), or any combination thereof (the adjective “open” designating support of an ORAN specification). An ORAN network node may support a specification by, for example, supporting an interface defined by the ORAN specification, such as an A1, F1, W1, E1, E2, X2, Xn interface, an open fronthaul user plane interface, or an open fronthaul management plane interface. Moreover, an ORAN network node may be a logical node in a physical node. Furthermore, an ORAN network node may be implemented in a virtualization environment (described further below) in which one or more network functions are virtualized. Forexample, the virtualization environment may include an O-Cloud computing platform orchestrated by a Service Management and Orchestration Framework via an 0-2 interface defined by the O-RAN Alliance or comparable technologies.

[0409] The network nodes 15110 facilitate direct or indirect connection of one or more UEs 15112 to the core network 15106 over one or more wireless connections. Example wireless communications over a wireless connection include transmitting and / or receiving wireless signals using electromagnetic waves, radio waves, infrared waves, and / or other types of signals suitable for conveying information without the use of wires, cables, or other material conductors. Moreover, in different embodiments, the communication system 15100 may include any number of wired or wireless networks, network nodes, UEs, and / or any other components or systems that may facilitate or participate in the communication of data and / or signals whether via wired or wireless connections. The communication system 15100 may include and / or interface with any type of communication, telecommunication, data, cellular, radio network, and / or other similar type of system.

[0410] The UEs 15112 may be any of a wide variety of communication devices, including wireless devices arranged, configured, and / or operable to communicate wirelessly with the network nodes 15110 and other communication devices. Similarly, the network nodes 15108, 15110 are arranged, capable, configured, and / or operable to communicate directly or indirectly (e.g., via other devices of telecommunications network 15102) with the UEs 15112 and / or with other network nodes or equipment in the telecommunications network 15102 to enable and / or provide network access, such as wireless network access, and / or to perform other functions, such as administration in the telecommunications network 15102. More specifically, UEs 15112 may send messages, data, and / or other signals to network nodes 15108, 15110 or other elements of the telecommunications network 15102 by transmitting such signals to the relevant device directly without the signals passing through any intervening devices or by transmitting such signals to the relevant device indirectly through an intervening device (or multiple intervening devices) that then transmit the signal to the relevant device. Similarly, network nodes 15108, 15110 may send messages, data, and other signals to UEs 151122, other network nodes 15108, 15110, and other devices in telecommunications network 15102 directly or indirectly. As one specific example, a core network node 108 may transmit a particular message to a UE 15112 by transmitting the message to an access network node 15110 that will then transmit the message to the intended UE 15112.

[0411] Similarly, a core network node 108 may receive a particular message from a UE 15112 by receiving the message from an access network node 15110 that itself received the message from the UE 15112.

[0412] In the depicted example, the core network 15106 connects elements of the access network 15104 (e.g., one or more of the network nodes 15110) to one or more host computing systems, such as host 15116. These connections may be direct or indirect via one or more intermediarynetworks or devices. In other examples, network nodes may be directly coupled to hosts. The core network 15106 includes one or more core network nodes (e.g., core network node 15108) of various types, one or more of which may be generally referred to as network nodes 15108.

[0413] Network nodes 15108 are structured with hardware and software components. Features of these components may be substantially similar to those described with respect to the UEs, access network nodes, and / or hosts, such that the descriptions thereof are generally applicable to the corresponding components of the core network node 15108. Example core network nodes provide functions of one or more of a Mobile Switching Center (MSC), Mobility Management Entity (MME), Home Subscriber Server (HSS), Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), Session Management Function (SMF), Authentication Server Function (AUSF), Subscription Identifier Deconcealing function (SIDF), Unified Data Management (UDM), Security Edge Protection Proxy (SEPP), Network Exposure Function (NEF), and / or a User Plane Function (UPF).

[0414] The host 15116 may be under the ownership or control of a service provider other than an operator or provider of the access network 15104 and / or the telecommunications network 15102. The host 15116 may be operated by the service provider or on behalf of the service provider. The host 15116 may host a variety of applications to provide one or more service. Examples of such applications include live and pre-recorded audio / video content, data collection services such as retrieving and compiling data on various ambient conditions detected by a plurality of UEs, analytics functionality, social media, functions for controlling or otherwise interacting with remote devices, functions for an alarm and surveillance center, or any other such function performed by a server.

[0415] As a whole, the communication system 15100 of Fig. 8 enables connectivity between the UEs, network nodes, and hosts. In that sense, the communication system 15100 may be configured to operate according to predefined rules or procedures, such as specific standards that include, but are not limited to: Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM); Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS); Long Term Evolution (LTE), and / or other suitable 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G standards, or any applicable future generation standard (e.g., 6G); wireless local area network (WLAN) standards, such as the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 standards (Wi-Fi); and / or any other appropriate wireless communication standard, such as the Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (Wi-Max), Bluetooth, Z-Wave, Near Field Communication (NFC) ZigBee, Li-Fi, and / or any low-power wide-area network (LPWAN) standards such as LoRa and Sigfox. Moreover, the communication system 15100 may be configured to support multiple different standards, protocols, or other rule sets, with individual components supporting all of the relevant rule sets or with different components or sub-systems within the communication system 15100 supporting different standards, protocols, or rule sets.

[0416] As one example, in certain embodiments, access network 15104 may contain some access network nodes 15110 that support 3GPP radio access technologies (RAT), such as LTE or NR,while other access network nodes 15110 support (or the same access network nodes 15110 additionally support) non-3GPP RATs, such as Wi-Fi or a proprietary RAT. As another example, telecommunications network 15102 may support multiple generations of related communication standards (e.g., 4G and 5G 3GPP communication standards) and, as a result, may include an access network 104 and / or a core network 106 that supports multiple different standard generations or may include multiple access networks 104 and / or multiple core networks 106 with individual networks 104, 106 supporting different standard generations.

[0417] Telecommunications network 15102 may support network slicing to provide different logical networks to different devices that are connected to the telecommunications network 15102. For example, the telecommunications network 15102 may provide Ultra Reliable Low Latency Communication (URLLC) services to some UEs, while providing Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB) services to other UEs, and / or Massive Machine Type Communication (mMTC) / Massive loT services to yet further UEs.

[0418] In some examples, one or more of the UEs 15112 are configured to transmit and / or receive information without direct human interaction. For instance, a UE may be designed to transmit information to the access network 15104 on a predetermined schedule, when triggered by an internal or external event, or in response to requests from the access network 15104. Additionally, a UE may be configured for operating in single- or multi-RAT or multi-standard mode. For example, a UE may operate with any one or combination of Wi-Fi, NR (New Radio) and LTE, i.e. being configured for multi-radio dual connectivity (MR-DC), such as E-UTRAN (Evolved-UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network) New Radio - Dual Connectivity (EN-DC).

[0419] In the example, the hub 15114 communicates with the access network 15104 to facilitate indirect communication between one or more UEs (e.g., UE 15112C and / or 15112D) and network nodes (e.g., network node 15110B). In some examples, the hub 15114 may be a controller, router, content source and analytics, or any of the other communication devices described herein regarding UEs. For example, the hub 15114 may be a broadband router enabling access to the core network 15106 for the UEs. As another example, the hub 15114 may be a controller that sends commands or instructions to one or more actuators in the UEs. Commands or instructions may be received from the UEs, network nodes 15110, or by executable code, script, process, or other instructions in the hub 15114.

[0420] As another example, the hub 15114 may be a data collector that acts as temporary storage for UE data and, in some embodiments, may perform analysis or other processing of the data. As another example, the hub 15114 may be a content source. For example, for a UE that is a VR headset, display, loudspeaker or other media delivery device, the hub 15114 may retrieve VR assets, video, audio, or other media or data related to sensory information via a network node, which the hub 15114 then provides to the UE either directly, after performing local processing, and / or after adding additional local content. In still another example, the hub 15114 acts as a proxyserver or orchestrator for the UEs, in particular if one or more of the UEs are low energy IoT devices.

[0421] The hub 15114 may have a constant / persistent or intermittent connection to the network node 15110B. The hub 15114 may also allow for a different communication scheme and / or schedule between the hub 15114 and UEs (e.g., UE 15112C and / or 15112D), and between the hub 15114 and the core network 15106. In other examples, the hub 15114 is connected to the core network 15106 and / or one or more UEs via a wired connection. Moreover, the hub 15114 may be configured to connect to an M2M service provider over the access network 15104 and / or to another UE over a direct connection. In some scenarios, UEs may establish a wireless connection with the network nodes 15110 while still connected via the hub 15114 via a wired or wireless connection. In some embodiments, the hub 15114 may be a dedicated hub - that is, a hub whose primary function is to route communications to / from the UEs from / to the network node 15110B. In other embodiments, the hub 15114 may be a non-dedicated hub - that is, a device which is capable of operating to route communications between the UEs and network node 15110B, but which is additionally capable of operating as a communication start and / or end point for certain data channels.

[0422] Fig. 9 is another example of a communication system 15200 according to some embodiments. As used herein, the communication system 15200 includes multiple access points (APs) 15210 (with four exemplary APs 15210A, 15210B, 15210C, and 15210D being depicted) and multiple wireless devices, referred to in the context of communication system 15200 as stations (STAs) 15212 (referred to individually as STA 15212A, STA 15212B, STA 15212C, STA 15212D, and STA 15212E). STA 15212A is served by AP 15210A in a first basic service set (BSS) 15220A. STA 15210B and STA 15210C are served by AP 15210B in a second BSS, BSS 15220B. STA 15212D is served by AP 15210C in a third BSS, BSS 15220C. STA 15212E is served by AP 15210D in a fourth BSS, BSS 15220D. Stations 15212 may be non-AP STAs and correspond to various kinds of wireless devices, for example, user terminals, such as mobile or stationary computing devices like smartphones, laptop computers, desktop computers, tablet computers, gaming devices, head-mounted displays (HMDs) for Augmented Reality (AR) or Virtual Reality (VR), or the like. Further, stations 15212 could, for example, correspond to other kinds of equipment like smart home devices, printers, multimedia devices, data storage devices, or the like.

[0423] Each of STAs 15212 may connect through a radio link to one of APs 15210. For example, depending on location or channel conditions experienced by a given STA 15212, the STA may select an appropriate AP and BSS for establishing the radio link. The radio link may be based on one or more orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) carriers from a frequency spectrum that is shared on the basis of a contention-based mechanism, e.g., an unlicensed or license exempt band like 2.4 GHz Industrial, Scientific, and Medical (ISM) band, the 5 GHz band, the 6 GHz band, or the 60 GHz band.Each AP 15210 may provide data connectivity to STAs 15212 connected to a particular AP 15210. As illustrated, APs 15210 may be connected to a data network 15230. In this way, APs 15210 may also provide data connectivity between STAs 15212 and other entities, e.g., to one or more servers, service providers, data sources, data sinks, user terminals, or the like. Accordingly, the radio link established between a given STA 15212 and its serving AP 15210 may be used for providing various kinds of services to STA 15212, e.g., a voice service, a multimedia service, or other data service. Such services may be based on applications that are executed on STA 15212 and / or on a device linked to STA 15212. By way of example, Fig. 9 illustrates an application service platform 15232 provided in data network 15230. The application(s) executed on STA 15212 and / or on one or more other devices linked to STA 15212 may use the radio link for data communication with one or more other STA 15212 and / or the application service platform 15232, thereby enabling utilization of the corresponding service(s) at STA 15212.

[0424] Fig. 10 shows a wireless device 15300, being an example of the UE 10, which may be configured to operate in communication system 15100 of Fig. 8 or in communication system 15200 of Fig. 9. The wireless device 15300 may be alternatively referred to as a UE 15300, like a UE 15112 within the context of communication system 15100, or as a station (STA) 15300 or as a non-access-point station (non-AP STA) 15300, like a STA 15212 within the context of the communication system 15200, in accordance with respective embodiments. As used herein, a wireless device refers to a device capable, configured, arranged and / or operable to communicate wirelessly with network nodes and / or other wireless devices. Examples of a wireless device include, but are not limited to, a smart phone, mobile phone, cell phone, voice over IP (VoIP) phone, wireless local loop phone, desktop computer, personal digital assistant (PDA), wireless cameras, gaming console or device, music storage device, playback appliance, wearable terminal device, wireless endpoint, mobile station, tablet, laptop, laptop-embedded equipment (LEE), laptop-mounted equipment (LME), smart device, wireless customer-premise equipment (CPE), vehicle, vehicle-mounted or vehicle embedded / integrated wireless device, and wireless terminal. Other examples include any type of UE identified by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), including a narrow band internet of things (NB-IoT) UE, a machine type communication (MTC) UE, and / or an enhanced MTC (eMTC) UE.

[0425] A wireless device 15300 may support device-to-device (D2D) communication, for example by implementing a 3GPP standard for sidelink communication, Dedicated Short-Range Communication (DSRC), vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V), vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I), or vehicle-to-everything (V2X). In other examples, wireless device 15300 may not necessarily have a user in the sense of a human user who owns and / or operates the relevant device. Instead, wireless device 15300 may represent a device that is intended for sale to, or operation by, a human user but which may not, or which may not initially, be associated with a specific human user (e.g., a smart sprinkler controller). Alternatively, wireless device 15300 may represent a device that is notintended for sale to, or operation by, an end user but which may be associated with or operated for the benefit of a user (e.g., a smart power meter).

[0426] In particular embodiments, wireless device 15300 includes processing circuitry 15302 that is operatively coupled via a bus 15304 to an input / output interface 15306, a power source 15308, a memory 15310, a communication interface 15312, and / or any other component, or any combination thereof. Certain embodiments of wireless device 15300 may include all or a subset of the components shown in Fig. 10. The level of integration between the components may vary from one embodiment of wireless device 15300 to another. In general, in a particular embodiment of wireless device 15300, processing circuitry 15302, input / output interface 15306, power source 15308, memory 15310, and communication interface 15312 may, in whole or in part, represent or include physical components common to or shared by one or more of the other elements of wireless device 15300. Further, certain embodiments of wireless devices 15300 may contain multiple instances of a component, such as multiple processors, memories, transceivers, transmitters, receivers, etc.

[0427] The processing circuitry 15302 is configured to process instructions and data and may be configured to implement any sequential state machine operative to execute instructions stored as machine-readable computer programs in the memory 15310. The processing circuitry 15302 may be implemented as one or more hardware-implemented state machines (e.g., in discrete logic, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), etc.); programmable logic together with appropriate firmware; one or more stored computer programs, general-purpose processors, such as a microprocessor or digital signal processor (DSP), together with appropriate software; or any combination of the above. For example, the processing circuitry 15302 may include multiple central processing units (CPUs).

[0428] In the example, the input / output interface 15306 may be configured to provide an interface or interfaces to an input device, output device, or one or more input and / or output devices.

[0429] Examples of an output device include a speaker, a sound card, a video card, a display, a monitor, a printer, an actuator, an emitter, a smartcard, another output device, or any combination thereof. An input device may allow a user to capture information into wireless device 15300. Examples of an input device include a touch-sensitive or presence-sensitive display, a camera (e.g., a digital camera, a digital video camera, a web camera, etc.), a microphone, a sensor, a mouse, a trackball, a directional pad, a trackpad, a scroll wheel, a smartcard, and the like. The presence-sensitive display may include a capacitive or resistive touch sensor to sense input from a user. A sensor may be, for instance, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a tilt sensor, a force sensor, a magnetometer, an optical sensor, a proximity sensor, a biometric sensor, etc., or any combination thereof. An output device may use the same type of interface port as an input device. For example, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port may be used to provide an input device and an output device.In some embodiments, the power source 15308 is structured as a battery or battery pack. Other types of power sources, such as an external power source (e.g., an electricity outlet), photovoltaic device, or power cell, may be used to supply power to circuitry or to charge an associated battery. The power source 15308 may further include power circuitry for delivering power from the power source 15308 itself, and / or an external power source, to the various parts of wireless device 15300 via input circuitry or an interface such as an electrical power cable. Power source 15308 may perform any formatting, converting, or other modification to make accessible power suitable for the respective components of the wireless device 15300 to which power is supplied.

[0430] The memory 15310 may be or be configured to include memory such as random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), magnetic disks, optical disks, hard disks, removable cartridges, flash drives, and so forth. In one example, the memory 15310 includes one or more programs 15314, such as an operating system, web browser application, a widget, gadget engine, or other application, and corresponding data 15316. The memory 15310 may store, for use by wireless device 15300, any of a variety of various operating systems or combinations of operating systems.

[0431] The memory 15310 may be configured to include a number of physical drive units, such as redundant array of independent disks (RAID), flash memory, USB flash drive, external hard disk drive, thumb drive, pen drive, key drive, high-density digital versatile disc (HD-DVD) optical disc drive, internal hard disk drive, Blu-Ray optical disc drive, holographic digital data storage (HDDS) optical disc drive, external mini-dual in-line memory module (DIMM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), external micro-DIMM SDRAM, smartcard memory such as tamper resistant module in the form of a universal integrated circuit card (UICC) including one or more subscriber identity modules (SIMs), such as a USIM and / or ISIM, other memory, or any combination thereof. The UICC may for example be an embedded UICC (eUlCC), integrated UICC (iUICC) or a removable UICC commonly known as ‘SIM card.’ The memory 15310 may allow wireless device 15300 to access instructions, programs and the like, stored on transitory or non-transitory memory media, to off-load data, or to upload data. An article of manufacture, such as one utilizing a communication system may be tangibly embodied as or in the memory 15310, which may be or comprise a device-readable storage medium.

[0432] The processing circuitry 15302 may be configured to communicate with an access network or other network via or using the communication interface 15312. The communication interface 15312 may comprise one or more communication subsystems and may include or be communicatively coupled to an antenna 15322. The communication interface 15312 may include one or more transceivers used to communicate, such as by communicating with one or more remote transceivers of another device capable of wireless communication (e.g., another wirelessdevice or a network node in an access network). Each transceiver may include a transmitter 15318 and / or a receiver 15320 appropriate to provide network communications (e.g., optical, electrical, frequency allocations, and so forth). Moreover, the transmitter 15318 and receiver 15320 may be coupled to one or more antennas (e.g., antenna 15322) and may share circuit components, software or firmware, or alternatively be implemented separately.

[0433] In the illustrated embodiment, communication functions of the communication interface 15312 may include cellular communication, Wi-Fi communication (e.g., according to an IEEE 802.11 family standard), LPWAN communication, data communication, voice communication, multimedia communication, short-range communications such as Bluetooth, near-field communication, location-based communication such as the use of the global positioning system (GPS) to determine a location, another like communication function, or any combination thereof. Communications may be implemented according to one or more communication protocols and / or standards, such as IEEE 802.11, Code Division Multiplexing Access (CDMA), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), GSM, LTE, New Radio (NR), UMTS, WiMax, Ethernet, transmission control protocol / internet protocol (TCP / IP), synchronous optical networking (SONET), Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM), QUIC, Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), and so forth.

[0434] In particular embodiments, wireless device 15300 may provide an output of data captured via a sensor, through its communication interface 15312, via a wireless connection to a network node, and / or in any appropriate manner. Data captured by sensors of a wireless device 15300 can be communicated through a wireless connection to a network node via another wireless device 15300. In particular embodiments, such output may be periodic (e.g., once every 15 minutes if it reports the sensed temperature), random (e.g., to even out the load from reporting from several sensors), in response to a triggering event (e.g., when moisture is detected an alert is sent), in response to a request (e.g., a user initiated request), or a continuous stream (e.g., a live video feed of a patient).

[0435] As another example, wireless device 15300 comprises an actuator, a motor, or a switch, related to a communication interface configured to receive wireless input from a network node via a wireless connection. In response to the received wireless input the states of the actuator, the motor, or the switch may change. For example, wireless device 15300 may comprise a motor that adjusts the control surfaces or rotors of a drone in flight according to the received input or to a robotic arm performing a medical procedure according to the received input.

[0436] Wireless device 15300, when in the form of an Internet of Things (IoT) device, may be a device for use in one or more application domains, these domains comprising, but not limited to, wearable technology, extended industrial application and healthcare. Non-limiting examples of such an loT device are a device which is or which is embedded in: a connected refrigerator or freezer, a TV, a connected lighting device, an electricity meter, a robot vacuum cleaner, a voice controlled smart speaker, a home security camera, a motion detector, a thermostat, a smokedetector, a door / window sensor, a flood / moisture sensor, an electrical door lock, a connected doorbell, an air conditioning system like a heat pump, an autonomous vehicle, a surveillance system, a weather monitoring device, a vehicle parking monitoring device, an electric vehicle charging station, a smartwatch, a fitness tracker, a wearable for tactile augmentation or sensory enhancement, a water sprinkler, an animal- or item-tracking device, a sensor for monitoring a plant or animal, an industrial robot, an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), and any kind of medical device, like a heart rate monitor or a remote controlled surgical robot. In particular embodiments, wireless device 15300 represents an IoT device that comprises circuitry and / or software in dependence of the intended application of the IoT device in addition to other components as described in relation to the example embodiment of wireless device 15300 shown in Fig. 10.

[0437] As yet another specific example, in an IoT scenario, wireless device 15300 may represent a machine or other device that performs monitoring and / or measurements, and transmits the results of such monitoring and / or measurements to another wireless device and / or a network node.

[0438] Wireless device 15300 may in this case be an M2M device, which may in a 3GPP context be referred to as an MTC device. As one particular example, wireless device 15300 may implement the 3GPP NB-IoT standard. In other scenarios, wireless device 15300 may represent a vehicle, such as a car, a bus, a truck, a ship and an airplane, or other equipment that is capable of monitoring and / or reporting on its operational status or other functions associated with its operation.

[0439] In practice, any number of wireless devices 15300 may be used together with respect to a single use case. For example, a first wireless device 15300 might be or be integrated in a drone and provide the drone’s speed information (obtained through a speed sensor) to a second wireless device 15300 that is a remote controller operating the drone. When a user makes changes from the remote controller, the first wireless device 15300 may adjust the throttle on the drone (e.g. by controlling an actuator) to increase or decrease the drone’s speed. The first and / or the second wireless device 15300 can also include more than one of the functionalities described above. For example, wireless device 15300 might comprise the sensor and the actuator, and handle communication of data for both the speed sensor and the actuators.

[0440] Fig. 11 shows a network node 15400, being an example of the network node 12, in accordance with some embodiments. As used herein, network node refers to equipment capable, configured, arranged and / or operable to communicate directly or indirectly with a UE and / or with other network nodes or equipment, in a telecommunications network. In accordance with respective embodiments, network node 15400 may be configured to operate in communication system 15100 of Fig. 8, like network nodes 15108 or 15110, or in communication system 15200 of Fig. 9, like an AP 15210 or a station 15212. Examples of network nodes include, but are not limited to, access points (APs) (e.g., radio access points), base stations (BSs) (e.g., radio base stations,Node Bs, evolved Node Bs (eNBs) and NR NodeBs (gNBs)), O-RAN nodes or components of an O-RAN node (e.g., O-RU, O-DU, O-CU).

[0441] Network nodes 15400 may be categorized based on the amount of coverage they provide (or, stated differently, their transmit power level) and so, depending on the provided amount of coverage, may be referred to as femto base stations, pico base stations, micro base stations, or macro base stations. Network node 15400 may be a relay node or a relay donor node controlling a relay. Network nodes 15400 may also include one or more (or all) parts of a distributed radio base station such as centralized digital units, distributed units (e.g., in an O-RAN access node) and / or remote radio units (RRUs), sometimes referred to as Remote Radio Heads (RRHs). Such remote radio units may or may not be integrated with an antenna as an antenna integrated radio. Parts of a distributed radio base station may also be referred to as nodes in a distributed antenna system (DAS).

[0442] Other examples of network nodes 15400 include multiple transmission point (multi-TRP) 5G access nodes, multi-standard radio (MSR) equipment such as MSR BSs, network controllers such as radio network controllers (RNCs) or base station controllers (BSCs), base transceiver stations (BTSs), transmission points, transmission nodes, multi-cell / multicast coordination entities (MCEs), Operation and Maintenance (O& M) nodes, Operations Support System (OSS) nodes, SelfOrganizing Network (SON) nodes, positioning nodes (e.g., Evolved Serving Mobile Location Centers (E-SMLCs)), and / or Minimization of Drive Tests (MDTs).

[0443] In particular embodiments, network node 15400 includes a processing circuitry 15402, a memory 15404, a communication interface 15406, and a power source 15408. In general, in a particular embodiment of network node 15400, processing circuitry 15402, memory 15404, communication interface 15406, and power source 15408 may, in whole or in part, represent or include physical components common to or shared by one or more of the other elements of network node 15400.

[0444] The network node 15400 may be composed of multiple distinct network entities (e.g., a NodeB entity and a RNC entity, or a BTS entity and a BSC entity, etc.), which may each have or utilize their own respective physical components. In certain scenarios in which the network node 15400 comprises multiple such entities (e.g., BTS and BSC), one or more of the separate entities may be shared among several network nodes. For example, a single RNC may control multiple NodeBs. In such a scenario, each unique NodeB and RNC pair, may in some instances be considered a single separate network node. In some embodiments, the network node 15400 may be configured to support multiple radio access technologies (RATs). In such embodiments, some components may be duplicated (e.g., separate memories 15404 or portions of memory 15404 for different RATs) and some components may be reused (e.g., a same antenna 15410 may be shared by different RATs). The network node 15400 may also include multiple sets of the various illustrated components for different wireless technologies integrated into network node 15400, forexample GSM, WCDMA, LTE, NR, Wi-Fi (e.g., according to an IEEE 802.11 family standard), Zigbee, Z-wave, LoRaWAN, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) or Bluetooth wireless technologies. These wireless technologies may be integrated into the same or different chip or set of chips and other components within network node 15400.

[0445] The processing circuitry 15402 may comprise a combination of one or more of a microprocessor, controller, microcontroller, central processing unit, digital signal processor, application-specific integrated circuit, field programmable gate array, or any other suitable computing device, resource, or combination of hardware, software and / or encoded logic operable to provide, either alone or in conjunction with other components, such as the memory 15404, to provide network node 15400 functionality.

[0446] In some embodiments, the processing circuitry 15402 includes a system on a chip (SOC). In some embodiments, the processing circuitry 15402 includes one or more of radio frequency (RF) transceiver circuitry 15412 and baseband processing circuitry 15414. In some embodiments, the RF transceiver circuitry 15412 and the baseband processing circuitry 15414 may be on separate chips (or sets of chips), boards, or units, such as radio units and digital units. In alternative embodiments, part or all of RF transceiver circuitry 15412 and baseband processing circuitry 15414 may be on the same chip or set of chips, boards, or units.

[0447] The memory 15404 may comprise any form of volatile or non-volatile computer-readable memory including, without limitation, persistent storage, solid-state memory, remotely mounted memory, magnetic media, optical media, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), mass storage media (for example, a hard disk), removable storage media (for example, a flash drive, a Compact Disk (CD) or a Digital Video Disk (DVD)), and / or any other volatile or nonvolatile, non-transitory device-readable and / or computer-executable memory devices that store information, data, and / or instructions that may be used by the processing circuitry 15402. The memory 15404 may store any suitable instructions, data, or information, including a computer program, software, an application including one or more of logic, rules, code, tables, and / or other instructions capable of being executed by the processing circuitry 15402 and utilized by the network node 15400. The memory 15404 may be used to store any calculations made by the processing circuitry 15402 and / or any data received via the communication interface 15406. In some embodiments, the processing circuitry 15402 and memory 15404 is integrated.

[0448] The communication interface 15406 is used in wired or wireless communication of signaling and / or data with UEs, other network nodes, and / or any other network equipment. In the illustrated embodiment, communication interface 15406 comprises port(s) / terminal(s) 15416 to send and receive data, for example to and from a network over a wired connection. In particular embodiments, network node 15300 may be capable of wireless communication and communication interface 15406 may also include radio front-end circuitry 15418 that may be coupled to, or in certain embodiments a part of, an antenna 15410. Particular embodiments ofradio front-end circuitry 15418 include filter(s) 15420 and amplifier(s) 15422. The radio front-end circuitry 15418 may be connected to an antenna 15410 and processing circuitry 15402. The radio front-end circuitry may be configured to condition signals communicated between antenna 15410 and processing circuitry 15402. The radio front-end circuitry 15418 may receive digital data that is to be sent out to other network nodes or UEs via a wireless connection. The radio front-end circuitry 15418 may convert the digital data into a radio signal(s) having the appropriate channel and bandwidth parameters using a combination of filters 15420 and / or amplifiers 15422. The radio signal(s) may then be transmitted via the antenna 15410. Similarly, when receiving data, the antenna 15410 may collect radio signals which are then converted into digital data by the radio front-end circuitry 15418. The digital data may be passed to the processing circuitry 15402. In other embodiments, the communication interface may comprise different components and / or different combinations of components.

[0449] In certain alternative embodiments, network node 15400 may be capable of wireless communication but does not include separate radio front-end circuitry 15418, instead, the processing circuitry 15402 includes radio front-end circuitry and is connected to the antenna 15410. Similarly, in some embodiments, all or some of the RF transceiver circuitry 15412 is part of the communication interface 15406. In still other embodiments, the communication interface 15406 includes one or more ports or terminals 15416, the radio front-end circuitry 15418, and the RF transceiver circuitry 15412, as part of a radio unit (not shown), and the communication interface 15406 communicates with the baseband processing circuitry 15414, which is part of a digital unit (not shown).

[0450] The antenna 15410 may include one or more antennas, or antenna arrays, configured to send and / or receive wireless signals. The antenna 15410 may be coupled to the radio front-end circuitry 15418 and may be any type of antenna capable of transmitting and receiving data and / or signals wirelessly. In certain embodiments, the antenna 15410 is separate from the network node 15400 and connectable to the network node 15400 through one or more interfaces or ports.

[0451] The antenna 15410, communication interface 15406, and / or the processing circuitry 15402 may be configured to perform some or all of the receiving operations and / or obtaining operations described herein as being performed by the network node 15400. Any information, data and / or signals may be received from a UE, another network node and / or any other network equipment. Similarly, the antenna 15410, the communication interface 15406, and / or the processing circuitry 15402 may be configured to perform some or all of the transmitting or sending operations described herein as being performed by the network node 15400. Any information, data and / or signals may be transmitted to a UE, another network node and / or any other network equipment.

[0452] The power source 15408 provides power to the various components of network node 15400 in a form suitable for the respective components (e.g., at a voltage and current level needed for each respective component). The power source 15408 may further comprise, or be coupled to,power management circuitry to supply the components of the network node 15400 with power for performing the functionality described herein. For example, the network node 15400 may be connectable to an external power source (e.g., the power grid, an electricity outlet) via an input circuitry or interface such as an electrical cable, whereby the external power source supplies power to power circuitry of the power source 15408. As a further example, the power source 15408 may comprise a source of power in the form of a battery or battery pack which is connected to, or integrated in, power circuitry. The battery may provide backup power should the external power source fail.

[0453] Embodiments of the network node 15400 may include additional components beyond those shown in Fig. 11 for providing certain aspects of the network node’s functionality, including any of the functionality described herein and / or any functionality necessary to support the subject matter described herein. For example, the network node 15400 may include user interface equipment to allow input of information into the network node 15400 and to allow output of information from the network node 15400. This may allow a user to perform diagnostic, maintenance, repair, and other administrative functions for the network node 15400.

[0454] Fig. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a virtualization environment 15500 in which functions implemented by some embodiments may be virtualized. In the present context, virtualizing means creating virtual versions of apparatuses or devices which may include virtualizing hardware platforms, storage devices and networking resources. As used herein, virtualization can be applied to any device described herein, or components thereof, and relates to an implementation in which at least a portion of the functionality is implemented as one or more virtual components. Some or all of the functions described herein may be implemented as virtual components executed by one or more virtual machines (VMs) implemented in one or more virtual environments 15500 hosted by one or more of hardware nodes, such as a hardware computing device that operates as an access network node, UE, core network node, or host. Further, in embodiments in which a virtual node does not require radio connectivity (e.g., a core network node or host), then the node may be entirely virtualized. In some embodiments, the virtualization environment 15500 includes components defined by the O-RAN Alliance, such as an O-Cloud environment orchestrated by a Service Management and Orchestration Framework via an O-2 interface.

[0455] Applications 15502 (which may alternatively be called software instances, virtual appliances, network functions, virtual nodes, virtual network functions, etc.) are run in the virtualization environment 15400 to implement some of the features, functions, and / or benefits of some of the embodiments disclosed herein.

[0456] Hardware 15504 includes processing circuitry, memory that stores software and / or instructions executable by hardware processing circuitry, and / or other hardware devices as described herein, such as a network interface, input / output interface, and so forth. Software may be executed by the processing circuitry to instantiate one or more virtualization layers 15506 (alsoreferred to as hypervisors or virtual machine monitors (VMMs)), provide VM 15508A and VM 15508B (which may be collectively referred to as VMs 15508), and / or perform any of the functions, features and / or benefits described in relation with some embodiments described herein. The virtualization layer 15506 may present a virtual operating platform that appears like networking hardware to one or more of the VMs 15508.

[0457] The VMs 15508 comprise virtual processing, virtual memory, virtual networking or interface and virtual storage, and may be run by virtualization layer 15506. Different embodiments of the instance of a virtual appliance 15502 may be implemented on one or more of VMs 15508, and the implementations may be made in different ways. Virtualization of the hardware is in some contexts referred to as network function virtualization (NFV). NFV may be used to consolidate many network equipment types onto industry standard high volume server hardware, physical switches, and physical storage, which can be located in data centers, and customer premise equipment.

[0458] In the context of NFV, each of the VMs 15508 may be a software implementation of a physical machine that runs programs as if they were executing on a physical, non-virtualized machine. Each of the VMs 15508, and that part of hardware 15504 that executes that VM, be it hardware dedicated to that VM and / or hardware shared by that VM with others of the VMs, forms separate virtual network elements. Still in the context of NFV, a virtual network function is responsible for handling specific network functions that run in one or more of the VMs 15508 on top of the hardware 15504 and corresponds to an application 15502.

[0459] Hardware 15504 may be implemented in a standalone network node with generic or specific components. Hardware 15504 may implement some functions via virtualization.

[0460] Alternatively, hardware 15504 may be part of a larger cluster of hardware (e.g. such as in a data center or CPE) where many hardware nodes work together and are managed via management and orchestration 15510, which, among others, oversees lifecycle management of applications 15502. In some embodiments, hardware 15504 is coupled to one or more radio units that each include one or more transmitters and one or more receivers that may be coupled to one or more antennas. Radio units may communicate directly with other hardware nodes via one or more appropriate network interfaces and may be used in combination with the virtual components to provide a virtual node with radio capabilities, such as a radio access node or a base station. In some embodiments, some signaling can be provided with the use of a control system 15512 which may alternatively be used for communication between hardware nodes and radio units.

[0461] Although the computing devices described herein (e.g., UEs, network nodes, hosts) may include the illustrated combination of hardware components, other embodiments may comprise computing devices with different combinations of components. It is to be understood that these computing devices may comprise any suitable combination of hardware and / or software needed to perform the tasks, features, functions and methods disclosed herein. Determining, calculating, obtaining or similar operations described herein may be performed by processing circuitry, whichmay process information by, for example, converting the obtained information into other information, comparing the obtained information or converted information to information stored in the network node, and / or performing one or more operations based on the obtained information or converted information, and as a result of said processing making a determination. Moreover, while components are depicted as single boxes located within a larger box, or nested within multiple boxes, in practice, computing devices may comprise multiple different physical components that make up a single illustrated component, and functionality may be partitioned between separate components. For example, a communication interface may be configured to include any of the components described herein, and / or the functionality of the components may be partitioned between the processing circuitry and the communication interface. In another example, non-computationally intensive functions of any of such components may be implemented in software or firmware and computationally intensive functions may be implemented in hardware.

[0462] In certain embodiments, some or all of the functionality described herein may be provided by processing circuitry executing instructions stored on in memory, which in certain embodiments may be a computer program product in the form of a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. In alternative embodiments, some or all of the functionality may be provided by the processing circuitry without executing instructions stored on a separate or discrete device-readable storage medium, such as in a hard-wired manner. In any of those particular embodiments, whether executing instructions stored on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium or not, the processing circuitry can be configured to perform the described functionality. The benefits provided by such functionality are not limited to the processing circuitry alone or to other components of the computing device, but are enjoyed by the computing device as a whole, and / or by end users and a wireless network generally.

[0463] The embodiments herein are not limited to the above described preferred embodiments. Various alternatives, modifications and equivalents may be used.

[0464] It will be appreciated that the foregoing description and the accompanying drawings represent non-limiting examples of the methods and apparatus taught herein. As such, the apparatus and techniques taught herein are not limited by the foregoing description and accompanying drawings. Instead, the embodiments herein are limited only by the following claims and their legal equivalents.

[0465] Some example embodiments are described below.

[0466] Embodiment #1. The method performed by the UE 10 for handling communication in the wireless communication network 1, the method comprising

[0467] - configuring the UE 10 to report a measurement quantity in a message related to SDT; and- transmitting to the network node 12, a message, wherein the message comprises an indication of a measurement quantity and / or an estimation of a quality of a downlink from the network node 12 to the UE 10.

[0468] Embodiment #2. The method according to emb. #1, wherein the UE 10 may be configured by the network node 12 with a configuration indication indicating how and / or when to report a measurement quantity.

[0469] Embodiment #3. The method according to any of previous embs #2, wherein the configuration indication may indicate one or more conditions or preconditions to report measurement quantity.

[0470] Embodiment #4. The method according to any of previous embs #2-3, wherein the configuration indication may indicate whether to include the measurement quantity and / or format of the report.

[0471] Embodiment #5. The method according to any of previous embs #2-4, wherein the configuration indication may comprise one or more of the following:

[0472] o a common indication in SI indicating to measurement report, and / or a format of the reporting.

[0473] o a dynamic indication in paging message indicating to measurement report, and / or a format of the reporting.

[0474] o a dynamic indication in an access response indicating to measurement report, and / or a format of the reporting.

[0475] Embodiment %1. The method performed by the network node 12 for handling communication in a wireless communication network, the method comprising:

[0476] configuring the UE 10 with a configuration indication indicating how and / or when to report a measurement quantity; and

[0477] receiving from the UE 10, a message, wherein the message comprises an indication of a measurement quantity and / or an estimation of a quality of a downlink from the network node 12 to the UE 10.

[0478] Embodiment %2. The method according to emb. %1, wherein the configuration indication may indicate one or more conditions or preconditions to report measurement quantity.Embodiment %3. The method according to any of previous embs %1-2, wherein the configuration indication may indicate whether to include the measurement quantity and / or format of the report.

[0479] Embodiment %4. The method according to any of previous embs %1-3, wherein the configuration indication may comprise one or more of the following:

[0480] o a common indication in SI indicating to measurement report, and / or a format of the reporting.

[0481] o a dynamic indication in paging message indicating to measurement report, and / or a format of the reporting.

[0482] o a dynamic indication in an access response indicating to measurement report, and / or a format of the reporting.

[0483] Embodiment %5. The method according to any of previous embs %1-4, may further be comprising:

[0484] performing SDT using link adaptation based on the received indication in the message.

[0485] Embodiment &1. The method performed by the network node 12 for handling communication in a wireless communication network, the method comprising:

[0486] transmitting data in a transmission based on a quality of the downlink, wherein the transmission is performed with link adaptation based on: a received indication from the UE 10, one or more radio conditions that the UE 10 was using before it was released; or a quality of an UL of the UE 10.

[0487] Embodiment @1. The UE 10 configured to perform the method according to embodiment #1

[0488] Embodiment £1. The network node 12 configured to perform the method according to embodiment %1

[0489] Embodiment §1. The network node 12 configured to perform the method according to embodiment &1

Claims

CLAIMS1. A method performed by a user equipment, UE, (10) for handling communication in a wireless communication network, the method comprisingconfiguring (301) the UE (10) to report a measurement quantity and / or an estimation of a quality of a downlink from a network node (12) to the UE (10) in a message; and transmitting (306) to the network node (12), the message related to small data transmission, SDT, wherein the message comprises an indication of the measurement quantity and / or the estimation of the quality of the downlink from the network node (12) to the UE (10).

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the UE (10) is configured by the network node (12) with a configuration indication indicating how and / or when to report the measurement quantity and / or the estimation of the quality of a downlink.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the configuration indication indicates one or more conditions or preconditions to report the measurement quantity and / or the estimation of the quality of a downlink.

4. The method according to any of the claims 2-3, wherein the configuration indication indicates whether or not to include the measurement quantity and / or a format of a report.

5. The method according to any of the claims 2-4, wherein the configuration indication comprises one or more of the following:• a common indication in system information, SI, indicating a reporting of the measurement quantity, and / or a format of the reporting.• a dynamic indication in a paging message indicating the reporting of the measurement quantity, and / or the format of the reporting.• a dynamic indication in an access response indicating the reporting of the measurement quantity, and / or the format of the reporting.

6. The method according to any of the claims 1-5, comprisingestimating (302) the quality of the downlink.

7. The method according to any of the claims 1-6, comprisingreceiving (303) a paging message from the network node (12), wherein the paging message comprises an SDT indication.

8. The method according to any of the claims 1-7, comprisingtransmitting (304) an access request to the network node (12);receiving (305) an access response comprising an uplink grant, and using the uplink grant when transmitting (306) the message with the indication to the network node (12).

9. A method performed by a network node (12) for handling communication in a wireless communication network, the method comprising:configuring (311) a user equipment, UE, (10) with a configuration indication indicating how and / or when to report a measurement quantity and / or an estimation of a quality of a downlink from the network node (12) to the UE (10); andreceiving (315) from the UE (10), a message related to small data transmission, SDT, wherein the message comprises an indication of the measurement quantity and / or the estimation of the quality of the downlink from the network node (12) to the UE (10).

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the configuration indication indicates one or more conditions or preconditions to report the measurement quantity and / or the estimation of the quality of the downlink from the network node to the UE.

11. The method according to any of the claims 9-10, wherein the configuration indication indicates whether or not to include the measurement quantity and / or a format of a report.

12. The method according to any of the claims 9-11, wherein the configuration indication comprises one or more of the following:• a common indication in system information, SI, indicating a reporting of the measurement quantity, and / or a format of the reporting.• a dynamic indication in a paging message indicating the reporting of the measurement quantity, and / or the format of the reporting.• a dynamic indication in an access response indicating the reporting of the measurement quantity, and / or the format of the reporting.

13. The method according to any of the claims 9-12, further comprising: performing (316) an SDT using link adaptation based on the received indication in the message.

14. The method according to any of the claims 9-13, further comprising: transmitting (312) a paging message to the UE (10), wherein the paging message comprises an SDT indication.

15. The method according to any of the claims 9-14, further comprising:receiving (313) an access request from the UE (10);transmitting (314) an access response to the UE (10), wherein the access response comprises an uplink grant.

16. The method according to any of the claims 9-15, wherein the indication is used to determine that the quality of the DL is sufficient to send the data to the UE (10) or if link adaptation is needed to send a Msg4 to the UE comprising small data.

17. A method performed by a network node (12) for handling communication in a wireless communication network, the method comprising:transmitting (316) small data in a transmission based on a quality of the downlink, wherein the small data transmission is performed with link adaptation based on: a received indication from a user equipment, UE, (10), one or more radio conditions that the UE (10) was using before the UE (10) was released; or a quality of an uplink, UL, of the UE (10).

18. A user equipment, UE, (10) for handling communication in a wireless communication network, wherein the UE (10) is configured toconfigure the UE (10) to report a measurement quantity and / or an estimation of a quality of a downlink from a network node (12) to the UE (10) in a message; and transmit to the network node (12), the message related to small data transmission, SDT, wherein the message comprises an indication of the measurement quantity and / or the estimation of the quality of the downlink from the network node (12) to the UE (10).

19. The UE (10) method according to claim 18, wherein the UE (10) is configured by the network node (12) with a configuration indication indicating how and / or when to report the measurement quantity and / or the estimation of the quality of a downlink.

20. The UE (10) according to claim 19, wherein the configuration indication indicates one or more conditions or preconditions to report the measurement quantity and / or the estimation of the quality of the downlink.

21. The UE (10) according to any of the claims 19-20, wherein the configuration indication indicates whether or not to include the measurement quantity and / or a format of a report.

22. The UE (10) according to any of the claims 19-21, wherein the configuration indication comprises one or more of the following:• a common indication in system information, SI, indicating a reporting of the measurement quantity, and / or a format of the reporting.• a dynamic indication in a paging message indicating the reporting of the measurement quantity, and / or the format of the reporting.• a dynamic indication in an access response indicating the reporting of the measurement quantity, and / or the format of the reporting.

23. The UE (10) according to any of the claims 18-22, wherein the UE (10) is configured to estimate the quality of the downlink.

24. The UE (10) according to any of the claims 18-23, wherein the UE (10) is configured to receive a paging message from the network node (12), wherein the paging message comprises an SDT indication.

25. The UE (10) according to any of the claims 18-24, wherein the UE (10) is configured to:transmit an access request to the network node (12);receive an access response comprising an uplink grant, and use the uplink grant when transmitting the message with the indication to the network node (12).

26. A network node (12) for handling communication in a wireless communication network, wherein the network node (12) is configured to:configure a user equipment, UE, (10) with a configuration indication indicating how and / or when to report a measurement quantity and / or an estimation of a quality of a downlink from the network node (12) to the UE (10); andreceive from the UE (10), a message related to small data transmission, SDT, wherein the message comprises an indication of the measurement quantity and / or the estimation of the quality of the downlink from the network node (12) to the UE (10).

27. The network node (12) according to claim 26, wherein the configuration indication indicates one or more conditions or preconditions to report the measurement quantity and / or the estimation of the quality of the downlink from the network node (12) to the UE (10).

28. The network node (12) according to any of the claims 26-27, wherein the configuration indication indicates whether to include the measurement quantity and / or a format of a report.

29. The network node (12) according to any of the claims 26-28, wherein the configuration indication comprises one or more of the following:• a common indication in system information, SI, indicating a reporting of the measurement quantity, and / or a format of the reporting.• a dynamic indication in a paging message indicating the reporting of the measurement quantity, and / or the format of the reporting.• a dynamic indication in an access response indicating the reporting of the measurement quantity, and / or the format of the reporting.

30. The network node (12) according to any of the claims 26-29, wherein the network node (12) is configured to:perform an SDT using link adaptation based on the received indication in the message.

31. The network node (12) according to any of the claims 26-30, wherein the network node (12) is configured to:transmit a paging message to the UE (10), wherein the paging message comprises an SDT indication.

32. The network node (12) according to any of the claims 26-31, wherein the network node (12) is configured to:receive an access request from the UE (10); andtransmit an access response to the UE (10), wherein the access response comprises an uplink grant.

33. The network node (12) according to any of the claims 26-32, wherein the indication is used to determine that the quality of the downlink is sufficient to send the data tothe UE (10) or if link adaptation is needed to send a Msg4 to the UE comprising small data.

34. A network node (12) for handling communication in a wireless communication network, wherein the network node (12) is configured to:transmit small data in a transmission based on a quality of a downlink, wherein the small data transmission is performed with link adaptation based on: a received indication from a user equipment, UE, (10), one or more radio conditions that the UE (10) was using before the UE (10) was released; or a quality of an uplink of the UE (10).

35. A computer program product comprising instructions, which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out the method according to any of the claims 1-17, as performed by the UE (10) and the network nodes (12), respectively.

36. A computer-readable storage medium, having stored thereon a computer program product comprising instructions which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out the method according to any of the claims 1-17 herein, as performed by the UE (10) and the network nodes (12), respectively.

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