Band switching in time domain

Abstract

Example embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to timing configurations for transmission and reception. A method comprises receiving, from a second apparatus, configuration information indicating a first set of timing configurations for communication on a first band and a second set of timing configurations for communication on the first band; in accordance with a determination that switching between the first band and a second band is activated, performing the communication on the first band by applying the first set of timing configurations; and in accordance with a determination that the switching between the first band and the second band is deactivated, performing the communication on the first band by applying the second set of timing configurations for the communication on the first band.

Description

BAND SWITCHING IN TIME DOMAINFIELD

[0001] Various example embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to the field of telecommunication and in particular, to methods, devices, apparatuses and computer readable storage medium for band switching in time domain.BACKGROUND

[0002] Band switching and carrier aggregation are key technologies in modern wireless communication systems. Band switching allows devices to dynamically switch between different frequency bands to optimize signal quality and resource utilization. Carrier aggregation (CA), on the other hand, enhances network capacity and data rates by combining multiple frequency bands or component carriers into a larger bandwidth. These technologies work together to improve the efficiency and performance of wireless networks, supporting high-speed data transmission and broader coverage.SUMMARY

[0003] In a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a first apparatus. The first apparatus comprises at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the first apparatus at least to: receive, from a second apparatus, configuration information indicating a first set of timing configurations for communication on a first band and a second set of timing configurations for communication on the first band; in accordance with a determination that switching between the first band and a second band is activated, perform the communication on the first band by applying the first set of timing configurations; and in accordance with a determination that the switching between the first band and the second band is deactivated, perform the communication on the first band by applying the second set of timing configurations for the communication on the first band.

[0004] In a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a second apparatus. The second apparatus comprises at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the second apparatus at least to: transmit, to a first apparatus, configuration information indicating a first set of timing configurations for communication on a first band and a second set of timing configurations for communication on the first band; in accordance with a determination that switching between the first band and a second band is activated, perform the communication on the first band by applying the first set of timingconfigurations; and in accordance with a determination that the switching between the first band and the second band is deactivated, perform the communication on the first band by applying the second set of timing configurations.

[0005] In a third aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method. The method comprises: receiving, from a second apparatus, configuration information indicating a first set of timing configurations for communication on a first band and a second set of timing configurations for communication on the first band; in accordance with a determination that switching between the first band and a second band is activated, performing the communication on the first band by applying the first set of timing configurations; and in accordance with a determination that the switching between the first band and the second band is deactivated, performing the communication on the first band by applying the second set of timing configurations for the communication on the first band.

[0006] In a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method. The method comprises: transmitting, to a first apparatus, configuration information indicating a first set of timing configurations for communication on a first band and a second set of timing configurations for communication on the first band; in accordance with a determination that switching between the first band and a second band is activated, performing the communication on the first band by applying the first set of timing configurations; and in accordance with a determination that the switching between the first band and the second band is deactivated, performing the communication on the first band by applying the second set of timing configurations.

[0007] In a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a first apparatus. The first apparatus comprises means for receiving, from a second apparatus, configuration information indicating a first set of timing configurations for communication on a first band and a second set of timing configurations for communication on the first band; means for in accordance with a determination that switching between the first band and a second band is activated, performing the communication on the first band by applying the first set of timing configurations; and means for in accordance with a determination that the switching between the first band and the second band is deactivated, performing the communication on the first band by applying the second set of timing configurations for the communication on the first band.

[0008] In a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a second apparatus. The second apparatus comprises means for transmitting, to a first apparatus, configuration information indicating a first set of timing configurations for communication on a first band and a second set of timing configurations for communication on the first band; means for in accordance with a determination that switching between the first band and a second band is activated, performingthe communication on the first band by applying the first set of timing configurations; and means for in accordance with a determination that the switching between the first band and the second band is deactivated, performing the communication on the first band by applying the second set of timing configurations.

[0009] In a seventh aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a computer readable medium. The computer readable medium comprises instructions stored thereon for causing an apparatus to perform at least the method according to the third aspect.

[0010] In an eighth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a computer readable medium. The computer readable medium comprises instructions stored thereon for causing an apparatus to perform at least the method according to the fourth aspect.

[0011] 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

[0012] Some example embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, where:

[0013] FIG. 1 illustrates an example communication environment in which example embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented;

[0014] FIG. 2 illustrates a signaling chart for band switching in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0015] FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate example slot diagrams for band switching in time domain in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0016] FIG. 4 illustrates another example slot diagram for band switching in time domain in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0017] FIG. 5 illustrates a signaling chart for activation and deactivation for switching in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0018] FIG. 6 illustrates a signaling chart for timing configurations for transmission and reception in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0019] FIG. 7 illustrates a flowchart of a method implemented at a first apparatus in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0020] FIG. 8 illustrates a flowchart of a method implemented at a second apparatus in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0021] FIG. 9 illustrates a flowchart of a method implemented at a first apparatus in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0022] FIG. 10 illustrates a flowchart of a method implemented at a second apparatus in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0023] FIG. 11 illustrates a flowchart of a method implemented at a first apparatus in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0024] FIG. 12 illustrates a flowchart of a method implemented at a second apparatus in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0025] FIG. 13 illustrates a simplified block diagram of a device that is suitable for implementing example embodiments of the present disclosure; and

[0026] FIG. 14 illustrates a block diagram of an example computer readable medium in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0027] Throughout the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals represent the same or similar element.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] Principle 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 illustration and help those skilled in the art to understand and implement the present disclosure, without suggesting any limitation as to the scope of the disclosure. Embodiments described herein can be implemented in various manners other than the ones described below.

[0029] 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.

[0030] 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.

[0031] It shall be understood that although the terms “first,” “second,”..., etc. in front of noun(s) and the like may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limitedby these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another and they do not limit the order of the noun(s). 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.

[0032] 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.

[0033] As used herein, unless stated explicitly, performing a step “in response to A” does not indicate that the step is performed immediately after “A” occurs and one or more intervening steps may be included.

[0034] 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.

[0035] 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 phone or server, to perform various functions) and (c) hardware circuit(s) and or processor(s), such as a microprocessor(s) or a portion of a microprocessor(s), that requires software (e.g., firmware) for operation, but the software may not be present when it is not needed for operation.

[0036] 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 animplementation 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.

[0037] As used herein, the term “communication network” refers to a network following any suitable communication standards, such as New Radio (NR), 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), 5.5G, the 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.

[0038] 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), an NR NB (also referred to as a gNB), a Remote Radio Unit (RRU), a radio header (RH), a remote radio head (RRH), a relay, an Integrated Access and Backhaul (IAB) node, a low power node such as a femto, a pico, a non-terrestrial network (NTN) or non-ground network device such as a satellite network device, a low earth orbit (LEO) satellite and a geosynchronous earth orbit (GEO) satellite, an aircraft network device, and so forth, depending on the applied terminology and technology. In some example embodiments, radio access network (RAN) split architecture comprises a Centralized Unit (CU) and a Distributed Unit (DU) at an IAB donor node. An IAB node comprises a Mobile Terminal (IAB-MT) part that behaves like a UE toward the parent node, and a DU part of an IAB node behaves like a base station toward the next-hop IAB node.

[0039] 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 referredto 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 terminal devices 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 I nternet 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. The terminal device may also correspond to a Mobile Termination (MT) part of an IAB node (e.g., a relay node). In the following description, the terms “terminal device”, “communication device”, “terminal”, “user equipment” and “UE” may be used interchangeably.

[0040] As used herein, the term “resource,” “transmission resource,” “resource block,” “physical resource block” (PRB), “uplink resource,” or “downlink resource” may refer to any resource for performing a communication, for example, a communication between a terminal device and a network device, such as a resource in time domain, a resource in frequency domain, a resource in space domain, a resource in code domain, or any other combination of the time, frequency, space and / or code domain resource enabling a communication, and the like. In the following, unless explicitly stated, a resource in both frequency domain and time domain will be used as an example of a transmission resource for describing some example embodiments of the present disclosure. It is noted that example embodiments of the present disclosure are equally applicable to other resources in other domains.

[0041] FIG. 1 illustrates an example communication environment 100 in which example embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented. In the communication environment 100, a first apparatus 110 and a second apparatus 120 can communicate with each other. In some example embodiments, the first apparatus 110 may comprise a terminal device (for example, a UE), and the second apparatus 120 may comprise a network device (for example, a gNB).

[0042] It is to be understood that the number of first apparatus 110 and second apparatus 120 shown in FIG. 1 is given for the purpose of illustration without suggesting any limitations. The communication environment 100 may include any suitable number of first apparatus 110 andsecond apparatus 120.

[0043] In the following, for the purpose of illustration, some example embodiments are described with the first apparatus 110 operating as a terminal device and the second apparatus 120 operating as a network device. However, in some example embodiments, operations described in connection with a terminal device may be implemented at a network device or other device, and operations described in connection with a network device may be implemented at a terminal device or other device.

[0044] In some example embodiments, if the first apparatus 110 is a terminal device or included in a terminal device and the second apparatus 120 is a network device or is included in a network device, a link from the second apparatus 120 to the first apparatus 110 is referred to as a downlink (DL), and a link from the first apparatus 110 to the second apparatus 120 is referred to as an uplink (UL). In DL, the second apparatus 120 is a transmitting (TX) device (or a transmitter) and the first apparatus 110 is a receiving (RX) device (or a receiver). In UL, the first apparatus 110 is a TX device (or a transmitter) and the second apparatus 120 is a RX device (or a receiver).

[0045] Communications in the communication environment 100 may be implemented according to any proper communication protocol(s), comprising, but not limited to, cellular communication protocols of the first generation (1G), the second generation (2G), the third generation (3G), the fourth generation (4G), the fifth generation (5G), the sixth generation (6G), and 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.

[0046] Enhancing low-band (LB) spectrum utilization is critical, particularly in urban indoor and rural areas, where spectrum congestion significantly degrades network performance and customer experience. This is because the LB spectrum due to its generally good propagation characteristics is used for providing wide area coverage and deep indoor services, something the higher frequency bands with less good propagation characteristics, where the signal attenuates faster as a function of distance, cannot provide service cost efficiently. This problem is even worse when LB supplemental downlink (SDL) bands, covering most poor coverage areas, are employed. Such bands cannot be paired with a UL, making them useless on their own, and due practical reasonscannot be paired with another bi-directional low band (typically an FDD band), but would have to be aggregated with a higher band (FDD or TDD) that supports both downlink and uplink. This makes the high band uplink decisive for coverage and the SDL bands good propagation characteristics cannot be benefited from. To address this issue, one can consider LB-LB CA, where one low band serves as an SDL. For instance, aggregation of n5 (operating in FDD mode) with n29 (operating in SDL mode). However, this solution doesn't exist due to original equipment manufacturer (OEM) challenges in supporting it. From a duplexer design standpoint, aggregation of n5 with n29 is technically feasible. However, if an OEM implements a single antenna for both bands, tuning adjustments may be required to optimize performance. Given the frequency separation between the bands, achieving simultaneous optimization is challenging. Alternative approaches such as implementing additional antenna elements to support these combinations may carry cost and RF architecture complexity. Therefore, although the band combinations have been specified in TS38.101-1, the practical challenge hinders its implementation.

[0047] To address this challenge, mobile network operators have urged 3rdGeneration Partnership Project (3GPP) to define a switching-based CA solution. This requires an enhancement to the 3GPP specification, enabling a mechanism where the device supports dynamic switching— when secondary cell (SCell) operation is triggered, the UE switches to the SCell, thus, no simultaneous Tx / Rx between the primary cell (PCell) and SCell during this period. Moreover, the device reverts to the PCell once SCell operation is complete.

[0048] Nevertheless, it is still unclear on how the dynamic switching between PCell and SCell should be done in practice. For example, the main questions such as how can the UE determine the timing to switch between the two is not specified yet. Furthermore, there is no mechanism to activate / deactivate the switching which requires the UE to always operate in the two LB carriers.

[0049] In accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure, there is provided a solution for band switching in time domain. In the solution, a first apparatus receives configuration information from a second apparatus. The configuration information indicates at least one switching pattern for switching in time domain between a first band and a second band. The first apparatus performs, based on the configuration information, switching between the first band and the second band in the time domain.

[0050] In this way, an enhancement to the 3GPP specification can be implemented to enable band switching. This may affect the RAN1 working group (Physical Layer procedures), while the impact can be minimized. From the operators' perspective minimum essential functionality will be implemented. According to the present disclosure, the urgent issue of implementing band switching (e.g., CA_n5_n29) can be addressed. The same solution may also be applicable for aggregatingother bands, that UE implementations have difficulties operating simultaneously. This may involve different duplex modes, with FDD mode for n5 and SDL mode for n29, for example as detailed in Table 1, but similar problems may be present e.g. when aggregating any two bands that are close to each other in frequency regardless of the duplex modes of the bands.Table 1: NR operating bands in FR1NR Operating UL Operating Band BS receive DL Operating Band BS Duplex Band / UE transmit transmit / UE receive Mode FlJLJow FlJLJiigh FDLJOW ^DLJiighn1 1920 MHz - 1980 MHz 2110 MHz - 2170 MHz FDD n2 1850 MHz - 1910 MHz 1930 MHz - 1990 MHz FDD n3 1710 MHz - 1785 MHz 1805 MHz - 1880 MHz FDD n5 824 MHz - 849 MHz 869 MHz - 894 MHz FDD n7 2500 MHz - 2570 MHz 2620 MHz - 2690 MHz FDD n8 880 MHz - 915 MHz 925 MHz - 960 MHz FDD n12 699 MHz - 716 MHz 729 MHz - 746 MHz FDD n13 777 MHz - 787 MHz 746 MHz - 756 MHz FDD n14 788 MHz - 798 MHz 758 MHz - 768 MHz FDD n18 815 MHz - 830 MHz 860 MHz - 875 MHz FDD n20 832 MHz - 862 MHz 791 MHz - 821 MHz FDD n24 1626.5 MHz - 1660.5 MHz 1525 MHz - 1559 MHz FDD n25 1850 MHz - 1915 MHz 1930 MHz - 1995 MHz FDD n26 814 MHz - 849 MHz 859 MHz - 894 MHz FDD n28 703 MHz - 748 MHz 758 MHz - 803 MHz FDD n29 N / A 717 MHz - 728 MHz SDL

[0051] Example embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0052] Reference is now made to FIG. 2, which illustrates a signaling chart 200 for bandswitching in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, the signaling chart 200 will be described with reference to FIG. 1, for example, taking the first apparatus 110 and the second apparatus 120 as an example. In some examples, the first apparatus 110 may include or be included in a terminal device, and the second apparatus 120 may include or be included in a network device.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 2, the first apparatus 110 receives 206 configuration information from the second apparatus 120. The configuration information indicates at least one switching pattern for switching in time domain between a first band and a second band. The first apparatus 110 performs 208, based on the configuration information, switching between the first band and the second band in the time domain.

[0054] The first band and the second band include different frequency bands and may have different duplex modes. In some examples, a first duplex mode of the first band may include an FDD mode, and a second duplex mode of the second band may include an SDL mode. Alternatively, the first duplex mode of the first band may include an FDD mode, and the second duplex mode of the second band may include a supplemental uplink (SUL) mode.

[0055] The first band and the second band include different frequency bands and may have the same duplex mode. In some examples, the first duplex mode of the first band may include an FDD mode, and a second duplex mode of the second band may also include an FDD mode.

[0056] For the purpose of discussion, the first band in an FDD mode and the second band in an SDL mode are taken as an example below, which should not constitute any limitation on the functionality and scope of the embodiments described herein.

[0057] Before the first apparatus 110 receives the configuration information, the second apparatus 120 determines 202 the at least one switching pattern for switching in the time domain between the first band and the second band. Then, the second apparatus 120 transmits 204 the configuration information to the first apparatus 110.

[0058] In some examples, a first switching pattern of the at least one switching pattern may include a first active time period on the first band and a second active time period on the second band, and the second active time period on the second band may be after the first active time period on the first band. The following will describe in detail with reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B, which illustrate example slot diagrams 300A and 300B for band switching in time domain in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0059] In the slot diagram 300A, there is a single switching pattern (i.e., first switching pattern). Multiple switching patterns, such as switching pattern 302-1, switching pattern 302-2 and the like, construct a repeating pattern. The switching pattern 302-1 includes a time period 302-1, and theswitching pattern 302-2 includes a time period 302-2. Taking the switching pattern 302-1 as an example, it includes the first active time period on the first band (e.g., n5) and the second active time period (e.g., n29). The first band operates in the FDD mode, and the second band operates in the SDL mode. That is, the first apparatus 110 may perform communications on the first band (e.g., 824MHz to 894MHz) with the second apparatus 120 for data transmission and data reception. The first apparatus 110 may further perform communications on the second band (e.g., 717MHz to 728MHz) for data transmission only.

[0060] In the slot diagram 300B, there are two switching patterns, such as switching pattern 308-1 (i.e., first switching pattern) and switching pattern 308-2 (also referred to as second switching pattern). The switching pattern 308-1 and the switching pattern 308-2 are concatenated to form a “bi-periodic” switching pattern between the first band and the second band. That is, a time period 310 includes the switching pattern 308-1 and the switching pattern 308-2. Multiple combinations of the switching pattern 308-1 and the switching pattern 308-2 construct a repeating pattern. Taking the switching pattern 308-1 as an example, it includes the first active time period on the first band (e.g., n5) and the second active time period (e.g., n29). The first band operates in the FDD mode, and the second band operates in the SDL mode.

[0061] In some example embodiments, the configuration information received from the second apparatus 120 may include a first parameter defining a start timing (e.g., represented as SlotOffset) of the switching pattern(s) relative to a reference time point.

[0062] In some examples, the reference time point may include a start of a frame with a number of zero. For example, a system frame with a number of zero (SFN#0) may be determined as the reference time point. Alternatively, the reference time point may include a start of a frame with a number divisible by a length (also referred to as pattern length) in frames of the at least one switching pattern. For example, the pattern length is 3, frames with numbers of 3, 6, 9 and the like may be determined as the reference time point.

[0063] For example, the parameter SlotOffset defines an offset to the start of the time-repeating pattern of the first switching pattern relative to Slot#0, SFN#0 (e.g., Symbol#0 in the slot 304-1). For another example, the parameter SlotOffset defines an offset to the start of the concatenated time-repeating pattern of {first switching pattern, second switching pattern} relative to Slot#0, SFN#0 (e.g., Symbol#0 in the slot 312-1).

[0064] Alternatively, or additionally, the configuration information may include at least one second parameter defining the first active time period for communication on the first band in the first switching pattern (e.g., switching pattern 302-1, or switching pattern 308-1). For example, the second parameters may define the number of slots or symbols in the first active time period.

[0065] Alternatively, or additionally, the configuration information may include at least one third parameter defining a second active time period for communication on the second band in the second switching pattern (e.g., switching pattern 308-2). For example, the third parameters may define the number of slots or symbols in the second active time period.

[0066] In some example embodiments, the second parameter(s) may include at least one of: a first number of slots (e.g., represented as nrofBandl Slots) fully occupied by the first active time period, or a first number of symbols (e.g., represented as nrofBandl Symbols), occupied by the first active time period, that is after the last slot among the first number of slots. The parameter nrofBandl Slots defines the number of consecutive full slots at the beginning of each pattern during which the first band is active. For example, in FIG. 3A, nrofBandl Slots = 1. In FIG. 3B, nrofBandl Slots = 0. The parameter nrofBandl Symbols defines the number of consecutive symbols in the beginning of the slot following the last full first band slot (as derived from nrofBandl Slots). For example, in FIG. 3A, nrofBandl Symbols = 8. In FIG. 3B, nrofBandl Symbols = 8.

[0067] In some example embodiments, the third parameter(s) may include at least one of: a second number of slots (e.g., represented as nrofBand2Slots) fully occupied by the second active time period, or a second number of symbols (e.g., represented as nrofBand2Symbols), occupied by the second active time period, that is after the last slot among the second number of slots. The parameter nrofBand2Slots defines the number of consecutive full slots at the beginning of each pattern during which the second band is active. For example, in FIG. 3A, nrofBand2Slots = 2. In FIG. 3B, nrofBandl Slots = 2. The parameter nrofBand2Symbols defines the number of consecutive symbols in the beginning of the slot following the last full second band slot (as derived from nrofBand2Slots). For example, in FIG. 3A, nrofBand2Symbols = 8. In FIG. 3B, nrofBand2Symbols = 8.

[0068] Alternatively, or additionally, the configuration information may include at least one of: a fourth parameter defining a first time gap (e.g., represented as gapToBand2) from an end of the first active time period to a start of the second active time period, or a fifth parameter defining a second time gap (e.g., represented as gapToBandl) from an end of the second active time period to a start of the second switching pattern of the at least one switching pattern. The parameter gapToBand2 defines the number of symbols from the end of the first active time period to the start of the second active time period. For example, in FIG. 3A, gapToBand2 = 2. In FIG. 3B, gapToBand2 = 2. The parameter gapToBandl defines the number of symbols from the end of the second active time period to the start of the first active time period in the next switching pattern. For example, in FIG. 3A, gapToBandl = 4. In FIG. 3B, gapToBand2 = 4.

[0069] In some examples, the second time gap may be configured based on a switching timeduration from the second band to the first band. Alternatively, the second time gap may be configured based on a timing advance for communication on the first band.

[0070] As an example, in FIG. 3A, the first active time period for both UL and DL includes symbols from Symbol#0 in the slot 304-1 to Symbol#9 in the slot 304-2, and the second active time period for DL only includes symbols from Symbol#0 in the slot 304-3 to Symbol#9 in the slot 304-5. The first time gap includes symbols from Symbol#10 in the slot 304-2 to Symbol#13 in the slot 304-2, and the second time gap include symbols from Symbol#10 in the slot 304-5 to Symbol#13 in the slot 304-5. The time period 306-1 includes the first active time period, the first time gap, the second active time period, and the second time gap. In FIG. 3B, for the switching pattern 308-1, the first active time period includes symbols from Symbol#0 in the slot 312-1 to Symbol#9 in the slot 312-1, and the second active time period includes symbols from Symbol#0 in the slot 312-2 to Symbol#9 in the slot 312-4. The first time gap includes symbols from Symbol#10 in the slot 312-1 to Symbol#13 in the slot 312-1, and the second time gap include symbols from Symbol#10 in the slot 312-4 to Symbol#13 in the slot 312-4. The switching pattern 308-1 includes the first active time period, the first time gap, the second active time period, and the second time gap.

[0071] In this way, the configuration information indicates DL symbols and UL symbols in the FDD carrier, DL symbols in the SDL carrier, and idle symbols. The idle symbols are allocated for switching time (i.e., first time gap and second time gap) between FDD and SDL. The switching pattern may be configured by the RRC signaling, and at least one switching pattern is provided.

[0072] An example of how the configuration signaling can be constructed is provided below. For ease of description, values assume a maximum pattern length of 40 slots (40ms in NR FDD). Elements of the configuration information may include the following:LB-LB-Switching-Configuration ::= SEQUENCE {SlotOffset INTEGER (0...39),Patternl LB-LB-Switching-Pattern,Pattern2 LB-LB-Switching-Pattern OPTIONAL, -- Need RLB-LB-Switching-Pattern :: = SEQUENCE {nrofBandl Slots INTEGER (0...39),nrofBandl Symbols INTEGER (0...13),gapToBand2 INTEGER (0..13),nrofBand2Slots INTEGER (0...39),nrofBand2Symbols INTEGER (0...13),gapToBandl INTEGER (0...13),

[0073] The Patternl and Pattern2 are concatenated to form a “bi-periodic” switching pattern between Band 1 and Band 2, if the Pattern2 is present. The above field descriptions in the configuration information may be summarized in Table 2 below.Table 2 field descriptions in confirmation informationField name descriptionsSlotOffset Offset to the start of the concatenated time-repeating pattern of {patternl, pattern2} relative to Slot#0, SFN#0. Pattern2 is optionally present.nrofBandl Slots Number of consecutive full slots at the beginning of each pattern during which the Bandl is active.nrofBandl Symbols Number of consecutive symbols in the beginning of the slot following the last full Bandl slot (as derived from nrofBandl Slots). gapToBand2 Number of symbols from the end of the Bandl active phase to the start of the Band2 active phase.nrofBand2Slots Number of consecutive full slots at the beginning of each pattern during which the Band2 is active.nrofBand2Symbols Number of consecutive symbols in the beginning of the slot following the last full Band2 slot (as derived from nrofBandl Slots). gapToBandl Number of symbols from the end of the Band2 active phase to the start of the Bandl active phase in the pattern instance.

[0074] According to the configuration elements and field descriptions, another example slot diagram 400 for band switching in time domain is provided in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure. Patternl is present, where:nrofBandl Slots = 0, as there is no full slot for the FDD band that is the Bandl; nrofBandl Symbols = 12, as 12 out of 14 symbols in a slot are for the Bandl; gapToBand2 = 2, as there are 2 symbols from the end of Bandl to the start of Band2; nrofBand2Slots = 3;nrofBand2Symbols = 8;gapToBandl = 6, as there are 6 symbols from the end of Band2 to the start of Bandl in the next cycle of the switching pattern, and these symbols act as the time gap that absorbs theswitching time and the timing advance.; andpattern length of 5 slots is determined as the total time period including the active time period of Bandl, the time gap from the Bandl to the Band 2, the active time period of Band2, the time gap from the Band2 to the next Bandl .

[0075] Therefore, the active time period of Bandl includes a total number of symbols, 0*14+12 = 12, and the active time period of Band2 includes a total number of symbols, 3*14+8 = 50. The parameter SlotOffset may be an offset relative to Symbol#0 in Slot#0. In addition, Pattern2 is absent.

[0076] The foregoing describes one method of configuring the signaling structure. The present disclosure introduces an alternative approach for its construction. In some example embodiments, the configuration information may include a start of the at least one switching patten. Alternatively, or additionally, the configuration information may include a time length of the total switching patterns and time length of respective switching patterns, such as a time length of the first switching pattern, a time length of the second switching pattern and the like. Alternatively, or additionally, the configuration information may include at least one of: a time length of the first active time period for communication on the first band, a time length of the second active time period for communication on the second band, or a start of the second active time period relative to a start of the first switching pattern. Alternatively, or additionally, the configuration information may include the first time gap and / or the second time gap.

[0077] In some examples, the first time gap for switching from the first band to the second band may be determined based on an end of the first active time period and a start of the second active time period. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the first time gap from Bandl to Band2 are unused symbols (Symbol#11 to Symbol#13) and are guaranteed by the configuration information. Alternatively, the second time gap for switching from the second band to the first band may be determined based on an end of the second active time period and a start of a third active time period on the first band corresponding to the second switching pattern of the at least one switching pattern. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the second time gap from Band2 to Bandl are unused symbols (Symbol#8 to Symbol#13) and are guaranteed by the configuration information.

[0078] The exact way of structuring the configuration signaling is secondary, the main point is to illustrate that there is a configuration signaling that determines a repeating switching pattern. In such a pattern, only one band out of two bands is operational at any given time, and there is a time-gap to accommodate for the switching transient and for timing advance.

[0079] In view of the above, the present disclosure proposes to perform band switching according to a configurable switching pattern. The pattern can account for the two different duplexmodes in n5 and n29, where the FDD mode supports both UL and DL transmissions, while the SDL mode is limited to DL only. Different switching time delays need to be applied for SDL-FDD and FDD-SDL switching to account for uplink frame timing being advanced relative to the downlink frame timing. Thus, the switch from SDL to FDD needs a larger switching gap between the SDL DL and FDD DL to allow for the FDD UL start earlier than where the FDD DL start, than the switching gap between FDD DL and SDL, as there the FDD UL will anyway stop before the FDD DL stops, and there is no SDL UL to accommodate for. It should be noted that the band switching is not limited by duplex modes.

[0080] To facilitate band switching, constraints within the switching pattern are defined and a set of rules that the UE should follow when performing band switching is established according to the examples of the present disclosure. This may include the scheduling of physical uplink control channel (PUSCH) and physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH), as well as the synchronization processes through synchronization signal block (SSB) during the band switching. Configurations for mandatory signaling, including channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS), and channel state information (CSI) reporting, within the switching framework may further be specified. Details will be described with reference to FIG. 5.

[0081] FIG. 5 illustrates a signaling chart 500 for activation and deactivation for switching in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, the signaling chart 500 will be described with reference to FIG. 1, for example, taking the first apparatus 110 and the second apparatus 120 as an example. In some examples, the first apparatus 110 may include or be included in a terminal device, and the second apparatus 120 may include or be included in a network device.

[0082] The first apparatus 110 performs 506, based on at least one switching pattern for switching in time domain, first switching between a first band (e.g., n5) and a second band (e.g., n29). The first band and the second band include different frequency bands and may have the same or different duplex modes. In some examples, a first duplex mode of the first band may include an FDD mode, and a second duplex mode of the second band may include an SDL mode. Alternatively, the first duplex mode of the first band may include an FDD mode, and the second duplex mode of the second band may include a SUL mode. Alternatively, the first duplex mode of the first band may include an FDD mode, and a second duplex mode of the second band may also include an FDD mode.

[0083] For the purpose of discussion, the first band in an FDD mode and the second band in an SDL mode are taken as an example below, which should not constitute any limitation on the functionality and scope of the embodiments described herein.

[0084] As shown in FIG. 5, the second apparatus 120 transmits 508, to the first apparatus 110, a deactivation indication to deactivate the first switching during an execution of the first switching. The first apparatus 110 receives 510 the deactivation indication from the second apparatus 120. Herein, the deactivation of switching may also be referred to as deactivation of the second band or deactivation of the Scell.

[0085] The first apparatus 110 suspends 512 the first switching at a first timing based on the switching pattern(s). Alternatively, or additionally, the first apparatus 110 suspends 512 the first switching at the first timing based on a reception timing of the deactivation indication. For example, if the SCell is deactivated or placed in a dormant state, the switching operation is disabled, and only the FDD operation on the first band remains functional, i.e. “normal” FDD operations are resumed.

[0086] In some examples, the first apparatus 110 may suspend the first switching at the first timing, and the first timing may include an end of a time period corresponding to the switching pattern(s). For example, the first apparatus 110 receives the deactivation to deactivate the first switching while it is still performing the first switching, the current time period (e.g., time period 306-1 in FIG. 3A, or time period 310 in FIG. 3B) should be completed before the deactivation or dormancy of the first switching.

[0087] In some examples, if it is determined that the deactivation indication is received during a first active time period on the first band in a first switching pattern, the first apparatus 110 may suspend the first switching before a start of a second active time period on the second band in the first switching pattern. For example, if the first apparatus 110 receives the deactivation to deactivate the first switching when operating on the first band, it would suspend the first switching and resume “normal” FDD operations on the first band.

[0088] In some examples, if it is determined that the deactivation indication is received during a second active time period on the second band corresponding to a first switching pattern, the first apparatus 110 may perform second switching from the second band to the first band according to the switching pattern(s). Then, the first apparatus 110 may suspend the first switching after the second switching. For example, if the first apparatus 110 receives the deactivation to deactivate the first switching when operating on the second band, it would switch to the first band at the next time switching instant determined by the switching pattern (e.g., at the end of Symbol#9 in the slot 304-5 in FIG. 3A, or at the end of Symbol#9 in the slot 312-4 in FIG. 3B), and resume “normal” FDD operations on the first band.

[0089] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus 110 may receive, from the second apparatus 120, an activation indication to activate the first switching during communication on thefirst band. Then, the first apparatus 110 may resume the first switching at a second timing based on at least one of: the at least one switching pattern or a reception timing of the activation indication. For example, if the Scell on the second band is active, the first switching follows the configured switching pattern(s) outlined above.

[0090] In some examples, if it is determined that the activation indication is received during a first active time period on the first band corresponding to a first switching pattern, the first apparatus 110 may resume the first switching at an end of the first active time period. For example, if the first apparatus 110 receives the activation indication, it would continue performing FDD transmissions until the next end of the first active time period (e.g., at the end of Symbol#11 in the slot 304-2 in FIG. 3A, or at the end of Symbol#11 in the slot 312-1 in FIG. 3B) according to the configured switching pattern. Then, the first apparatus 110 activates the switching process and begins performing the switching pattern(s) described above at the next slot, starting at Symbol#0.

[0091] In some examples, the first apparatus 110 may resume the first switching at the second timing, and the second timing may include an end of a slot during which the activation indication is received. For example, if the first apparatus 110 receives the activation indication, it would continue performing FDD transmissions until the end of the current slot. Then, the first apparatus 110 activates the switching process and begins performing the switching pattern(s) described above at the next slot, starting at Symbol#0.

[0092] The above describes the activation / deactivation mechanism for band switching, specifically how to manage the FDD carrier configuration when the other carrier is active (i.e. the switching between the FDD and the SDL carriers is operational), and when the other carrier is deactivated or dormant (i.e. the switching between the FDD and SDL carriers is suspended, and normal FDD carrier operations are resumed on the FDD carrier). Next, how to manage periodic operations (e.g., sounding reference signal (SRS) or configured grant physical uplink shared channel (CG-PUSCH) transmissions in UL, CSI-RS, semi-persistent scheduling physical downlink shared channel (SPS-PDSCH) reception and physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) monitoring in DL) will be described below.

[0093] Returning to the signaling chart 500, in some example embodiments, the second apparatus 120 may transmit 502 configuration information to the first apparatus 110. The configuration information may indicate periodic communication between the first apparatus 110 and the second apparatus 120. The first apparatus 110 may receive 504 the configuration information from the second apparatus 120. The first apparatus 110 may handle the periodic communication based on an activation state of the at least one switching pattern and a link direction of the periodic communication. For example, monitoring and receiving DL parametervalues can be configured as periodic. Transmitting UL parameter values can be configured as periodic. Some modes may be envisioned depending on whether the first switching is active or inactive / dormant.

[0094] In some examples, the configuration information may indicate the periodic communication indicating at least one of: a periodic reception timing configuration (e.g., for DL CSI-RS, SPS-PDSCH receptions), a periodic transmission timing configuration (e.g., for UL SRS and CG-PUSCH transmissions), or a periodic monitoring timing configuration (e.g., PDCCH monitoring in DL).

[0095] In some examples, the link direction of the periodic communication is UL, and if it is determined that the at least one switching pattern is activated, the first apparatus 110 may determine a first time period during which an active band indicated by the at least one switching pattern supports UL, and a second time period during which an active band indicated by the at least one switching pattern does not support UL. The first apparatus 110 may perform the periodic communication within the first time period based on the configuration information and may refrain the periodic communication from being performed within the second time period.

[0096] As an example, if the first switching is activated (i.e., both first band and second band are active), signals or channels configured as periodic (e.g., periodic SRS, CG-PUSCH, CSI reports) on a particular cell’s UL may be transmitted on the UL of that cell only when the transmit timing aligns with the timing during which the band of the cell is active for UL transmission. Otherwise, the transmission is omitted. Referring to the slot diagram 300B, CSI-RSs are received during the first active time period but are disregarded during the second active time period.

[0097] In some examples, the link direction of the periodic communication is DL, and if it is determined that the at least one switching pattern is activated, the first apparatus 110 may determine a first time period during which an active band indicated by the at least one switching pattern supports DL, and a second time period during which an active band indicated by the at least one switching pattern does not support DL. Then, the first apparatus 110 may perform the periodic communication within the first time period and the second time period based on the configuration information.

[0098] As an example, if the first switching is activated (i.e., both first band and second band are active), signals or channels configured as periodic (e.g., CSI-RS, SPS-PDSCH, PDCCH monitoring) on a particular cell’s DL may be measured / received / monitored only if the receive timing aligns with the timing during which the band of the cell is active for DL reception. Otherwise, the signal / channel is ignored.

[0099] In some examples, if it is determined that the at least one switching pattern is deactivated, the first apparatus 110 may refrain the periodic communication from being performed within thesecond time period. For example, if the first switching is inactive (e.g., the second band is inactive / dormant), the UL transmissions on the second band are omitted (in the case where the second band operates in the SDL mode), and the DL receptions on the second band are ignored.

[0100] According to the example embodiments of the present disclosure described above, the activation and deactivation mechanism for switching between the first band and the second band is proposed. The present disclosure further proposes how to manage dynamic timing configurations, which will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 6.

[0101] FIG. 6 illustrates a signaling chart 600 for timing configurations for transmission and reception in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, the signaling chart 600 will be described with reference to FIG. 1, for example, taking the first apparatus 110 and the second apparatus 120 as an example. In some examples, the first apparatus 110 may include or be included in a terminal device, and the second apparatus 120 may include or be included in a network device.

[0102] The second apparatus 120 transmits 602 configuration information (also referred to as first configuration information) to the first apparatus 110. The first configuration information may indicate a first set of timing configurations for communication on a first band (e.g., n5) and a second set of timing configurations for communication on the first band. The first apparatus 110 receives 604 the configuration information.

[0103] If it is determined that switching between the first band and a second band is activated, the first apparatus 110 performs 606 the communication on the first band by applying the first set of timing configurations. If it is determined that the switching between the first band and the second band is deactivated, the first apparatus 110 performs 606 the communication on the first band by applying the second set of timing configurations.

[0104] The first band and the second band include different frequency bands and may have the same or different duplex modes. In some examples, a first duplex mode of the first band may include an FDD mode, and a second duplex mode of the second band may include an SDL mode. Alternatively, the first duplex mode of the first band may include an FDD mode, and the second duplex mode of the second band may include a SUL mode. Alternatively, the first duplex mode of the first band may include an FDD mode, and a second duplex mode of the second band may also include an FDD mode.

[0105] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus 110 may receive another configuration information (also referred to as second configuration information) from the second apparatus 120. The second configuration information may indicate a third set of timing configurations for communication on the second band. If it is determined that the switching between the first bandand the second band is activated, the first apparatus 110 may perform the communication on the second band by applying the third set of timing configurations. If it is determined that the switching between the first band and the second band is deactivated, the first apparatus 110 may suspend the communication on the second band. The second configuration information may be transmitted by the second apparatus 120 either concurrently with the first configuration information or independently.

[0106] In some example embodiments, the first set of timing configurations may include at least one of: a periodic reception timing configuration, a periodic transmission timing configuration, a periodic monitoring timing configuration, a timing configuration for a physical downlink shared channel to a hybrid automatic repeat request acknowledgement (PDSCH-HARQ-ACK), or a timing configuration for a physical downlink control channel to a physical uplink shared channel (PDCCH-to-PUSCH).

[0107] In some example embodiments, the second set of timing configurations may include at least one of: a periodic reception timing configuration, a periodic transmission timing configuration, a periodic monitoring timing configuration, a timing configuration for a physical downlink shared channel to a PDSCH-HARQ-ACK, or a timing configuration for a PDCCH-to-PUSCH.

[0108] In some example embodiments, the third set of timing configurations may include at least one of: a periodic reception timing configuration, a periodic transmission timing configuration, a periodic monitoring timing configuration, a timing configuration for a physical downlink shared channel to a PDSCH-HARQ-ACK, or a timing configuration for a PDCCH-to-PUSCH. The third set of timing configurations may be determined based on the duplex mode of the second band. For instance, it may include the periodic reception timing configuration for the second band in the SDL mode, or the periodic transmission timing configuration for the second band in the SUL mode.

[0109] In some examples, the periodic reception timing configuration may indicate at least one of: a periodic reception timing for a DL CSI-RS, or a periodic reception timing for a SPS-PDSCH. In some examples, the periodic transmission timing configuration may indicate at least one of: a periodic transmission timing for a CSI report, a periodic transmission timing for a SRS, or a periodic transmission timing for a CG-PUSCH. In some examples, the periodic monitoring timing configuration may indicate a periodic monitoring timing for a PDCCH.

[0110] As an example, the periodic transmission or reception timings described above, as well as PDSCH-to-HARQ-ACK timing configurations and PDCCH-to-PUSCH timing configurations, are simple on a normally operating FDD carrier. Typically, the PDSCH-to-HARQ-ACK timing may be set to a single fixed value so that the HARQ-ACKs are transmitted at a minimum time delay after the reception of the PDSCH. Similarly, the PDCCH-to-PUSCH timing may be set to a single fixedvalue to have a minimum delay from the PDCCH reception, PUSCH scheduling, to the PUSCH transmission. Since every slot in the FDD mode can transmit and receive, only a single value is needed.

[0111] If the switching is operational (i.e., the second band is active), a different set of timing relationships needs to be applied. That is, the first apparatus 110 can be configured with two alternative configurations for the first band, including periodic SRS, periodic CSI-RS, periodic CSI-RS reports, PDSCH-to-HARQ-ACK timings, PDCCH-to-PUSCH timings, and the like. One configuration is applied on the first band if the switching is not operational (i.e., the second band is inactive or dormant), the other configuration is applied on the first band if the switching is active (i.e., the second band is activated).

[0112] FIG. 7 shows a flowchart of an example method 700 implemented at a first apparatus in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, the method 700 will be described from the perspective of the first apparatus 110 in FIG. 1.

[0113] At block 710, the first apparatus 110 receives, from a second apparatus, configuration information indicating at least one switching pattern for switching in time domain between a first band and a second band.

[0114] At block 720, the first apparatus 110 performs, based on the configuration information, switching between the first band and the second band in the time domain.

[0115] In some example embodiments, a first switching pattern of the at least one switching pattern comprises a first active time period on the first band and a second active time period on the second band, and the second active time period on the second band is after the first active time period on the first band.

[0116] In some example embodiments, the configuration information comprises at least one of: a first parameter defining a start timing of the at least one switching pattern relative to a reference time point, at least one second parameter defining a first active time period for communication on the first band in a first switching pattern of the at least one switching pattern, or at least one third parameter defining a second active time period for communication on the second band in a second switching pattern of the at least one switching pattern.

[0117] In some example embodiments, the reference time point comprises one of: a start of a frame with a number of zero, or a start of a frame with a number divisible by a length in frames of the at least one switching pattern.

[0118] In some example embodiments, the at least one second parameter comprises at least one of: a first number of slots fully occupied by the first active time period, or a first number ofsymbols, occupied by the first active time period, that is after the last slot among the first number of slots, and wherein the at least one third parameter comprises at least one of: a second number of slots fully occupied by the second active time period, or a second number of symbols, occupied by the second active time period, that is after the last slot among the second number of slots.

[0119] In some example embodiments, the configuration information further comprises at least one of: a fourth parameter defining a first time gap from an end of the first active time period to a start of the second active time period, or a fifth parameter defining a second time gap from an end of the second active time period to a start of the second switching pattern of the at least one switching pattern.

[0120] In some example embodiments, the configuration information comprises at least one of: a start of the at least one switching patten, a time length of the at least one switching pattern, a time length of a first switching pattern of the at least one switching pattern, a time length of a second switching pattern of the at least one switching pattern, a time length of a first active time period for communication on the first band, a time length of a second active time period for communication on the second band, or a start of the second active time period relative to a start of the first switching pattern.

[0121] In some example embodiments, a first time gap for switching from the first band to the second band is determined based on an end of the first active time period and a start of the second active time period, or a second time gap for switching from the second band to the first band is determined based on an end of the second active time period and a start of a third active time period on the first band corresponding to the second switching pattern of the at least one switching pattern.

[0122] In some example embodiments, the second time gap is configured based on at least one of: a switching time duration from the second band to the first band, or a timing advance for communication on the first band.

[0123] In some example embodiments, a first duplex mode of the first band comprises a frequency division duplex, FDD, mode, and a second duplex mode of the second band comprises a supplemental downlink mode; or wherein the first duplex mode of the first band comprises an FDD mode, and the second duplex mode of the second band comprises a supplemental uplink mode; or wherein the first duplex mode of the first band comprises an FDD mode, and the second duplex mode of the second band comprises an FDD mode.

[0124] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus comprises or is comprised in a terminal device, and the second apparatus comprises or is comprised in a network device.

[0125] FIG. 8 shows a flowchart of an example method 800 implemented at a second apparatusin accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, the method 800 will be described from the perspective of the second apparatus 120 in FIG. 1.

[0126] At block 810, the second apparatus 120 determines at least one switching pattern for switching in time domain between a first band and a second band.

[0127] At block 820, the second apparatus 120 transmits, to a first apparatus, configuration information indicating the at least one switching pattern.

[0128] In some example embodiments, a first switching pattern of the at least one switching pattern comprises a first active time period on the first band and a second active time period on the second band, and the second active time period on the second band is after the first active time period on the first band.

[0129] In some example embodiments, the configuration information comprises at least one of: a first parameter defining a start timing of the at least one switching pattern relative to a reference time point, at least one second parameter defining a first active time period for communication on the first band in a first switching pattern of the at least one switching pattern, or at least one third parameter defining a second active time period for communication on the second band in a second switching pattern of the at least one switching pattern.

[0130] In some example embodiments, the reference time point comprises one of: a start of a frame with a number of zero, or a start of a frame with a number divisible by a length in frames of the at least one switching pattern.

[0131] In some example embodiments, the at least one second parameter comprises at least one of: a first number of slots fully occupied by the first active time period, or a first number of symbols, occupied by the first active time period, that is after the last slot among the first number of slots, and wherein the at least one third parameter comprises at least one of: a second number of slots fully occupied by the second active time period, or a second number of symbols, occupied by the second active time period, that is after the last slot among the second number of slots.

[0132] In some example embodiments, the configuration information further comprises at least one of: a fourth parameter defining a first time gap from an end of the first active time period to a start of the second active time period, or a fifth parameter defining a second time gap from an end of the second active time period to a start of the second switching pattern of the at least one switching pattern.

[0133] In some example embodiments, the configuration information comprises at least one of: a start of the at least one switching patten, a time length of the at least one switching pattern, a time length of a first switching pattern of the at least one switching pattern, a time length of asecond switching pattern of the at least one switching pattern, a time length of a first active time period for communication on the first band, a time length of a second active time period for communication on the second band, or a start of the second active time period relative to a start of the first switching pattern.

[0134] In some example embodiments, a first time gap for switching from the first band to the second band is determined based on an end of the first active time period and a start of the second active time period, or a second time gap for switching from the second band to the first band is determined based on an end of the second active time period and a start of a third active time period on the first band corresponding to the second switching pattern of the at least one switching pattern.

[0135] In some example embodiments, the second time gap is configured based on at least one of: a switching time duration from the second band to the first band, or a timing advance for communication on the first band.

[0136] In some example embodiments, a first duplex mode of the first band comprises a frequency division duplex, FDD, mode, and a second duplex mode of the second band comprises a supplemental downlink mode; or wherein the first duplex mode of the first band comprises an FDD mode, and the second duplex mode of the second band comprises a supplemental uplink mode; or wherein the first duplex mode of the first band comprises an FDD mode, and the second duplex mode of the second band comprises an FDD mode.

[0137] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus comprises or is comprised in a terminal device, and the second apparatus comprises or is comprised in a network device.

[0138] I n some example embodiments, a first apparatus capable of performing any of the method 700 (for example, the first apparatus 110 in FIG. 1 may comprise means for performing the respective operations 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. The first apparatus may be implemented as or included in the first apparatus 110 in FIG. 1.

[0139] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus comprises means for receiving, from a second apparatus, configuration information indicating at least one switching pattern for switching in time domain between a first band and a second band; and means for performing, based on the configuration information, switching between the first band and the second band in the time domain.

[0140] In some example embodiments, a first switching pattern of the at least one switching pattern comprises a first active time period on the first band and a second active time period on the second band, and the second active time period on the second band is after the first activetime period on the first band.

[0141] In some example embodiments, the configuration information comprises at least one of: a first parameter defining a start timing of the at least one switching pattern relative to a reference time point, at least one second parameter defining a first active time period for communication on the first band in a first switching pattern of the at least one switching pattern, or at least one third parameter defining a second active time period for communication on the second band in a second switching pattern of the at least one switching pattern.

[0142] In some example embodiments, the reference time point comprises one of: a start of a frame with a number of zero, or a start of a frame with a number divisible by a length in frames of the at least one switching pattern.

[0143] In some example embodiments, the at least one second parameter comprises at least one of: a first number of slots fully occupied by the first active time period, or a first number of symbols, occupied by the first active time period, that is after the last slot among the first number of slots, and wherein the at least one third parameter comprises at least one of: a second number of slots fully occupied by the second active time period, or a second number of symbols, occupied by the second active time period, that is after the last slot among the second number of slots.

[0144] In some example embodiments, the configuration information further comprises at least one of: a fourth parameter defining a first time gap from an end of the first active time period to a start of the second active time period, or a fifth parameter defining a second time gap from an end of the second active time period to a start of the second switching pattern of the at least one switching pattern.

[0145] In some example embodiments, the configuration information comprises at least one of: a start of the at least one switching patten, a time length of the at least one switching pattern, a time length of a first switching pattern of the at least one switching pattern, a time length of a second switching pattern of the at least one switching pattern, a time length of a first active time period for communication on the first band, a time length of a second active time period for communication on the second band, or a start of the second active time period relative to a start of the first switching pattern.

[0146] In some example embodiments, a first time gap for switching from the first band to the second band is determined based on an end of the first active time period and a start of the second active time period, or a second time gap for switching from the second band to the first band is determined based on an end of the second active time period and a start of a third active time period on the first band corresponding to the second switching pattern of the at least one switching pattern.

[0147] In some example embodiments, the second time gap is configured based on at least one of: a switching time duration from the second band to the first band, or a timing advance for communication on the first band.

[0148] In some example embodiments, a first duplex mode of the first band comprises a frequency division duplex, FDD, mode, and a second duplex mode of the second band comprises a supplemental downlink mode; or wherein the first duplex mode of the first band comprises an FDD mode, and the second duplex mode of the second band comprises a supplemental uplink mode; or wherein the first duplex mode of the first band comprises an FDD mode, and the second duplex mode of the second band comprises an FDD mode.

[0149] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus comprises or is comprised in a terminal device, and the second apparatus comprises or is comprised in a network device.

[0150] In some example embodiments, a second apparatus capable of performing any of the method 800 (for example, the second apparatus 120 in FIG. 1 may comprise means for performing the respective operations of the method 800. The means may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the means may be implemented in a circuitry or software module. The second apparatus may be implemented as or included in the second apparatus 120 in FIG. 1.

[0151] In some example embodiments, the second apparatus comprises means for determining at least one switching pattern for switching in time domain between a first band and a second band; and means for transmitting, to a first apparatus, configuration information indicating the at least one switching pattern.

[0152] In some example embodiments, a first switching pattern of the at least one switching pattern comprises a first active time period on the first band and a second active time period on the second band, and the second active time period on the second band is after the first active time period on the first band.

[0153] In some example embodiments, the configuration information comprises at least one of: a first parameter defining a start timing of the at least one switching pattern relative to a reference time point, at least one second parameter defining a first active time period for communication on the first band in a first switching pattern of the at least one switching pattern, or at least one third parameter defining a second active time period for communication on the second band in a second switching pattern of the at least one switching pattern.

[0154] In some example embodiments, the reference time point comprises one of: a start of a frame with a number of zero, or a start of a frame with a number divisible by a length in frames of the at least one switching pattern.

[0155] In some example embodiments, the at least one second parameter comprises at leastone of: a first number of slots fully occupied by the first active time period, or a first number of symbols, occupied by the first active time period, that is after the last slot among the first number of slots, and wherein the at least one third parameter comprises at least one of: a second number of slots fully occupied by the second active time period, or a second number of symbols, occupied by the second active time period, that is after the last slot among the second number of slots.

[0156] In some example embodiments, the configuration information further comprises at least one of: a fourth parameter defining a first time gap from an end of the first active time period to a start of the second active time period, or a fifth parameter defining a second time gap from an end of the second active time period to a start of the second switching pattern of the at least one switching pattern.

[0157] In some example embodiments, the configuration information comprises at least one of: a start of the at least one switching patten, a time length of the at least one switching pattern, a time length of a first switching pattern of the at least one switching pattern, a time length of a second switching pattern of the at least one switching pattern, a time length of a first active time period for communication on the first band, a time length of a second active time period for communication on the second band, or a start of the second active time period relative to a start of the first switching pattern.

[0158] In some example embodiments, a first time gap for switching from the first band to the second band is determined based on an end of the first active time period and a start of the second active time period, or a second time gap for switching from the second band to the first band is determined based on an end of the second active time period and a start of a third active time period on the first band corresponding to the second switching pattern of the at least one switching pattern.

[0159] In some example embodiments, the second time gap is configured based on at least one of: a switching time duration from the second band to the first band, or a timing advance for communication on the first band.

[0160] In some example embodiments, a first duplex mode of the first band comprises a frequency division duplex, FDD, mode, and a second duplex mode of the second band comprises a supplemental downlink mode; or wherein the first duplex mode of the first band comprises an FDD mode, and the second duplex mode of the second band comprises a supplemental uplink mode; or wherein the first duplex mode of the first band comprises an FDD mode, and the second duplex mode of the second band comprises an FDD mode.

[0161] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus comprises or is comprised in a terminal device, and the second apparatus comprises or is comprised in a network device.

[0162] FIG. 9 shows a flowchart of an example method 900 implemented at a first apparatus in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, the method 900 will be described from the perspective of the first apparatus 110 in FIG. 1.

[0163] At block 910, the first apparatus 110 performs, based on at least one switching pattern for switching in time domain, first switching between a first band and a second band.

[0164] At block 920, the first apparatus 110 receives, from a second apparatus, a deactivation indication to deactivate the first switching during an execution of the first switching.

[0165] At block 930, the first apparatus 110 suspends the first switching at a first timing based on at least one of: the at least one switching pattern or a reception timing of the deactivation indication.

[0166] In some example embodiments, the first timing comprises an end of a time period corresponding to the at least one switching pattern.

[0167] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus 110 in accordance with a determination that the deactivation indication is received during a first active time period on the first band in a first switching pattern of the at least one switching pattern, suspends the first switching between the first band and the second band before a start of a second active time period on the second band in the first switching pattern.

[0168] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus 110 in accordance with a determination that the deactivation indication is received during a second active time period on the second band corresponding to a first switching pattern of the at least one switching pattern, performs second switching from the second band to the first band according to the at least one switching pattern; and suspends the first switching between the first band and the second band after the second switching from the second band to the first band.

[0169] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus 110 receives, from the second apparatus, an activation indication to activate the first switching between the first band and the second band during communication on the first band; and resuming the first switching at a second timing based on at least one of: the at least one switching pattern or a reception timing of the activation indication.

[0170] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus 110 in accordance with a determination that the activation indication is received during a first active time period on the first band corresponding to a first switching pattern of the at least one switching pattern, resumes the first switching between the first band and the second band at an end of the first active time period.

[0171] In some example embodiments, the second timing comprises an end of a slot duringwhich the activation indication is received.

[0172] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus 110 receives, from the second apparatus, configuration information indicating periodic communication between the first apparatus and the second apparatus; and handles the periodic communication based on an activation state of the at least one switching pattern and a link direction of the periodic communication.

[0173] In some example embodiments, the configuration information indicating the periodic communication indicates at least one of: a periodic reception timing configuration, a periodic transmission timing configuration, or a periodic monitoring timing configuration.

[0174] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus 110 in accordance with a determination that the at least one switching pattern is activated, determines a first time period during which an active band indicated by the at least one switching pattern supports uplink, and a second time period during which an active band indicated by the at least one switching pattern does not support uplink; performs the periodic communication within the first time period based on the configuration information; and refrains the periodic communication from being performed within the second time period.

[0175] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus 110 in accordance with a determination that the at least one switching pattern is activated, determines a first time period during which an active band indicated by the at least one switching pattern supports downlink, and a second time period during which an active band indicated by the at least one switching pattern does not support downlink; and performs the periodic communication within the first time period and the second time period based on the configuration information.

[0176] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus 110 in accordance with a determination that the at least one switching pattern is deactivated, refrains the periodic communication from being performed within the second time period.

[0177] In some example embodiments, a first duplex mode of the first band comprises a frequency division duplex, FDD, mode, and a second duplex mode of the second band comprises a supplemental downlink mode; or wherein the first duplex mode of the first band comprises an FDD mode, and the second duplex mode of the second band comprises a supplemental uplink mode; or wherein the first duplex mode of the first band comprises an FDD mode, and the second duplex mode of the second band comprises an FDD mode.

[0178] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus comprises or is comprised in a terminal device, and the second apparatus comprises or is comprised in a network device.

[0179] FIG. 10 shows a flowchart of an example method 1000 implemented at a secondapparatus in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, the method 1000 will be described from the perspective of the second apparatus 120 in FIG. 1.

[0180] At block 1010, the second apparatus 120 transmits, to a first apparatus, configuration information indicating at least one switching pattern for first switching in time domain between a first band and a second band.

[0181] At block 1020, the second apparatus 120 transmits, to the first apparatus, a deactivation indication to deactivate the first switching between the first band and the second band.

[0182] In some example embodiments, the second apparatus 120 transmits, to the first apparatus, an activation indication to activate the first switching between the first band and the second band.

[0183] In some example embodiments, the second apparatus 120 transmits, to the first apparatus, configuration information indicating periodic communication between the first apparatus and the second apparatus.

[0184] In some example embodiments, the configuration information indicating the periodic communication indicates at least one of: a periodic reception timing configuration, a periodic transmission timing configuration, or a periodic monitoring timing configuration.

[0185] In some example embodiments, a first duplex mode of the first band comprises a frequency division duplex, FDD, mode, and a second duplex mode of the second band comprises a supplemental downlink mode; or wherein the first duplex mode of the first band comprises an FDD mode, and the second duplex mode of the second band comprises a supplemental uplink mode; or wherein the first duplex mode of the first band comprises an FDD mode, and the second duplex mode of the second band comprises an FDD mode.

[0186] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus comprises or is comprised in a terminal device, and the second apparatus comprises or is comprised in a network device.

[0187] I n some example embodiments, a first apparatus capable of performing any of the method 900 (for example, the first apparatus 110 in FIG. 1 may comprise means for performing the respective operations of the method 900. The means may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the means may be implemented in a circuitry or software module. The first apparatus may be implemented as or included in the first apparatus 110 in FIG. 1.

[0188] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus comprises means for performing, based on at least one switching pattern for switching in time domain, first switching between a first band and a second band; means for receiving, from a second apparatus, a deactivation indication to deactivate the first switching during an execution of the first switching; means for suspendingthe first switching at a first timing based on at least one of: the at least one switching pattern or a reception timing of the deactivation indication.

[0189] In some example embodiments, the first timing comprises an end of a time period corresponding to the at least one switching pattern.

[0190] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus further comprises: means for in accordance with a determination that the deactivation indication is received during a first active time period on the first band in a first switching pattern of the at least one switching pattern, suspending the first switching between the first band and the second band before a start of a second active time period on the second band in the first switching pattern.

[0191] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus further comprises: means for in accordance with a determination that the deactivation indication is received during a second active time period on the second band corresponding to a first switching pattern of the at least one switching pattern, performing second switching from the second band to the first band according to the at least one switching pattern; and means for suspending the first switching between the first band and the second band after the second switching from the second band to the first band.

[0192] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus further comprises: means for receiving, from the second apparatus, an activation indication to activate the first switching between the first band and the second band during communication on the first band; and means for resuming the first switching at a second timing based on at least one of: the at least one switching pattern or a reception timing of the activation indication.

[0193] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus further comprises: means for in accordance with a determination that the activation indication is received during a first active time period on the first band corresponding to a first switching pattern of the at least one switching pattern, resuming the first switching between the first band and the second band at an end of the first active time period.

[0194] In some example embodiments, the second timing comprises an end of a slot during which the activation indication is received.

[0195] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus further comprises: means for receiving, from the second apparatus, configuration information indicating periodic communication between the first apparatus and the second apparatus; and means for handling the periodic communication based on an activation state of the at least one switching pattern and a link direction of the periodic communication.

[0196] In some example embodiments, the configuration information indicating the periodic communication indicates at least one of: a periodic reception timing configuration, a periodictransmission timing configuration, or a periodic monitoring timing configuration.

[0197] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus further comprises: means for in accordance with a determination that the at least one switching pattern is activated, determining a first time period during which an active band indicated by the at least one switching pattern supports uplink, and a second time period during which an active band indicated by the at least one switching pattern does not support uplink; means for performing the periodic communication within the first time period based on the configuration information; and means for refraining the periodic communication from being performed within the second time period.

[0198] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus further comprises: means for in accordance with a determination that the at least one switching pattern is activated, determining a first time period during which an active band indicated by the at least one switching pattern supports downlink, and a second time period during which an active band indicated by the at least one switching pattern does not support downlink; and means for performing the periodic communication within the first time period and the second time period based on the configuration information.

[0199] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus further comprises: means for in accordance with a determination that the at least one switching pattern is deactivated, refraining the periodic communication from being performed within the second time period.

[0200] In some example embodiments, a first duplex mode of the first band comprises a frequency division duplex, FDD, mode, and a second duplex mode of the second band comprises a supplemental downlink mode; or wherein the first duplex mode of the first band comprises an FDD mode, and the second duplex mode of the second band comprises a supplemental uplink mode; or wherein the first duplex mode of the first band comprises an FDD mode, and the second duplex mode of the second band comprises an FDD mode.

[0201] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus comprises or is comprised in a terminal device, and the second apparatus comprises or is comprised in a network device.

[0202] In some example embodiments, a second apparatus capable of performing any of the method 1000 (for example, the second apparatus 120 in FIG. 1 may comprise means for performing the respective operations of the method 1000. The means may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the means may be implemented in a circuitry or software module. The second apparatus may be implemented as or included in the second apparatus 120 in FIG. 1.

[0203] In some example embodiments, the second apparatus comprises means for transmitting, to a first apparatus, configuration information indicating at least one switching pattern for first switching in time domain between a first band and a second band; and means for transmitting, tothe first apparatus, a deactivation indication to deactivate the first switching between the first band and the second band.

[0204] In some example embodiments, the second apparatus further comprises: means for transmitting, to the first apparatus, an activation indication to activate the first switching between the first band and the second band.

[0205] In some example embodiments, the second apparatus further comprises: means for transmitting, to the first apparatus, configuration information indicating periodic communication between the first apparatus and the second apparatus.

[0206] In some example embodiments, the configuration information indicating the periodic communication indicates at least one of: a periodic reception timing configuration, a periodic transmission timing configuration, or a periodic monitoring timing configuration.

[0207] In some example embodiments, a first duplex mode of the first band comprises a frequency division duplex, FDD, mode, and a second duplex mode of the second band comprises a supplemental downlink mode; or wherein the first duplex mode of the first band comprises an FDD mode, and the second duplex mode of the second band comprises a supplemental uplink mode; or wherein the first duplex mode of the first band comprises an FDD mode, and the second duplex mode of the second band comprises an FDD mode.

[0208] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus comprises or is comprised in a terminal device, and the second apparatus comprises or is comprised in a network device.

[0209] FIG. 11 shows a flowchart of an example method 1100 implemented at a first apparatus in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, the method 1100 will be described from the perspective of the first apparatus 110 in FIG. 1.

[0210] At block 1110, the first apparatus 110 receives, from a second apparatus, configuration information indicating a first set of timing configurations for communication on a first band and a second set of timing configurations for communication on the first band.

[0211] At block 1120, the first apparatus 110 in accordance with a determination that switching between the first band and a second band is activated, performs the communication on the first band by applying the first set of timing configurations.

[0212] At block 1130, the first apparatus 110 in accordance with a determination that the switching between the first band and the second band is deactivated, performs the communication on the first band by applying the second set of timing configurations for the communication on the first band.

[0213] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus 110 receives, from the secondapparatus, further configuration information indicating a third set of timing configurations for communication on the second band; in accordance with a determination that the switching between the first band and the second band is activated, performs the communication on the second band by applying the third set of timing configurations; and in accordance with a determination that the switching between the first band and the second band is deactivated, suspends the communication on the second band.

[0214] In some example embodiments, at least one of the first set of timing configurations, the second set of timing configurations, or the third set of timing configurations comprises at least one of: a periodic reception timing configuration, a periodic transmission timing configuration, a periodic monitoring timing configuration, a timing configuration for a physical downlink shared channel to a hybrid automatic repeat request acknowledgement, PDSCH-HARQ-ACK, or a timing configuration for a physical downlink control channel to a physical uplink shared channel, PDCCH-to-PUSCH.

[0215] In some example embodiments, the periodic reception timing configuration indicates at least one of: a periodic reception timing for a downlink channel state information reference signal, CSI-RS, or a periodic reception timing for a semi-persistent scheduling physical downlink shared channel, SPS-PDSCH.

[0216] In some example embodiments, the periodic transmission timing configuration indicates at least one of: a periodic transmission timing for a channel state information, CSI, report, a periodic transmission timing for a sounding reference signal, SRS, or a periodic transmission timing for a configured grant physical uplink control channel, CG-PUSCH.

[0217] In some example embodiments, the periodic monitoring timing configuration indicates a periodic monitoring timing for a physical downlink control channel, PDCCH.

[0218] In some example embodiments, a first duplex mode of the first band comprises a frequency division duplex, FDD, mode, and a second duplex mode of the second band comprises a supplemental downlink mode; or wherein the first duplex mode of the first band comprises an FDD mode, and the second duplex mode of the second band comprises a supplemental uplink mode; or wherein the first duplex mode of the first band comprises an FDD mode, and the second duplex mode of the second band comprises an FDD mode.

[0219] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus comprises or is comprised in a terminal device, and the second apparatus comprises or is comprised in a network device.

[0220] FIG. 12 shows a flowchart of an example method 1200 implemented at a second apparatus in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, the method 1200 will be described from the perspective of the secondapparatus 120 in FIG. 1.

[0221] At block 1210, the second apparatus 120 transmits, to a first apparatus, configuration information indicating a first set of timing configurations for communication on a first band and a second set of timing configurations for communication on the first band.

[0222] At block 1220, the second apparatus 120 in accordance with a determination that switching between the first band and a second band is activated, performs the communication on the first band by applying the first set of timing configurations.

[0223] At block 1230, the second apparatus 120 in accordance with a determination that the switching between the first band and the second band is deactivated, performs the communication on the first band by applying the second set of timing configurations.

[0224] In some example embodiments, the second apparatus 120 transmits, to the first apparatus, further configuration information indicating a third set of timing configurations for communication on the second band; in accordance with a determination that the switching between the first band and the second band is activated, performs the communication on the second band by applying the third set of timing configurations; and in accordance with a determination that the switching between the first band and the second band is deactivated, suspends the communication on the second band.

[0225] In some example embodiments, at least one of the first set of timing configurations, the second set of timing configurations, or the third set of timing configurations comprises at least one of: a periodic reception timing configuration, a periodic transmission timing configuration, a periodic monitoring timing configuration, a timing configuration for a physical downlink shared channel to a hybrid automatic repeat request acknowledgement, PDSCH-HARQ-ACK, or a timing configuration for a physical downlink control channel to a physical uplink shared channel, PDCCH-to-PUSCH.

[0226] In some example embodiments, the periodic reception timing configuration indicates at least one of: a periodic reception timing for a downlink channel state information reference signal, CSI-RS, or a periodic reception timing for a semi-persistent scheduling physical downlink shared channel, SPS-PDSCH.

[0227] In some example embodiments, the periodic transmission timing configuration indicates at least one of: a periodic transmission timing for a channel state information, CSI, report, a periodic transmission timing for a sounding reference signal, SRS, or a periodic transmission timing for a configured grant physical uplink control channel, CG-PUSCH.

[0228] In some example embodiments, the periodic monitoring timing configuration indicates a periodic monitoring timing for a physical downlink control channel, PDCCH.

[0229] In some example embodiments, a first duplex mode of the first band comprises a frequency division duplex, FDD, mode, and a second duplex mode of the second band comprises a supplemental downlink mode; or wherein the first duplex mode of the first band comprises an FDD mode, and the second duplex mode of the second band comprises a supplemental uplink mode; or wherein the first duplex mode of the first band comprises an FDD mode, and the second duplex mode of the second band comprises an FDD mode.

[0230] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus comprises or is comprised in a terminal device, and the second apparatus comprises or is comprised in a network device.

[0231] In some example embodiments, a first apparatus capable of performing any of the method 1100 (for example, the first apparatus 110 in FIG. 1 may comprise means for performing the respective operations of the method 1100. The means may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the means may be implemented in a circuitry or software module. The first apparatus may be implemented as or included in the first apparatus 110 in FIG. 1.

[0232] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus comprises means for receiving, from a second apparatus, configuration information indicating a first set of timing configurations for communication on a first band and a second set of timing configurations for communication on the first band; means for in accordance with a determination that switching between the first band and a second band is activated, performing the communication on the first band by applying the first set of timing configurations; and means for in accordance with a determination that the switching between the first band and the second band is deactivated, performing the communication on the first band by applying the second set of timing configurations for the communication on the first band.

[0233] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus comprises means for receiving, from the second apparatus, further configuration information indicating a third set of timing configurations for communication on the second band; in accordance with a determination that the switching between the first band and the second band is activated, means for performing the communication on the second band by applying the third set of timing configurations; and in accordance with a determination that the switching between the first band and the second band is deactivated, means for suspending the communication on the second band

[0234] In some example embodiments, at least one of the first set of timing configurations, the second set of timing configurations, or the third set of timing configurations comprises at least one of: a periodic reception timing configuration, a periodic transmission timing configuration, a periodic monitoring timing configuration, a timing configuration for a physical downlink shared channel to a hybrid automatic repeat request acknowledgement, PDSCH-HARQ-ACK, or a timingconfiguration for a physical downlink control channel to a physical uplink shared channel, PDCCH-to-PUSCH.

[0235] In some example embodiments, the periodic reception timing configuration indicates at least one of: a periodic reception timing for a downlink channel state information reference signal, CSI-RS, or a periodic reception timing for a semi-persistent scheduling physical downlink shared channel, SPS-PDSCH.

[0236] In some example embodiments, the periodic transmission timing configuration indicates at least one of: a periodic transmission timing for a channel state information, CSI, report, a periodic transmission timing for a sounding reference signal, SRS, or a periodic transmission timing for a configured grant physical uplink control channel, CG-PUSCH.

[0237] In some example embodiments, the periodic monitoring timing configuration indicates a periodic monitoring timing for a physical downlink control channel, PDCCH.

[0238] In some example embodiments, a first duplex mode of the first band comprises a frequency division duplex, FDD, mode, and a second duplex mode of the second band comprises a supplemental downlink mode; or wherein the first duplex mode of the first band comprises an FDD mode, and the second duplex mode of the second band comprises a supplemental uplink mode; or wherein the first duplex mode of the first band comprises an FDD mode, and the second duplex mode of the second band comprises an FDD mode.

[0239] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus comprises or is comprised in a terminal device, and the second apparatus comprises or is comprised in a network device.

[0240] In some example embodiments, a second apparatus capable of performing any of the method 1200 (for example, the second apparatus 120 in FIG. 1 may comprise means for performing the respective operations of the method 1200. The means may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the means may be implemented in a circuitry or software module. The second apparatus may be implemented as or included in the second apparatus 120 in FIG. 1.

[0241] In some example embodiments, the second apparatus comprises means for transmitting, to a first apparatus, configuration information indicating a first set of timing configurations for communication on a first band and a second set of timing configurations for communication on the first band; means for in accordance with a determination that switching between the first band and a second band is activated, performing the communication on the first band by applying the first set of timing configurations; and means for in accordance with a determination that the switching between the first band and the second band is deactivated, performing the communication on the first band by applying the second set of timing configurations.

[0242] In some example embodiments, the second apparatus comprises means for transmitting,to the first apparatus, further configuration information indicating a third set of timing configurations for communication on the second band; in accordance with a determination that the switching between the first band and the second band is activated, means for performing the communication on the second band by applying the third set of timing configurations; and in accordance with a determination that the switching between the first band and the second band is deactivated, means for suspending the communication on the second band.

[0243] In some example embodiments, at least one of the first set of timing configurations, the second set of timing configurations, or the third set of timing configurations comprises at least one of: a periodic reception timing configuration, a periodic transmission timing configuration, a periodic monitoring timing configuration, a timing configuration for a physical downlink shared channel to a hybrid automatic repeat request acknowledgement, PDSCH-HARQ-ACK, or a timing configuration for a physical downlink control channel to a physical uplink shared channel, PDCCH-to-PUSCH.

[0244] In some example embodiments, the periodic reception timing configuration indicates at least one of: a periodic reception timing for a downlink channel state information reference signal, CSI-RS, or a periodic reception timing for a semi-persistent scheduling physical downlink shared channel, SPS-PDSCH.

[0245] In some example embodiments, the periodic transmission timing configuration indicates at least one of: a periodic transmission timing for a channel state information, CSI, report, a periodic transmission timing for a sounding reference signal, SRS, or a periodic transmission timing for a configured grant physical uplink control channel, CG-PUSCH.

[0246] In some example embodiments, the periodic monitoring timing configuration indicates a periodic monitoring timing for a physical downlink control channel, PDCCH.

[0247] In some example embodiments, a first duplex mode of the first band comprises a frequency division duplex, FDD, mode, and a second duplex mode of the second band comprises a supplemental downlink mode; or wherein the first duplex mode of the first band comprises an FDD mode, and the second duplex mode of the second band comprises a supplemental uplink mode; or wherein the first duplex mode of the first band comprises an FDD mode, and the second duplex mode of the second band comprises an FDD mode.

[0248] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus comprises or is comprised in a terminal device, and the second apparatus comprises or is comprised in a network device.

[0249] FIG. 13 is a simplified block diagram of a device 1300 that is suitable for implementing example embodiments of the present disclosure. The device 1300 may be provided to implement a communication device, for example, the first apparatus 110 or the second apparatus 120 asshown in FIG. 1. As shown, the device 1300 includes one or more processors 1310, one or more memories 1320 coupled to the processor 1310, and one or more communication modules 1340 coupled to the processor 1310.

[0250] The communication module 1340 is for bidirectional communications. The communication module 1340 has one or more communication interfaces to facilitate communication with one or more other modules or devices. The communication interfaces may represent any interface that is necessary for communication with other network elements. In some example embodiments, the communication module 1340 may include at least one antenna.

[0251] The processor 1310 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 1300 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.

[0252] The memory 1320 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) 1324, an electrically programmable read only memory (EPROM), a flash memory, a hard disk, a compact disc (CD), a digital video disk (DVD), an optical disk, a laser disk, and other magnetic storage and / or optical storage. Examples of the volatile memories include, but are not limited to, a random-access memory (RAM) 1322 and other volatile memories that will not last in the power-down duration.

[0253] A computer program 1330 includes computer executable instructions that are executed by the associated processor 1310. The instructions of the program 1330 may include instructions for performing operations / acts of some example embodiments of the present disclosure. The program 1330 may be stored in the memory, e.g., the ROM 1324. The processor 1310 may perform any suitable actions and processing by loading the program 1330 into the RAM 1322.

[0254] The example embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented by means of the program 1330 so that the device 1300 may perform any process of the disclosure as discussed with reference to FIG. 2 to FIG. 12. The example embodiments of the present disclosure may also be implemented by hardware or by a combination of software and hardware.

[0255] In some example embodiments, the program 1330 may be tangibly contained in a computer readable medium which may be included in the device 1300 (such as in the memory 1320) or other storage devices that are accessible by the device 1300. The device 1300 may load the program 1330 from the computer readable medium to the RAM 1322 for execution. In someexample embodiments, the computer readable medium may include any types of non-transitory storage medium, such as ROM, EPROM, a flash memory, a hard disk, CD, DVD, and the like. 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).

[0256] FIG. 14 shows an example of the computer readable medium 1400 which may be in form of CD, DVD or other optical storage disk. The computer readable medium 1400 has the program 1330 stored thereon.

[0257] 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, and other aspects may be implemented in firmware or software which may be executed by a controller, microprocessor or other computing device. Although 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 nonlimiting examples, hardware, software, firmware, special purpose circuits or logic, general purpose hardware or controller or other computing devices, or some combination thereof.

[0258] Some example embodiments of the present disclosure also provide at least one computer program product tangibly stored on a computer readable medium, such as a non-transitory computer readable medium. The computer program product includes computer-executable instructions, such as those included in program modules, being executed in a device on a target physical or virtual processor, to carry out any of the methods as described above. 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.

[0259] Program code for carrying out methods of the present disclosure may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages. The program code 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 code, 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 remotemachine or entirely on the remote machine or server.

[0260] In the context of the present disclosure, the computer program code 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.

[0261] 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.

[0262] Further, although 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 and parallel processing may be advantageous. Likewise, although 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. Unless explicitly stated, certain features that are described in the context of separate embodiments may also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, unless explicitly stated, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment may also be implemented in a plurality of embodiments separately or in any suitable sub-combination.

[0263] 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

44WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A first apparatus comprising:at least one processor; andat least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the first apparatus at least to:receive, from a second apparatus, configuration information indicating a first set of timing configurations for communication on a first band and a second set of timing configurations for communication on the first band;in accordance with a determination that switching between the first band and a second band is activated, perform the communication on the first band by applying the first set of timing configurations; andin accordance with a determination that the switching between the first band and the second band is deactivated, perform the communication on the first band by applying the second set of timing configurations for the communication on the first band.

2. The first apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first apparatus is further caused to:receive, from the second apparatus, further configuration information indicating a third set of timing configurations for communication on the second band;in accordance with a determination that the switching between the first band and the second band is activated, perform the communication on the second band by applying the third set of timing configurations; andin accordance with a determination that the switching between the first band and the second band is deactivated, suspend the communication on the second band.

3. The first apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one of the first set of timing configurations, the second set of timing configurations, or the third set of timing configurations comprises at least one of:a periodic reception timing configuration,a periodic transmission timing configuration,a periodic monitoring timing configuration,a timing configuration for a physical downlink shared channel to a hybrid automatic repeat request acknowledgement, PDSCH-HARQ-ACK, ora timing configuration for a physical downlink control channel to a physical uplink shared channel,45PDCCH-to-PUSCH.

4. The first apparatus of claim 3, wherein the periodic reception timing configuration indicates at least one of:a periodic reception timing for a downlink channel state information reference signal, CSI-RS, or a periodic reception timing for a semi-persistent scheduling physical downlink shared channel, SPS-PDSCH.

5. The first apparatus of claim 3, wherein the periodic transmission timing configuration indicates at least one of:a periodic transmission timing for a channel state information, CSI, report,a periodic transmission timing for a sounding reference signal, SRS, ora periodic transmission timing for a configured grant physical uplink control channel, CG-PUSCH.

6. The first apparatus of claim 3, wherein the periodic monitoring timing configuration indicates a periodic monitoring timing for a physical downlink control channel, PDCCH.

7. The first apparatus of any of claims 1 to 6, wherein a first duplex mode of the first band comprises a frequency division duplex, FDD, mode, and a second duplex mode of the second band comprises a supplemental downlink mode; orwherein the first duplex mode of the first band comprises an FDD mode, and the second duplex mode of the second band comprises a supplemental uplink mode; orwherein the first duplex mode of the first band comprises an FDD mode, and the second duplex mode of the second band comprises an FDD mode.

8. The first apparatus of any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the first apparatus comprises or is comprised in a terminal device, and the second apparatus comprises or is comprised in a network device.

9. A second apparatus comprising:at least one processor; andat least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the second apparatus at least to:transmit, to a first apparatus, configuration information indicating a first set of timing configurations for communication on a first band and a second set of timing configurations for46communication on the first band;in accordance with a determination that switching between the first band and a second band is activated, perform the communication on the first band by applying the first set of timing configurations; andin accordance with a determination that the switching between the first band and the second band is deactivated, perform the communication on the first band by applying the second set of timing configurations.

10. The second apparatus of claim 9, wherein the second apparatus is further caused to: transmit, to the first apparatus, further configuration information indicating a third set of timing configurations for communication on the second band;in accordance with a determination that the switching between the first band and the second band is activated, perform the communication on the second band by applying the third set of timing configurations; andin accordance with a determination that the switching between the first band and the second band is deactivated, suspend the communication on the second band.

11. The second apparatus of claim 8 or 9, wherein at least one of the first set of timing configurations, the second set of timing configurations, or the third set of timing configurations comprises at least one of:a periodic reception timing configuration,a periodic transmission timing configuration,a periodic monitoring timing configuration,a timing configuration for a physical downlink shared channel to a hybrid automatic repeat request acknowledgement, PDSCH-HARQ-ACK, ora timing configuration for a physical downlink control channel to a physical uplink shared channel, PDCCH-to-PUSCH.

12. The second apparatus of claim 11, wherein the periodic reception timing configuration indicates at least one of:a periodic reception timing for a downlink channel state information reference signal, CSI-RS, or a periodic reception timing for a semi-persistent scheduling physical downlink shared channel, SPS-PDSCH.

13. The second apparatus of claim 11, wherein the periodic transmission timing configuration indicates at least one of:a periodic transmission timing for a channel state information, CSI, report,a periodic transmission timing for a sounding reference signal, SRS, ora periodic transmission timing for a configured grant physical uplink control channel, CG-PUSCH.

14. The second apparatus of claim 11, wherein the periodic monitoring timing configuration indicates a periodic monitoring timing for a physical downlink control channel, PDCCH.

15. The second apparatus of any of claims 9 to 14, wherein a first duplex mode of the first band comprises a frequency division duplex, FDD, mode, and a second duplex mode of the second band comprises a supplemental downlink mode; orwherein the first duplex mode of the first band comprises an FDD mode, and the second duplex mode of the second band comprises a supplemental uplink mode; orwherein the first duplex mode of the first band comprises an FDD mode, and the second duplex mode of the second band comprises an FDD mode.

16. The second apparatus of any of claims 9 to 15, wherein the first apparatus comprises or is comprised in a terminal device, and the second apparatus comprises or is comprised in a network device.

17. A method comprising:receiving, from a second apparatus, configuration information indicating a first set of timing configurations for communication on a first band and a second set of timing configurations for communication on the first band;in accordance with a determination that switching between the first band and a second band is activated, performing the communication on the first band by applying the first set of timing configurations; andin accordance with a determination that the switching between the first band and the second band is deactivated, performing the communication on the first band by applying the second set of timing configurations for the communication on the first band.

18. A method comprising:transmitting, to a first apparatus, configuration information indicating a first set of timing configurations for communication on a first band and a second set of timing configurations forcommunication on the first band;in accordance with a determination that switching between the first band and a second band is activated, performing the communication on the first band by applying the first set of timing configurations; andin accordance with a determination that the switching between the first band and the second band is deactivated, performing the communication on the first band by applying the second set of timing configurations.

19. A first apparatus comprising:means for receiving, from a second apparatus, configuration information indicating a first set of timing configurations for communication on a first band and a second set of timing configurations for communication on the first band;means for in accordance with a determination that switching between the first band and a second band is activated, performing the communication on the first band by applying the first set of timing configurations; andmeans for in accordance with a determination that the switching between the first band and the second band is deactivated, performing the communication on the first band by applying the second set of timing configurations for the communication on the first band.

20. A second apparatus comprising:means for transmitting, to a first apparatus, configuration information indicating a first set of timing configurations for communication on a first band and a second set of timing configurations for communication on the first band;means for in accordance with a determination that switching between the first band and a second band is activated, performing the communication on the first band by applying the first set of timing configurations; andmeans for in accordance with a determination that the switching between the first band and the second band is deactivated, performing the communication on the first band by applying the second set of timing configurations.

21. A computer readable medium comprising instructions stored thereon for causing an apparatus at least to perform the method of claim 17 or the method of claim 18.

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