Assistance information on UE maximum output power

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to assistance information on UE maximum output power. In an aspect, a terminal device determines assistance information associated with at least one upper bound of a maximum output power of the terminal device for at least one cell. The terminal device transmits, to a network device, the assistance information associated with the at least one upper bound. The assistance information comprises at least one of the following: an indication of achievability of at least one maximum power value configured by the network device; an indication of the at least one upper bound of the maximum output power; an indication of at least one real achievable upper bound of the maximum output power; or an indication of at least one best achievable upper bound of the maximum output power. The assistance information is carried in a L1 signaling and / or a L2 signalling.

Description

ASSISTANCE INFORMATION ON UE MAXIMUM OUTPUT POWERCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority from, and the benefit of, EP patent Application No. 25164382.1, filed March 18, 2025, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.FIELD

[0002] Various example embodiments relate to the field of telecommunication and in particular, to a terminal device, a network device, methods, apparatuses and a computer readable medium for assistance information on user equipment (UE) maximum output power.BACKGROUND

[0003] A communication network can be seen as a facility that enables communications between two or more communication devices, or provides communication devices access to a data network. A mobile or wireless communication network is one example of a communication network.

[0004] Such communication networks operate in accordance with standards, such as those promulgated by 3GPP (Third Generation Partnership Project) or ETSI (European Telecommunications Standards Institute). Examples of such standards include the so-called 5G (5th Generation) standard or other standards (e.g., 5G-Advanced) promulgated by 3GPP.SUMMARY

[0005] In general, example embodiments of the present disclosure provide a solution for assistance information on UE maximum output power.

[0006] In a first aspect, there is provided a terminal device. The terminal device comprises at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions. When executed by the at least one processor, the instructions cause the terminal device at least to: determine assistance information associated with at least one upper bound of a maximum output power of the terminal device for at least one cell; and transmit, to a network device, the assistance information associated with the at least one upper bound. The assistance information comprises at least one of the following: an indication of achievability of at least one maximum power value configured by the network device; an indication of the at least one upper bound of the maximum output power; an indication of at least one real achievable upper bound of the maximum output power; or an indication of at least one best achievable upper bound of the maximum output power. The assistance information is carried in at least one of the following: a layer 2 (L2) signaling; or a layer 1 (L1) signalling. In this way, overestimation of UE achievable maximum power may be avoided, thus avoiding potential uplink coverage issues.

[0007] In a second aspect, there is provided a network device. The network device comprises at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions. When executed by the at least one processor, theinstructions cause the network device at least to: receive, from a terminal device, assistance information associated with at least one upper bound of a maximum output power of the terminal device for at least one cell; and determine the at least one upper bound based on the assistance information. The assistance information comprises at least one of the following: an indication of achievability of at least one maximum power value configured by the network device; an indication of the at least one upper bound of the maximum output power; an indication of at least one real achievable upper bound of the maximum output power; or an indication of at least one best achievable upper bound of the maximum output power. The assistance information is carried in at least one of the following: a layer 2 (L2) signaling; or a layer 1 (L1) signalling.

[0008] In a third aspect, there is provided a terminal device. The terminal device comprises at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions. When executed by the at least one processor, the instructions cause the terminal device at least to: determine assistance information associated with at least one lower bound of a maximum output power of the terminal device for at least one cell; and transmit, to a network device, the assistance information associated with the at least one lower bound. The assistance information comprises at least one of the following: an indication of the at least one lower bound of the maximum output power; or an indication of at least one real lower bound of the maximum output power. The assistance information is carried in at least one of the following: a layer 2 (L2) signaling; or a layer 1 (L1) signalling. In this way, underestimation of UE maximum power may be avoided, thus avoiding compromise of uplink throughput.

[0009] In a fourth aspect, there is provided a network device. The network device comprises at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions. When executed by the at least one processor, the instructions cause the network device at least to: receive, from a terminal device, assistance information associated with at least one lower bound of a maximum output power of the terminal device for at least one cell; and determine the at least one lower bound based on the assistance information. The assistance information comprises at least one of the following: an indication of the at least one lower bound of the maximum output power; or an indication of at least one real lower bound of the maximum output power. The assistance information is carried in at least one of the following: a layer 2 (L2) signaling; or a layer 1 (L1) signalling.

[0010] In a fifth aspect, there is provided a method performed by a terminal device. The method comprises: determining assistance information associated with at least one upper bound of a maximum output power of the terminal device for at least one cell; and transmitting, to a network device, the assistance information associated with the at least one upper bound. The assistance information comprises at least one of the following: an indication of achievability of at least one maximum power value configured by the network device; an indication of the at least one upper bound of the maximum output power; an indication of at least one real achievable upper bound of the maximum output power; or an indication of at least one best achievable upper bound of the maximum output power. The assistance information is carried in at leastone of the following: a layer 2 (L2) signaling; or a layer 1 (L1) signalling. In this way, overestimation of UE achievable maximum power may be avoided, thus avoiding potential uplink coverage issues.

[0011] In a sixth aspect, there is provided a method performed by a network device. The method comprises: receiving, from a terminal device, assistance information associated with at least one upper bound of a maximum output power of the terminal device for at least one cell; and determining the at least one upper bound based on the assistance information. The assistance information comprises at least one of the following: an indication of achievability of at least one maximum power value configured by the network device; an indication of the at least one upper bound of the maximum output power; an indication of at least one real achievable upper bound of the maximum output power; or an indication of at least one best achievable upper bound of the maximum output power. The assistance information is carried in at least one of the following: a layer 2 (L2) signaling; or a layer 1 (L1 ) signalling.

[0012] In a seventh aspect, there is provided a method performed by a terminal device. The method comprises: determining assistance information associated with at least one lower bound of a maximum output power of the terminal device for at least one cell; and transmitting, to a network device, the assistance information associated with the at least one lower bound. The assistance information comprises at least one of the following: an indication of the at least one lower bound of the maximum output power; or an indication of at least one real lower bound of the maximum output power. The assistance information is carried in at least one of the following: a layer 2 (L2) signaling; or a layer 1 (L1) signalling. In this way, overestimation of UE achievable maximum power may be avoided, thus avoiding potential uplink coverage issues.

[0013] In an eighth aspect, there is provided a method performed by a network device. The method comprises: receiving, from a terminal device, assistance information associated with at least one lower bound of a maximum output power of the terminal device for at least one cell; and determining the at least one lower bound based on the assistance information. The assistance information comprises at least one of the following: an indication of the at least one lower bound of the maximum output power; or an indication of at least one real lower bound of the maximum output power. The assistance information is carried in at least one of the following: a layer 2 (L2) signaling; or a layer 1 (L1 ) signalling.

[0014] In a ninth aspect, there is provided an apparatus. The apparatus comprises means for determining assistance information associated with at least one upper bound of a maximum output power of the terminal device for at least one cell; and means for transmitting, to a network device, the assistance information associated with the at least one upper bound. The assistance information comprises at least one of the following: an indication of achievability of at least one maximum power value configured by the network device; an indication of the at least one upper bound of the maximum output power; an indication of at least one real achievable upper bound of the maximum output power; or an indication of at least one best achievable upper bound of the maximum output power. The assistance information is carried in at leastone of the following: a layer 2 (L2) signaling; or a layer 1 (L1) signalling. In this way, overestimation of UE achievable maximum power may be avoided, thus avoiding potential uplink coverage issues.

[0015] In a tenth aspect, there is provided an apparatus. The apparatus comprises means for receiving, from a terminal device, assistance information associated with at least one upper bound of a maximum output power of the terminal device for at least one cell; and means for determining the at least one upper bound based on the assistance information. The assistance information comprises at least one of the following: an indication of achievability of at least one maximum power value configured by the network device; an indication of the at least one upper bound of the maximum output power; an indication of at least one real achievable upper bound of the maximum output power; or an indication of at least one best achievable upper bound of the maximum output power. The assistance information is carried in at least one of the following: a layer 2 (L2) signaling; or a layer 1 (L1) signalling.

[0016] In an eleventh aspect, there is provided an apparatus. The apparatus comprises means for determining assistance information associated with at least one lower bound of a maximum output power of the terminal device for at least one cell; and means for transmitting, to a network device, the assistance information associated with the at least one lower bound. The assistance information comprises at least one of the following: an indication of the at least one lower bound of the maximum output power; or an indication of at least one real lower bound of the maximum output power. The assistance information is carried in at least one of the following: a layer 2 (L2) signaling; or a layer 1 (L1) signalling. In this way, overestimation of UE achievable maximum power may be avoided, thus avoiding potential uplink coverage issues.

[0017] In a twelfth aspect, there is provided an apparatus. The apparatus comprises means for receiving, from a terminal device, assistance information associated with at least one lower bound of a maximum output power of the terminal device for at least one cell; and means for determining the at least one lower bound based on the assistance information. The assistance information comprises at least one of the following: an indication of the at least one lower bound of the maximum output power; or an indication of at least one real lower bound of the maximum output power. The assistance information is carried in at least one of the following: a layer 2 (L2) signaling; or a layer 1 (L1) signalling.

[0018] In a thirteenth aspect, there is provided a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions for causing an apparatus to perform at least the method according to any one of the above fifth to eighth aspects.

[0019] In a fourteenth aspect, there is provided a computer program product comprising program instructions for performing at least the method according to any one of the above fifth to eighth aspects.

[0020] In a fifteenth aspect, there is provided a computer program comprising instructions, which, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus at least to perform at least the method according to any one of the above fifth to eighth aspects.

[0021] It is to be understood that the summary section is not intended to identify key or essential features of embodiments of the present disclosure, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Other features of the present disclosure will become easily comprehensible through the following description.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Some example embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0023] Fig. 1 illustrates an example communication system in which embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented;

[0024] Fig. 2A illustrates an example signaling chart of a first example process according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0025] Fig. 2B illustrates an example signaling chart of a second example process according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0026] Fig. 3A illustrates an example process of a first example implementation according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0027] Fig. 3B illustrates an example process of a second example implementation according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0028] Fig. 4 illustrates a schematic diagram illustrating a method implemented at a terminal device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0029] Fig. 5 illustrates a schematic diagram illustrating a method implemented at a network device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0030] Fig. 6 illustrates a schematic diagram illustrating a method implemented at a terminal device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0031] Fig. 7 illustrates a schematic diagram illustrating a method implemented at a network device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0032] Fig. 8 illustrates a simplified block diagram of an apparatus that is suitable for implementing embodiments of the present disclosure; and

[0033] Fig. 9 illustrates a block diagram of an example computer readable medium in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0034] Throughout the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals represent the same or similar element.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] Principles of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to some example embodiments. It is to be understood that these embodiments are described only for the purpose of illustrationand help those skilled in the art to understand and implement the present disclosure, without suggesting any limitation as to the scope of the disclosure. The disclosure described herein can be implemented in various manners other than the ones described below.

[0036] In the following description and claims, unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skills in the art to which this disclosure belongs.

[0037] References in the present disclosure to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “an example embodiment,” and the like indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but it is not necessary that every embodiment includes the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described.

[0038] It shall be understood that although the terms “first” and “second” etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and similarly, a second element could be termed a first element, without departing from the scope of example embodiments. As used herein, the term “and / or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the listed terms.

[0039] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “has”, “having”, “includes” and / or “including”, when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, elements, and / or components etc., but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components and / or combinations thereof. As used herein, “at least one of the following: ” and “at least one of ” and similar wording, where the list of two or more elements are joined by “and” or “or”, mean at least any one of the elements, or at least any two or more of the elements, or at least all the elements.

[0040] As used in this application, the term “circuitry” may refer to one or more or all of the following:(a) hardware-only circuit implementations (such as implementations in only analog and / or digital circuitry) and(b) combinations of hardware circuits and software, such as (as applicable):(i) a combination of analog and / or digital hardware circuit(s) with software / firmware and (ii) any portions of hardware processor(s) with software (including digital signal processor(s)), software, and memory(ies) that work together to cause an apparatus, such as a mobile phoneor server, to perform various functions) and(c) hardware circuit(s) and or processor(s), such as a microprocessor(s) or a portion of a microprocessor(s), that requires software (e.g., firmware) for operation, but the software may not be present when it is not needed for operation.

[0041] This definition of circuitry applies to all uses of this term in this application, including in any claims. As a further example, as used in this application, the term circuitry also covers an implementation of merely a hardware circuit or processor (or multiple processors) or portion of a hardware circuit or processor and its (or their) accompanying software and / or firmware. The term circuitry also covers, for example and if applicable to the particular claim element, a baseband integrated circuit or processor integrated circuit for a mobile device or a similar integrated circuit in server, a cellular network device, or other computing or network device.

[0042] As used herein, the term “communication network” refers to a network following any suitable communication standards, such as Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), High-Speed Packet Access (HSPA), Narrow Band Internet of Things (NB-loT) and so on. Furthermore, the communications between a terminal device and a network device in the communication network may be performed according to any suitable generation communication protocols, including, but not limited to, the first generation (1G), the second generation (2G), 2.5G, 2.75G, the third generation (3G), the fourth generation (4G), 4.5G, the fifth generation (5G), the fifth advanced generation (5G-Advanced), the future sixth generation (6G) communication protocols, and / or any other protocols either currently known or to be developed in the future. Embodiments of the present disclosure may be applied in various communication systems. Given the rapid development in communications, there will of course also be future type communication technologies and systems with which the present disclosure may be embodied. It should not be seen as limiting the scope of the present disclosure to only the aforementioned system.

[0043] As used herein, the term “network device” refers to a node in a communication network via which a terminal device accesses the network and receives services therefrom. The network device may refer to a base station (BS) or an access point (AP), for example, a node B (NodeB or NB), an evolved NodeB (eNodeB or eNB), a NR NB (also referred to as a gNB), a Remote Radio Unit (RRU), a radio header (RH), a remote radio head (RRH), a relay, a low power node such as a femto, a pico, and so forth, depending on the applied terminology and technology.

[0044] The term “terminal device” refers to any end device that may be capable of wireless communication. By way of example rather than limitation, a terminal device may also be referred to as a communication device, user equipment (UE), a Subscriber Station (SS), a Portable Subscriber Station, a Mobile Station (MS), or an Access Terminal (AT). The terminal device may include, but not limited to, a mobile phone, a cellular phone, a smart phone, voice over IP (VoIP) phones, wireless local loop phones, a tablet, a wearable terminal device, a personal digital assistant (PDA), portable computers, desktop computer, image capture terminaldevices such as digital cameras, gaming terminal devices, music storage and playback appliances, vehiclemounted wireless terminal devices, wireless endpoints, mobile stations, laptop-embedded equipment (LEE), laptop-mounted equipment (LME), USB dongles, smart devices, wireless customer-premises equipment (CPE), an Internet of Things (loT) device, a watch or other wearable, a head-mounted display (HMD), a vehicle, a drone, a medical device and applications (e.g., remote surgery), an industrial device and applications (e.g., a robot and / or other wireless devices operating in an industrial and / or an automated processing chain contexts), a consumer electronics device, a device operating on commercial and / or industrial wireless networks, and the like. In the following description, the terms “terminal device”, “communication device”, “terminal”, “user equipment” and “UE” may be used interchangeably.

[0045] As specified in section 6.2.4 of 3GPP TS 38.101 -1 , the UE is allowed to set its configured maximum output power Pcmax,f,c for carrier f of serving cell c in each slot. The configured maximum output power Pcmax,f,c may be set within the following bounds:P cmax_L,f,c — P cmax,f,c — P cmax_H,f,c WithP cmax_L,f,c=MIN {PEMAX.C-ATC.C, (PpowerClass—APpowerClass+APpowerBoost)—MAX(MAX(MPRc+AMPRc, A- MPR0)+ ATIB.C + ATc.c +ATRXSRS, P-MPRO) }P cmax_H,f,c=MIN {PEMAX.C, PpowerClass—APpowerClass+APpowerBoost} where:PEMAX,C is the value given by either the p-Max IE or the field additionalPmax of the NR-NS-PmaxList IE, whichever is applicable according to TS 38.331;PpowerClass is the maximum UE power specified in Table 6.2.1 -1 and in Table 6.2F.1 -1 for shared spectrum access operation, without taking into account the tolerance specified in the Table 6.2.1-1 and in Table 6.2F.1-1 for shared spectrum access operation;When the IE pOwerBoostPi2BPSK is set to 1, PEMAX,C is increased by +3 dB for a power class 3 UE operating in TDD bands n40, n41, n77, n78, and n79 with PI / 2 BPSK modulation with Rel-15 DMRS and UE indicates support for UE capability PowerBoosting-pi2BPSK and 40% or less symbols in certain evaluation period are used for UL transmission when PEMAX.C 20 dBm (The exact evaluation period is no less than one radio frame).When the IE pOwerBoostPi2BPSK is set to 1 , APpowerciass = -3 dB for a power class 3 UE operating in TDD bands n40, n41, n77, n78, and n79 with Pi / 2 BPSK modulation with Rel-15 DMRS and UE indicates support for UE capability PowerBoosting-pi2BPSK and 40% or less slots in radio frame are used for UL transmission.ATIB.C is the additional tolerance for serving cell c.

[0046] The UE maximum output power has a well defined and confined range in the above case. Other cases are also defined in different sections of TS 38.101. Most cases defined in the specs allow the network to have good visibility on potential UE maximum output power and thus help the network in its scheduling decision.

[0047] Another method for defining the range of UE Pcmax,f,c is specified for the Air to Ground (ATG) case in section 6.2J.2 of 38.101-1. The ATG UE is allowed to set its configured maximum output power Pcmax,f,c for carrier f of serving cell c in each slot. The configured maximum output power Pcmax,f,c is set within the following bounds:P cmax_L,f,c — P cmax,f,c — P cmax_H,f,c WithP cmax_L,f,c=MIN {PEMAX.C, P rated, c, AC Or P rated, c.TABc}Pcmax_H,f,c = PEMAX.CwherePEMAX,C is the value given by ATG specific the p-Max IE or the field additionalPmax of the NR-NS-PmaxList / E], whichever is applicable according to TS 38.331 ; It’s noted that the actual PEMAX.C value is (9 + field value) in ATG cell, according to p-Max IE definition in TS 38.331;Prated, c, AC is the rated maximum output power at maximum modulation order and full PRB configurations which is indicated by ATG UE capability maxOutputPowerATG-r18 for ATG UE with multiple omni-directional antennas not indicating the capability antennaArrayType-r18,'Prated, C.TABC is the rated maximum output power at maximum modulation order and full PRB configurations which is indicated by ATG UE capability maxOutputPowerATG-r18 for ATG UE with antenna array indicating the capability antennaArrayType-r18.

[0048] In 3GPP LTE and NR, a UE may be configured to send Power Headroom Reports (PHRs) via MAC Control Element on certain slots. Besides the power headroom value and other quantities, a PHR provides quantized information on the UE maximum output power PCMAX>AC(0- In addition, the PHR provides quantized information on power management power-reduction MPR (P-MPR).

[0049] UEs are configured to report power headroom using PHR MAC Control Element (CE) that reports the headroom between the current UE Tx power (estimated power) and the nominal power. PHR reports support power-aware packet scheduling and allows the network to choose the appropriate uplink bandwidth and MCS on a specific subframe or slot trying not to exceed UE power limitations. Power headroom indicates how much transmission power is left for a UE to use in addition to the power being used by current transmission or how much a UE has exceeded its power limitation.

[0050] UE may determine PHR type, values and send PHR MAC-CE if it is triggered and not cancelled and the allocated UL resources can accommodate it, based on different reporting conditions. Different PHR MAC-CE are defined in section 6.1.3.X of TS 38.321, where PHR MAC-CE comprises at least a Power Headroom (PH) and P cmax,f,c-

[0051] Some PHR triggering conditions may include: (1) phr-PeriodicTimer expires; (2) upon configuration or reconfiguration of the power headroom reporting functionality by upper layers, which is not used to disable the function; (3) activation of an SCell of any MAC entity with configured UL of which firstActiveDownlinkBWP-Id is not set to dormant BWP; (4) activation of an SCG; (5) addition of the PSCell except if the SCG isdeactivated (i.e. PSCell is newly added or changed); (6) phr-ProhibitTimer expires or has expired, when the MAC entity has UL resources for new transmission, and the following is true for any of the activated Serving Cells of any MAC entity with configured uplink: there are UL resources allocated for transmission or there is a PUCCH transmission on this cell, and the required power backoff due to power management (as allowed by P-MPRc as specified in TS 38.101 -1

[0014] , TS 38.101 -2

[0015] , and TS 38.101 -3

[0016] ) for this cell has changed more than phr-Tx-PowerFactorChange dB; (7) upon switching of activated BWP from dormant BWP to nondormant DL BWP of an SCell of any MAC entity with configured uplink; (8) if dpc-Reporting-FR1 is configured, APpowerciass / APpowerciass, CA / APpowerciass, EN-DC / APpowerciass, NR-DC reporting is triggered upon uplink duty cycle exceedance or upon return to the power class after the duty cycle exceedance, as specified in TS 38.101-1

[0014] and TS 38.101-3

[0016] ); (9) mpe-Reporting-FR2, mpe-ProhibitTimer and mpe-Threshold,' etc.

[0052] Recently, there is wide interest to enhance the requirements definition and for UE maximum output for example in order to unlock the maximum output power from UE for all cases, and to allow UE managing more freely the UE maximum power to meet e.g., Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) requirements. It is proposed to change UE maximum output power framework in 6G to be more similar to ATG case.

[0053] In other words, Pcmax range for 6G may follow the ATG approach. In such event, Pcmax range would be very large. On the one hand, the Pcmax lower bound (POax_L,f,c) depends on MPRs and configuration for legacy case defined in section 6.2.4 of TS 38.101-1 or the like, while Pcmax lower bound (Pcmax_L,f,c) based on ATG range will be much lower due to the assumption of extreme high modulation / RB in Prated, c, AC or Prated, c ABc. The main motivation for Pcmax_L,t,c lower bound based on ATG approach is to provide UE more freedom in reducing its maximum power when it is necessary as example to meet SAR requirements and / or for other purposes. On the other hand, the Pcmax upper bound (Pcmax_H,t,c) is also no more restricted to a power class limit in ATG approach. The main motivation is to allow UE delivering more power whenever possible (e.g., no need to maintain 3dB step for power class). This Pcmax_H,t,c could be within (or below) a configured network limit PEMAX as in ATG.

[0054] Such requirements definition for Pcmax would provide some advantages and may be considered in 6G. However, such large Pcmax range would result in more ambiguity on Pcmax from the NW perspective.

[0055] For example, the real PHR in MAC-CE is a reactive report and is sent by UE when UE has UL resources for this MAC-CE (not always the case), and a triggering condition occurs. The network relies on the Pcmax range before receiving the reactive PHR, or when previous PHR report is no more applicable (e.g., due to changes of the configuration, etc.). However, current PHR reporting in MAC-CE may have a long latency. In addition, the link adaptation may change the resource block (RB) allocation and Modulation and Coding Scheme (MCS) etc. more frequently (on each UL occasion) compared to large PHR period(s). Thus, any previously received PHR would be less useful since real Pcmax, t,c depends on the configuration and its related MPR as well and the network could not assume it constant with different RB allocation (inner / outer), RB length, waveform, modulation order, etc.

[0056] As a specific example of the possible wide range of Pcmax when following ATG maximum power approach, assume the UE power class is 3 or power amplifier maximum power is 23 dBm, PEMAX configured by the network is 30 dBm, and Prated for maximum modulation order and full RB allocation may be e.g., 23dBm-6.5 dBm=16.5 dBm (Cyclic Prefix Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (CP-OFDM) full RB and 256QAM). This rated power could be lower if higher order modulation is also introduced in 6G. In this example, the Pcmax range according to ATG approach is between 16.5dBm and 30 dBm.

[0057] Such Pcmax definition would have impact on power control and PHR assistance information, NW scheduler, etc. UE is free to select any Pcmax within this wide range. The network ambiguity on Pcmax would increase due to the very wide Pcmax bounds, and the network would face more challenges due to this ambiguity and could compromise UE UL throughput and / or UE coverage issue.

[0058] In a first aspect, if the network configures a high PEMAX (larger than UE maximum power that can deliver) with Pcmax.H defined to be equal to PEMAX, assuming Pcmax.H as UE achievable maximum power could be an overestimation, and scheduling based on such Pomax_H could lead to significant UL coverage issue.

[0059] In a second aspect, the power reduction at the highest modulation / full RB may be e.g., up to 6-8dB lower than the best MPR, and underestimating UE minimum power based on very low lower bound of Pcmax.L could lead to significantly reduced UL throughput.

[0060] Although the real PHR could still carry real Pcmax, the network wouldn’t have an ambiguity only after receiving PHR as long as the configuration is not changed with link adaptation and a UE doesn’t have any transparent event to the network requiring UE free adaptation of its Pcmax (e.g., reduce power to meet SAR requirements, handle thermal issue, or increase its Pcmax after handling such issues, etc.). Any previous PHR is less meaningful at least when RB allocation / MCS / etc. change. Adapting of the UL configuration may be in slot basis. The network would have this ambiguity again with configuration change that naturally happens with link adaptation, and need to re-assume it based on Pcmax wide range. Thus, before receiving a PHR, and even after receiving PHR whenever the link adaptation changes, the configuration used in previous real PHR while impacting the MPR.

[0061] In view of the above, some embodiments of the present disclosure provide schemes on assistance information on UE maximum output power. With some embodiments of the present disclosure, assistance information for indicating the lower / upper bounds and / or range of UE maximum output may be provided to the network device, avoiding overestimation and / or underestimation of the UE maximum output, thus avoiding compromising UL performance (e.g., coverage / throughput). The assistance information may be reported in a dedicated report or a shared report based on certain reporting conditions via layer 1 (L1) signalling and / or layer 2 (L2) signalling, thus reducing the reporting latency.

[0062] Principles and embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Reference is first made to Fig. 1, which illustrates an example communication system 100 in which embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented. As shownin Fig. 1 , the system 100, which may be a part of a communication network, comprises a terminal device 110 and a network device. The network device 120 may be a gNB, or a NetWork (NW) or a TRP, which schedules a first bandwidth part (BWP) or a first cell 130. The terminal device 110 is capable of connecting and communicating in an UL or DL with the network device 120 as long as the terminal device 110 is located within the corresponding cells (e.g., the first cell 130) of the network device 120.

[0063] In communication systems, an UL refers to a link in a direction from a terminal device 110 to a network device 120, and a DL refers to a link in a direction from the network device 120 to the terminal device 110. The network device 120 may transmit scheduling information scheduling an uplink transmission to the terminal device 110, and the terminal device 110 may transmit an uplink transmission or a plurality of repetitions of the uplink transmission to the network device 120.

[0064] Communications in the communication system 100 may be implemented according to any proper communication protocol(s), comprising, but not limited to, cellular communication protocols of the first generation (1 G), the second generation (2G), the third generation (3G), the fourth generation (4G), the fifth generation (5G) and the sixth generation (6G) and on the like, wireless local network communication protocols such as Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 and the like, and / or any other protocols currently known or to be developed in the future. Moreover, the communication may utilize any proper wireless communication technology, comprising but not limited to: Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Frequency Division Duplex (FDD), Time Division Duplex (TDD), Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO), Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple (OFDM), Discrete Fourier Transform spread OFDM (DFT-s-OFDM) and / or any other technologies currently known or to be developed in the future.

[0065] It is to be understood that the numbers of devices (i.e., the terminal device 110 and the network device 120) and their connection relationships and types shown in Fig. 1 are only for the purpose of illustration without suggesting any limitation. For example, the communication system 100 may include any suitable numbers of devices adapted for implementing embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, while Fig. 1 depicts the terminal device 110 as a mobile phone, the terminal device 110 may be any types of user equipment.

[0066] Fig. 2A illustrates a signaling chart illustrating a first example process 200A according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, the process 200A will be described with reference to Fig. 1. The process 200Amay involve the terminal device 110 and the network device 120. It would be appreciated that although the process 200A has been described in the communication system 100 of Fig. 1, this process may be likewise applied to other communication scenarios.

[0067] As shown in Fig. 2A, the terminal device 110 determines (201) assistance information 203 associated with at least one upper bound of a maximum output power of the terminal device 110 for at least one cell. As used herein, the at least one cell may correspond to or may be replaced by one or more of: atleast one serving cell, at least one carrier, at least one component carrier, at least one bandwidth, at least one frequency domain allocation. The terminal device 110 transmits (202) the assistance information 203 associated with the at least one upper bound to the network device 120. The network device 120 receives (204) the assistance information 203 associated with the at least one upper bound from the terminal device 110, and determines (205) the at least one upper bound based on the assistance information 203. In this way, overestimation of the maximum output power of the terminal device may be avoided.

[0068] In some embodiments, the assistance information 203 may be carried in a layer 1 (L1) signaling. For example, the L1 signaling may be L1 uplink control information (L1 UCI). Alternatively or additionally, the assistance information 203 may be carried in a layer 2 (L2) signaling. For example, the L2 signaling may be a medium access control (MAC) control element (CE). The MAC CE may carry an indication of a virtual power headroom report (PHR) or an indication of a real PHR. Alternatively, the MAC CE may include a virtual PHR or a real PHR. Alternatively, the MAC CE may be indicative of a virtual PHR or a real PHR.

[0069] There may be various implementations of the assistance information 203. For example, the assistance information 203 may include an indication of achievability of at least one maximum power value configured by the network device 120. In other words, the terminal device 110 may indicate if at least one configured PEMAX is achievable. Alternatively or additionally, the assistance information 203 may include an indication of the at least one upper bound of the maximum output power. For example, the terminal device 110 may determine at least one upper bound Pomax_H,c and indicate the at least one upper bound Pomax_H,c to the network device 120. Alternatively or additionally, the assistance information 203 may include an indication of at least one real achievable upper bound of the maximum output power. For example, the terminal device 110 may determine at least one real achievable upper bound POmax_H_uE and indicate the at least one real achievable upper bound POmax_H_uE to the network device 120. Alternatively or additionally, the assistance information 203 may include an indication of at least one best achievable upper bound of the maximum output power. For example, the terminal device 110 may determine at least one best achievable upper bound PratedForBestconfig and indicate the at least one best achievable upper bound PratedForBestconfig to the network device 120.

[0070] In some embodiments, a real achievable upper bound of the at least one real achievable upper bound is associated with a time period. The time period may be predefined, predetermined or preconfigured.

[0071] As used herein, “an upper bound” of the maximum output power may refer to the maximum output power that could be determined based on the real achievable upper bound of the UE Pomax_H_uE and the maximum power value PEMAX, c configured by NW. The term “an upper bound” may be used interchangeably with “a upper bound”. For example, Pomax_H,c - min {PEMAX, c, P cmax_H_uE}. The upper bound could be based on a configuration subset.

[0072] As used herein, “a real achievable upper bound” may refer to the maximum power that UE canachieve during a time period as example without considering any power limitation configured by NW. For example, a real achievable upper bound could be valid for a period relevant to the indication instant as example for next one reporting period or X slots). The real achievable upper bound could be based on a configuration subset.

[0073] As used herein, “a best achievable upper bound” may refer to the maximum power that UE can achieve during at least one period as example without considering any power limitation configured by NW. The best achievable upper bound could be based on a configuration subset. A real achievable upper bound may be smaller or equal to a best achievable upper bound associated with the same configuration subset.

[0074] In some embodiments, a maximum power value configured by the network device 120 may be associated with one or more configuration subsets. The terminal device 110 may determine whether the maximum power value configured by the network device 120 is achievable for the one or more associated configuration subsets. The indication of achievability of the at least one maximum power value configured by the network device 120 may include an indication of whether the maximum power value configured by the network device 120 is achievable for the one or more associated configuration subsets. For example, a configured PEMAX may be associated with at least one power class and a single-carrier or multiple-carrier configuration, and the terminal device 110 may indicate whether the configured PEMAX is achievable with the at least one power class and the single-carrier or multiple-carrier configuration. In some examples, more than one PEMAX may be configured by the network device 120, and the terminal device 110 may indicate whether each configured PEMAX is achievable with the at least one power class and the single-carrier or multiple-carrier configuration .

[0075] In some embodiments, the at least one maximum power value configured by the network device 120 is respectively associated with at least one configuration subset. The terminal device 110 may determine whether the at least one maximum power value configured by the network device 120 is achievable for a configuration subset among the at least one configuration subset. The indication of achievability of the at least one maximum power value configured by the network device 120 may include an indication of whether the at least one maximum power value configured by the network device 120 is achievable for the configuration subset. For example, a configured PEMAX may be associated with at least one power class and a single-carrier or multiple-carrier configuration, and the terminal device 110 may indicate whether the configured PEMAX is achievable with a power class and a single-carrier or multiple-carrier configuration which may be or may be not associated with the configured PEMAX. In some examples, more than one PEMAX may be configured by the network device 120, and the terminal device 110 may indicate whether each configured PEMAX is achievable with the power class and the single-carrier or multiple-carrier configuration.

[0076] In some examples, the terminal device 110 may determine a best configuration subset among the at least one configuration subset as the configuration subset. In other words, the terminal device 110 may indicate whether the configured PEMAX is achievable with the best configuration subset. In some examples,the terminal device 110 may receive an indication of the configuration subset from the network device 120. In other words, the terminal device 110 may indicate whether the configured PEMAX is achievable with the configuration subset indicated by the network device 120. In some examples, the terminal device 110 may determine the configuration subset from the at least one configuration subset based on at least one predefined rule. In other words, the terminal device 110 may indicate whether the configured PEMAX is achievable with a predefined configuration subset.

[0077] In some embodiments, the terminal device 110 may determine the at least one real achievable upper bound. A real achievable upper bound of the at least one real achievable upper bound may be determined based on specific absorption rate (SAR) requirements and / or UE battery power management (e.g., reducing / increasing maximum power when entering / leaving a low battery mode) and / or UE thermal handling (i.e., any event on the terminal device 110 that is transparent to the network device 120) and / or a change of configuration subset or other event known to the network device 120, etc. Alternatively or additionally, a real achievable upper bound may be determined based on a power class supported by the terminal device 110. Alternatively or additionally, a real achievable upper bound may be determined based on a configuration associated with one or more uplink transmissions. Alternatively or additionally, a real achievable upper bound may be determined based on a configuration associated with a lowest maximum power reduction (MPR). In other words, a real achievable upper bound P cmax_H_UE may be determined based on at least one of the following: SAR requirements, a UE power class, a (best) configuration for lowest MPR, or a configuration associated with one or more UL transmissions (e.g., Carrier Aggregation (CA) / Dual Connectivity (DC), static or dynamic power sharing / split between different cells or carriers or component carriers), a time period and real UE PA power reduction (instead of a maximum allowed MPR), a configuration subset, and any UE events transparent to or known by the network.

[0078] In some embodiments, a real achievable upper bound of the at least one real achievable upper bound is associated with a time period. The time period may be predefined, predetermined or preconfigured.

[0079] In some examples, the configuration for the lowest MPR may be included in a configuration subset associated with the real achievable upper bound. In other words, the real achievable upper bound P cmax_H_UE may be determined based on a (best) configuration for lowest MPR within its associated configuration subset. Alternatively, the configuration for the lowest MPR is included in at least one configuration subset associated with the at least one real achievable upper bound. In other words, the real achievable upper bound P cmax_H_UE may be determined based on a (best) configuration for lowest MPR among the at least one configuration subset configured by the network device 120.

[0080] In some embodiments, the at least one real achievable upper bound may be respectively associated with at least one configuration subset. For example, the terminal device 110 may indicate a respective real achievable upper bound POmax_H_uE for each configuration subset to the network device 120.

[0081] Alternatively, the at least one real achievable upper bound may include one real achievable upper bound. The terminal device 110 may determine respective real achievable upper bounds for at least one configuration subset, and determine a lowest one or a highest one among the respective real achievable upper bounds as the real achievable upper bound. For example, the terminal device 110 may indicate one real achievable upper bound POmax_H_uE for at least one configuration subset to the network device 120. The indicated real achievable upper bound P cmax_H_UE may be a lowest one or a highest one among respective real achievable upper bounds POmax_H_uE for the at least one configuration subset configured by the network device 120. In some examples, the assistance information 203 may further include an indication of a configuration subset associated with the real achievable upper bound. For example, the terminal device 110 may indicate one real achievable upper bound P cmax_H_UE (a lowest one or a highest one) for at least one configuration subset and the configuration subset associated with the indicated POmax_H_uE to the network device 120.

[0082] Alternatively, the at least one real achievable upper bound may include one real achievable upper bound associated with a configuration subset among at least one configuration subset. For example, the terminal device 110 may indicate one real achievable upper bound POmax_H_uE associated with one configuration subset to the network device 120. In some examples, the terminal device 110 may determine a worst configuration subset among the at least one configuration subset as the configuration subset. Alternatively, the terminal device 110 may determine a best configuration subset among the at least one configuration subset as the configuration subset. Alternatively, the terminal device 110 may receive an indication of the configuration subset from the network device 120. Alternatively, the terminal device 110 may determine the configuration subset from the at least one configuration subset based on at least one predefined rule. For example, the terminal device 110 may indicate one real achievable upper bound Pcmax_H_uE associated with the worst / best / indicated / predefined configuration subset to the network device 120. In some examples, the assistance information 203 may further include an indication of a configuration subset associated with the real achievable upper bound. For example, the terminal device 110 may indicate one real achievable upper bound P cmax_H_UE associated with the worst / best / i ndicated / predefi ned configuration subset and the worst / best / indicated / predefined configuration subset associated with the indicated P cmax_H_UE to the network device 120.

[0083] Alternatively, the terminal device 110 may determine the at least one best achievable upper bound. A best achievable upper bound of the at least one best achievable upper bound is determined based on a configuration associated with a lowest MPR. In some examples, the configuration for the lowest MPR may be included in a configuration subset associated with the best achievable upper bound. In other words, a best achievable upper bound PratedForBestconfig may be determined based on a (best) configuration for lowest MPR within its associated configuration subset. In some examples, the configuration for the lowest MPR may be included in at least one configuration subset associated with the at least one best achievable upperbound. In other words, a best achievable upper bound PratedForBestconfig may be determined based on a (best) configuration for lowest MPR among the at least one configuration subset configured by the network device 120.

[0084] In some embodiments, the at least one best achievable upper bound may be respectively associated with at least one configuration subset. For example, the terminal device 110 may indicate a best achievable upper bound PratedForBestconfig for each configuration subset to the network device 120.

[0085] Alternatively, the at least one best achievable upper bound may include one best achievable upper bound. The terminal device 110 may determine respective best achievable upper bounds for at least one configuration subset, and determine a lowest one or a highest one among the respective best achievable upper bounds as the best achievable upper bound. For example, the terminal device 110 may indicate one best achievable upper bound PratedForBestconfig for at least one configuration subset to the network device 120. The indicated best achievable upper bound PratedForBestconfig may be a lowest one or a highest one among respective best achievable upper bounds PratedForBestconfig for the at least one configuration subset configured by the network device 120. In some examples, the assistance information 203 may further include an indication of a configuration subset associated with the best achievable upper bound. For example, the terminal device 110 may indicate one best achievable upper bound PratedForBestconfig (a lowest one or a highest one) for at least one configuration subset and the configuration subset associated with the indicated P ratedForBestcontig to the network device 120.

[0086] Alternatively, the at least one best achievable upper bound may include one best achievable upper bound associated with a configuration subset among at least one configuration subset. For example, the terminal device 110 may indicate one best achievable upper bound PratedForBestconfig associated with one configuration subset to the network device 120. In some examples, the terminal device 110 may determine a best configuration subset among the at least one configuration subset as the configuration subset. Alternatively, the terminal device 110 may receive an indication of the configuration subset from the network device 120. Alternatively, the terminal device 110 may determine the configuration subset from the at least one configuration subset based on at least one predefined rule. For example, the terminal device 110 may indicate one best achievable upper bound PratedForBestconfig associated with the best / indicated / predefined configuration subset to the network device 120. In some examples, the assistance information 203 may further include an indication of a configuration subset associated with the best achievable upper bound. For example, the terminal device 110 may indicate one best achievable upper bound PratedForBestconfig associated with the best / indicated / predefined configuration subset and best / indicated / predefined configuration subset to the network device 120.

[0087] In some embodiments, the terminal device 110 may determine the at least one upper bound based on a respective minimum between at least one real achievable upper bound of the maximum output power and at least one maximum power value configured by the network device 120. For example, the terminaldevice 110 may determine a upper bound P cmax_H,c based on Pomax_H,c = min {PEMAX.C, Pcmax_H_uE}- In some examples, the indication of an upper bound of the at least one upper bound may include an absolute value of the upper bound. Alternatively, the indication of an upper bound of the at least one upper bound may include an offset of the upper bound with respect to a reference power. In other words, the terminal device 110 may indicate a upper bound POmax_H,c as an absolute value or a relative value compared with a reference power. For example, a upper bound POmax_H,c may be indicated by using a relative value equal to Pomax_H,c - Pref or Pref - P cmax_H, where the Pref is a reference power.

[0088] In some embodiments, the indication of a real achievable upper bound of the at least one real achievable upper bound may include an absolute value of the real achievable upper bound. Alternatively, the indication of an upper bound of the at least one upper bound may include an offset of the real achievable upper bound with respect to a reference power. In other words, the terminal device 110 may indicate a real achievable upper bound POmax_H_uE as an absolute value or a relative value compared with a reference power. For example, a real achievable upper bound P cmax_H_UE may be indicated by using a relative value equal to Pcmax_H_uE - Pref or Pref - POmax_H_uE, where the Pref is a reference power.

[0089] In some embodiments, the indication of a best achievable upper bound of the at least one best achievable upper bound may include an absolute value of the best achievable upper bound. Alternatively, the indication of an upper bound of the at least one upper bound may include an offset of the best achievable upper bound with respect to a reference power. In other words, the terminal device 110 may indicate a best achievable upper bound PratedForBestconfig as an absolute value or a relative value compared with a reference power. For example, a best achievable upper bound PratedForBestconfig may be indicated by using a relative value equal to P ratedForBestconfig ■ P ref or P ref ■ P ratedForBestconfig, where the P ref is a reference power.

[0090] In an example, the reference power may include a maximum power value configured by the network device 120. For example, the reference power Pref may be configured by the network device 120. In another example, the reference power may include a real maximum power, wherein the real maximum power is transmitted to the network device 120 along with the assistance information 203. For example, the reference power Pref may be determined and indicated by the terminal device 110. In a further example, the reference power may include a most recent real maximum power that was transmitted to the network device 120. For example, the reference power Pref may be a last maximum output power reported by the terminal device 110. In other words, Pref may be Pcmax indicated by the terminal device 110 to the network device 120 in a different or same report (i.e. , a most recent real maximum power or the currently reported real maximum power), or Pemax configured by the network device 120 and not indicated by the terminal device 110, or an associated lower bound of the maximum output power (e.g., Pomax_L, Prated_uE). Other examples of the reference power Pref are also possible.

[0091] In some embodiments, the assistance information 203 may further include an indication of at least one lower bound of the maximum output power. Alternatively or additionally, the assistance information203 may further include an indication of at least one real lower bound of the maximum output power. Alternatively or additionally, the assistance information 203 may further include an indication of at least one real power reduction. In other words, the assistance information 203 may be associated with both the upper bound and lower bound of the maximum output power, i.e., the range of the maximum output power.

[0092] In some embodiments, a real lower bound of the at least one real lower bound is associated with a time period. The time period may be predefined, predetermined or preconfigured.

[0093] In some implementations, the indication of a real lower bound of the at least one real lower bound may include an absolute value of the real lower bound. Alternatively, the indication of a real lower bound of the at least one real lower bound may include an offset of the real lower bound with respect to an upper bound of the maximum output power. Alternatively, the indication of a real lower bound of the at least one real lower bound may include an offset of the real lower bound with respect to a real achievable upper bound of the maximum output power. Alternatively, the indication of a real lower bound of the at least one real lower bound may include an offset of the real lower bound with respect to a best achievable upper bound of the maximum output power. Alternatively, the indication of a real lower bound of the at least one real lower bound may include an offset of the real lower bound with respect to a reference power.

[0094] In some implementations, the indication of a lower bound of the at least one lower bound may include an absolute value of the lower bound. Alternatively, the indication of a lower bound of the at least one lower bound may include an offset of the lower bound with respect to an upper bound of the maximum output power. Alternatively, the indication of a lower bound of the at least one lower bound may include an offset of the lower bound with respect to a real achievable upper bound of the maximum output power. Alternatively, the indication of a lower bound of the at least one lower bound may include an offset of the lower bound with respect to a best achievable upper bound of the maximum output power. Alternatively, the indication of a lower bound of the at least one lower bound may include an offset of the lower bound with respect to a reference power.

[0095] In some embodiments, the assistance information 203 may be associated with at least one configuration subset. A configuration subset of the at least one configuration subset may include at least one of the following: one or more configured or active cells; one or more configured or active component carriers; a modulation type; a waveform type; a number of transmission layers; a frequency domain resource allocation (FDRA) type; or a power class.

[0096] In some embodiments, the assistance information 203 may be transmitted in response to changing of at least one upper bound of the maximum output power. Alternatively or additionally, the assistance information 203 may be transmitted in response to changing of at least one upper bound of the maximum output power has exceeded a threshold. Alternatively or additionally, the assistance information 203 may be transmitted in response to changing of at least one real achievable upper bound of the maximum output power. Alternatively or additionally, the assistance information 203 may be transmitted in response tochanging of at least one real achievable upper bound of the maximum output power has exceeded a threshold. Alternatively or additionally, the assistance information 203 may be transmitted in response to changing of a configuration subset. Alternatively or additionally, the assistance information 203 may be transmitted in response to changing of at least one best achievable upper bound of the maximum output power. Alternatively or additionally, the assistance information 203 may be transmitted in response to changing of at least one best achievable upper bound of the maximum output power has exceeded a threshold. Alternatively or additionally, the assistance information 203 may be transmitted in response to at least one period or timer is expired. Alternatively or additionally, the assistance information 203 may be transmitted in response to switching between different time periods. For example, the terminal device 110 may trigger a new report if a upper bound P cmax_H,c or a real achievable upper bound P cmax_H_UE is changed (e.g., due to SAR, UE thermal issue / power saving, etc.), or if Pomax_H,c or Pomax_H_uE has changed more than a threshold, Or if P cmax_H,c Or P cmax_H_UE is expected to change within a pre-determined / predefined / pre-configured period (i.e., thus reporting a proactive assistance information). This report may carry the assistance information 203. In some cases, the report may be part of a PHR.

[0097] Alternatively or additionally, the assistance information 203 may be transmitted in response to a trigger indication received from the network device 120. In an example, the trigger indication may be carried in a bit of downlink control information (DCI) or a MAC CE. In another example, the trigger indication may be indicated by a DCI indicating a change of at least one L1 configuration parameter. The change of the L1 configuration parameter could be relative to a previously indicated parameter in DCI, or relative to a parameter used in the previously reported assistance information. In a more specific example, the network device 120 may explicit trigger for the reporting of the assistance information. The network device 120 may also indicate the content type required for the assistance information to the terminal device 110. The network device 120 may trigger the reporting of the assistance information using a RRC re-configuration for a PHR report. Alternatively, the network device 120 may trigger the reporting of the assistance information using a dedicated bit in a DCI. Alternatively, the network device 120 may trigger the reporting of the assistance information based on at least one L1 configuration parameter change (e.g., whether FDRA RB inner / outer allocation is contiguous or not, modulation in MCS, WF (waveform), power class, number of layers, CA scheduling, or any other L1 parameter(s) etc.).

[0098] In some embodiment, this assistance information 203 on the upper bound of the UE maximum output power may be reported more frequently using at least one of L1 signaling and / or L2 signaling to consider potential variations of UE maximum output power overtime (especially based on factors transparent to the network device 120, e.g., to meet SAR requirements, UE battery / thermal consideration, etc., and / or configuration subset change). The determination of the assistance information 203 potentially based on a configuration subset allows to provide the network device 120 with more accurate knowledge of the upper bound and thus facilitates in avoiding coverage issue due to overestimation and maximizing UL throughput.

[0099] Fig. 2B illustrates a signaling chart illustrating a second example process 200B according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, the process 200B will be described with reference to Fig. 1. The process 200B may involve the terminal device 110 and the network device 120. It would be appreciated that although the process 200B has been described in the communication system 100 of Fig. 1, this process may be likewise applied to other communication scenarios. The process 200B may be performed independently of or in combination with the process 200A of Fig. 2A.[OO1OO] As shown in Fig. 2B, the terminal device 110 determines (211) assistance information 213 associated with at least one lower bound of a maximum output power of the terminal device 110 for at least one cell. As used herein, the at least one cell may correspond to or may be replaced by one or more of: at least one serving cell, at least one carrier, at least one component carrier, at least one bandwidth, at least one frequency domain allocation. The terminal device 110 transmits (212) the assistance information 213 associated with the at least one lower bound to the network device 120. The network device 120 receives (214) the assistance information 213 associated with the at least one lower bound from the terminal device 110, and determines (215) the at least one lower bound based on the assistance information 213. In this way, underestimation of the maximum output power of the terminal device may be avoided.[OO1O1] In some embodiments, the assistance information 213 may be carried in a layer 1 (L1) signaling. For example, the L1 signaling may be L1 uplink control information (L1 UCI). Alternatively or additionally, the assistance information 213 may be carried in a layer 2 (L2) signaling. For example, the L2 signaling may be a medium access control (MAC) control element (CE). The MAC CE may carry an indication of a virtual power headroom report (PHR) or an indication of a real PHR. Alternatively, the MAC CE may include a virtual PHR or a real PHR. Alternatively, the MAC CE may be indicative of a virtual PHR or a real PHR.

[0102] There may be various implementations of the assistance information 213. For example, the assistance information 213 may include an indication of the at least one lower bound of the maximum output power. For example, the terminal device 110 may determine at least one lower bound Pcmaxj. and indicate the at least one lower bound Pomax_L to the network device 120. Alternatively or additionally, the assistance information 213 may include an indication of at least one real lower bound of the maximum output power. For example, the terminal device 110 may determine at least one real lower bound Prated_uE and indicate the at least one real lower bound Prated_uE to the network device 120. Alternatively or additionally, the assistance information 213 may include an indication of at least one real power reduction associated with the at least one configuration subset. For example, the terminal device 110 may determine at least one real output backoff (OBO) and indicate the at least one real OBO to the network device 120.

[0103] In some embodiments, a real lower bound of the at least one real lower bound is associated with a time period. The time period may be predefined, predetermined or preconfigured. As used herein, the term “real lower bound of the maximum output power” may be used interchangeably with the term “real minimum of the maximum output power”.

[0104] In some embodiments, the assistance information 213 may include the indication of the at least one real lower bound. The terminal device 110 may determine the at least one real lower bound based on at least one real power reduction associated with at least one configuration subset. For example, the terminal device 110 may indicate the at least one real OBO to the network device 120, and the at least one real lower bound Prated_uE may be determined based on the at least one real OBO. In some implementations, the at least one real lower bound may be respectively associated with the at least one configuration subset.

[0105] In some embodiments, the assistance information 213 may include the indication of the at least one lower bound. The terminal device 110 may determine at least one real lower bound of the maximum output power based on at least one real power reduction associated with the at least one configuration subset. The at least one lower bound may be determined based on a respective minimum between the at least one real lower bound and at least one maximum power value configured by the network device 120. For example, the terminal device 110 may determine the at least one real lower bound Prated_uE based on the at least one real OBO, and determine the at least one lower bound Pomax_L based on Pomax_L = min {PEMAX,C, Prated_uE}.

[0106] I n some embodiments, the terminal device 110 may determine the at least one real power reduction. A real power reduction of the at least one power reduction may be determined based on at least one of the following: specific absorption rate (SAR) requirements; a power class supported by the terminal device 110; a battery lifetime of the terminal device 110; a configuration subset among the at least one configuration subset associated with the real power reduction; a best configuration subset among the at least one configuration subset; or a worst configuration subset among the at least one configuration subset.

[0107] For example, a real lower bound of the maximum output power may be based at least on a real maximum OBO that UE would use instead of maximum allowed MPR margin in contrast to current Pcmaxj. in general case. The real lower bound of the maximum output power may be also in general e.g., assuming full RB allocation and highest modulation and / or highest potential power reduction to meet SAR requirements or considering UE thermal issue or battery lifetime, or could be based on similar aspects for a configuration subset (e.g., a maximum RB allocation and / or modulation and / or other factor for a configuration subset). For example, a first configuration subset may be based on CP-OFDM and potential non-contiguous RB allocation in FDRAetc., and other configuration subsets may be based on DFT-s-OFDM and contiguous RB allocation in FDRA, etc. For example, a maximum RB allocation and modulation may change based on a configuration subset (e.g., waveform, single carrier or multi-carrier, etc.). In addition, the potential maximum power reduction to meet SAR requirements may change based on the UE power class. As an example, PC3 may have 0 power reduction to meet SAR while PC2 may have 3 dB and so on. In addition, this real lower bound may be valid for certain period of time (e.g., reporting period, up to X slots / symbols similar to real achievable definition for the upper bound) in contrast to Prated in ATG lower bound definition in NR which is static power based on MPR, not considering real OBO or any configuration subset, and assumed valid for all periods not accounting for potential variation in time of lower bound due to e.g., potential power reductionto meet SAR requirements or UE thermal / battery consideration, etc. This real lower bound could be not considering the maximum power value configured by the network device where the network device may deduce the real lower bound considering that PEMAX configured value by taking as example the minimum, and may be called “lower bound of the maximum output power” when considering PEMAX.

[0108] In some embodiments, the at least one real power reduction may be respectively associated with the at least one configuration subset.

[0109] Alternatively, the at least one real power reduction may include one real power reduction. The terminal device 110 may determine respective real power reductions for the at least one configuration subset, and determine a lowest one or a highest one among the respective real power reductions as the real power reduction. The assistance information 213 may further include an indication of a configuration subset associated with the real power reduction.

[0110] Alternatively, the at least one real power reduction may include one real power reduction associated with a configuration subset among the at least one configuration subset. In an example, the terminal device 110 may determine a worst configuration subset among the at least one configuration subset as the configuration subset. In another example, the terminal device 110 may determine a best configuration subset among the at least one configuration subset as the configuration subset. In a further example, the terminal device 110 may receive an indication of the configuration subset from the network device 120. In a further example, the terminal device 110 may determine the configuration subset from the at least one configuration subset based on at least one predefined rule. The assistance information 213 may further include an indication of a configuration subset associated with the real power reduction.

[0111] In some embodiments, the indication of a lower bound of the at least one lower bound may include an absolute value of the lower bound or an offset of the lower bound with respect to a reference power.

[0112] In some embodiments, the indication of a real lower bound of the at least one real lower bound may include an absolute value of the real lower bound or an offset of the real lower bound with respect to a reference power.

[0113] In some embodiments, the indication of a real power reduction of the at least one real power reduction may include an absolute value of the best achievable lower bound or an offset of the real power reduction with respect to a maximum power reduction associated with a rated maximum output power of the terminal device 110.

[0114] In some embodiments, the assistance information 213 further may include at least one of the following: an indication of achievability of at least one maximum power value configured by the network device 120; an indication of at least one upper bound of the maximum output power; an indication of at least one real achievable upper bound of the maximum output power; or an indication of at least one best achievable upper bound of the maximum output power. The indication of a real achievable upper bound of the at least one real achievable upper bound may include one of the following: an absolute value of the realachievable upper bound; an offset of the real achievable upper bound with respect to a lower bound of the maximum output power; an offset of the real achievable upper bound with respect to a real lower bound of the maximum output power; or an offset of the real achievable upper bound with respect to a reference power. In some embodiments, a real achievable upper bound of the at least one real achievable upper bound is associated with a time period. The time period may be predefined, predetermined or preconfigured. The indication of a best achievable upper bound of the at least one best achievable upper bound may include one of the following: an absolute value of the best achievable upper bound; an offset of the best achievable upper bound with respect to a lower bound of the maximum output power; an offset of the best achievable upper bound with respect to a real lower bound of the maximum output power; or an offset of the best achievable upper bound with respect to a reference power. The indication of an upper bound of the at least one upper bound may include one of the following: an absolute value of the upper bound; an offset of the upper bound with respect to a lower bound of the maximum output power; an offset of the upper bound with respect to a real lower bound of the maximum output power; or an offset of the upper bound with respect to a reference power.

[0115] The reference power may include one of the following: a maximum power value configured by the network device 120; a real maximum power determined by the terminal device 110 and transmitted to the network device 120 along with the assistance information 213; or a most recent real maximum power that was transmitted to the network device 120. In other words, the reference power Pref may be Pcmax indicated by the terminal device 110 to the network device 120 in a different or same report (i.e., a most recent real maximum power or the currently reported real maximum power), or Pemax configured by the network device 120 and not indicated by the terminal device 110, or an associated upper or lower bound of the maximum output power (e.g., POmax_H_uE, Pcmax.L, Prated_uE). Other examples of the reference power Pref are also possible.

[0116] In some embodiments, the assistance information 213 may be associated with at least one configuration subset. A configuration subset of the at least one configuration subset may include at least one of the following: one or more configured or active cells; one or more configured or active component carriers; a modulation type; a waveform type; a number of transmission layers; a FDRA type; or a power class.

[0117] In some embodiments, the assistance information 203 may be transmitted in response to changing of at least one lower bound of the maximum output power. Alternatively or additionally, the assistance information 203 may be transmitted in response to changing of at least one lower bound of the maximum output power has exceeded a threshold. Alternatively or additionally, the assistance information 203 may be transmitted in response to changing of at least one real lower bound changes. Alternatively or additionally, the assistance information 203 may be transmitted in response to changing of at least one real lower bound has exceeded a threshold. Alternatively or additionally, the assistance information 203 maybe transmitted in response to changing of at least one real power reduction changes. Alternatively or additionally, the assistance information 203 may be transmitted in response to changing of at least one real power reduction has exceeded a threshold. Alternatively or additionally, the assistance information 203 may be transmitted in response to a trigger indication received from the network device 120. Alternatively or additionally, the assistance information 203 may be transmitted in response to changing of a configuration subset. Alternatively or additionally, the assistance information 203 may be transmitted in response to at least one period or timer is expired. Alternatively or additionally, the assistance information 203 may be transmitted in response to switching between different time periods and / or switching between different carriers or BWP etc.

[0118] In an example, the trigger indication may be carried in a bit of DCI or a MAC CE. In another example, the trigger indication may be indicated by a DCI indicating a change of at least one L1 configuration parameter. The change of the L1 configuration parameter could be relative to a previously indicated parameter in DCI, or relative to a parameter used in the previously reported assistance information.

[0119] Fig. 3A illustrates an example process 300A of a first example implementation according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The process 300A may involve the terminal device (also referred to as a UE) 110 and the network device 120. The process 300A may be regarded as a specific example of the process 200A of Fig. 2A. The steps in the process 300A are provided for exemplary purposes only and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention. One or more steps in the process 300A may be omitted in certain implementations without departing from the essence of the disclosure. Additional operational steps not explicitly depicted in the process 300A may be incorporated. In addition, the execution sequence of the steps in the process 300A may be reordered or performed concurrently.

[0120] In the process 300A, at step 301, the network device 120 may send at least one configuration enabling reporting of at least one upper bound of the maximum output power (Pcmax), e.g., assuming at least one UL configuration, to the UE 110. Optionally, at step 302, the network device 120 may send UL grant scheduling PUSCH transmission or configure other UL transmissions to the UE 110. The reporting of at least one upper bound of Pcmax may be triggered if a reporting triggering condition is met. For example, at step 303, the network device 120 may send a triggering indication of reporting at least one upper bound of Pcmax to the UE 110. At step 304, the UE 110 may determine an upper bound Pcmax_H,c of Pcmax, e.g., by assuming at least one UL configuration. At step 305, the UE 110 may report an indication indicating the upper bound P cmax_H,c Of P cmax- Optionally, the UE 110 may determine that the upper bound P cmax_H,c of Pcmax has changed e.g., more than a threshold compared to the previously calculated upper bound Pcmax_H,c. At step 307, the UE 110 may report an indication indicating the updated upper bound P cmax_H,c Of P cmax-

[0121] In some embodiments, the UE may indicate the upper bound at step 305 as an absolute value and indicate the updated upper bound at step 307 relative to the upper bound at step 305. Alternatively, both the upper bound at step 305 and the updated upper bound at step 307 may be indicated as absolute valuesor relative to a third reference power (e.g., which may be configured as or predefined as PEMAX or actual Pcmax sent in the same or other PHR).

[0122] The UE 110 may indicate an upper bound Pomax_H,c which is determined based on the best UL possible configuration (e.g., with the lowest modulation order and RB allocation). The best UL possible configuration may be the best possible configuration based on a given configuration subset (CAor SC, DFTs-OFDM or CP-OFDM, single layer or multiple layer, FDRAtype, PC, etc.) to reduce the ambiguity with MPR based on a specific subset, since the lowest modulation order may change e.g., between single (pi / 2BPSK) and multi-layer UL (QPSK) and also between waveforms, lowest RB allocation may change based on configured / indicated FDRA allocation type and waveform (DFT-s-OFDM has RB allocation constraint 2Aa.3Ab.5Ac), possible contiguous / non-contiguous RB allocation depends also on FDRA allocation type and waveform, CA MPR case, etc.

[0123] The upper bound P cmax_H,c Of P cmax may be the maximum output power determined based on the real achievable upper bound POax_H_uE and the maximum power value PEMAX configured by the network. The upper bound Pomax_H,c may be determined based on a configuration subset. In one example, Pomax_H,c = min {PEMAX, c, Pcmax_H_UE}.

[0124] The real achievable upper bound P cmax_H_UE may be the maximum power that UE can achieve during a time period without considering any power limitation configured by NW. For example, the real achievable upper bound POax_H_uE could be valid for a period relevant to the indication instant e.g., for next 1 reporting period or X slots). The real achievable upper bound P cmax_H_UE may be based on a configuration subset.

[0125] POmax_H_uE could be equal or smaller than a best achievable upper bound PratedForBestconfig determined based on a (pre-determined) configuration subset. For example POax_H_uE is smaller than PratedForBestconfig in case UE need to reduce its power to meet SAR or handle UE thermal issue / etc.. The best achievable upper bound PratedForBestconfig may be the maximum power that UE can achieve during at least one period e.g., without considering any power limitation configured by NW. The best achievable upper bound PratedForBestconfig may be based on a configuration subset.

[0126] Although the process 300A is illustrated with reporting of the upper bound POax_H,c of Pemax, in some embodiments, when a reporting triggering condition is met, the UE 110 may report a real achievable upper bound POmax_H_uE and / or a best achievable upper bound PratedForBestconfig of the maximum output power Pomax.

[0127] For example, UE may further indicate its best and / or real achievable upper bound (PratedForBestconfig, and / or Pomax_H_uE before limiting it to a configured PEMAX and / or after that POax_H, ). The at least one maximum power upper bound may be determined based on SAR requirements and / or power class and / or [best] configuration for lowest MPR (low modulation / inner RB / etc.) within a configuration subset or not.

[0128] In a more specific example, a configuration subset based on single carrier CP-OFDM PC3, best MPR for inner RB QPSK is <=1.5 dB and UE may be using 1 dB as actual PA output backoff (i.e., the realpower reduction) for this case. PC3 23dBm and PEMAX= 30dBm, real achievable UE max power with best config having lowest MPR within a configuration subset is indicated as not larger than 22 dBm that would help to avoid overestimation by assuming larger PEMAX as P cmax_H OF a potential underestimation based on the maximum allowed power reduction (i.e., MPR) that may be large compared to real power reduction for some configuration subsets.

[0129] In another specific example, UE may deliver up to (PC2) 26dBm and PEMAx=30dBm, real achievable UE max power could be no more than 23dBm at specific time period in order satisfy to SAR requirements by UE.

[0130] The UE 110 may indicate the upper bound Pomax_H,c and / or the real achievable upper bound Pcmax_H_uE and / or the best achievable upper bound PratedForBestcontig of the maximum output power Pomax as absolute values, or relative values compared to a reference power (e.g., a configured PEMAX, or a most recent reported value). For example, the UE 110 may indicate the difference PEMAX- Pref for the best configuration with the lowest modulation / RB allocation based on a configuration subset or not restricted to the configuration subset.

[0131] Alternatively or additionally, the UE 110 may indicate the availability of the at least one configured maximum power value PEMAX. For example, the UE 110 may indicate if at least one configured PEMAX is achievable with at least one modulation and RB allocation.

[0132] Such indication may be carried, for example, in PHR (e.g., using an additional field in real PHR and / or virtual PHR). For example, the indication may be included e.g., in MAC-CE virtual / or real PHR or may be indicated through a higher layer especially if the indication is not based on a configuration subset that may change in L1 (e.g., waveform, etc.) or lower layer signalling especially if the indication is based on a configuration subset that may change in L1.

[0133] The UE 110 may trigger a new report of assistance information for the UE maximum output power if the upper bound POmax_H,c (or the real achievable upper bound POmax_H_uE or the best achievable upper bound PratedForBestconfig) is changed (e.g., due to SAR, UE thermal issue / power saving, etc.), or if the upper bound POmax_H,c (or the real achievable upper bound POmax_H_uE or the best achievable upper bound PratedForBestcontig) has changed more than a threshold. In some cases, the report may be a part of a PHR.

[0134] Alternatively or additionally, the network device 120 may transmit an explicit triggering indication for this reporting. For example, the network device 120 may trigger the assistance information reporting using RRC re-configuration for a PHR report. In another example, the network device 120 may trigger the assistance information reporting using a lower layer-based triggering e.g., based on L1. In a more specific example, the lower layer-based triggering may be a DCI explicit triggering using a dedicated bit. In another specific example, the lower layer-based triggering may be a DCI-based implicit triggering based on at least one L1 configuration parameter change (e.g., FDRA RB inner / outer contiguous or not, modulation in MCS, waveform, power class, number of layers, CA scheduling, or any other L1 parameter(s) etc.).

[0135] In this way, the ambiguity on higher bound of Pcmax due to potentially high upper limit based on PEMAX is avoided and thus aoviding potential UL coverage issue:

[0136] Fig. 3B illustrates an example process 300B of a first example implementation according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The process 300B may involve the terminal device (also referred to as a UE) 110 and the network device 120. The process 300B may be regarded as a specific example of the process 200B of Fig. 2b. The steps in the process 300B are provided for exemplary purposes only and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention. One or more steps in the process 300B may be omitted in certain implementations without departing from the essence of the disclosure. Additional operational steps not explicitly depicted in the process 300B may be incorporated. In addition, the execution sequence of the steps in the process 300B may be reordered or performed concurrently. The same reference numerals are used to denote the elements or components described in Figs. 3A and 3B having the same operations, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0137] In the process 300B, at step 311, the network device 120 may send at least one configuration enabling reporting of at least one lower bound of the maximum output power (Pcmax), e.g., assuming at least one UL configuration, to the UE 110. Optionally, at step 302, the network device 120 may send UL grant scheduling PUSCH transmission to the UE 110. The reporting of at least one lower bound of Pcmax may be triggered if a reporting triggering condition is met. For example, at step 313, the network device 120 may send a triggering indication of reporting at least one lower bound of Pcmax to the UE 110. At step 314, the UE 110 may determine a lower bound Pcmax.L of Pcmax, e.g., by assuming at least one UL configuration. The lower bound Pcmax.L of Pcmax may be determined based on a configuration subset using the actual OBO instead of MPR for the highest modulation / RB. At step 315, the UE 110 may report an indication indicating the lower bound Pcmax.L Of P cmax- Optionally, the UE 110 may determine that the lower bound P cmax_L Of Pcmax has changed e.g., more than a threshold compared to the previously calculated lower bound Pomax_L. At step 317, the UE 110 may report an indication indicating the updated lower bound P cmax_L Of P cmax-

[0138] In some embodiments, the UE may indicate the lower bound at step 315 as an absolute value and indicate the updated lower bound at step 317 relative to the lower bound at step 315. Alternatively, both the lower bound at step 315 and the updated lower bound at step 317 may be indicated as absolute values or relative to a third reference power (e.g., which may be configured as or predefined as PEMAX or actual Pcmax sent in the same or other PHR).

[0139] The lower bound Pcmax.L of Pcmax may be the maximum output power determined based on the real lower bound Prated.uE and the maximum power value PEMAX configured by the network. The lower bound Pcmax.L may be determined based on a configuration subset. In one example, Pcmax.L = min {PEMAX, c, Prated_uE}.

[0140] The real lower bound Prated.uE may be based at least on real maximum OBO that UE would use instead of maximum allowed MPR margin in contrast to current Pcmax.L in general case. The real lower bound Prated.uE could be also in general e.g., assuming full RB allocation and highest modulation and / or highestpotential power reduction to meet SAR requirements or consider UE thermal issue or battery lifetime, or could be based on similar aspects for a configuration subset e.g., maximum RB allocation and modulation may change based on configuration subset e.g., with waveform, single carrier or multi-carrier, etc., and / or potential maximum power reduction to meet SAR requirements may change based on power class. In addition, The real lower bound Prated_uE may be valid for certain period of time (e.g., reporting period, up to X slots / symbols similar to real achievable definition for the upper bound) in contrast to Prated in ATG lower bound definition in NR which is static power based on MPR, not considering real OBO or any configuration subset, and assumed valid for all periods not accounting for potential variation in time of lower bound due to e.g. potential power reduction to meet SAR requirements or UE thermal / battery consideration, etc.. The real lower bound Prated_uE could be determined not considering the maximum power value configured by NW device where NW may deduce the real lower bound considering that PEMAX configured value by taking e.g., the minimum, and may be called “lower bound of the maximum output power” when considering PEMAX.

[0141] Although the process 300B is illustrated with reporting of the lower bound P cmax_L Of P cmax, in some embodiments, when a reporting triggering condition is met, the UE 110 may report a real lower bound Prated_uE and / or a real maximum OBO. The lower bound POmax_L, the real lower bound Prated_uE and / or the real maximum OBO may be associated with a configuration subset.

[0142] The configuration subset for indication and / or determination of POmax_H,c in embodiments of the process 300A in Fig. 3A may also be applied for the lower bound Pcmaxj. when determining the lower bound Pcmax.L, the real lower bound Prated_uE and / or the real maximum OBO. In addition, the configuration subset could include other / different configurations such as UE extended channel bandwidth support or not and its position since UE supporting UE extended channel bandwidth from rel-19 may have no outer region (i.e., the worst case with full RB allocation and modulation is in inner region MPR while the worst case for other UEs not supporting this feature is based on outer region).

[0143] In this way, the ambiguity on lower bound of Pemax due to potentially low Prated based on the maximum allowed MPR is avoided, thus avoiding the significant underestimation of Pemax and compromise of UL throughput.

[0144] It should be understood that the process 300A in Fig. 3A and the process 300B in Fig. 3B may be implemented independently or in combination. For example, the UE 110 may indicate an indication about the lower and / or upper bounds of Pemax jointly or separately based on potentially actual PA OBO for best / worst configuration in a configuration subset and / or other requirements (e.g., to meet SAR, thermal issue). For example, at step 305 or 307 in the process 300A in Fig. 3A, the UE 110 may indicate the range of Pemax to the network device 120. Similarly, at step 315 or 317 in the process 300B in Fig. 3B, the UE 110 may indicate the range of Pemax to the network device 120.

[0145] In this way, embodiments of the present disclosure provide means for dynamic indication of lower / upper bounds and / or range of UE maximum output power, reporting methods (e.g., in a dedicatedreport or optionally included in a PHR), and the corresponding triggering conditions.

[0146] Fig. 4 illustrates a schematic diagram illustrating a method 400 implemented at a terminal device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, the method 400 will be described from the perspective of the terminal device 110 as shown in Fig. 1.

[0147] As shown in Fig. 4, at block 410, the terminal device 110 determines assistance information associated with at least one upper bound of a maximum output power of the terminal device for at least one cell. At block 420, the terminal device 110 transmits, to a network device, the assistance information associated with the at least one upper bound. The assistance information comprises at least one of the following: an indication of achievability of at least one maximum power value configured by the network device; an indication of the at least one upper bound of the maximum output power; an indication of at least one real achievable upper bound of the maximum output power; or an indication of at least one best achievable upper bound of the maximum output power. The assistance information is carried in at least one of the following: a layer 2 (L2) signaling; or a layer 1 (L1 ) signalling.

[0148] In some embodiments, a maximum power value of the at least one maximum power value is associated with one or more configuration subsets. The terminal device may determine whether the maximum power value is achievable for the one or more configuration subsets, and wherein the indication of achievability of the at least one maximum power value comprises an indication of whether the maximum power value is achievable for the one or more configuration subsets.

[0149] In some embodiments, the at least one maximum power value is respectively associated with at least one configuration subset. The terminal device may determine whether the at least one maximum power value is achievable for a configuration subset among the at least one configuration subset, and wherein the indication of achievability of the at least one maximum power value comprises an indication of whether the at least one maximum power value is achievable for the configuration subset.

[0150] In some embodiments, the terminal device may determine a best configuration subset among the at least one configuration subset as the configuration subset. Alternatively, the terminal device may receive an indication of the configuration subset from the network device. Alternatively, the terminal device may determine the configuration subset from the at least one configuration subset based on at least one predefined rule.

[0151] In some embodiments, the terminal device may determine the at least one real achievable upper bound, wherein a real achievable upper bound of the at least one real achievable upper bound is determined based on at least one of the following: specific absorption rate (SAR) requirements; a power class supported by the terminal device; a configuration associated with a lowest maximum power reduction (MPR); or a configuration associated with one or more uplink transmissions.

[0152] In some embodiments, the configuration for the lowest MPR is comprised in a configuration subset associated with the real achievable upper bound. Alternatively, the configuration for the lowest MPR iscomprised in at least one configuration subset associated with the at least one real achievable upper bound.

[0153] In some embodiments, the at least one real achievable upper bound is respectively associated with at least one configuration subset.

[0154] In some embodiments, the at least one real achievable upper bound comprises one real achievable upper bound. The terminal device may determine respective real achievable upper bounds for at least one configuration subset; and determine a lowest one or a highest one among the respective real achievable upper bounds as the real achievable upper bound.

[0155] In some embodiments, the at least one real achievable upper bound comprises one real achievable upper bound associated with a configuration subset among at least one configuration subset. The terminal device may determine a worst configuration subset among the at least one configuration subset as the configuration subset. Alternatively, the terminal device may determine a best configuration subset among the at least one configuration subset as the configuration subset. Alternatively, the terminal device may receive an indication of the configuration subset from the network device. Alternatively, the terminal device may determine the configuration subset from the at least one configuration subset based on at least one predefined rule.

[0156] In some embodiments, the assistance information further comprises an indication of a configuration subset associated with the real achievable upper bound.

[0157] In some embodiments, the terminal device may determine the at least one best achievable upper bound, wherein a best achievable upper bound of the at least one best achievable upper bound is determined based on a configuration for a lowest MPR.

[0158] In some embodiments, the configuration for the lowest MPR is comprised in a configuration subset associated with the best achievable upper bound. Alternatively, the configuration for the lowest MPR is comprised in at least one configuration subset associated with the at least one best achievable upper bound.

[0159] In some embodiments, the at least one best achievable upper bound is respectively associated with at least one configuration subset.

[0160] In some embodiments, the at least one best achievable upper bound comprises one best achievable upper bound. The terminal device may determine respective best achievable upper bounds for at least one configuration subset; and determine a lowest one or a highest one among the respective best achievable upper bounds as the best achievable upper bound.

[0161] In some embodiments, the at least one best achievable upper bound comprises one best achievable upper bound associated with a configuration subset among at least one configuration subset. The terminal device may determine a best configuration subset among the at least one configuration subset as the configuration subset. Alternatively, the terminal device may receive an indication of the configuration subset from the network device. Alternatively, the terminal device may determine the configuration subset from the at least one configuration subset based on at least one predefined rule.

[0162] In some embodiments, the assistance information further comprises an indication of a configuration subset associated with the best achievable upper bound.

[0163] In some embodiments, the terminal device may determine the at least one upper bound based on a respective minimum between at least one real achievable upper bound of the maximum output power and at least one maximum power value configured by the network device.

[0164] In some embodiments, the indication of an upper bound of the at least one upper bound comprises one of the following: an absolute value of the upper bound; or an offset of the upper bound with respect to a reference power.

[0165] In some embodiments, the indication of a real achievable upper bound of the at least one real achievable upper bound comprises one of the following: an absolute value of the real achievable upper bound; or an offset of the real achievable upper bound with respect to a reference power.

[0166] In some embodiments, the indication of a best achievable upper bound of the at least one best achievable upper bound comprises one of the following: an absolute value of the best achievable upper bound; or an offset of the best achievable upper bound with respect to a reference power.

[0167] In some embodiments, the assistance information further comprises at least one of the following: an indication of at least one lower bound of the maximum output power; an indication of at least one real lower bound of the maximum output power; or an indication of at least one real power reduction.

[0168] In some embodiments, the indication of a real lower bound of the at least one real lower bound comprises one of the following: an absolute value of the real lower bound; an offset of the real lower bound with respect to an upper bound of the maximum output power; an offset of the real lower bound with respect to a real achievable upper bound of the maximum output power; an offset of the real lower bound with respect to a best achievable upper bound of the maximum output power; or an offset of the real lower bound with respect to a reference power.

[0169] In some embodiments, the indication of a lower bound of the at least one lower bound comprises one of the following: an absolute value of the lower bound; an offset of the lower bound with respect to an upper bound of the maximum output power; an offset of the lower bound with respect to a real achievable upper bound of the maximum output power; an offset of the lower bound with respect to a best achievable upper bound of the maximum output power; or an offset of the lower bound with respect to a reference power.

[0170] In some embodiments, the reference power comprises one of the following: a maximum power value configured by the network device; a real maximum power, wherein the real maximum power is transmitted to the network device along with the assistance information; or a most recent real maximum power that was transmitted to the network device.

[0171] In some embodiments, the assistance information is associated with at least one configuration subset. A configuration subset of the at least one configuration subset comprises at least one of the following: one or more configured or active cells; one or more configured or active component carriers; amodulation type; a waveform type; a number of transmission layers; a frequency domain resource allocation (FDRA) type; or a power class.

[0172] In some embodiments, the L2 signaling is a medium access control (MAC) control element (CE). The MAC CE carries an indication of a virtual power headroom report (PHR) or an indication of a real PHR. Alternatively, the MAC CE comprises a virtual PHR or a real PHR. Alternatively, the MAC CE is indicative of a virtual PHR or a real PHR.

[0173] In some embodiments, the assistance information is transmitted in response to at least one of the following: changing of at least one upper bound of the maximum output power; changing of at least one upper bound of the maximum output power has exceeded a threshold; changing of at least one real achievable upper bound of the maximum output power; changing of at least one real achievable upper bound of the maximum output power has exceeded a threshold; a trigger indication received from the network device; changing of a configuration subset; changing of at least one best achievable upper bound of the maximum output power; changing of at least one best achievable upper bound of the maximum output power has exceeded a threshold; at least one period or timer is expired; or switching between different time periods.

[0174] In some embodiments, the trigger indication is carried in a bit of downlink control information (DCI) or a MAC CE.

[0175] In some embodiments, the trigger indication is indicated by a DCI indicating a change of at least one L1 configuration parameter.

[0176] In some embodiments, a real achievable upper bound of the at least one real achievable upper bound is associated with a time period, wherein the time period is predefined, predetermined or preconfigured.

[0177] In some embodiments, a real lower bound of the at least one real lower bound is associated with a time period, wherein the time period is predefined, predetermined or preconfigured

[0178] Fig. 5 illustrates a schematic diagram illustrating a method 500 implemented at a network device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, the method 500 will be described from the perspective of the network device 120 as shown in Fig. 1.

[0179] As shown in Fig. 5, at block 510, the network device 120 receives, from a terminal device, assistance information associated with at least one upper bound of a maximum output power of the terminal device for at least one cell. At block 520, the network device 120 determines the at least one upper bound based on the assistance information. The assistance information comprises at least one of the following: an indication of achievability of at least one maximum power value configured by the network device; an indication of the at least one upper bound of the maximum output power; an indication of at least one real achievable upper bound of the maximum output power; or an indication of at least one best achievable upper bound of the maximum output power. The assistance information is carried in at least one of the following: a layer 2 (L2) signaling; or a layer 1 (L1) signalling.

[0180] In some embodiments, a maximum power value of the at least one maximum power value isassociated with one or more configuration subsets. The indication of achievability of the at least one maximum power value comprises an indication of whether the maximum power value is achievable for the one or more configuration subsets.

[0181] In some embodiments, the at least one maximum power value is respectively associated with at least one configuration subset. The indication of achievability of the at least one maximum power value comprises an indication of whether the at least one maximum power value is achievable for a configuration subset among the at least one configuration subset.

[0182] In some embodiments, the network device may determine a worst configuration subset among the at least one configuration subset as the configuration subset. Alternatively, the network device may determine a best configuration subset among the at least one configuration subset as the configuration subset. Alternatively, the network device may transmit an indication of the configuration subset to the terminal device. Alternatively, the network device may determine the configuration subset from the at least one configuration subset based on at least one predefined rule.

[0183] In some embodiments, the network device may determine the at least one upper bound based on a respective minimum between the at least one real achievable upper bound of the maximum output power and at least one maximum power value configured by the network device.

[0184] In some embodiments, the at least one real achievable upper bound is respectively associated with at least one configuration subset.

[0185] In some embodiments, the at least one real achievable upper bound comprises one real achievable upper bound. The real achievable upper bound is a lowest real achievable upper bound or a highest real achievable upper bound for at least one configuration subset.

[0186] In some embodiments, the at least one real achievable upper bound comprises one real achievable upper bound associated with a configuration subset among at least one configuration subset. The network device may determine a best configuration subset among the at least one configuration subset as the configuration subset. Alternatively, the network device may transmit an indication of the configuration subset to the terminal device. Alternatively, the network device may determine the configuration subset from the at least one configuration subset based on at least one predefined rule.

[0187] In some embodiments, the assistance information further comprises an indication of a configuration subset associated with the real achievable upper bound.

[0188] In some embodiments, the at least one best achievable upper bound is respectively associated with at least one configuration subset.

[0189] In some embodiments, the at least one best achievable upper bound comprises one best achievable upper bound. The best achievable upper bound is a lowest best achievable upper bound or a highest best achievable upper bound for at least one configuration subset.

[0190] In some embodiments, the at least one best achievable upper bound comprises one bestachievable upper bound associated with a configuration subset among at least one configuration subset. The network device may determine a best configuration subset among the at least one configuration subset as the configuration subset. Alternatively, network device may the transmit an indication of the configuration subset from to the terminal device. Alternatively, network device may determine the configuration subset from the at least one configuration subset based on at least one predefined rule.

[0191] In some embodiments, the assistance information further comprises an indication of a configuration subset associated with the best achievable upper bound.

[0192] In some embodiments, the indication of an upper bound of the at least one upper bound comprises one of the following: an absolute value of the upper bound; or an offset of the upper bound with respect to a reference power.

[0193] In some embodiments, the indication of a real achievable upper bound of the at least one real achievable upper bound comprises one of the following: an absolute value of the real achievable upper bound; or an offset of the real achievable upper bound with respect to a reference power.

[0194] In some embodiments, the indication of a best achievable upper bound of the at least one best achievable upper bound comprises one of the following: an absolute value of the best achievable upper bound; or an offset of the best achievable upper bound with respect to a reference power.

[0195] In some embodiments, the assistance information further comprises at least one of the following: an indication of at least one lower bound of the maximum output power; an indication of at least one real lower bound of the maximum output power; or an indication of at least one real power reduction.

[0196] In some embodiments, the indication of a real lower bound of the at least one real lower bound comprises one of the following: an absolute value of the real lower bound; an offset of the real lower bound with respect to an upper bound of the maximum output power; an offset of the real lower bound with respect to a real achievable upper bound of the maximum output power; an offset of the real lower bound with respect to a best achievable upper bound of the maximum output power; or an offset of the real lower bound with respect to a reference power.

[0197] In some embodiments, the indication of a lower bound of the at least one lower bound comprises one of the following: an absolute value of the lower bound; an offset of the lower bound with respect to an upper bound of the maximum output power; an offset of the lower bound with respect to a real achievable upper bound of the maximum output power; an offset of the lower bound with respect to a best achievable upper bound of the maximum output power; or an offset of the lower bound with respect to a reference power.

[0198] In some embodiments, the reference power comprises one of the following: a maximum power value configured by the network device; a real maximum power, wherein the real maximum power is received from the terminal device along with the assistance information; or a most recent real maximum power that was received from the terminal device.

[0199] In some embodiments, the assistance information is associated with at least one configurationsubset. A configuration subset of the at least one configuration subset comprises at least one of the following: one or more configured or active cells; one or more configured or active component carriers; a modulation type; a waveform type; a number of transmission layers; a frequency domain resource allocation (FDRA) type; or a power class.

[0200] In some embodiments, the L2 signaling is a medium access control (MAC) control element (CE). The MAC CE carries an indication of a virtual power headroom report (PHR) or an indication of a real PHR. Alternatively, the MAC CE comprises a virtual PHR or a real PHR. Alternatively, the MAC CE is indicative of a virtual PHR or a real PHR.

[0201] In some embodiments, the network device may transmit, a trigger indication for reporting the assistance information to the terminal device.

[0202] In some embodiments, the trigger indication is carried in a bit of downlink control information (DCI) or a MAC CE.

[0203] In some embodiments, the trigger indication is indicated by a DCI indicating a change of at least one L1 configuration parameter.

[0204] In some embodiments, a real achievable upper bound of the at least one real achievable upper bound is associated with a time period, wherein the time period is predefined, predetermined or preconfigured.

[0205] In some embodiments, a real lower bound of the at least one real lower bound is associated with a time period, wherein the time period is predefined, predetermined or preconfigured.

[0206] Fig. 6 illustrates a schematic diagram illustrating a method 600 implemented at a terminal device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, the method 600 will be described from the perspective of the terminal device 110 as shown in Fig. 1.

[0207] As shown in Fig. 6, at block 610, the terminal device 110 determines assistance information associated with at least one lower bound of a maximum output power of the terminal device for at least one cell. At block 620, the terminal device 110 transmits, to a network device, the assistance information associated with the at least one lower bound. The assistance information comprises at least one of the following: an indication of the at least one lower bound of the maximum output power; or an indication of at least one real lower bound of the maximum output power. The assistance information is carried in at least one of the following: a layer 2 (L2) signaling; or a layer 1 (L1 ) signalling.

[0208] In some embodiments, the assistance information further comprises an indication of at least one real power reduction associated with the at least one configuration subset.

[0209] In some embodiments, the assistance information comprises the indication of the at least one real lower bound. The terminal device may determine the at least one real lower bound based on at least one real power reduction associated with at least one configuration subset.

[0210] In some embodiments, the at least one real lower bound is respectively associated with the at least one configuration subset.

[0211] In some embodiments, the assistance information comprises the indication of the at least one lower bound. The terminal device may determine at least one real lower bound of the maximum output power based on at least one real power reduction associated with the at least one configuration subset; and determine the at least one lower bound based on a respective minimum between the at least one real lower bound and at least one maximum power value configured by the network device.

[0212] In some embodiments, the terminal device may determine the at least one real power reduction. A real power reduction of the at least one power reduction is determined based on at least one of the following: specific absorption rate (SAR) requirements; a power class supported by the terminal device; a battery lifetime of the terminal device; a configuration subset among the at least one configuration subset associated with the real power reduction; a best configuration subset among the at least one configuration subset; or a worst configuration subset among the at least one configuration subset.

[0213] In some embodiments, the at least one real power reduction is respectively associated with the at least one configuration subset.

[0214] In some embodiments, the at least one real power reduction comprises one real power reduction. The terminal device may determine respective real power reductions for the at least one configuration subset; and determine a lowest one or a highest one among the respective real power reductions as the real power reduction.

[0215] In some embodiments, the at least one real power reduction comprises one real power reduction associated with a configuration subset among the at least one configuration subset. The terminal device may determine a worst configuration subset among the at least one configuration subset as the configuration subset. Alternatively, the terminal device may determine a best configuration subset among the at least one configuration subset as the configuration subset. Alternatively, the terminal device may receive an indication of the configuration subset from the network device. Alternatively, the terminal device may determine the configuration subset from the at least one configuration subset based on at least one predefined rule.

[0216] In some embodiments, the assistance information further comprises an indication of a configuration subset associated with the real power reduction.

[0217] In some embodiments, the indication of a lower bound of the at least one lower bound comprises one of the following: an absolute value of the lower bound; or an offset of the lower bound with respect to a reference power.

[0218] In some embodiments, the indication of a real lower bound of the at least one real lower bound comprises one of the following: an absolute value of the real lower bound; or an offset of the real lower bound with respect to a reference power.

[0219] In some embodiments, the indication of a real power reduction of the at least one real power reduction comprises one of the following: an absolute value of the best achievable lower bound; or an offsetof the real power reduction with respect to a maximum power reduction associated with a rated maximum output power of the terminal device.

[0220] In some embodiments, the assistance information further comprises at least one of the following: an indication of achievability of at least one maximum power value configured by the network device; an indication of at least one upper bound of the maximum output power; an indication of at least one real achievable upper bound of the maximum output power; or an indication of at least one best achievable upper bound of the maximum output power.

[0221] In some embodiments, the indication of a real achievable upper bound of the at least one real achievable upper bound comprises one of the following: an absolute value of the real achievable upper bound; an offset of the real achievable upper bound with respect to a lower bound of the maximum output power; an offset of the real achievable upper bound with respect to a real lower bound of the maximum output power; or an offset of the real achievable upper bound with respect to a reference power.

[0222] In some embodiments, the indication of a best achievable upper bound of the at least one best achievable upper bound comprises one of the following: an absolute value of the best achievable upper bound; an offset of the best achievable upper bound with respect to a lower bound of the maximum output power; an offset of the best achievable upper bound with respect to a real lower bound of the maximum output power; or an offset of the best achievable upper bound with respect to a reference power.

[0223] In some embodiments, the indication of an upper bound of the at least one upper bound comprises one of the following: an absolute value of the upper bound; an offset of the upper bound with respect to a lower bound of the maximum output power; an offset of the upper bound with respect to a real lower bound of the maximum output power; or an offset of the upper bound with respect to a reference power.

[0224] In some embodiments, the reference power comprises one of the following: a maximum power value configured by the network device; a real maximum power, wherein the real maximum power is transmitted to the network device along with the assistance information; or a most recent real maximum power that was transmitted to the network device.

[0225] In some embodiments, the assistance information is associated with at least one configuration subset. A configuration subset of the at least one configuration subset comprises at least one of the following: one or more configured or active cells; one or more configured or active component carriers; a modulation type; a waveform type; a number of transmission layers; a frequency domain resource allocation (FDRA) type; or a power class.

[0226] In some embodiments, the L2 signaling is a medium access control (MAC) control element (CE). The MAC CE carries an indication of a virtual power headroom report (PHR) or an indication of a real PHR. Alternatively, the MAC CE comprises a virtual PHR or a real PHR. Alternatively, the MAC CE is indicative of a virtual PHR or a real PHR.

[0227] In some embodiments, the assistance information is transmitted in response to at least one of thefollowing: changing of at least one lower bound of the maximum output power; changing of at least one lower bound of the maximum output power has exceeded a threshold; changing of at least one real lower bound changes; changing of at least one real lower bound has exceeded a threshold; changing of at least one real power reduction changes; changing of at least one real power reduction has exceeded a threshold; a trigger indication received from the network device; changing of a configuration subset; at least one period or timer is expired; or switching between different time periods.

[0228] In some embodiments, the trigger indication is carried in a bit of downlink control information (DCI) or a MAC CE.

[0229] In some embodiments, the trigger indication is indicated by a DCI indicating a change of at least one L1 configuration parameter.

[0230] In some embodiments, a real lower bound of the at least one real lower bound is associated with a time period, wherein the time period is predefined, predetermined or preconfigured.

[0231] In some embodiments, a real achievable upper bound of the at least one real achievable upper bound is associated with a time period, wherein the time period is predefined, predetermined or preconfigured.

[0232] Fig. 7 illustrates a schematic diagram illustrating a method 700 implemented at a network device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, the method 700 will be described from the perspective of the network device 120 as shown in Fig. 1.

[0233] As shown in Fig. 7, at block 710, the network device 120 receives, from a terminal device, assistance information associated with at least one lower bound of a maximum output power of the terminal device for at least one cell. At block 720, the network device 120 determines the at least one lower bound based on the assistance information. The assistance information comprises at least one of the following: an indication of the at least one lower bound of the maximum output power; or an indication of at least one real lower bound of the maximum output power. The assistance information is carried in at least one of the following: a layer 2 (L2) signaling; or a layer 1 (L1) signalling.

[0234] In some embodiments, the assistance information further comprises an indication of at least one real power reduction associated with the at least one configuration subset. The network device may determine at least one real lower bound of the maximum output power based on the at least one real power reduction associated with at least one configuration subset.

[0235] In some embodiments, the at least one real lower bound is respectively associated with the at least one configuration subset.

[0236] In some embodiments, in order to determine the at least one lower bound, the network device may determin the at least one lower bound based on a respective minimum between the at least one real lower bound and at least one maximum power value configured by the network device.

[0237] In some embodiments, the at least one real power reduction is respectively associated with at least one configuration subset.

[0238] In some embodiments, the at least one real power reduction comprises one real power reduction. The real power reduction is a lowest one or a highest one among respective real power reductions for the at least one configuration subset.

[0239] In some embodiments, the at least one real power reduction comprises one real power reduction associated with a configuration subset among the at least one configuration subset. The network device may determine a worst configuration subset among the at least one configuration subset as the configuration subset. Alternatively, the network device may determine a best configuration subset among the at least one configuration subset as the configuration subset. Alternatively, the network device may transmit an indication of the configuration subset to the terminal device. Alternatively, the network device may determine the configuration subset from the at least one configuration subset based on at least one predefined rule.

[0240] In some embodiments, the assistance information further comprises an indication of a configuration subset associated with the real power reduction.

[0241] In some embodiments, in order to determine the at least one lower bound, the network device may determine the at least one lower bound based on a respective minimum between the at least one real lower bound and at least one maximum power value configured by the network device.

[0242] In some embodiments, the at least one real lower bound is respectively associated with the at least one configuration subset.

[0243] In some embodiments, the indication of a lower bound of the at least one lower bound comprises one of the following: an absolute value of the lower bound; or an offset of the lower bound with respect to a reference power.

[0244] In some embodiments, the indication of a real lower bound of the at least one real lower bound comprises one of the following: an absolute value of the real lower bound; or an offset of the real lower bound with respect to a reference power.

[0245] In some embodiments, the indication of a real power reduction of the at least one real power reduction comprises one of the following: an absolute value of the best achievable lower bound; or an offset of the real power reduction with respect to a maximum power reduction associated with a rated maximum output power of the terminal device.

[0246] In some embodiments, the assistance information further comprises at least one of the following: an indication of achievability of at least one maximum power value configured by the network device; an indication of at least one upper bound of the maximum output power; an indication of at least one real achievable upper bound of the maximum output power; or an indication of at least one best achievable upper bound of the maximum output power.

[0247] In some embodiments, the indication of a real achievable upper bound of the at least one real achievable upper bound comprises one of the following: an absolute value of the real achievable upper bound;an offset of the real achievable upper bound with respect to a lower bound of the maximum output power; an offset of the real achievable upper bound with respect to a real lower bound of the maximum output power; or an offset of the real achievable upper bound with respect to a reference power.

[0248] In some embodiments, the indication of a best achievable upper bound of the at least one best achievable upper bound comprises one of the following: an absolute value of the best achievable upper bound; an offset of the best achievable upper bound with respect to a lower bound of the maximum output power; an offset of the best achievable upper bound with respect to a real lower bound of the maximum output power; or an offset of the best achievable upper bound with respect to a reference power.

[0249] In some embodiments, the indication of an upper bound of the at least one upper bound comprises one of the following: an absolute value of the upper bound; an offset of the upper bound with respect to a lower bound of the maximum output power; an offset of the upper bound with respect to a real lower bound of the maximum output power; or an offset of the upper bound with respect to a reference power.

[0250] In some embodiments, the reference power comprises one of the following: a maximum power value configured by the network device; a real maximum power, wherein the real maximum power is received from the terminal device along with the assistance information; or a most recent real maximum power that was received from the terminal device.

[0251] In some embodiments, the assistance information is associated with at least one configuration subset. A configuration subset of the at least one configuration subset comprises at least one of the following: one or more configured or active cells; one or more configured or active component carriers; a modulation type; a waveform type; a number of transmission layers; a frequency domain resource allocation (FDRA) type; or a power class.

[0252] In some embodiments, the L2 signaling is a medium access control (MAC) control element (CE). The MAC CE carries an indication of a virtual power headroom report (PHR) or an indication of a real PHR. Alternatively, the MAC CE comprises a virtual PHR or a real PHR. Alternatively, the MAC CE is indicative of a virtual PHR or a real PHR.

[0253] In some embodiments, the network device may transmit, a trigger indication for reporting the assistance information to the terminal device

[0254] In some embodiments, the trigger indication is carried in a bit of downlink control information (DCI) or a MAC CE.

[0255] In some embodiments, the trigger indication is indicated by a DCI indicating a change of at least one L1 configuration parameter.

[0256] In some embodiments, a real lower bound of the at least one real lower bound is associated with a time period, wherein the time period is predefined, predetermined or preconfigured.

[0257] In some embodiments, a real achievable upper bound of the at least one real achievable upper bound is associated with a time period, wherein the time period is predefined, predetermined or preconfigured.

[0258] In some embodiments, an apparatus capable of performing any of the method 400 (for example, the terminal device 110) may comprise means for performing the respective steps of the method 400. The means may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the means may be implemented in a circuitry or software module.

[0259] In some embodiments, the apparatus may include: means for determining assistance information associated with at least one upper bound of a maximum output power of the terminal device for at least one cell; and means for transmitting, to a network device, the assistance information associated with the at least one upper bound, wherein the assistance information comprises at least one of the following: an indication of achievability of at least one maximum power value configured by the network device; an indication of the at least one upper bound of the maximum output power; an indication of at least one real achievable upper bound of the maximum output power; or an indication of at least one best achievable upper bound of the maximum output power, wherein the assistance information is carried in at least one of the following: a layer 2 (L2) signaling; or a layer 1 (L1) signalling.

[0260] In some embodiments, the apparatus further may include means for performing other steps in some embodiments of the method 400. In some embodiments, the means may include at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the performance of the apparatus.

[0261] In some embodiments, an apparatus capable of performing any of the method 500 (for example, the network device 120) may comprise means for performing the respective steps of the method 500. The means may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the means may be implemented in a circuitry or software module.

[0262] In some embodiments, the apparatus may include: means for receiving, from a terminal device, assistance information associated with at least one upper bound of a maximum output power of the terminal device for at least one cell; and means for determining the at least one upper bound based on the assistance information, wherein the assistance information comprises at least one of the following: an indication of achievability of at least one maximum power value configured by the network device; an indication of the at least one upper bound of the maximum output power; an indication of at least one real achievable upper bound of the maximum output power; or an indication of at least one best achievable upper bound of the maximum output power, wherein the assistance information is carried in at least one of the following: a layer 2 (L2) signaling; or a layer 1 (L1) signalling.

[0263] In some embodiments, the apparatus further may include means for performing other steps in some embodiments of the method 500. In some embodiments, the means may include at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the performance of the apparatus.

[0264] In some embodiments, an apparatus capable of performing any of the method 600 (for example,the terminal device 110) may comprise means for performing the respective steps of the method 600. The means may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the means may be implemented in a circuitry or software module.

[0265] In some embodiments, the apparatus may include: means for means for determining assistance information associated with at least one lower bound of a maximum output power of the terminal device for at least one cell; and means for transmitting, to a network device, the assistance information associated with the at least one lower bound, wherein the assistance information comprises at least one of the following: an indication of the at least one lower bound of the maximum output power; or an indication of at least one real lower bound of the maximum output power, wherein the assistance information is carried in at least one of the following: a layer 2 (L2) signaling; or a layer 1 (L1) signalling.

[0266] In some embodiments, the apparatus further may include means for performing other steps in some embodiments of the method 600. In some embodiments, the means may include at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the performance of the apparatus.

[0267] In some embodiments, an apparatus capable of performing any of the method 700 (for example, the network device 120) may comprise means for performing the respective steps of the method 700. The means may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the means may be implemented in a circuitry or software module.

[0268] In some embodiments, the apparatus may include: means for receiving, from a terminal device, assistance information associated with at least one lower bound of a maximum output power of the terminal device for at least one cell; and means for determining the at least one lower bound based on the assistance information, wherein the assistance information comprises at least one of the following: an indication of the at least one lower bound of the maximum output power; or an indication of at least one real lower bound of the maximum output power, wherein the assistance information is carried in at least one of the following: a layer 2 (L2) signaling; or a layer 1 (L1) signalling.

[0269] In some embodiments, the apparatus further may include means for performing other steps in some embodiments of the method 700. In some embodiments, the means may include at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the performance of the apparatus.

[0270] Fig. 8 is a simplified block diagram of a device 800 that is suitable for implementing embodiments of the present disclosure. The device 800 may be provided to implement the communication device, for example the terminal device 110, or the network device 120 as shown in Fig. 1. As shown, the device 800 includes one or more processors 810, one or more memories 820 coupled to the processor 810, and one or more communication modules 840 coupled to the processor 810.

[0271] The communication module 840 is for bidirectional communications. The communication module840 has at least one antenna to facilitate communication. The communication interface may represent any interface that is necessary for communication with other network elements.

[0272] The processor 810 may be of any type suitable to the local technical network and may include one or more of the following: general purpose computers, special purpose computers, microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs) and processors based on multicore processor architecture, as non-limiting examples. The device 800 may have multiple processors, such as an application specific integrated circuit chip that is slaved in time to a clock which synchronizes the main processor.

[0273] The memory 820 may include one or more non-volatile memories and one or more volatile memories. Examples of the non-volatile memories include, but are not limited to, a Read Only Memory (ROM) 824, an electrically programmable read only memory (EPROM), a flash memory, a hard disk, a compact disc (CD), a digital video disk (DVD), and other magnetic storage and / or optical storage. Examples of the volatile memories include, but are not limited to, a random access memory (RAM) 822 and other volatile memories that will not last in the power-down duration.

[0274] A computer program 830 includes computer executable instructions that are executed by the associated processor 810. The program 830 may be stored in the ROM 820. The processor 810 may perform any suitable actions and processing by loading the program 830 into the RAM 820.

[0275] The embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented by means of the program 830 so that the device 800 may perform any process of the disclosure as discussed with reference to Figs. 2A to 7. The embodiments of the present disclosure may also be implemented by hardware or by a combination of software and hardware.

[0276] In some embodiments, the program 830 may be tangibly contained in a computer readable medium which may be included in the device 800 (such as in the memory 820) or other storage devices that are accessible by the device 800. The device 800 may load the program 830 from the computer readable medium to the RAM 822 for execution. The computer readable medium may include any types of tangible non-volatile storage, such as ROM, EPROM, a flash memory, a hard disk, CD, DVD, and the like. Fig. 9 shows an example of the computer readable medium 900 in form of CD or DVD. The computer readable medium has the program 830 stored thereon.

[0277] Generally, various embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented in hardware or special purpose circuits, software, logic or any combination thereof. Some aspects may be implemented in hardware, while other aspects may be implemented in firmware or software which may be executed by a controller, microprocessor or other computing device. While various aspects of embodiments of the present disclosure are illustrated and described as block diagrams, flowcharts, or using some other pictorial representations, it is to be understood that the block, apparatus, system, technique or method described herein may be implemented in, as non-limiting examples, hardware, software, firmware, special purpose circuits or logic, general purpose hardware or controller or other computing devices, or some combinationthereof.

[0278] The present disclosure also provides at least one computer program product tangibly stored on a non-transitory computer readable storage medium. The computer program product includes computerexecutable instructions, such as those included in program modules, being executed in a device on a target real or virtual processor, to carry out and of the methods 400 to 700 as described above with reference to Figs. 4-7. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, libraries, objects, classes, components, data structures, or the like that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. The functionality of the program modules may be combined or split between program modules as desired in various embodiments. Machine-executable instructions for program modules may be executed within a local or distributed device. In a distributed device, program modules may be located in both local and remote storage media.

[0279] Program code for carrying out methods of the present disclosure may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages. These program codes may be provided to a processor or controller of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus, such that the program codes, when executed by the processor or controller, cause the functions / operations specified in the flowcharts and / or block diagrams to be implemented. The program code may execute entirely on a machine, partly on the machine, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the machine and partly on a remote machine or entirely on the remote machine or server.

[0280] In the context of the present disclosure, the computer program codes or related data may be carried by any suitable carrier to enable the device, apparatus or processor to perform various processes and operations as described above. Examples of the carrier include a signal, computer readable medium, and the like.

[0281] The computer readable medium may be a computer readable signal medium or a computer readable storage medium. A computer readable medium may include but not limited to an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples of the computer readable storage medium would include an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. The term “non-transitory,” as used herein, is a limitation of the medium itself (i.e., tangible, not a signal) as opposed to a limitation on data storage persistency (e.g., RAM vs. ROM).

[0282] Further, while operations are depicted in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirable results. In certain circumstances, multitasking andparallel processing may be advantageous. Likewise, while several specific implementation details are contained in the above discussions, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the present disclosure, but rather as descriptions of features that may be specific to particular embodiments. Certain features that are described in the context of separate embodiments may also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment may also be implemented in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitable sub-combination.

[0283] Although the present disclosure has been described in languages specific to structural features and / or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the present disclosure defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A terminal device comprising:at least one processor; andat least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the terminal device at least to:determine assistance information associated with at least one upper bound of a maximum output power of the terminal device for at least one cell; andtransmit, to a network device, the assistance information associated with the at least one upper bound,wherein the assistance information comprises at least one of the following:an indication of achievability of at least one maximum power value configured by the network device;an indication of the at least one upper bound of the maximum output power; an indication of at least one real achievable upper bound of the maximum output power; oran indication of at least one best achievable upper bound of the maximum output power,wherein the assistance information is carried in at least one of the following:a layer 2 (L2) signaling; ora layer 1 (L1) signalling.

2. The terminal device of claim 1 , wherein a maximum power value of the at least one maximum power value is associated with one or more configuration subsets, and the terminal device is further caused to:determine whether the maximum power value is achievable for the one or more configuration subsets, andwherein the indication of achievability of the at least one maximum power value comprises an indication of whether the maximum power value is achievable for the one or more configuration subsets.

3. The terminal device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one maximum power value is respectively associated with at least one configuration subset, and the terminal device is further caused to:determine whether the at least one maximum power value is achievable for a configuration subset among the at least one configuration subset, andwherein the indication of achievability of the at least one maximum power value comprises an indication of whether the at least one maximum power value is achievable for the configuration subset.

4. The terminal device of claim 3, wherein the terminal device is further caused to: determine a best configuration subset among the at least one configuration subset as the configuration subset; orreceive an indication of the configuration subset from the network device; ordetermine the configuration subset from the at least one configuration subset based on at least one predefined rule.

5. The terminal device of claim 1 , wherein the terminal device is further caused to: determine the at least one real achievable upper bound,wherein a real achievable upper bound of the at least one real achievable upper bound is determined based on at least one of the following:specific absorption rate (SAR) requirements;a power class supported by the terminal device;a configuration associated with a lowest maximum power reduction (MPR); or a configuration associated with one or more uplink transmissions.

6. The terminal device of claim 5, wherein the configuration for the lowest MPR is comprised in a configuration subset associated with the real achievable upper bound; orwherein the configuration for the lowest MPR is comprised in at least one configuration subset associated with the at least one real achievable upper bound.

7. The terminal device of any of claims 1 -6, wherein the at least one real achievable upper bound is respectively associated with at least one configuration subset.

8. The terminal device of any of claims 1 -6, wherein the at least one real achievable upper bound comprises one real achievable upper bound, and the terminal device is further caused to:determine respective real achievable upper bounds for at least one configuration subset; and determine a lowest one or a highest one among the respective real achievable upper bounds as the real achievable upper bound.

9. The terminal device of any of claims 1 -6, wherein the at least one real achievable upper bound comprises one real achievable upper bound associated with a configuration subset among at least one configuration subset, and the terminal device is further caused to:determine a worst configuration subset among the at least one configuration subset as theconfiguration subset; ordetermine a best configuration subset among the at least one configuration subset as the configuration subset; orreceive an indication of the configuration subset from the network device; ordetermine the configuration subset from the at least one configuration subset based on at least one predefined rule.

10. The terminal device of claim 8 or 9, wherein the assistance information further comprises an indication of a configuration subset associated with the real achievable upper bound.

11. The terminal device of claim 1 , wherein the terminal device is further caused to: determine the at least one best achievable upper bound,wherein a best achievable upper bound of the at least one best achievable upper bound is determined based on a configuration for a lowest MPR.

12. The terminal device of claim 11 , wherein the configuration for the lowest MPR is comprised in a configuration subset associated with the best achievable upper bound; orwherein the configuration for the lowest MPR is comprised in at least one configuration subset associated with the at least one best achievable upper bound.

13. The terminal device of any of claims 1-12, wherein the at least one best achievable upper bound is respectively associated with at least one configuration subset.14 The terminal device of any of claims 1-12, wherein the at least one best achievable upper bound comprises one best achievable upper bound, and the terminal device is further caused to:determine respective best achievable upper bounds for at least one configuration subset; and determine a lowest one or a highest one among the respective best achievable upper bounds as the best achievable upper bound.

15. The terminal device of any of claims 1-12, wherein the at least one best achievable upper bound comprises one best achievable upper bound associated with a configuration subset among at least one configuration subset, and the terminal device is further caused to:determine a best configuration subset among the at least one configuration subset as the configuration subset; orreceive an indication of the configuration subset from the network device; ordetermine the configuration subset from the at least one configuration subset based on at least one predefined rule.

16. The terminal device of claim 14 or 15, wherein the assistance information further comprises an indication of a configuration subset associated with the best achievable upper bound.

17. The terminal device of any of claims 1 -16, wherein the terminal device is further caused to: determine the at least one upper bound based on a respective minimum between at least one real achievable upper bound of the maximum output power and at least one maximum power value configured by the network device.

18. The terminal device of claim 17, wherein the indication of an upper bound of the at least one upper bound comprises one of the following:an absolute value of the upper bound; oran offset of the upper bound with respect to a reference power.

19. The terminal device of any of claims 1-18, wherein the indication of a real achievable upper bound of the at least one real achievable upper bound comprises one of the following:an absolute value of the real achievable upper bound; oran offset of the real achievable upper bound with respect to a reference power.

20. The terminal device of any of claims 1-19, wherein the indication of a best achievable upper bound of the at least one best achievable upper bound comprises one of the following:an absolute value of the best achievable upper bound; oran offset of the best achievable upper bound with respect to a reference power.

21. The terminal device of any of claims 1-20, wherein the assistance information further comprises at least one of the following:an indication of at least one lower bound of the maximum output power;an indication of at least one real lower bound of the maximum output power; oran indication of at least one real power reduction.

22. The terminal device of claim 21 , wherein the indication of a real lower bound of the at least one real lower bound comprises one of the following:an absolute value of the real lower bound;an offset of the real lower bound with respect to an upper bound of the maximum output power; an offset of the real lower bound with respect to a real achievable upper bound of the maximum output power;an offset of the real lower bound with respect to a best achievable upper bound of the maximum output power; oran offset of the real lower bound with respect to a reference power.

23. The terminal device of claim 21, wherein the indication of a lower bound of the at least one lower bound comprises one of the following:an absolute value of the lower bound;an offset of the lower bound with respect to an upper bound of the maximum output power; an offset of the lower bound with respect to a real achievable upper bound of the maximum output power;an offset of the lower bound with respect to a best achievable upper bound of the maximum output power; oran offset of the lower bound with respect to a reference power.

24. The terminal device of any of claims 18-20 or 22-23, wherein the reference power comprises one of the following:a maximum power value configured by the network device;a real maximum power, wherein the real maximum power is transmitted to the network device along with the assistance information; ora most recent real maximum power that was transmitted to the network device.

25. The terminal device of any of claims 1-24, wherein the assistance information is associated with at least one configuration subset, and a configuration subset of the at least one configuration subset comprises at least one of the following:one or more configured or active cells;one or more configured or active component carriers;a modulation type;a waveform type;a number of transmission layers;a frequency domain resource allocation (FDRA) type; ora power class.

26. The terminal device of any of claims 1 -25, wherein the L2 signaling is a medium access control (MAC) control element (CE),wherein the MAC CE carries an indication of a virtual power headroom report (PHR) or an indication of a real PHR; orwherein the MAC CE comprises a virtual PHR or a real PHR; orwherein the MAC CE is indicative of a virtual PHR or a real PHR.

27. The terminal device of any of claims 1 -26, wherein the assistance information is transmitted in response to at least one of the following:changing of at least one upper bound of the maximum output power;changing of at least one upper bound of the maximum output power has exceeded a threshold; changing of at least one real achievable upper bound of the maximum output power; changing of at least one real achievable upper bound of the maximum output power has exceeded a threshold;a trigger indication received from the network device;changing of a configuration subset;changing of at least one best achievable upper bound of the maximum output power; changing of at least one best achievable upper bound of the maximum output power has exceeded a threshold;at least one period or timer is expired; orswitching between different time periods.

28. The terminal device of claim 27, wherein the trigger indication is carried in a bit of downlink control information (DCI) or a MAC CE.

29. The terminal device of claim 27, wherein the trigger indication is indicated by a DCI indicating a change of at least one L1 configuration parameter.

30. The terminal device of any of claims 1-29, wherein a real achievable upper bound of the at least one real achievable upper bound is associated with a time period, wherein the time period is predefined, predetermined or preconfigured.

31. The terminal device of claim 21 or 22, wherein a real lower bound of the at least one real lower bound is associated with a time period, wherein the time period is predefined, predetermined or preconfigured.

32. A network device comprising:at least one processor; andat least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the network device at least to:receive, from a terminal device, assistance information associated with at least one upper bound of a maximum output power of the terminal device for at least one cell; anddetermine the at least one upper bound based on the assistance information, wherein the assistance information comprises at least one of the following:an indication of achievability of at least one maximum power value configured by the network device;an indication of the at least one upper bound of the maximum output power; an indication of at least one real achievable upper bound of the maximum output power; oran indication of at least one best achievable upper bound of the maximum output power,wherein the assistance information is carried in at least one of the following:a layer 2 (L2) signaling; ora layer 1 (L1) signalling.

33. The network device of claim 32, wherein a maximum power value of the at least one maximum power value is associated with one or more configuration subsets, andwherein the indication of achievability of the at least one maximum power value comprises an indication of whether the maximum power value is achievable for the one or more configuration subsets.

34. The network device of claim 32, wherein the at least one maximum power value is respectively associated with at least one configuration subset, andwherein the indication of achievability of the at least one maximum power value comprises an indication of whether the at least one maximum power value is achievable for a configuration subset among the at least one configuration subset.

35. The network device of claim 34, wherein the network device is further caused to: determine a worst configuration subset among the at least one configuration subset as the configuration subset; ordetermine a best configuration subset among the at least one configuration subset as the configuration subset; ortransmit an indication of the configuration subset to the terminal device; ordetermine the configuration subset from the at least one configuration subset based on at least one predefined rule.

36. The network device of claim 32, wherein the network device is further caused to: determine the at least one upper bound based on a respective minimum between the at least one real achievable upper bound of the maximum output power and at least one maximum power value configured by the network device.

37. The network device of any of claims 32-36, wherein the at least one real achievable upper bound is respectively associated with at least one configuration subset.

38. The network device of any of claims 32-36, wherein the at least one real achievable upper bound comprises one real achievable upper bound, andwherein the real achievable upper bound is a lowest real achievable upper bound or a highest real achievable upper bound for at least one configuration subset.

39. The network device of any of claims 32-36, wherein the at least one real achievable upper bound comprises one real achievable upper bound associated with a configuration subset among at least one configuration subset, and the network device is further caused to:determine a best configuration subset among the at least one configuration subset as the configuration subset; ortransmit an indication of the configuration subset to the terminal device; ordetermine the configuration subset from the at least one configuration subset based on at least one predefined rule.

40. The network device of claim 38 or 39, wherein the assistance information further comprises an indication of a configuration subset associated with the real achievable upper bound.

41. The network device of claim 32, wherein the at least one best achievable upper bound is respectively associated with at least one configuration subset.

42. The network device of claim 32, wherein the at least one best achievable upper bound comprises one best achievable upper bound, andwherein the best achievable upper bound is a lowest best achievable upper bound or a highest bestachievable upper bound for at least one configuration subset.

43. The network device of claim 32, wherein the at least one best achievable upper bound comprises one best achievable upper bound associated with a configuration subset among at least one configuration subset, and the network device is further caused to:determine a best configuration subset among the at least one configuration subset as the configuration subset; ortransmit an indication of the configuration subset from to the terminal device; ordetermine the configuration subset from the at least one configuration subset based on at least one predefined rule.

44. The network device of claim 42 or 43, wherein the assistance information further comprises an indication of a configuration subset associated with the best achievable upper bound.

45. The network device of any of claims 32-44, wherein the indication of an upper bound of the at least one upper bound comprises one of the following:an absolute value of the upper bound; oran offset of the upper bound with respect to a reference power.

46. The network device of any of claims 32-45, wherein the indication of a real achievable upper bound of the at least one real achievable upper bound comprises one of the following:an absolute value of the real achievable upper bound; oran offset of the real achievable upper bound with respect to a reference power.

47. The network device of any of claims 32-46, wherein the indication of a best achievable upper bound of the at least one best achievable upper bound comprises one of the following:an absolute value of the best achievable upper bound; oran offset of the best achievable upper bound with respect to a reference power.

48. The network device of any of claims 32-47, wherein the assistance information further comprises at least one of the following:an indication of at least one lower bound of the maximum output power;an indication of at least one real lower bound of the maximum output power; oran indication of at least one real power reduction.

49. The network device of claim 48, wherein the indication of a real lower bound of the at least one real lower bound comprises one of the following:an absolute value of the real lower bound;an offset of the real lower bound with respect to an upper bound of the maximum output power; an offset of the real lower bound with respect to a real achievable upper bound of the maximum output power;an offset of the real lower bound with respect to a best achievable upper bound of the maximum output power; oran offset of the real lower bound with respect to a reference power.

50. The network device of claim 48, wherein the indication of a lower bound of the at least one lower bound comprises one of the following:an absolute value of the lower bound;an offset of the lower bound with respect to an upper bound of the maximum output power; an offset of the lower bound with respect to a real achievable upper bound of the maximum output power;an offset of the lower bound with respect to a best achievable upper bound of the maximum output power; oran offset of the lower bound with respect to a reference power.

51. The network device of any of claims 45-47 or 49-50, wherein the reference power comprises one of the following:a maximum power value configured by the network device;a real maximum power, wherein the real maximum power is received from the terminal device along with the assistance information; ora most recent real maximum power that was received from the terminal device.

52. The network device of any of claims 32-51, wherein the assistance information is associated with at least one configuration subset, and a configuration subset of the at least one configuration subset comprises at least one of the following:one or more configured or active cells;one or more configured or active component carriers;a modulation type;a waveform type;a number of transmission layers;a frequency domain resource allocation (FDRA) type; ora power class.

53. The network device of any of claims 32-52, wherein the L2 signaling is a medium access control (MAC) control element (CE),wherein the MAC CE carries an indication of a virtual power headroom report (PHR) or an indication of a real PHR; orwherein the MAC CE comprises a virtual PHR or a real PHR; orwherein the MAC CE is indicative of a virtual PHR or a real PHR.

54. The network device of any of claims 32-53, wherein the network device is further caused to: transmit, a trigger indication for reporting the assistance information to the terminal device.

55. The network device of claim 54, wherein the trigger indication is carried in a bit of downlink control information (DCI) or a MAC CE.

56. The network device of claim 54, wherein the trigger indication is indicated by a DCI indicating a change of at least one L1 configuration parameter.

57. The network device of any of claims 32-56, wherein a real achievable upper bound of the at least one real achievable upper bound is associated with a time period, wherein the time period is predefined, predetermined or preconfigured.

58. The network device of claim 48 or 49, wherein a real lower bound of the at least one real lower bound is associated with a time period, wherein the time period is predefined, predetermined or preconfigured.

59. A method performed by a terminal device, comprising:determining assistance information associated with at least one upper bound of a maximum output power of the terminal device for at least one cell; andtransmitting, to a network device, the assistance information associated with the at least one upper bound,wherein the assistance information comprises at least one of the following:an indication of achievability of at least one maximum power value configured by the network device;an indication of the at least one upper bound of the maximum output power;an indication of at least one real achievable upper bound of the maximum output power; or an indication of at least one best achievable upper bound of the maximum output power, wherein the assistance information is carried in at least one of the following:a layer 2 (L2) signaling; ora layer 1 (L1) signalling.

60. A method performed by a network device, comprising:receiving, from a terminal device, assistance information associated with at least one upper bound of a maximum output power of the terminal device for at least one cell; anddetermining the at least one upper bound based on the assistance information,wherein the assistance information comprises at least one of the following:an indication of achievability of at least one maximum power value configured by the network device;an indication of the at least one upper bound of the maximum output power; an indication of at least one real achievable upper bound of the maximum output power; or an indication of at least one best achievable upper bound of the maximum output power, wherein the assistance information is carried in at least one of the following:a layer 2 (L2) signaling; ora layer 1 (L1) signalling.

61. An apparatus comprising:means for determining assistance information associated with at least one upper bound of a maximum output power of the terminal device for at least one cell; andmeans for transmitting, to a network device, the assistance information associated with the at least one upper bound,wherein the assistance information comprises at least one of the following:an indication of achievability of at least one maximum power value configured by the network device;an indication of the at least one upper bound of the maximum output power; an indication of at least one real achievable upper bound of the maximum output power; or an indication of at least one best achievable upper bound of the maximum output power, wherein the assistance information is carried in at least one of the following:a layer 2 (L2) signaling; ora layer 1 (L1) signalling.

62. An apparatus comprising:means for receiving, from a terminal device, assistance information associated with at least one upper bound of a maximum output power of the terminal device for at least one cell; andmeans for determining the at least one upper bound based on the assistance information, wherein the assistance information comprises at least one of the following:an indication of achievability of at least one maximum power value configured by the network device;an indication of the at least one upper bound of the maximum output power; an indication of at least one real achievable upper bound of the maximum output power; or an indication of at least one best achievable upper bound of the maximum output power, wherein the assistance information is carried in at least one of the following:a layer 2 (L2) signaling; ora layer 1 (L1) signalling.

63. A computer readable medium comprising program instructions that, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least one of the methods of claims 59-60.

Images