Enhanced code block group mapping

Abstract

: Systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for enhanced code block group (CBG) mapping. A method may include placing at least one control element in a first code block which is packed into a first code block group of a transport block. The method may also include obtaining logical channel data from a logical channel. The method may further include mapping the first code block group to at least one transmission layer with a highest priority out of a plurality of transmission layers. The method may also include mapping the second code block group to the at least one transmission layer with the highest priority out of the plurality of transmission layers. Further, the method may include transmitting, to a network element, a message comprising information of the mapping of the first code block group and the mapping of the second code block group.

Description

TITLE:ENHANCED CODE BLOCK GROUP MAPPING FIELD:

[0001] Some example embodiments may generally relate to mobile or wireless telecommunication systems, such as Long Term Evolution (LTE) or fifth generation (5G) new radio (NR) access technology, or 5G beyond, or sixth generation (6G) access technology, or other communications systems. For example, certain example embodiments may relate to enhanced code block group (CBG) mapping.BACKGROUND:

[0002] Examples of mobile or wireless telecommunication systems may include the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN), Long Term Evolution (LTE) Evolved UTRAN (E-UTRAN), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), MulteFire, LTE-A Pro, fifth generation (5G) radio access technology or new radio (NR) access technology and / or sixth generation (6G) radio access technology. Fifth generation (5G) and sixth generation (6G) wireless systems refer to the next generation (NG) of radio systems and network architecture. 5G and 6G network technology is mostly based on new radio (NR) technology, but the 5G / 6G (or NG) network can also build on E-UTRAN radio. It is estimated that NR may provide bitrates on the order of 10-20 Gbit / s or higher, and may support at least enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) and ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC) as well as massive machine-type communication (mMTC). NR is expected to deliver extreme broadband and ultra-robust, low-latency connectivity and massive networking to support the Internet of Things (IoT).SUMMARY:

[0003] Some example embodiments may be directed to a method. The method may include placing at least one control element in a first code block which is packed into a first code block group of a transport block. The method may also include obtaining logical channel data from a logical channel in line with a priority of the logical channel out of a plurality of logical channels. According to certain exampleembodiments, the logical channel data may be placed in a second code block group of the transport block. The method may further include mapping the first code block group to at least one transmission layer with a highest priority out of a plurality of transmission layers. In addition, the method may include mapping the second code block group to the at least one transmission layer with the highest priority out of the plurality of transmission layers. Further, the method may include transmitting, to a network element, a message including information of the mapping of the first code block group and the mapping of the second code block group.

[0004] Other example embodiments may be directed to an apparatus. The apparatus may include at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the apparatus at least to place at least one control element in a first code block which is packed into a first code block group of a transport block. The apparatus may also be caused to obtain logical channel data from a logical channel in line with a priority of the logical channel out of a plurality of logical channels. According to certain example embodiments, the logical channel data may be placed in a second code block group of the transport block. The apparatus may further be caused to map the first code block group to at least one transmission layer with a highest priority out of a plurality of transmission layers. In addition, the apparatus may be caused to map the second code block group to the at least one transmission layer with the highest priority out of the plurality of transmission layers. Further, the apparatus may be caused to transmit, to a network element, a message including information of the mapping of the first code block group and the mapping of the second code block group.

[0005] Other example embodiments may be directed to an apparatus. The apparatus may include means for placing at least one control element in a first code block which is packed into a first code block group of a transport block. The apparatus may also include means for obtaining logical channel data from a logical channel in line with a priority of the logical channel out of a plurality of logical channels. According to certain example embodiments, the logical channel data may be placed in a second code block group of the transport bloc. The apparatus may also include means for mapping the first code block group to at least one transmission layer with a highestpriority out of a plurality of transmission layers. In addition, the apparatus may include means for mapping the second code block group to the at least one transmission layer with the highest priority out of the plurality of transmission layers. Further, the apparatus may include means for transmitting, to a network element, a message including information of the mapping of the first code block group and the mapping of the second code block group.

[0006] In accordance with other example embodiments, a non-transitory computer readable medium may be encoded with instructions that may, when executed in hardware, perform a method. The method may include placing at least one control element in a first code block which is packed into a first code block group of a transport block. The method may also include obtaining logical channel data from a logical channel in line with a priority of the logical channel out of a plurality of logical channels. According to certain example embodiments, the logical channel data may be placed in a second code block group of the transport block. The method may further include mapping the first code block group to at least one transmission layer with a highest priority out of a plurality of transmission layers. In addition, the method may include mapping the second code block group to the at least one transmission layer with the highest priority out of the plurality of transmission layers. Further, the method may include transmitting, to a network element, a message including information of the mapping of the first code block group and the mapping of the second code block group.

[0007] Other example embodiments may be directed to a computer program product that performs a method. The method may include placing at least one control element in a first code block which is packed into a first code block group of a transport block. The method may also include obtaining logical channel data from a logical channel in line with a priority of the logical channel out of a plurality of logical channels. According to certain example embodiments, the logical channel data may be placed in a second code block group of the transport block. The method may further include mapping the first code block group to at least one transmission layer with a highest priority out of a plurality of transmission layers. In addition, the method may include mapping the second code block group to the at least one transmission layer with thehighest priority out of the plurality of transmission layers. Further, the method may include transmitting, to a network element, a message including information of the mapping of the first code block group and the mapping of the second code block group.

[0008] Other example embodiments may be directed to an apparatus that may include circuitry configured to place at least one control element in a first code block which is packed into a first code block group of a transport block. The apparatus may also include circuitry configured to obtain logical channel data from a logical channel in line with a priority of the logical channel out of a plurality of logical channels. According to certain example embodiments, the logical channel data is placed in a second code block group of the transport block. The apparatus may further include circuitry configured to map the first code block group to at least one transmission layer with a highest priority out of a plurality of transmission layers. In addition, the apparatus may include circuitry configured to map the second code block group to the at least one transmission layer with the highest priority out of the plurality of transmission layers. Further, the apparatus may include circuitry configured to transmit, to a network element, a message comprising information of the mapping of the first code block group and the mapping of the second code block group.

[0009] Further example embodiments may be directed to a method. The method may include placing a control element in a first code block which is packed into a first code block group of a transport block. The method may also include obtaining logical channel data from a logical channel in line with a priority of the logical channel out of a plurality of logical channels. According to certain example embodiments, the logical channel data may be placed in a second code block and packed in a second code block group of the transport block. The method may further include mapping the first code block group to at least one transmission layer with a highest priority out of a plurality of transmission layers. In addition, the method may include mapping the second code block group to the at least one transmission layer with the highest priority out of the plurality of transmission layers. Further, the method may include creating an in-band header indicating which code block group comprises logical channel data or data from at least one control element.

[0010] Other example embodiments may be directed to an apparatus. The apparatus may include at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code. The at least one memory and the computer program code may be configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to place a control element in a first code block which is packed into a first code block group of a transport block. The apparatus may also be caused to obtain logical channel data from a logical channel in line with a priority of the logical channel out of a plurality of logical channels. According to certain example embodiments, the logical channel data may be placed in a second code block and packed in a second code block group of the transport block. The apparatus may further be caused to map the first code block group to at least one transmission layer with a highest priority out of a plurality of transmission layers. In addition, the apparatus may be caused to map the second code block group to the at least one transmission layer with the highest priority out of the plurality of transmission layers. Further, the apparatus may be caused to create an in-band header indicating which code block group comprises logical channel data or data from at least one control element.

[0011] Other example embodiments may be directed to an apparatus. The apparatus may include means for placing a control element in a first code block which is packed into a first code block group of a transport block. The apparatus may also include means for obtaining logical channel data from a logical channel in line with a priority of the logical channel out of a plurality of logical channels. According to certain example embodiments, the logical channel data may be placed in a second code block and packed in a second code block group of the transport block. The apparatus may further include means for mapping the first code block group to at least one transmission layer with a highest priority out of a plurality of transmission layers. In addition, the apparatus may include means for mapping the second code block group to the at least one transmission layer with the highest priority out of the plurality of transmission layers. Further, the apparatus may include means for creating an in-band header indicating which code block group comprises logical channel data or data from at least one control element.

[0012] In accordance with other example embodiments, a non-transitory computerreadable medium may be encoded with instructions that may, when executed in hardware, perform a method. The method may include placing a control element in a first code block which is packed into a first code block group of a transport block. The method may also include obtaining logical channel data from a logical channel in line with a priority of the logical channel out of a plurality of logical channels. According to certain example embodiments, the logical channel data may be placed in a second code block and packed in a second code block group of the transport block. The method may further include mapping the first code block group to at least one transmission layer with a highest priority out of a plurality of transmission layers. In addition, the method may include mapping the second code block group to the at least one transmission layer with the highest priority out of the plurality of transmission layers. Further, the method may include creating an in-band header indicating which code block group comprises logical channel data or data from at least one control element.

[0013] Other example embodiments may be directed to a computer program product that performs a method. The method may include placing a control element in a first code block which is packed into a first code block group of a transport block. The method may also include obtaining logical channel data from a logical channel in line with a priority of the logical channel out of a plurality of logical channels. According to certain example embodiments, the logical channel data may be placed in a second code block and packed in a second code block group of the transport block. The method may further include mapping the first code block group to at least one transmission layer with a highest priority out of a plurality of transmission layers. In addition, the method may include mapping the second code block group to the at least one transmission layer with the highest priority out of the plurality of transmission layers. Further, the method may include creating an in-band header indicating which code block group comprises logical channel data or data from at least one control element.

[0014] Other example embodiments may be directed to an apparatus that may include circuitry configured to place a control element in a first code block which is packed into a first code block group of a transport block. The apparatus may also includecircuitry configured to obtain logical channel data from a logical channel in line with a priority of the logical channel out of a plurality of logical channels. According to certain example embodiments, the logical channel data may be placed in a second code block and packed in a second code block group of the transport block. The apparatus may further include circuitry configured to map the first code block group to at least one transmission layer with a highest priority out of a plurality of transmission layers. In addition, the apparatus may include circuitry configured to map the second code block group to the at least one transmission layer with the highest priority out of the plurality of transmission layers. Further, the apparatus may include circuitry configured to create an in-band header indicating which code block group comprises logical channel data or data from at least one control element.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:

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

[0016] FIG. 1 illustrates and example flow diagram of a UE procedure, according to certain example embodiments.

[0017] FIG. 2 illustrates an example signal diagram, according to certain example embodiments.

[0018] FIG. 3 illustrates an example mapping procedure, according to certain example embodiments.

[0019] FIG. 4 illustrates an example flow diagram of a method, according to certain example embodiments.

[0020] FIG. 5 illustrates an example flow diagram of another method, according to certain example embodiments.

[0021] FIG. 6 illustrates a set of apparatuses, according to certain example embodiments.

[0022] FIG. 7 illustrates an example of a 5G / 6G network and system architecture, according to certain example embodiments.

[0023] FIG. 8 illustrates an example 6G architecture, according to certain example embodiments.

[0024] FIG. 9A illustrates an example 5G NR user plane protocol stack, according to certain example embodiments.

[0025] FIG. 9B illustrates an example 5G NR control plane protocol stack, according to certain example embodiments.DETAILED DESCRIPTION:

[0026] It will be readily understood that the components of certain example embodiments, as generally described and illustrated in the figures herein, may be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. The following is a detailed description of some example embodiments of systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for enhanced code block (CB) mapping and / or enhanced code block group (CBG) mapping. For instance, certain example embodiments may relate to enhanced CB and / or CBG mapping to uplink (UL) multiple input multiple output (MIMO) layers.

[0027] The features, structures, or characteristics of example embodiments described throughout this specification may be combined in any suitable maimer in one or more example embodiments. For example, the usage of the phrases “certain embodiments,” “an example embodiment,” “some embodiments,” or other similar language, throughout this specification refers to the fact that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in certain embodiments,” “an example embodiment,” “in some embodiments,” “in other embodiments,” or other similar language, throughout this specification do not necessarily refer to the same group of embodiments, and the described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more example embodiments. Further, the terms “base station”, “cell”, “node”, “gNB”, “network” or other similar language throughout this specification may be used interchangeably. Additionally, the term “MIMO layers” and “MIMO streams” may be used interchangeably herein.

[0028] As used herein, “at least one of the following: ” and “at least one of ” and similarwording, where the list of two or more elements are joined by “and” or “or,” mean at least any one of the elements, or at least any two or more of the elements, or at least all the elements.

[0029] UL transmissions of large payloads may be sent in multiple code blocks (CBs) and CBGs on more than one MIMO layer. Under 5G NR, a transport block (TB) for an UL transmission may be divided into multiple CBs, and CBs may be grouped / mapped into corresponding CBGs. According to certain rules, if a CBG based retransmission is enabled, the CBs may be grouped into one or more CBGs. For a UE scheduled to transmit on, for example, two MIMO streams (e.g., MIMO layers) with a single code-word (CW), the UE may use a simple round robin mechanism so that every second CBG are sent on each of the MIMO layers. The same modulation and coding scheme (MCS) may be used on both MIMO layers for the CW, so essentially having the same number of transmitted bits per MIMO layer. At the gNB-side (receiving end), the received TB may first be forwarded to the upper layers when all the CBGs of the TB (CW) are correctly received. Because CBG-based hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) is supported, only failed CBGs may be subject to retransmission.

[0030] Existing procedures for UL transmission in 5G NR are generally sub-optimal due to various drawbacks. For example, the MIMO layers may experience different signal to interference noise ratio (SINR) values and, thus, different error rates for the CBGs. In the examples described herein, the MIMO layers may correspond to a number of spatial layers that can be utilized in a MIMO system for transmitting / receiving multiple data streams over the same radio channel using multiple antennas. Each layer may carry a separate data stream, which can increase the capacity of the communication link. Additionally, data from different logical channels (LCHs) (and potentially medium access control-control elements (MAC-CEs)) is not necessarily confined to certain CBGs, and it may cause unnecessary delay because the gNB may need to await correct reception and successful decoding of all CBGs of the TB before the information in the MAC-CEs can be obtained.

[0031] Currently, the gNB may decide when a UE is scheduled by sending a scheduling grant on downlink control information (DCI). The gNB may, forexample, determine to schedule a UE on two MIMO layers with a single CW, on a certain number of physical resource blocks (PRBs) with a given MCS, corresponding to a certain TB size (TBS). At reception of the DCI with such an UL scheduling grant, the UE should prepare the UL transmission accordingly. The preparation may be performed by creating the TB(s) by obtaining data from LCHs with pending data in line with priorities of the data from the LCHs. Data for MAC-CEs may be prioritized when creating the TB(s).

[0032] In 6G, the MAC-CE may be used to carry latency critical information such as, for example, channel state information (CSI) and HARQ acknowledgement / non-acknowledgement (ACK / NACK) information that was typically carried on a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) in 5G. There may also be a delay status report (DSR) MAC-CE that carries the information about the size of the buffered data that has reached a remaining time threshold, and needs to be scheduled as soon as possible. For 5G NR, certain CB(s) / CBG(s) may include data from different LCHs, including one or more MAC-CEs. The TB may later be divided into equal sized CBs and grouped into CBGs. The CBGs may be mapped to MIMO layers, which enable spatial multiplexing to improve throughput.

[0033] In one example, four CBGs may be mapped to two MIMO layers. Conventionally, CBGs are mapped to MIMO layers without regard to the contents of the individual CBGs. Assuming that there are four CBGs (CBG1, CBG2, CBG3, CBG4) and two MIMO layers (e.g., Layer 1 and Layer 2) with a single CW, CBG1 may be mapped to Layer 1, CBG2 may be mapped to Layer 2, CBG3 may be mapped to Layer 1, and CBG4 may be mapped to Layer 2. In this example CBG1 and CBG3 are transmitted on Layer 1, and CBG2 and CBG4 are transmitted on Layer 2. 5G NR specifications support cases where a UE is scheduled with two CWs on four MIMO layers, using the same round robin principles for mapping CBGs to MIMO layers.

[0034] In the above example, the gNB may be aware of the UL reception quality (SINR) from measurements on, for example, sounding reference signal (SRS) or past UL transmissions of PUSCH (including demodulation reference signal (DMRS)). The measurements may include measured / estimated SINRs for the MIMO layers. However, the UE may not be aware of such details for 5G NR.

[0035] In view of these drawbacks, certain example embodiments may provide a way to map data from LCHs to CB / CBGs and onto MIMO layers to achieve better performance for UL transmissions. This may include addressing the challenges that arrive from having to transmit a CW over multiple MIMO streams with unequal SINR conditions. In some examples, the TB may contain data of varying importance from LCHs and potentially also critical MAC-CEs, which may be mapped to MIMO streams according to the unequal SINR conditions and the priority of the data being transmitted, for example mapping higher-priority data such as MAC-CEs to MIMO streams with higher SINR.

[0036] To remedy the drawbacks in current 5G NR works, a UE of certain example embodiments may be made aware of a relative priority of assigned MIMO layers such that the UE may use the priority information of the assigned MIMO layers to map CBGs to the assigned MIMO layers. In other example embodiments, a UE procedure may be provided which outlines how the UE may take data from LCHs and a MAC-CE as well as how to organize such data into CBs / CBGs, and mapping the data from the LCH to MIMO layers. In further example embodiments, an in-band header may be provided for a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) transmission to inform the gNB of the structure of the UL transmission.

[0037] According to certain example embodiments, when the gNB schedules a UE for UL transmission on multiple MIMO layers, the UL scheduling grant may include information that expresses a relative priority of each MIMO layer of a plurality of MIMO layers. The relative priority provides an indication of which MIMO layer has the best SINR, second best SINR, and so forth, but without necessarily indicating the SINR values of the MIMO layers explicitly. If it is assumed that 6G builds upon the 5G NR DCI designs, this would mean that the DCI Format 0 1 may need to be extended to include MIMO layer priority information. Adding such MIMO layer priority information may marginally increase the DCI size, which may slightly increase signaling overhead.

[0038] FIG. 1 illustrates an example flow diagram of a UE procedure, according to certain example embodiments. At 100, the UE receives, from the network (e.g., gNB), DCI with an UL scheduling grant. The DCI may also include TBS, MCS, anumber of MIMO layers, and information on the priority of each of the MIMO layers.

[0039] At 105, a first MAC-CE may be prioritized to fill a MAC packet data unit (PDU) as per the DCI scheduling grant. The MAC-CE(s) may be placed in CBs that are packed into a single CBG (e.g., MAC CE CBG). According to certain example embodiments, this CBG may be placed at the end of the TB.

[0040] At 110, if there is available space in the TB, the UE may obtain data from the LCHs in line with their priority (e.g., in order with their priority; as logical channel priorities (LCPs)). Those data may be put in CBs so that each CBG contains data from one LCH. Additionally, the created CBGs may include data from a single LCH, and the amount of data that can the CBG may hold may be subject to maximum size constraints for the CBs and the CBGs. In certain example embodiments, the number of CBGs in each TB may vary. For instance, in some example embodiments, a TB may include up to 8 CBGs, and each of the 8 CBGs may be of equal size. However, in other example embodiments, the number of CBGs in the TB may be less than or greater than 8 CBGs

[0041] At 115, the CBGs may be mapped (e.g., assigned) to MIMO layers (e.g., MIMO streams) such that the MAC CE CBG is mapped to the MIMO layer with the highest priority compared to the priorities of other MIMO layers. In certain example embodiments, once the CBGs are mapped to a certain MIMO layer, the UE may perform transmission of the data on the MIMO layer. Additionally, the CBGs that contain data from the highest priority LCHs and / or logical channel groups (LCGs) may be mapped to MIMO layers with the highest priority, and so forth. According to certain example embodiments, the priority of the LCHs and / or the priority of the MIMO layers may indicate a tiered preference of the LCHs and the MIMO layers with priorities that are higher than those with a lower priority. According to other example embodiments, the priority of the LCHs may be known by the UE when the LCH is established by the network (e.g., gNB). For instance, the priority of the LCH may be indicated to the UE by the network. According to other example embodiments, the amount of data mapped to each layer that belongs to the same CW may be equal because the data may be sent with the same MCS on the assigned resources as per the DCI scheduling grant. According to other example embodiments,padding may be applied in the process of creating the MAC PDUs for each MIMO layer so that the data are not segmented between two CBGs in two different MIMO layers. In certain example embodiments, the padding procedure may include adding bits (e.g., zeros) to the end of the data so that the data can reach a particular size / length. The size / length may be a specified size / length, or the size / length may be the same size / length as other data.

[0042] At 120, the UE may generate an in-band header, to include in the PUSCH transmission, that identifies which CBGs are present in the PUSCH transmission. As such, the in-band header may identify which CBGs contain data from the same LCH, or data from MAC-CEs. This information may be added to the in-band header because the gNB may not always know in advance which LCHs have pending data, and whether there are pending MAC-CEs awaiting transmission in the UE. According to certain example embodiments, in the event that the gNB can be assumed to know if MAC-CE transmissions are awaiting at the UE-side when the gNB schedules the UE for UL transmission, the in-band header may not be needed.

[0043] According to certain example embodiments, the in-band header may provide an indication of the boundaries of the CBGs, and certain rules may indicate, for example, that either the first CBG or the last CBG contains the MAC-CE data. In certain example embodiments, the rules may include two sets of rules. One set of rules may be for triggering creation of a MAC-CE. These rules may define conditions in which a certain MAC-CE must be created and appended to the MAC PDU for an upcoming data transmission. For example, if a periodic buffer status report (BSR) is configured, when the period arrives, an event may be triggered at the UE to construct the BSR MAC-CE, and append the BSR MAC-CE to the rest of the data for transmission. Another set of rules may define where to put the MAC-CE. These rules may be configured by the network (e.g., always putting MAC-CEs in the last CBG), and / or may be configured as specified to always be fixed (e.g., MAC-CE CBGs always as the last CBG). In certain example embodiments, the UE may decide where to put the MAC-CEs, and later in the in-band indication, may inform the gNB of the location of the MAC-CEs. When the gNB knows the boundaries of the CBGs, the gNB may be able to decode the CBGs and determine the nature of the data,including which data contains MAC-CE data or other time-sensitive information. As such, it may not be necessary for the header to indicate the nature or priority of the individual CBGs.

[0044] In certain example embodiments, the in-band header may be placed at the beginning of the TB, and may include known instructions about the in-band header’s size (preconfigured via RRC or specified in the standard) so that the receiver can process the information before proceeding with processing the entire TB to know the content of the TB. In some example embodiments, the in-band header may indicate whether a new type of mapping of the MAC CE to a single CBG is present, and where the MAC CE is located (e.g., address) in the TB. In other example embodiments, the in-band header may indicate whether a new type of mapping of LCHs to an integer number of the CBGs is present, and their location in the TB.

[0045] FIG. 2 illustrates an example signal diagram, according to certain example embodiments. In particular, FIG. 2 illustrates a gNB-UE signaling flow, according to certain example embodiments. At 210, the gNB 200 transmits to the UE 205, DCI for an UL scheduling grant, and the DCI may include a new field that indicates priority information of the MIMO layers. At 215, the UE 205 maps (e.g., assigns) MAC-CE(s) into CBs, and the CBs may be packed into a single CBG (e.g., MAC CE CBG). Depending on the number of remaining bits in the TB, the rest of the data may be obtained from the LCHs in line with respect to their priority.

[0046] At 220, the UE 205 maps the MAC CE CBG to the MIMO layer with the highest priority, and the rest of the CBGs (e.g., CBGs that contain data from the highest priority LCHs) may be mapped based on their priority to the MIMO layers. According to certain example embodiments, the MIMO layer may be used by the UE to perform PUSCH transmission of the data contained in the CBGs to the gNB 200. At 225, the UE 205 creates an in-band header for the PUSCH transmission to indicate the mapping between the CBGs and LCHs and the LCHs and the MAC CEs. At 230, the UE 205 performs PUSCH transmission to the gNB 200, and the PUSCH transmission may include the in-band header. At 235, the gNB 200 processes the PUSCH and the new header. If needed (e.g., when there is an error in the PUSCH transmission at 230), at 240, the gNB 200 may transmit an UL grant to the UE 205for retransmission of some of the CBGs based on the processed PUSCH / header.

[0047] FIG. 3 illustrates an example mapping procedure, according to certain example embodiments. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the mapping of data such as, for example, MAC-CE data and LCH / LCG data, may include a stage where CBGs are first created, and a stage where the CBGs containing the data are mapped to MIMO layers according to the priority of the MIMO layers informed to the UE by the gNB. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the CBGs may be mapped to MIMO layers such that the MAC CE CBGs is mapped to the layer with the highest priority. Similarly, the CBGs that contain data from the highest priority LCHs / LCGs may be mapped to MIMO layers with the highest priority. However, CBGs that contain data from low priority LCHs / LCGs may be mapped to MIMO layers with the lowest priority.

[0048] FIG. 4 illustrates an example flow diagram of a method, according to certain example embodiments. In an example embodiment, the method of FIG. 4 may be performed by a network entity, or a group of multiple network elements in a 3 GPP system, such as LTE or 5G-NR. For instance, in an example embodiment, the method of FIG. 4 may be performed by a UE, similar to one of apparatuses 10 or 20 illustrated in FIG. 6.

[0049] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the method may include, at 400, placing at least one control element in a first code block which is packed into a first code block group of a transport block. The method may also include, at 405, obtaining logical channel data from a logical channel in line with a priority of the logical channel out of a plurality of logical channels. According to certain example embodiments, the logical channel data may be placed in a second code block group of the transport block. The method may further include at 410, mapping the first code block group to at least one transmission layer with a highest priority out of a plurality of transmission layers. In addition, the method may include, at 415, mapping the second code block group to the at least one transmission layer with the highest priority out of the plurality of transmission layers. Further, the method may include, at 420, transmitting, to a network element, a message comprising information of the mapping of the first code block group and the mapping of the second code block group.

[0050] According to certain example embodiments, the first code block group may bemapped before the second code block group, and the second code block group may be mapped after the first code block group when there is an availability of resources in the at least one transmission layer. According to some example embodiments, the first code block group may be positioned at a beginning or at an end of the transport block. According to other example embodiments, all available control elements may be placed in the first code block or the first code block group.

[0051] In certain example embodiments, the first code block group may include only control elements. In some example embodiments, the method may also include receiving, from the network element, a scheduling grant comprising an indication of a priority of at least one transmission layer of the plurality of transmission layers. In other example embodiments, the priority of the at least one transmission layer may be dependent upon a signal to interference noise ratio experienced by each transmission layer of the plurality of transmission layers.

[0052] According to certain example embodiments, the logical channel data may be obtained based on available space in the transport block. According to some example embodiments, the second code block group may include logical channel data from a single logical channel subject to a size constraint for another code. According to other example embodiments, an amount of data mapped to each transmission layer may belong to a same code-word, and the amount of data mapped to each transmission layer is equal and sent with a same modulation and coding scheme on assigned resources per a downlink control information scheduling grant. According to further example embodiments, the method may further include applying a padding when creating at least one control element protocol data unit each of the at least one transmission layer.

[0053] FIG. 5 illustrates an example flow diagram of a further method, according to certain example embodiments. In an example embodiment, the method of FIG. 5 may be performed by a network entity, or a group of multiple network elements in a 3 GPP system, such as LTE or 5G-NR. For instance, in an example embodiment, the method of FIG. 5 may be performed by a UE, similar to one of apparatuses 10 or 20 illustrated in FIG. 6.

[0054] As illustrated in FIG. 5, the method may include, at 500, placing a controlelement in a first code block which is packed into a first code block group of a transport block. The method may also include, at 505, obtaining logical channel data from a logical channel in line with a priority of the logical channel out of a plurality of logical channels. According to certain example embodiments, the logical channel data may be placed in a second code block and packed in a second code block group of the transport block. The method may further include, at 510, mapping the first code block group to at least one transmission layer with a highest priority out of a plurality of transmission layers. In addition, the method may include, at 515, mapping the second code block group to the at least one transmission layer with the highest priority out of the plurality of transmission layers. Further, the method may include, at 520, creating an in-band header indicating which code block group comprises logical channel data or data from at least one control element.

[0055] According to certain example embodiments, the method may also include adding the in-band header to the transport block. According to some example embodiments, when the in-band header is added to the transport block, it may be placed at a beginning of the transport block. According to other example embodiments, the in-band header provides an indication of at least one of whether a new type of mapping of the at least one control element to a single code block group is present, and a location of the code block group that comprises the at least one control element, or whether a new type of mapping of the plurality of logical channels to an integer number of code block groups is present, and locations of the plurality of logical channels in the transport block.

[0056] In certain example embodiments, the in-band header may include a bit value which flags the code block group that comprises data from the at least one control element. In some example embodiments, the method may also include receiving, from a network element, an indication comprising information of a size and content of the in-band header. In other example embodiments, the method may further include transmitting, to a network element, a physical uplink shared channel transmission comprising the in-band header.

[0057] According to certain example embodiments, the scheduling grant may include an indication of a priority of at least one transmission layer of a plurality oftransmission layers. According to some example embodiments, the priority of the at least one transmission layer may be dependent upon a signal to interference noise ratio experienced by each transmission layer of the plurality of transmission layers. According to other example embodiments, the logical channel data may be obtained based on available space in a transport block.

[0058] In certain example embodiments, the logical channel data may be from a single logical channel subject to a size constraint of a code block of the code block group. In some example embodiments, an amount of data mapped to each transmission layer may belong to a same code-word, and the amount of data mapped to each transmission layer of a plurality of transmission layers may be equal and sent with a same modulation and coding scheme on assigned resources per a downlink control information scheduling grant.

[0059] FIG. 6 illustrates a set of apparatuses 10 and 20 according to certain example embodiments. In certain example embodiments, apparatuses 10 and 20 may be elements in a communications network or associated with such a network. For example, apparatus 10 may be a UE, or other similar radio communication computer device, and apparatus 20 may be a BS, gNB, network, or other similar computing device.

[0060] In some example embodiments, apparatuses 10 and 20 may include one or more processors, one or more computer-readable storage medium (for example, memory, storage, or the like), one or more radio access components (for example, a modem, a transceiver, or the like), and / or a user interface. In some example embodiments, apparatuses 10 and 20 may be configured to operate using one or more radio access technologies, such as GSM, LTE, LTE-A, NR, 5G, WLAN, WiFi, NB-loT, Bluetooth, NFC, MulteFire, and / or any other radio access technologies. It should be noted that one of ordinary skill in the art would understand that apparatuses 10 and 20 may include components or features not shown in FIG. 6.

[0061] As illustrated in the example of FIG. 6, apparatuses 10 and 20 may include or be coupled to a processor 12 and 22 for processing information and executing instructions or operations. Processors 12 and 22 may be any type of general or specific purpose processor. In fact, processors 12 and 22 may include one or moreof general-purpose computers, special purpose computers, microprocessors, DSPs, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), and processors based on a multi-core processor architecture, as examples. While a single processor 12 and 22 is shown in FIG. 6, multiple processors may be utilized according to other example embodiments. For example, it should be understood that, in certain example embodiments, apparatuses 10 and 20 may include two or more processors that may form a multiprocessor system (e.g., in this case processors 12 may represent a multiprocessor) that may support multiprocessing. According to certain example embodiments, the multiprocessor system may be tightly coupled or loosely coupled (e.g., to form a computer cluster).

[0062] Processors 12 and 22 may perform functions associated with the operation of apparatuses 10 and 20 including, as some examples, precoding of antenna gain / phase parameters, encoding and decoding of individual bits forming a communication message, formatting of information, and overall control of the apparatuses 10 and 20, including processes and examples illustrated in FIGs. 1-5.

[0063] Apparatuses 10 and 20 may further include or be coupled to a memories 14 and 24 (internal or external), which may be respectively coupled to processors 12 and 24 for storing information and instructions that may be executed by processors 12 and 24. Memories 14 and 24 may be one or more memories and of any type suitable to the local application environment, and may be implemented using any suitable volatile or nonvolatile data storage technology such as a semiconductor-based memory device, a magnetic memory device and system, an optical memory device and system, fixed memory, and / or removable memory. For example, memories 14 and 24 can be comprised of any combination of random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), static storage such as a magnetic or optical disk, hard disk drive (HDD), or any other type of non-transitory machine or computer readable media. The instructions stored in memories 14 and 24 may include program instructions or computer program code that, when executed by processors 12 and 22, enable the apparatuses 10 and 20 to perform tasks as described herein.

[0064] In certain example embodiments, apparatuses 10 and 20 may further include or be coupled to (internal or external) a drive or port that is configured to accept andread an external computer readable storage medium, such as an optical disc, USB drive, flash drive, or any other storage medium. For example, the external computer readable storage medium may store a computer program or software for execution by processors 12 and 22 and / or apparatuses 10 and 20 to perform any of the methods and examples illustrated in FIGs. 1-5.

[0065] In some example embodiments, apparatuses 10 and 20 may also include or be coupled to one or more antennas 15 and 25 for receiving a downlink signal and for transmitting via an UL from apparatuses 10 and 20. Apparatuses 10 and 20 may further include a transceivers 18 and 28 configured to transmit and receive information. The transceivers 18 and 28 may also include a radio interface (e.g., a modem) coupled to the antennas 15 and 25. The radio interface may correspond to a plurality of radio access technologies including one or more of GSM, LTE, LTE-A, 5G, NR, WLAN, NB-IoT, Bluetooth, BT-LE, NFC, RFID, UWB, and the like. The radio interface may include other components, such as filters, converters (for example, digital-to-analog converters and the like), symbol demappers, signal shaping components, an Inverse Fast Fourier Transform (IFFT) module, and the like, to process symbols, such as OFDMA symbols, carried by a downlink or an UL.

[0066] For instance, transceivers 18 and 28 may be configured to modulate information on to a carrier waveform for transmission by the antennas 15 and 25 and demodulate information received via the antenna 15 and 25 for further processing by other elements of apparatuses 10 and 20. In other example embodiments, transceivers 18 and 28 may be capable of transmitting and receiving signals or data directly. Additionally or alternatively, in some example embodiments, apparatus 10 may include an input and / or output device (I / O device). In certain example embodiments, apparatuses 10 and 20 may further include a user interface, such as a graphical user interface or touchscreen.

[0067] In certain example embodiments, memories 14 and 34 store software modules that provide functionality when executed by processors 12 and 22. The modules may include, for example, an operating system that provides operating system functionality for apparatuses 10 and 20. The memory may also store one or more functional modules, such as an application or program, to provide additionalfunctionality for apparatuses 10 and 20. The components of apparatuses 10 and 20 may be implemented in hardware, or as any suitable combination of hardware and software. According to certain example embodiments, apparatuses 10 and 20 may optionally be configured to communicate each other (in any combination) via a wireless or wired communication links 70 according to any radio access technology, such as NR.

[0068] According to certain example embodiments, processors 12 and 22 and memories 14 and 24 may be included in or may form a part of processing circuitry or control circuitry. In addition, in some example embodiments, transceivers 18 and 28 may be included in or may form a part of transceiving circuitry.

[0069] For instance, in certain example embodiments, apparatus 10 may be controlled by memory 14 and processor 12 to place a control element in a first code block which is packed into a first code block group of a transport block. Apparatus 10 may also be controlled by memory 14 and processor 12 to obtain logical channel data from a logical channel in line with a priority of the logical channel out of a plurality of logical channels. According to certain example embodiments, the logical channel data may be placed in a second code block and packed in a second code block group of the transport block. Apparatus 10 may further be controlled by memory 14 and processor 12 to map the first code block group to at least one transmission layer with a highest priority out of a plurality of transmission layers. In addition, apparatus 10 may be controlled by memory 14 and processor 12 to map the second code block group to the at least one transmission layer with the highest priority out of the plurality of transmission layers. Further, apparatus 10 may be controlled by memory 14 and processor 12 to create an in-band header indicating which code block group comprises logical channel data or data from at least one control element.

[0070] In other example embodiments, apparatus 20 may be controlled by memory 24 and processor 22 to place a control element in a first code block which is packed into a first code block group of a transport block. Apparatus 20 may also be controlled by memory 24 and processor 22 to obtain logical channel data from a logical channel in line with a priority of the logical channel out of a plurality of logical channels. According to certain example embodiments, the logical channel data may be placedin a second code block and packed in a second code block group of the transport block. Apparatus 20 may further be controlled by memory 24 and processor 22 to map the first code block group to at least one transmission layer with a highest priority out of a plurality of transmission layers. In addition, apparatus 20 may be controlled by memory 24 and processor 22 to map the second code block group to the at least one transmission layer with the highest priority out of the plurality of transmission layers. Further, apparatus 20 may be controlled by memory 24 and processor 22 to create an in-band header indicating which code block group comprises logical channel data or data from at least one control element.

[0071] In some example embodiments, an apparatus (e.g., apparatus 10 and / or apparatus 20) may include means for performing a method, a process, or any of the variants discussed herein. Examples of the means may include one or more processors, memory, controllers, transmitters, receivers, and / or computer program code for causing the performance of the operations.

[0072] Certain example embodiments may be directed to an apparatus that includes means for performing any of the methods described herein including, for example, means for placing a control element in a first code block which is packed into a first code block group of a transport block. The apparatus may also include means for obtaining logical channel data from a logical channel in line with a priority of the logical channel out of a plurality of logical channels. According to certain example embodiments, the logical channel data may be placed in a second code block and packed in a second code block group of the transport block. The apparatus may further include means for mapping the first code block group to at least one transmission layer with a highest priority out of a plurality of transmission layers. In addition, the apparatus may include means for mapping the second code block group to the at least one transmission layer with the highest priority out of the plurality of transmission layers. Further, the apparatus may include means for creating an in-band header indicating which code block group comprises logical channel data or data from at least one control element.

[0073] Other example embodiments may be directed to an apparatus that includes means for performing any of the methods described herein including, for example,means for placing a control element in a first code block which is packed into a first code block group of a transport block. The apparatus may also include means for obtaining logical channel data from a logical channel in line with a priority of the logical channel out of a plurality of logical channels. According to certain example embodiments, the logical channel data may be placed in a second code block and packed in a second code block group of the transport block. The apparatus may further include means for mapping the first code block group to at least one transmission layer with a highest priority out of a plurality of transmission layers. In addition, the apparatus may include means for mapping the second code block group to the at least one transmission layer with the highest priority out of the plurality of transmission layers. Further, the apparatus may include means for creating an in-band header indicating which code block group comprises logical channel data or data from at least one control element.

[0074] FIG. 7 illustrates an example of a 5G / 6G network and system architecture, according to certain example embodiments. Shown are multiple network functions that may be implemented as software operating as part of a network device or dedicated hardware, as a network device itself or dedicated hardware, or as a virtual function operating as a network device or dedicated hardware. The UE illustrated in FIG. 7 may be similar to UE 10. The user plane function (UPF) may provide services such as intra-RAT and inter-RAT mobility, routing and forwarding of data packets, inspection of packets, user plane quality of service (QoS) processing, buffering of downlink packets, and / or triggering of downlink data notifications. The application function (AF) may primarily interface with the core network to facilitate application usage of traffic routing and interact with the policy framework.

[0075] FIG. 8 illustrates an example 6G architecture, according to certain example embodiments. In particular, the 6G architecture in FIG. 6 may support LCM configured to natively support AI / ML, cloud-native functionalities. Additionally, 6G gNBs may be configured to support multi-RAT spectrum sharing (MRSS).

[0076] FIG. 9A illustrates an example 5G NR user plane protocol stack according to certain example embodiments, and FIG. 9B illustrates an example 5G NR control plane protocol stack, according to certain example embodiments. As illustrated in FIG. 9A,the protocol stack for the user plane may define UE and gNB sides of the protocol stack, where each side may incorporate service data application protocol (SDAP), packet data convergence protocol (PDCP), radio link control (RLC), and MAC sublayers. As illustrated in FIG. 9B, the protocol stack for the control plane may define UE, gNB, and access and mobility function (AMF) layers of the protocol stack. The UE and gNB may incorporate similar sublayers as in the user plane protocol stack along with a non-access stratum (NAS) layer in the UE and AMF.

[0077] Certain example embodiments described herein provide several technical improvements, enhancements, and / or advantages. For instance, in some example embodiments, it may be possible to quickly provide high priority data by sending the data on MIMO layer(s) with the best SINR quality, as compared to 5G NR where such data may be sent on MIMO layer(s) with poorer quality. In other example embodiments, data may come through with reduced latency as correctly received CBGs with data for single LCH (or MAC-CE) may be immediately forwarded to higher protocol stack layers (e.g., MAC, radio link control (RLC), and packet data convergence protocol (PDCP)) without having to await correct reception of all CBGs that belong to the same TB. In further example embodiments, MAC-CE ’s may be used for latency sensitive PHY feedback information such as, for example, channel state information (CSI) or channel quality information (CQI), and HARQ ACK / NACK. Additionally, by mapping data from MAC CE or other high priority data from a subset of the LCHs to MIMO layers with better SINR quality, the probability of error for the mentioned data is reduced and thus more probable successful reception of the data is obtained.

[0078] A computer program product may include one or more computer-executable components which, when the program is run, are configured to carry out some example embodiments. The one or more computer-executable components may be at least one software code or portions of it. Modifications and configurations required for implementing functionality of certain example embodiments may be performed as routine(s), which may be implemented as added or updated software routine(s). Software routine(s) may be downloaded into the apparatus.

[0079] As an example, software or a computer program code or portions of it may bein a source code form, object code form, or in some intermediate form, and it may be stored in some sort of carrier, distribution medium, or computer readable medium, which may be any entity or device capable of carrying the program. Such carriers may include a record medium, computer memory, read-only memory, photoelectrical and / or electrical carrier signal, telecommunications signal, and software distribution package, for example. Depending on the processing power needed, the computer program may be executed in a single electronic digital computer or it may be distributed amongst a number of computers. The computer readable medium or computer readable storage medium may be a non-transitory medium.

[0080] In other example embodiments, the functionality may be performed by hardware or circuitry included in an apparatus (e.g., apparatus 10 or apparatus 20), for example through the use of an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable gate array (PGA), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or any other combination of hardware and software. In yet another example embodiment, the functionality may be implemented as a signal, a non-tangible means that can be carried by an electromagnetic signal downloaded from the Internet or other network.

[0081] According to certain example embodiments, an apparatus, such as a node, device, or a corresponding component, may be configured as circuitry, a computer or a microprocessor, such as single-chip computer element, or as a chipset, including at least a memory for providing storage capacity used for arithmetic operation and an operation processor for executing the arithmetic operation.

[0082] One having ordinary skill in the art will readily understand that the disclosure as discussed above may be practiced with procedures in a different order, and / or with hardware elements in configurations which are different than those which are disclosed. Therefore, although the disclosure has been described based upon these example embodiments, it would be apparent to those of skill in the art that certain modifications, variations, and alternative constructions would be apparent, while remaining within the spirit and scope of example embodiments. Although the above embodiments refer to 5G NR and LTE technology, the above embodiments may also apply to any other present or future 3GPP technology, such as LTE-advanced, and / or fourth generation (4G) technology.

[0083] Partial Glossary:

[0084] 3GPP 3rd Generation Partnership Project

[0085] 5G 5 th Generation

[0086] 5GCN 5G Core Network

[0087] 5GS 5G System

[0088] BS Base Station

[0089] CE Control Element

[0090] CQI Channel Quality Indicator

[0091] DL Downlink

[0092] DCI Downlink Control Information

[0093] eNB Enhanced Node B

[0094] E-UTRAN Evolved UTRAN

[0095] gNB 5G or Next Generation NodeB

[0096] LTE Long Term Evolution

[0097] NR New Radio

[0098] NW Network

[0099] PDCCH Physical Downlink Control Channel

[0100] PDSCH Physical Downlink Shared Channel

[0101] PUCCH Physical Uplink Control Channel

[0102] PUSCH Physical Uplink Shared Channel

[0103] RRC Radio Resource Control

[0104] UE User Equipment

[0105] UL Uplink

Claims

27WE CLAIM:

1. An apparatus, comprising:at least one processor; andat least one memory including computer program code which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least:place at least one control element in a first code block which is packed into a first code block group of a transport block;obtain logical channel data from a logical channel in line with a priority of the logical channel out of a plurality of logical channels, wherein the logical channel data is placed in a second code block group of the transport block;map the first code block group to at least one transmission layer with a highest priority out of a plurality of transmission layers;map the second code block group to the at least one transmission layer with the highest priority out of the plurality of transmission layers; andtransmit, to a network element, a message comprising information of the mapping of the first code block group and the mapping of the second code block group.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the first code block group is mapped before the second code block group, andwherein the second code block group is mapped after the first code block group when there is an availability of resources in the at least one transmission layer.

3. The apparatus according to claims 1 or 2, wherein the first code block group is positioned at a beginning or at an end of the transport block.

4. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein all available control elements are placed in the first code block or the first code block group.

5. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein the first code block group comprises only control elements.

6. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein the computer program code, when executed by the at least one processor, further causes the apparatus to at least:receive, from the network element, a scheduling grant comprising an indication of a priority of at least one transmission layer of the plurality of transmission layers.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the priority of the at least one transmission layer is dependent upon a signal to interference noise ratio experienced by each transmission layer of the plurality of transmission layers.

8. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1-7, wherein the logical channel data is obtained based on available space in the transport block.

9. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1-8, wherein the second code block group comprises logical channel data from a single logical channel subject to a size constraint for another code.

10. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1-9,wherein an amount of data mapped to each transmission layer belongs to a same code-word, and the amount of data mapped to each transmission layer is equal and sent with a same modulation and coding scheme on assigned resources per a downlink control information scheduling grant.

11. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1-10, wherein the computer program code, when executed by the at least one processor, further causes the apparatus to at least:apply a padding when creating at least one control element protocol data unitper each of the at least one transmission layer.

12. A method, comprising:placing at least one control element in a first code block which is packed into a first code block group of a transport block;obtaining logical channel data from a logical channel in line with a priority of the logical channel out of a plurality of logical channels , wherein the logical channel data is placed in in a second code block group of the transport block;mapping the first code block group to at least one transmission layer with a highest priority out of a plurality of transmission layers;mapping the second code block group to the at least one transmission layer with the highest priority out of the plurality of transmission layers; and transmitting, to a network element, a message comprising information of the mapping of the first code block group and the mapping of the second code block group.

13. The method according to claim 12,wherein the first code block group is mapped before the second code block group, andwherein the second code block group is mapped after the first code block group when there is an availability of resources in the at least one transmission layer.

14. The method according to claims 12 or 13, wherein the first code block group is positioned at a beginning or at an end of the transport block.

15. The method according to any one of claims 12-14, wherein all available control elements are placed in the first code block or the first code block group.

16. The method according to any one of claims 12-15, wherein the first code block group comprises only control elements.

17. The method according to any one of claims 12-16, further comprising: receiving, from the network element, a scheduling grant comprising an indication of a priority of at least one transmission layer of the plurality of transmission layers.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the priority of the at least one transmission layer is dependent upon a signal to interference noise ratio experienced by each transmission layer of the plurality of transmission layers.

19. The method according to any one of claims 12-18, wherein the logical channel data is obtained based on available space in the transport block.

20. The method according to any one of claims 12-19, wherein the second code block group comprises logical channel data from a single logical channel subject to a size constraint for another code.

21. The method according to any one of claims 12-20,wherein an amount of data mapped to each transmission layer belongs to a same code-word, and the amount of data mapped to each transmission layer is equal and sent with a same modulation and coding scheme on assigned resources per a downlink control information scheduling grant.

22. The method according to any one of claims 12-21, further comprising:applying a padding when creating at least one control element protocol data unit each of the at least one transmission layer.

23. An apparatus, comprising:means for placing at least one control element in a first code block which is packed into a first code block group of a transport block;means for obtaining logical channel data from a logical channel in line with a priority of the logical channel out of a plurality of logical channels, wherein thelogical channel data is placed in in a second code block group of the transport block; means for mapping the first code block group to at least one transmission layer with a highest priority out of a plurality of transmission layers;means for mapping the second code block group to the at least one transmission layer with the highest priority out of the plurality of transmission layers; andmeans for transmitting, to a network element, a message comprising information of the mapping of the first code block group and the mapping of the second code block group.

24. The apparatus according to claim 23,wherein the first code block group is mapped before the second code block group, andwherein the second code block group is mapped after the first code block group when there is an availability of resources in the at least one transmission layer.

25. The apparatus according to claims 23 or 24, wherein the first code block group is positioned at a beginning or at an end of the transport block.

26. The apparatus according to any one of claims 23-25, wherein all available control elements are placed in the first code block or the first code block group.

27. The apparatus according to any one of claims 23-26, wherein the first code block group comprises only control elements.

28. The apparatus according to any one of claims 23-27, further comprising: means for receiving, from the network element, a scheduling grant comprising an indication of a priority of at least one transmission layer of the plurality of transmission layers.

29. The apparatus according to claim 28, wherein the priority of the at least one32transmission layer is dependent upon a signal to interference noise ratio experienced by each transmission layer of the plurality of transmission layers.

30. The apparatus according to any one of claims 23-29, wherein the logical channel data is obtained based on available space in the transport block.

31. The apparatus according to any one of claims 23-30, wherein the second code block group comprises logical channel data from a single logical channel subject to a size constraint for another code.

32. The apparatus according to any one of claims 23-31,wherein an amount of data mapped to each transmission layer belongs to a same code-word, and the amount of data mapped to each transmission layer is equal and sent with a same modulation and coding scheme on assigned resources per a downlink control information scheduling grant.

33. The apparatus according to any one of claims 23-32, further comprising: means for applying a padding when creating at least one control element protocol data unit each of the at least one transmission layer.

34. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions stored thereon for performing the method according to any of claims 12-22.

35. An apparatus comprising circuitry configured to cause the apparatus to perform the method according to any of claims 12-22.

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