CN114946143A

CN114946143A - Method and device for constructing HARQ-ACK codebook for semi-persistent scheduling

Info

Publication number: CN114946143A
Application number: CN202080093183.XA
Authority: CN
Inventors: 苟伟; 郝鹏; 韩祥辉; 张峻峰
Original assignee: ZTE Corp
Current assignee: ZTE Corp
Priority date: 2020-05-15
Filing date: 2020-05-15
Publication date: 2022-08-26
Also published as: WO2021109465A1

Abstract

The present disclosure describes methods, systems, and devices for constructing a corresponding hybrid automatic repeat request-acknowledgement (HARQ-ACK) codebook for semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) reception for at least one SPS. The method includes determining, by a User Equipment (UE), a first set of timeslots based on a set of slot numbers; and determining, by the UE, the second set of time slots based on the configuration periodicity of the at least one SPS. The method also includes obtaining, by the UE, a set of common time slots based on the first set of time slots and the second set of time slots. The method also includes constructing, by the UE, a HARQ-ACK codebook for at least one SPS based on the set of common slots. The HARQ-ACK codebook includes HARQ-ACK information corresponding to the SPS PDSCH reception in the common slot set.

Description

Method and apparatus for constructing HARQ-ACK codebook for semi-persistent scheduling

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to wireless communications. In particular, the present disclosure relates to methods and apparatus for constructing a hybrid automatic repeat request acknowledgement (HARQ-ACK) codebook for semi-persistent scheduling (SPS).

Background

Wireless communication technology is pushing the world to an increasingly interconnected and networked society. High speed and low latency wireless communications rely on efficient network resource management and allocation between User Equipment (UE) and radio access network nodes, including but not limited to Radio Access Networks (RANs). When the UE receives configuration and activation information for semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) from the RAN, the SPS may be configured and activated. The SPS may not be activated and may not be able to receive activation information. Some problems and/or disputes may arise when a UE wants to construct a HARQ-ACK codebook for an inactive SPS. The present disclosure may address at least some of the problems and/or issues in constructing a hybrid automatic repeat request acknowledgement (HARQ-ACK) codebook for one or more SPSs.

Disclosure of Invention

The present document relates to methods, systems, and devices for wireless communication, and more particularly, to methods, systems, and devices for constructing a hybrid automatic repeat request acknowledgement (HARQ-ACK) codebook for semi-persistent scheduling (SPS).

In one embodiment, the present disclosure describes a method for wireless communication. The method includes constructing a hybrid automatic repeat request acknowledgement (HARQ-ACK) codebook for semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) reception for at least one SPS by: a first set of timeslots determined by a User Equipment (UE) based on a set of numbers of timeslots; determining, by the UE, a second set of time slots based on the configuration periodicity of the at least one SPS; obtaining, by the UE, a set of common time slots based on the first set of time slots and the second set of time slots; and constructing, by the UE, a HARQ-ACK codebook for the at least one SPS based on the common slot set, the HARQ-ACK codebook including HARQ-ACK information corresponding to the SPS PDSCH reception in the common slot set.

In another embodiment, the present disclosure describes a method for wireless communication. The method includes constructing a corresponding hybrid automatic repeat request acknowledgement (HARQ-ACK) codebook for semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) reception for at least one SPS by: for at least one SPS no later than a predefined location in the time domain: determining, by a User Equipment (UE), a first set of timeslots based on a set of numbers of timeslots; determining, by the UE, a second set of time slots based on the configuration periodicity of the at least one SPS; determining, by the UE, a set of common time slots based on the first set of time slots and the second set of time slots; and constructing, by the UE, HARQ-ACK information for at least one SPS that is not later than a predefined location in the time domain based on the set of common slots, the HARQ-ACK codebook including corresponding HARQ-ACK information for SPS PDSCH reception in the set of common slots.

In another embodiment, the present disclosure describes a method for wireless communication. The method includes constructing a corresponding hybrid automatic repeat request acknowledgement (HARQ-ACK) codebook for semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) reception for at least one SPS by: receiving, by a User Equipment (UE), at least one SPS configuration signaling from a Radio Access Network (RAN); determining, by the UE, a number of slots of at least one SPS based on the at least one SPS configuration signaling; and constructing, by the UE, a HARQ-ACK codebook for SPS PDSCH reception for the at least one SPS based on the number of slots.

In another embodiment, the present disclosure describes a method for wireless communication. The method includes constructing, by a User Equipment (UE), a corresponding hybrid automatic repeat request-acknowledgement (HARQ-ACK) codebook for semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) reception for more than one SPS by determining, based on a predefined rule, a number of slots from among the more than one SPS that are inactive.

In some other embodiments, an apparatus for wireless communication may include a memory storing instructions and processing circuitry in communication with the memory. When the processing circuitry executes the instructions, the processing circuitry is configured to carry out the above method.

In some other embodiments, a computer-readable medium includes instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform the above method.

The above and other aspects and embodiments thereof are described in more detail in the accompanying drawings, description and claims.

Drawings

Fig. 1 shows an example of a wireless communication system.

Fig. 2 shows an example of a radio network node.

Fig. 3 shows an example of a user equipment.

Fig. 4A illustrates a flow chart of a method for wireless communication.

Fig. 4B shows a flow diagram of a method for wireless communication.

Fig. 4C shows a flow diagram of a method for wireless communication.

Fig. 5 shows a flow chart of a method for wireless communication.

Fig. 6 shows a flow chart of a method for wireless communication.

Fig. 7 shows a schematic diagram of a method for wireless communication.

Detailed Description

The present disclosure will now be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and which show, by way of illustration, specific examples of embodiments. It is noted, however, that the present disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and, thus, it is intended that the covered or claimed subject matter be construed as not being limited to any one of the embodiments set forth below.

Throughout the specification and claims, terms may have in context a suggested or implied subtle meaning other than the meaning explicitly recited. Likewise, the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in some embodiments" as used herein do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, and the phrases "in another embodiment" or "in other embodiments" as used herein do not necessarily refer to a different embodiment. The phrase "in one embodiment" or "in some embodiments" as used herein does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, and the phrase "in another embodiment" or "in other embodiments" as used herein does not necessarily refer to a different embodiment. For example, the claimed subject matter is intended to include, in whole or in part, the exemplary embodiments or combinations of embodiments.

In general, terms may be understood at least in part from the context of usage. For example, as used herein, terms such as "and," "or," or "and/or" may include a variety of meanings that may depend, at least in part, on the context in which the terms are used. In general, "or" if used in connection with lists such as A, B or C is intended to mean A, B and C (used herein in an inclusive sense), and A, B or C (used herein in an exclusive sense). Furthermore, the terms "one or more" or "at least one" (depending at least in part on the context) as used herein may be used to describe any feature, structure, or characteristic in the singular or may be used to describe a combination of features, structures, or characteristics in the plural. Similarly, terms such as "a," "an," or "the" may also be understood to convey a singular use or to convey a plural use, depending, at least in part, on the context. Moreover, the term "based on" or "determined by … …" may be understood as a set of factors that are not necessarily intended to convey an exclusivity, and may instead allow for the presence of additional factors that are not necessarily explicitly described, also depending at least in part on the context.

The present disclosure describes methods and apparatus for constructing a hybrid automatic repeat request acknowledgement (HARQ-ACK) codebook for semi-persistent scheduling (SPS).

Next Generation (NG) or fifth generation (5G) wireless communications may provide a range of capabilities from downloading at high speed to supporting real-time low-latency communications. Fig. 1 shows a wireless communication system 100 including a Core Network (CN)110, a Radio Access Network (RAN)130, and one or more User Equipments (UEs) (152, 154, and 156). RAN 130 may comprise a radio network base station or NG radio access network (NG-RAN) base station or node, which may comprise a nodeB (NB, e.g., a gNB) in a mobile telecommunications scenario. In one embodiment, the core network 110 may comprise a 5G core network (5GC), and the interface 125 may comprise a New Generation (NG) interface.

Referring to fig. 1, a first UE 152 may wirelessly receive downlink communications 142 from RAN 130 and wirelessly transmit uplink communications 141 to RAN 130. Likewise, second UE 154 may wirelessly receive downlink communications 144 from RAN 130 and wirelessly transmit uplink communications 143 to RAN 130; and the third UE 156 may wirelessly receive downlink communications 146 from the RAN 130 and wirelessly transmit uplink communications 145 to the RAN 130. For example, but not limiting of, downlink communications may include a Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) or a Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH), and uplink communications may include a Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH) or a Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH).

A RAN (e.g., RAN 130) may send SPS configuration signaling to a UE (e.g., UE 152) to configure one or more SPSs for the UE.

Some of the one or more SPSs may be activated. For example, the SPS may be activated when the UE receives Downlink Control Information (DCI) including activation configuration information of the SPS from the RAN. The DCI may include the number of slots of the SPS. The number of slots may include a k value or a k1 value, which is the number of slots in the interval between the slot in which the PDSCH is located and the slot in which the HARQ-ACK for the PDSCH is located. In one embodiment, referring to the slot for PUCCH transmission, if the UE detects a DCI format scheduling one PDSCH reception and the end of the PDSCH reception is in slot n, or if the UE detects a DCI format indicating one SPS PDSCH release is received over the PDCCH and the end of the PDCCH reception is in slot n, the UE provides corresponding HARQ-ACK information in the PUCCH transmission within slot n + k. k is the number of slots and is indicated by the PDSCH-to-HARQ feedback (PDSCH-to-HARQ feedback) timing indicator field (if present) in the DCI format, or is provided by dl-DataToUL-ACK, or is provided by dl-DataToUL-ackfcdiformat 1_2 for DCI format1_ 2. k-0 corresponds to the last slot of the PUCCH transmission overlapping PDSCH reception or, in case of SPS PDSCH release, PDCCH reception.

Some of the one or more SPSs may not be activated. For an inactive SPS, there may be no configured number of slots (k). There may be some problems and/or disputes with constructing the HARQ-ACK codebook for one or more SPS including inactive SPS. Some of the problems may include challenges and difficulties in determining a value for the number of slots of an inactive SPS to enable the SPS to participate in the construction of the HARQ-ACK codebook. Some of the problems may also include difficulties in constructing a HARQ-ACK codebook for an inactive SPS.

The present disclosure describes various embodiments for constructing a HARQ-ACK codebook for one or more SPSs, where some of the SPSs may be inactive. The present disclosure may address at least some of the issues discussed above.

Fig. 2 shows an exemplary radio access network or wireless communication base station 200. Base station 200 may include wireless transmit/receive (Tx/Rx) circuitry 208 to transmit/receive communications with one or more UEs and/or one or more other base stations. The base station may also include network interface circuitry 209 to communicate the base station with other base stations and/or a core network (e.g., optical or wired interconnects, ethernet, and/or other data transmission media/protocols). The base station 200 may optionally include an input/output (I/O) interface 206 to communicate with an operator or the like.

The base station may also include system circuitry 204. The system circuitry 204 may include one or more processors 221 and/or memories 222. Memory 222 may include an operating system 224, instructions 226, and parameters 228. One or more of the instructions 226 may be configured in the processor 124 to perform the functions of the base station. Parameters 228 may include parameters that support execution of instructions 226. For example, the parameters may include network protocol settings, bandwidth parameters, radio frequency mapping assignments, and/or other parameters.

Fig. 3 shows an exemplary User Equipment (UE) 300. The UE 300 may be a mobile device, such as a smart phone or a mobile communication module provided in a vehicle. The UE 300 may include communication interfaces 302, system circuitry 304, input/output interfaces (I/O)306, display circuitry 308, and storage 309. The display circuitry may include a user interface 310. System circuitry 304 may include any combination of hardware, software, firmware, or other logic/circuitry. System circuitry 304 may be implemented, for example, using one or more systems on a chip (SoC), Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASIC), discrete analog and digital circuits, and other circuitry. System circuitry 304 may be part of an implementation of any desired functionality in UE 300. In this regard, system circuitry 304 may include logic to facilitate, for example: decoding and playing music and video, e.g., MP3, MP4, MPEG, AVI, FLAC, AC3, or WAV decoding and playback; running the application; accepting user input; saving and retrieving application data; establishing, maintaining, and terminating a cellular telephone call or data connection, as one example, for an internet connection; establishing, maintaining, and terminating wireless network connections, bluetooth connections, or other connections; and displaying the relevant information on the user interface 310. The user interface 310 and input/output (I/O) interface 306 may include graphical user interfaces, touch-sensitive displays, haptic feedback or other haptic outputs, voice or facial recognition inputs, buttons, switches, speakers, and other user interface elements. Other examples of I/O interface 306 may include a microphone, video and still image cameras, temperature sensors, vibration sensors, rotation and orientation sensors, headset and microphone input/output jacks, Universal Serial Bus (USB) connectors, memory card slots, radiation sensors (e.g., IR sensors), and other types of inputs.

Referring to fig. 3, the communication interface 302 may include Radio Frequency (RF) transmit (Tx) and receive (Rx) circuitry 316 that handles the transmission and reception of signals through one or more antennas 314. The communication interface 302 may include one or more transceivers. The transceiver may be a wireless transceiver that includes modulation/demodulation circuitry, a digital-to-analog converter (DAC), a shaping table, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), a filter, a waveform shaper, a filter, a preamplifier, a power amplifier, and/or other logic for transmitting and receiving over one or more antennas or, for some devices, over a physical (e.g., wired) medium. The transmitted and received signals may conform to any of a variety of formats, protocols, modulations (e.g., QPSK, 16-QAM, 64-QAM, or 256-QAM), frequency channels, bit rates, and codes. As one specific example, the communication interface 302 may include transceivers that support transmission and reception under 2G, 3G, BT, WiFi, Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), High Speed Packet Access (HSPA) +, 4G/Long Term Evolution (LTE), and 5G standards. However, the techniques described below are applicable to other wireless communication technologies, whether sourced by the third generation partnership project (3GPP), the GSM association, 3GPP2, IEEE, or other partners or standards bodies.

Referring to fig. 3, system circuitry 304 may include one or more processors 321 and memory 322. Memory 322 stores, for example, operating system 324, instructions 326, and parameters 328. The processor 321 is configured to execute instructions 326 for carrying out the desired functions of the UE 300. Parameters 328 may provide and specify configuration and operational options for instructions 326. The memory 322 may also store any BT, WiFi, 3G, 4G, 5G, or other data that the UE 300 will transmit or has received over the communication interface 302. In various embodiments, system power for the UE 300 may be provided by a power storage device, such as a battery or transformer.

The present disclosure describes several embodiments of methods and apparatus for constructing a hybrid automatic repeat request-acknowledgement (HARQ-ACK) codebook for at least one semi-persistent scheduling (SPS), which may be partially or fully implemented on a wireless network base station and/or user equipment as described in fig. 2 and 3 above.

Referring to fig. 4A, in one embodiment, a method 400 for wireless communication includes constructing a corresponding hybrid automatic repeat request acknowledgement (HARQ-ACK) codebook for semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) reception for at least one SPS. The method 400 may include some or all of the following steps: a step 410 of determining, by a User Equipment (UE), a first set of timeslots based on a set of numbers of timeslots; step 420, determining, by the UE, a second set of timeslots based on a configuration periodicity of the at least one SPS; step 430, the UE obtains a common timeslot set based on the first timeslot set and the second timeslot set; and step 440, constructing, by the UE, a HARQ-ACK codebook for the at least one SPS based on the common slot set, the HARQ-ACK codebook including HARQ-ACK information corresponding to the SPS PDSCH reception in the common slot set.

The order of steps 410 through 440 may not be limited. In one embodiment, step 410 may be performed before step 420. In another embodiment, step 410 may be performed after step 420. In another embodiment, step 410 may be performed substantially simultaneously with step 420.

Steps 410 to 440 of method 400 may be applied to all SPS regardless of whether it is active or inactive. For an inactive SPS, a HARQ-ACK codebook for the inactive SPS is constructed based on a set of common slots determined for the inactive SPS. For an activated SPS, a HARQ-ACK codebook for the activated SPS is constructed based on a set of common slots determined for the activated SPS.

For the following discussion, an inactive SPS may be exemplified. The UE may need to construct a HARQ-ACK codebook corresponding to an SPS PDSCH corresponding to one or more SPSs before the UE wants to report the HARQ-ACK codebook through a PUCCH or PUSCH. When the SPS contains an inactive SPS, the UE may form HARQ-ACK information for the inactive SPS as follows and construct a HARQ-ACK codebook for one or more SPS. The UE may determine a set of common slots based on a set of slots configured by Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling and an SPS period of the inactive SPS, and then the UE may construct a HARQ-ACK codebook based on the set of common slots.

Referring to step 410, the UE may determine a first set of slots based on the set of slot numbers. The set of slot numbers may be a set of k or a set of k 1. The UE may receive a first RRC message sent from a Radio Access Network (RAN). The first RRC message may be a PUCCH _ Config message. The first RRC message includes a set of slot numbers.

In one embodiment, the first set of slots comprises a set of slots having slot positions N-K, where N corresponds to a slot used to transmit the HARQ-ACK codebook and K is any number from the set of slot numbers. For example, but not limiting of, when N is 10 and the set of slot numbers includes {1, 3, 6}, the first set of slots includes {9, 7, 4 }.

Referring to step 420, the UE may determine a second set of slots based on a configuration period of the SPS. The UE may receive a second RRC message sent from the RAN, and the second RRC message may include a configuration period of the SPS.

In one embodiment referring to fig. 4B, the second set of slots is determined by the UE using the SPS configuration period by performing the following method: step 422, determining the time slot of SPS PDSCH transmission according to the SPS period; and step 424, recording the time slot as a second set of time slots. The second set of slots may also be determined based on an offset value that indicates a starting position of the SPS. For example, but not limiting of, when the configuration period of the SPS is 4 and the offset value is 0, the second set of slots includes {4, 8, 12, 16 }.

Referring to step 430, the UE obtains a common set of slots based on the first set of slots and the second set of slots. For example, when the first set of timeslots includes 9, 7, 4 and the second set of timeslots includes 4, 8, 12, 16, the common set of timeslots may include 4.

Referring to step 440, the UE constructs a HARQ-ACK codebook for the SPS based on the common slot set and a HARQ-ACK codebook including the HARQ-ACK information corresponding to the SPS PDSCH reception in the common slot set. For example, when the common slot set includes {4}, the UE builds a HARQ-ACK codebook that includes HARQ-ACK information corresponding to SPS PDSCH reception in slot {4 }.

Referring to fig. 4C, for an activated SPS, the method 400 may optionally further include some or all of the following steps: step 460, determining, by the UE, a third slot based on the number of slots; and 470, constructing HARQ-ACK information for the activated SPS by the UE based on the third time slot, wherein the HARQ-ACK codebook comprises HARQ-ACK information corresponding to SPS PDSCH receiving in the third time slot.

For an activated SPS with a configured number of slots (K), the UE may determine the slot by using the value of K. The value of the slot number may be configured in the active DCI. The UE may construct a HARQ-ACK codebook using the SPS PDSCH in the determined slot.

Referring to step 460, the UE may determine a third slot based on the number of slots. Downlink Control Information (DCI) signaling includes the number of time slots for SPS activation. The third slot comprises a slot at slot position N-K, where N corresponds to the slot used to transmit the HARQ-ACK codebook and K is the number of slots. The third slot is a single value rather than a set of slot numbers.

Referring to step 470, the UE constructs HARQ-ACK information for the activated SPS based on the third slot and includes HARQ-ACK information corresponding to SPS PDSCH reception in the third slot into a HARQ-ACK codebook. HARQ-ACK information corresponding to the SPS PDSCH for the SPS in the third slot is included in the HARQ-ACK codebook.

The method 400 may also optionally include combining, by the UE, HARQ-ACK information corresponding to SPS PDSCH reception corresponding to an activated SPS and HARQ-ACK information corresponding to SPS PDSCH reception corresponding to an inactivated SPS as a HARQ-ACK codebook.

Referring to fig. 5, the present disclosure describes various embodiments of a method 500 for constructing a corresponding hybrid automatic repeat request-acknowledgement (HARQ-ACK) codebook for semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) reception for at least one SPS. Method 500 may be a combined method for determining HARQ-ACK information for constructing a HARQ-ACK codebook. The method 500 may combine the first and second methods for SPS according to a predefined location in the time domain (T). In one embodiment, for one or more SPSs at or before a predefined location in the time domain (T), the method 500 uses a first method; and, for one or more SPSs after a predefined location in the time domain (T), the method 500 uses a second method.

In one embodiment, the first method may be associated with steps 410 to 440 of method 400; and the second method may be associated with steps 460 through 470 of method 400.

Referring to fig. 5, the method 500 may include some or all of the following steps: for at least one SPS that is not later than a predefined location in the time domain: step 510, a first set of timeslots determined by a User Equipment (UE) based on a set of numbers of timeslots; step 520, determining, by the UE, a second set of timeslots based on a configuration periodicity of the at least one SPS; step 530, obtaining, by the UE, a set of common slots based on the first set of slots and the second set of slots; and 540, constructing HARQ-ACK information for at least one SPS which is not later than the predefined position in the time domain by the UE based on the public time slot set, wherein the HARQ-ACK codebook comprises the HARQ-ACK information which is received by the SPS PDSCH in the public time slot set; and for at least one SPS after a predefined location in the time domain: step 550, determining, by the UE, a third slot based on the number of slots; and step 560, constructing, by the UE, HARQ-ACK information for at least one SPS after the predefined position in the time domain based on the third time slot, the HARQ-ACK codebook including HARQ-ACK information corresponding to SPS PDSCH reception in the third time slot.

In one embodiment, the predefined location in the time domain (T) may be associated with a location of a first physical uplink control channel or a physical uplink shared channel (PUCCH/PUSCH). The method 500 may optionally include the step of determining, by the UE, a predefined location in the time domain based on the first PUCCH/PUSCH. The first PUCCH/PUSCH is determined to be a PUCCH/PUSCH to be transmitted to the RAN and includes ACK information corresponding to DCI including activation information for SPS. In another embodiment, the first PUCCH/PUSCH is defined as: for SPS, if SPS is activated DCI activated, ACK information corresponding to the activated DCI may be transmitted through a PUCCH or a PUSCH (which is recorded as a first PUCCH/PUSCH).

In one embodiment, the method 500 may optionally include: a step of determining, by the UE, a predefined position in the time domain as at least one of: a slot in which the first PUCCH/PUSCH is located; a Q-th slot after a slot in which the first PUCCH/PUSCH is located; a starting position of a starting symbol of a first PUCCH/PUSCH; an end position of a last symbol of the first PUCCH/PUSCH; or an end position of M symbols after the last symbol of the first PUCCH/PUSCH, where M is a given integer. For example, but not limiting of, M is an integer. For example, and without limitation, the value of M is an integer from 0 to 50 (including 0 and 50). In one embodiment, M may be indicated to the UE by the RAN through signaling. In another embodiment, M may be selected by the UE itself and then reported to the RAN. Wherein Q is a given integer. For example, but not limited to, Q is one of 0, 1, 2, 3, and 20. Q may be a predefined value from 0 to 20, may be indicated by the RAN by the UE through signaling, or may be selected by the UE and reported to the RAN.

In another embodiment, the predefined location in the time domain (T) may be associated with a location of a PDCCH in which the activated DCI corresponding to the SPS is located. The UE may determine the predefined location in the time domain based on the location of the PDCCH carrying the activated DCI by at least one of: the P-th slot after the slot in which the PDCCH carrying the activated DCI is located (where P is a given integer, such as, but not limited to, P is one of 0, 1, 2, 3, 20, P may be a predefined value from 0 to 20, P may be indicated to the UE by signaling by the RAN, or P may be selected by the UE and reported to the RAN), the slot in which the PDCCH carrying the activated DCI is located, or the end position L symbols after the last symbol of the PDCCH carrying the activated DCI, where L is a given integer. For example, but not limited to, L is one of 0, 1, 2, 3, 50. L may be indicated by the RAN to the UE through signaling, or L may be selected by the UE and reported to the RAN.

Referring to fig. 6, the present disclosure describes various embodiments of a method 600 for constructing a corresponding hybrid automatic repeat request acknowledgement (HARQ-ACK) codebook for semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) reception for at least one SPS. The method 600 may include some or all of the following: step 610, receiving, by a User Equipment (UE), SPS configuration signaling from a Radio Access Network (RAN); step 620, determining, by the UE, a number of slots of at least one SPS based on the at least one SPS configuration signaling; and step 630, constructing, by the UE, a HARQ-ACK codebook for SPS PDSCH reception for the at least one SPS based on the number of slots. In one embodiment, step 620 may include determining, by the UE, a set of number of timeslots for at least one SPS based on at least one SPS configuration signaling.

In one embodiment, an inactive SPS of the at least one SPS may lack a corresponding active DCI, and thus may lack a corresponding number of time slots (k value or k1 value). For an inactive SPS, the at least one SPS configuration signaling may include a new parameter (k), and the new parameter may be used as a number of slots for the inactive SPS. The SPS configuration signaling may be RRC signaling.

In another embodiment, for at least one inactive SPS lacking a corresponding number of timeslots (k value or k1 value), the at least one SPS configuration signaling may include a new set of parameters (k set or k1 set) that may be used as the set of numbers of timeslots for the at least one inactive SPS. For inactive SPS, determining a number of slots based on a set of numbers of slots according to at least one of: a first value in the set of number of slots, a last value in the set of number of slots, a minimum value in the set of number of slots, or a maximum value in the set of number of slots.

In another embodiment, there may be some requirements or limitations for a new parameter or a new set of parameters that are served in SPS configuration signaling as the number of slots of at least one SPS. In one embodiment, the PUCCH-config signalling may comprise a set of slot numbers; and a new parameter used as the number of slots may belong to the set of the number of slots. For example, the number of slots or the set of numbers of slots configured in the SPS configuration signaling may be a value or a subset of the set of numbers of slots in the higher layer signaling PUCCH-configuration. In another embodiment, the number of slots is added in the SPS-ConfigList signaling and used to configure the HARQ-ACK codebook for SPS PDSCH reception for SPS configured in the SPS-ConfigList. For example, a new parameter or a new set of parameters for at least one slot number of at least one SPS may be added to the higher layer signaling SPS-ConfigList, and SPS configured in the SPS configuration list share the new parameter or the new set of parameters.

In one embodiment, the at least one SPS configuration signaling includes a first number of time slots for an active one of the at least one SPS. The DCI corresponding to the SPS includes a second number of slots of the SPS. The UE may determine which number of slots may be used as the number of slots for SPS in various ways. In one approach, the UE may determine the second number of slots as the number of slots for the SPS. In another manner, the UE may receive RRC signaling from the RAN that may indicate whether the first number of time slots or the second number of time slots is used to construct the HARQ-ACK codebook, and the UE may determine the number of time slots of the at least one SPS based on the RRC signaling. When the RRC signaling indicates that the first number of time slots is used for constructing the HARQ-ACK codebook, the UE determines the first number of time slots as the number of time slots of at least one SPS; and when the RRC signaling indicates that the second number of slots is used to construct the HARQ-ACK codebook, the UE determines the second number of slots as the number of slots of the at least one SPS.

Referring to fig. 7, the present disclosure describes various embodiments of a method 700 for constructing a corresponding hybrid automatic repeat request acknowledgement (HARQ-ACK) codebook for semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) reception for more than one SPS. The method 700 may include the step 710: determining, by a User Equipment (UE), a number of slots of an inactive SPS from more than one SPS based on a predefined rule. The UE may want to report the HARQ-ACK codebook through PUCCH or PUSCH. The UE may construct a HARQ-ACK codebook corresponding to SPS PDSCHs corresponding to one or more SPSs. When the SPS includes inactive SPS, the UE may determine a value for the number of slots (k) of inactive SPS based on one of several predefined rules.

In one embodiment, the predefined rule may include that the UE determines the number of timeslots for the inactive SPS as the number of timeslots for the active SPS configuration when only one SPS of the more than one SPS is activated. For example, in multiple SPSs, if only one of them is activated, the remaining unactivated SPSs will share the k value of the activated SPS configuration.

In another embodiment, the predefined rule may include that, when more than one SPS of the more than one SPS is activated, the UE may determine the number of timeslots of the non-activated SPS as at least one of: a maximum number of slots in the set of number of slots corresponding to the activated SPS configuration, or a minimum number of slots in the set of number of slots corresponding to the activated SPS configuration. For example, in a plurality of SPSs, if two or more of them are activated, the remaining unactivated SPSs share the largest or smallest k value of at least one k value from the two or more activated SPSs.

In another embodiment, the predefined rule may include that, when none of the more than one SPS is activated, the UE may determine a number of slots of the non-activated SPS as a default number of slots, wherein the default number of slots is predetermined based on a set of numbers of slots configured in the PUCCH-config signaling by at least one of: a first value in the set of number of slots, a last value in the set of number of slots, a minimum value in the set of number of slots, or a maximum value in the set of number of slots. For example, in a plurality of SPS, if none of the SPS's are activated, then the default value of k is used. The default value of k may be determined based on the set of k values received from the higher layer signaling PUCCH-config by, for example, but not limited to, the default k value being the first value, last value, minimum value, or maximum value of the set of k values in PUCCH-configure.

In another embodiment, the predefined rule may include that, when at least one SPS of the more than one SPS is activated, the UE may determine the number of timeslots of the activated SPS as the default number of timeslots. The default slot number is predetermined by at least one of the following based on a set of slot numbers configured in the PUCCH-config signaling: a first value in the set of slot numbers, a last value in the set of slot numbers, a minimum value in the set of slot numbers, or a maximum value in the set of slot numbers.

In another embodiment, the predefined rule may include that the UE may determine the number of timeslots of the SPS that are not activated as a default number of timeslots when none of the more than one SPS configured by the SPS-ConfigList signaling is activated. The default slot number is predetermined by at least one of the following based on a set of slot numbers configured in the PUCCH-config signaling: a first value in the set of slot numbers, a last value in the set of slot numbers, a minimum value in the set of slot numbers, or a maximum value in the set of slot numbers. For example, when SPS configured by higher layer signaling SPS-ConfigList are all inactive SPS and SPS is configured by SPS-ConfigList, the UE may determine a value of k for SPS based on a default value of k. The default k value may be one of a first k value, a last k value, a minimum k value, or a maximum k value from a k set of a higher layer signaling PUCCH-configuration.

In another embodiment, the method 700 may optionally include determining, by the UE, a number of timeslots for an inactive SPS as a default number of timeslots. The default slot number is predetermined by at least one of the following based on a set of slot numbers configured in the PUCCH-config signaling: a first value in the set of slot numbers, a last value in the set of slot numbers, a minimum value in the set of slot numbers, or a maximum value in the set of slot numbers.

The present disclosure describes another embodiment for constructing a corresponding hybrid automatic repeat request acknowledgement (HARQ-ACK) codebook for semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) reception for more than one SPS.

In the related art, when SPS configuration is not activated, DCI, which may be denoted as release DCI and transmitted through a PDCCH, may be transmitted to a UE in order to deactivate SPS. To ensure reliable reception of the release DCI, the UE may need to provide a corresponding HARQ-ACK for the release DCI.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, when the UE is configured with a semi-static HARQ-ACK codebook and a release DCI is transmitted in slot n in order to deactivate SPS, the HARQ-ACK corresponding to the release DCI may be associated with the SPS PDSCH of the SPS in slot n. That is, the SPS PDSCH may be used to determine a position in the HARQ-ACK codebook for HARQ-ACKs corresponding to the release DCI. In this manner, the SPS PDSCH may not actually be transmitted in slot n at its periodic location. Therefore, the UE, au generates only HARQ-ACK for releasing DCI.

The present disclosure describes various embodiments for addressing at least the following issues. One of the problems is how the UE generates HARQ-ACK information corresponding to the non-activated SPS when the release DCI and the SPS PDSCH corresponding to the non-activated SPS are simultaneously transmitted in slot n. The above problem may become more serious when the periodicity of SPS is 1 slot.

This embodiment may include some implementations of a method for addressing at least the problems described above.

In one embodiment, the UE may generate HARQ-ACK information only for releasing DCI. Such an implementation may not be optimal: the UE does not generate HARQ-ACK information for the SPS PDSCH actually transmitted in slot n and then this SPS PDSCH may have to be retransmitted.

In another embodiment, the UE may generate HARQ-ACK information for the release DCI and this SPS PDSCH, respectively, and the two HARQ-ACK information are transmitted in different PUCCHs. This embodiment may solve this problem and avoid SPS PDSCH retransmission and may require two PUCCHs. The two PUCCHs may need to be in different slots or sub-slots.

In another embodiment, when multiple HARQ-ACK information bits are indicated to be transmitted in the same slot/sub-slot, and these HARQ-ACK information bits may be transmitted in this slot/sub-slot in the same PUCCH).

The problem seems to be how to handle the scenario of receiving the same configured SPS release DCI and SPS PDSCH in the same time slot. This scenario may at least occur if 1 slot periodicity is configured. In this case, the following may occur.

In case 1, in a slot, if the SPS release DCI is received before the SPS PDSCH of the same SPS configuration ends. Case 1-1: the UE is not required to receive the SPS PDSCH if the HARQ-ACKs for SPS release and SPS reception will map to different PUCCHs. One expected result may be to separate the HARQ-ACK bits instead of a NACK for the SPS PDSCH. Cases 1-2: the UE is not required to receive the SPS PDSCH if the HARQ-ACK for SPS release and SPS reception will map to the same PUCCH. One expected result may be only 1 bit for SPS release.

In case 2, in a slot, if the SPS release DCI is received after the SPS PDSCH of the same SPS configuration ends. Case 2-1: the SPS PDSCH is received if HARQ-ACKs for SPS release and SPS reception are to be mapped to different PUCCHs. One expected result may be to separate HARQ-ACK bits. Case 2-2: the UE is not required to receive the SPS PDSCH if the HARQ-ACK for SPS release and SPS reception will map to the same PUCCH. One expected result may be only 1 bit for SPS release.

In another embodiment, a method is described that addresses the problems discussed above. In slot n, if the release DCI and the SPS PDSCH corresponding to the SPS corresponding to the inactive DCI are transmitted simultaneously.

When the SPS PDSCH is actually transmitted, the UE may generate HARQ-ACK information for the release DCI and the SPS PDSCH separately and the two HARQ-ACK information are bundled, i.e., an and operation is performed on the two HARQ-ACK information. Then the UE reports the information to the base station through AND operation;

when the SPS PDSCH is not actually transmitted, the UE may generate and report HARQ-ACK information only for release of DCI to the base station, which may be equivalent to the existing mechanism where HARQ-ACK information is only for inactive DCI.

The present disclosure also describes a method for determining whether an SPS PDSCH is actually transmitted. The method comprises the following steps: the UE may determine whether the SPS PDSCH is transmitted in resources of the SPS PDSCH based on DMRS detection of the SPS PDSCH. If the DMRS is detected, the SPS PDSCH is considered to be actually transmitted, otherwise, the SPS PDSCH is considered to be not actually transmitted. According to past simulation experience, a DMRS can be found by a UE with a high probability, e.g., it can be used to detect the energy of the DMRS.

In another embodiment, in slot n, when the release DCI is transmitted and the SPS PDSCH is actually also transmitted, the base station may receive HARQ-ACK information reported by the UE and treat it as bundled HARQ-ACK information between the release DCI and the SPS PDSCH. The HARQ-ACK information may be obtained by performing an and operation on HARQ-ACK information corresponding to the release DCI and HARQ-ACK information corresponding to the SPS PDSCH. When the release DCI is transmitted only in slot n, the base station receives HARQ-ACK information reported by the UE and considers it as HARQ-ACK information for releasing DCI only.

One or more embodiments/embodiments discussed above may ensure that HARQ-ACK information for the inactive DCI and SPS PDSCH is reported simultaneously and one PUCCH is used.

In one embodiment, the UE needs to build a HARQ-ACK codebook for one or more SPS. The transmission window may be used when constructing HARQ-ACK information for SPS PDSCH reception for an inactive SPS. The HARQ-ACK information received for the SPS PDSCH within this transmission window may be included in the HARQ-ACK codebook. In another embodiment, a HARQ-ACK codebook corresponding to one PUCCH/PUSCH may be transmitted in slot i, where the PUCCH/PUSCH is recorded as a second PUCCH/PUSCH.

In another embodiment, the transmission window may include a start position and an end position. The starting position of the transmission window may be after the first SPS PDSCH reception. The first SPS PDSCH reception is an SPS PDSCH reception corresponding to the most recent HARQ-ACK information in the previous HARQ-ACK codebook. The end position of the transmission window may be a predefined position in the time domain (denoted R). R may be associated with a second PUCCH/PUSCH.

For example, and without limitation, the UE may need to report a HARQ-ACK codebook for at least one SPS in slot i over PUCCH/PUSCH, and then for an inactive SPS1 from the at least one SPS, the HARQ-ACK codebook may include HARQ-ACK information corresponding to SPS PDSCH reception in a transmission window corresponding to the HARQ-ACK codebook. That is, HARQ-ACK information received for the SPS PDSCH after the first SPS PDSCH reception and before R is included in the HARQ-ACK codebook. Here, for SPS, the first SPS PDSCH is the latest SPS PDSCH reception among SPS PDSCH receptions corresponding to previous HARQ-ACK codebooks.

The predefined location (R) in the time domain may be at least one of: a slot in which the second PUCCH/PUSCH is located; an S-th slot before a slot in which the second PUCCH/PUSCH is located; a starting position of a starting symbol of a second PUCCH/PUSCH; an end position of a last symbol of a second PUCCH/PUSCH; a starting position of B symbols before a last symbol of the second PUCCH/PUSCH, where B is a given integer; or the starting position of B symbols before the starting symbol of the second PUCCH/PUSCH.

S may be a given integer. For example, but not limited to, S is one of 0, 1, 2, 3, 20. S may be a predefined value from 0 to 20, S may be indicated by the RAN to the UE through signaling, or S may be selected by the UE and reported to the RAN.

B may be a given integer. For example, but not limited to, B is one of 0, 1, 2, 3, and 50. L may be indicated by the RAN to the UE by signaling, or B may be selected by the UE and reported to the RAN.

The present disclosure describes another embodiment. The UE may want to report the HARQ-ACK codebook over PUCCH or PUSCH, and the UE may construct this HARQ-ACK codebook corresponding to one or more SPS PDSCHs corresponding to SPS. When the SP is not activated, the UE may not generate HARQ-ACK information for the SP and may not construct a HARQ-ACK codebook for the SP.

The present disclosure describes methods, apparatuses, and computer-readable media for wireless communication. The present disclosure addresses the problem of building a hybrid automatic repeat request-acknowledgement (HARQ-ACK) codebook for semi-persistent scheduling (SPS). The methods, devices, and computer-readable media described in this disclosure may facilitate performance of wireless communications by constructing a HARQ-ACK codebook for SPS, thereby improving efficiency and overall performance. The methods, devices, and computer readable media described in this disclosure may improve the overall efficiency of a wireless communication system.

Reference throughout this specification to features, advantages, or similar language does not imply that all of the features and advantages that may be realized with the present solution should be or are in any single embodiment of the solution. Rather, language referring to the features and advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature, advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present solution. Thus, discussion of the features and advantages, and similar language, throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same embodiment.

Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics of the present solutions may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, in view of the description herein, that the present solution may be practiced without one or more of the specific features or advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments that may not be present in all embodiments of the solution.

Claims

1. A method for wireless communication, comprising:

constructing a hybrid automatic repeat request acknowledgement (HARQ-ACK) codebook for semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) receiving for at least one SPS by the following steps:

a first set of timeslots determined by a user equipment, UE, based on a set of numbers of timeslots;

determining, by the UE, a second set of time slots based on a configuration periodicity of the at least one SPS;

obtaining, by the UE, a set of common time slots based on the first set of time slots and the second set of time slots; and

constructing, by the UE, the HARQ-ACK codebook for the at least one SPS based on the common slot set, the HARQ-ACK codebook including HARQ-ACK information corresponding to the reception of the SPS PDSCH in the common slot set.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the at least one SPS is an inactive SPS.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein:

a first RRC message sent from a radio access network RAN to the UE includes the set of slot numbers; and

a second RRC message sent from the RAN to the UE includes the configuration period of the at least one SPS.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the first set of slots comprises a set of slots having slot positions N-K, where N corresponds to a slot used to transmit the HARQ-ACK codebook and K is any number from the set of slot numbers.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

for the second activated SPS:

determining, by the UE, a third time slot based on the number of time slots;

constructing, by the UE, HARQ-ACK information for the second activated SPS based on the third time slot, the HARQ-ACK codebook including the HARQ-ACK information in the third time slot corresponding to SPSPDSCH reception.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein:

the third slot comprises a slot at slot position N-K, where N corresponds to a slot used to transmit the HARQ-ACK codebook and K is a number of slots; and

the downlink control information DCI signalling comprises said number of slots.

7. A method for wireless communication, comprising:

for at least one SPS that is not later than a predefined location in the time domain:

determining, by a User Equipment (UE), a first set of time slots based on a set of numbers of time slots,

determining, by the UE, a second set of time slots based on a configuration periodicity of the at least one SPS,

obtaining, by the UE, a set of common time slots based on the first set of time slots and the second set of time slots, an

Constructing, by the UE, HARQ-ACK information for the at least one SPS no later than a predefined position in a time domain based on the set of common slots, the HARQ-ACK codebook including the HARQ-ACK information corresponding to SPS PDSCH reception in the set of common slots.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

for at least one SPS after a predefined location in the time domain:

determining, by the UE, a third time slot based on the number of time slots; and

constructing, by the UE, HARQ-ACK information for at least one SPS after a predefined position in the time domain based on the third time slot, the HARQ-ACK codebook including the HARQ-ACK information in the third time slot corresponding to SPS PDSCH reception.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

determining, by the UE, the predefined location in the time domain based on a first physical uplink control channel or a physical uplink shared channel (PUCCH/PUSCH), wherein the first PUCCH/PUSCH is determined to be transmitted to the RAN and comprises ACK information corresponding to DCI comprising activation information for SPS.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein determining a predefined position in the time domain based on the first PUCCH/PUSCH comprises:

determining, by the UE, the predefined location in the time domain as at least one of:

a slot in which the first PUCCH/PUSCH is located;

a Q-th slot after the slot in which the first PUCCH/PUSCH is located;

a starting position of a starting symbol of the first PUCCH/PUSCH;

an end position of a last symbol of the first PUCCH/PUSCH; or

An end position of M symbols after a last symbol of the first PUCCH/PUSCH, wherein M is a given integer.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein:

m is an integer from the range between 0 and 50, including 0 and 50;

the method further comprises the following steps:

determining the M based on signaling received from the RAN, or

Determining, by the UE, the M and reporting, by the UE, the M to the RAN;

q is an integer from the range between 0 and 20, including 0 and 20; and is

The method further comprises the following steps:

determining the Q based on signaling received from the RAN, or

Determining, by the UE, the Q, and reporting, by the UE, the Q to the RAN.

12. A method for wireless communication, comprising:

receiving, by a User Equipment (UE) from a Radio Access Network (RAN), at least one SPS configuration signaling;

determining, by the UE, a number of slots of the at least one SPS based on the at least one SPS configuration signaling; and

constructing, by the UE, a HARQ-ACK codebook for the SPS PDSCH reception for the at least one SPS based on the number of slots.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein:

the at least one SPS is an inactive SPS; and

the at least one SPS configuration signaling includes the number of time slots.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein:

the at least one SPS is an inactive SPS;

the at least one SPS configuration signaling comprises a set of number of time slots; and

the number of slots is determined based on the set of numbers of slots according to at least one of:

a first value in the set of number of time slots,

the last value in the set of number of time slots,

minimum value in the set of slot numbers, or

Maximum value in the set of slot numbers.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein:

the at least one SPS is an activated SPS;

the at least one SPS configuration signaling comprises a first number of time slots; and

the method further comprises the following steps:

determining, by the UE, a second number of slots as the number of slots of the SPS in response to the DCI corresponding to the SPS including the second number of slots.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein:

the at least one SPS is an activated SPS;

the at least one SPS configuration signaling comprises a first number of time slots;

the DCI corresponding to the SPS comprises a second number of slots; and

the method further comprises the following steps:

receiving, by the UE, RRC signaling from the RAN indicating that the first number of time slots or the second number of time slots is used to construct a HARQ-ACK codebook, an

Determining, by the UE, a number of slots of the at least one SPS based on the RRC signaling.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein:

the PUCCH-config signalling comprises a set of slot numbers; and

the number of slots belongs to the set of numbers of slots.

18. The method of claim 12, wherein:

the number of slots is added in the SPS-ConfigList signaling and used to construct a HARQ-ACK codebook for SPS PDSCH reception for SPS configured in the SPS-ConfigList.

19. A method for wireless communication, comprising:

constructing a hybrid automatic repeat request acknowledgement (HARQ-ACK) codebook for receiving a corresponding PDSCH (physical downlink shared channel) by the semi-persistent scheduling SPS for more than one semi-persistent scheduling SPS through the following steps:

determining, by the user equipment UE, a number of slots of the inactive SPS from the more than one SPS based on a predefined rule.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein determining a number of slots of the inactive SPS based on the predefined rule comprises:

determining, by the UE, the number of timeslots of the inactive SPS as the number of timeslots of the active SPS configuration in response to only one SPS of the more than one SPS being activated.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein determining a number of slots of the inactive SPS based on the predefined rule comprises:

in response to more than one SPS of the more than one SPS being activated, determining, by the UE, the number of timeslots for the non-activated SPS as at least one of:

a maximum number of slots in the set of numbers of slots corresponding to the activated SPS configuration, or

A minimum number of slots in the set of number of slots corresponding to the activated SPS configuration.

22. The method of claim 19, wherein determining a number of slots of the inactive SPS based on the predefined rule comprises:

determining, by the UE, a number of slots of the inactive SPS as a default number of slots, wherein the default number of slots is predetermined by at least one of:

a first value in the set of number of time slots,

the last value in the set of number of time slots,

minimum value in the set of slot numbers, or

Maximum value in the set of slot numbers.

23. The method of claim 19, wherein determining a number of slots of the inactive SPS based on the predefined rule comprises:

in response to none of the more than one SPS being activated, determining, by the UE, a number of slots of the non-activated SPS as a default number of slots, wherein the default number of slots is predetermined based on a set of numbers of slots configured in PUCCH-config signaling by at least one of:

a first value in the set of number of time slots,

the last value in the set of numbers of time slots,

minimum value in the set of number of slots, or

Maximum value in the set of slot numbers.

24. The method of claim 19, wherein determining the number of timeslots based on the predefined rule comprises:

in response to at least one of the more than one SPS being activated, determining, by the UE, a number of slots of the activated SPS as a default number of slots, wherein the default number of slots is predetermined based on a set of numbers of slots configured in PUCCH-config signaling by at least one of:

a first value in the set of number of time slots,

the last value in the set of number of time slots,

minimum value in the set of slot numbers, or

Maximum value in the set of slot numbers.

25. The method of claim 19, wherein determining a number of slots of the inactive SPS based on the predefined rule comprises:

in response to none of the more than one SPS configured by SPS-ConfigList signaling being activated, determining, by the UE, a number of slots of the non-activated SPS as a default number of slots, wherein the default number of slots is predetermined based on a set of numbers of slots configured in PUCCH-config signaling by at least one of:

a first value in the set of number of time slots,

the last value in the set of number of time slots,

minimum value in the set of slot numbers, or

Maximum value in the set of slot numbers.

26. A wireless communication device comprising a processor and a memory, wherein the processor is configured to read a code from the memory and implement the method of any of claims 1-25.

27. A computer program product comprising computer readable program medium code stored thereon, which when executed by a processor causes the processor to implement the method of any of claims 1 to 25.