CN115088212B - Transmitting hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) Acknowledgements (ACKs) - Google Patents

Abstract

Examples of the present disclosure relate to an apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code. The at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform transmitting a group common physical downlink control channel (GC-PDCCH) payload comprising an uplink resource indicator indicating uplink resources for uplink transmission of a hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) Acknowledgement (ACK).

Description

Transmitting hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) Acknowledgements (ACKs)

Technical Field

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to transmitting HARQ-ACKs. In some examples, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to transmitting HARQ-ACKs in unlicensed bands when semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) is in operation.

Background

The New Radio (NR) provides flexibility regarding HARQ-ACK transmission timing. Instead of a dedicated structure, a Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) is allocated to HARQ ACK (PDSCH-to-HARQ-ACK) timing indicators. The timing indicator is a number K1 indicating the resources in which HARQ-ACKs will be transmitted relative to the PDSCH. The allocation k1=3 means that HARQ-ACKs are transmitted in 3 slots after the corresponding PDSCH Transport Block (TB). The K1 value may be between 0 and 15.

If downlink semi-persistent scheduling (DL-SPS) is used, a User Equipment (UE) transmits HARQ-ACKs in a Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) resource of K1 slots after each SPS PDSCH transmission. Both K1 and PUCCH resources are indicated by active Downlink Control Information (DCI) provided within a Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) payload for activation of downlink semi-persistent scheduling (DL-SPS). Thus K1 controls PDSCH-to-HARQ-ACK timing.

But when operating in the unlicensed band, the next generation node B (gNB) will not continue to transmit, but will perform LBT (listen before talk) and transmit for a limited time according to the Maximum Channel Occupancy Time (MCOT) when it perceives that the channel is idle.

A problem arises if the time slot indicated by K1 in the active DCI exceeds the Channel Occupation Time (COT) acquired by the gNB. This may mean that HARQ-ACKs cannot be transmitted within the COT acquired by the gNB.

Similarly, if the slot indicated by K1 in the active DCI is a DL transmission allocated to the gNB or a slot allocated to a non-uplink transmission, this also means that HARQ-ACKs cannot be transmitted.

Disclosure of Invention

According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments, examples are provided as claimed in the appended claims.

According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments there is provided an apparatus comprising means for transmitting a group common physical downlink control channel (GC-PDCCH) payload comprising an uplink resource indicator indicating uplink resources for uplink transmission of a hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) Acknowledgement (ACK).

According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments there is provided a User Equipment (UE) comprising at least one Subscriber Identity Module (SIM), and means for receiving a GC-PDCCH payload comprising an uplink resource indicator indicating uplink resources for uplink transmission of HARQ-ACKs.

According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments there is provided a Mobile Equipment (ME) comprising means for receiving a GC-PDCCH payload comprising an uplink resource indicator indicating uplink resources for uplink transmission of HARQ-ACKs.

Drawings

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

FIG. 1 illustrates an example embodiment of the subject matter described herein;

FIG. 2 illustrates another example embodiment of the subject matter described herein;

FIG. 3A illustrates another example embodiment of the subject matter described herein;

FIG. 3B illustrates another example embodiment of the subject matter described herein;

FIG. 4 illustrates another example embodiment of the subject matter described herein;

FIG. 5 illustrates another example embodiment of the subject matter described herein;

FIG. 6 illustrates another example embodiment of the subject matter described herein;

FIG. 7A illustrates another example embodiment of the subject matter described herein; FIG. 7B illustrates another example embodiment of the subject matter described herein; definition of the definition

ACK acknowledgement

A/N acknowledgement/negative acknowledgement

CAPC channel access priority class

CB codebook

COT channel occupancy time

Scheduling of CS-RNTI configurations

RNTI CWS contention window size

DCI downlink control information

DL downlink

GC-PDCCH group common physical downlink control channel

GNB next generation node

BHARQ hybrid acknowledgement request

LBT listen before talk

MCOT maximum channel occupancy time

MME mobility management entity

NN non-numerical value

NR new radio

PDSCH physical downlink shared channel

PUCCH physical uplink control channel

PUSCH physical uplink shared channel

RNTI radio network temporary identifier

RRC radio resource control

SFI slot format indicator

SIM subscriber identity module

SPS semi-persistent scheduling

TB transport block

UE user equipment

UL uplink

UTRAN universal terrestrial radio access network

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 illustrates an example of a network 100 comprising a plurality of network nodes including a terminal node 110, an access node 120, and one or more core nodes 130. Terminal node 110 and access node 120 communicate with each other. One or more core nodes 130 communicate with access node 120.

In some examples, one or more core nodes 130 may communicate with each other. In some examples, one or more access nodes 120 may communicate with each other.

Network 100 may be a cellular network including a plurality of cells 122, each cell 122 being served by an access node 120. In this example, the interface between the terminal node 110 and the access node 120 defining the cell 122 is a wireless interface 124.

The access node 120 is a cellular radio transceiver. End node 110 is a cellular radio transceiver.

In the illustrated example, cellular network 100 is a third generation partnership project (3 GPP) network, wherein terminal node 110 is a User Equipment (UE) and access node 120 is a base station.

In the particular example shown, the network 100 is a Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN). UTRAN consists of UTRAN NodeB 120 providing UTRA user plane and control plane (RRC) protocol termination to UE 110. The nodebs 120 are interconnected to each other and also connected to a Mobility Management Entity (MME) 130 through an interface component 128.

The term "user equipment" is used to designate a mobile device comprising a smart card, such as a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM), for authentication/encryption or the like.

The NodeB may be any suitable base station. The base station is an access node 120. It may be a network element in a radio access network responsible for radio transmission to or reception from user equipment in one or more cells.

UTRAN may be, for example, a 3G, 4G or 5G network. For example, it may be a New Radio (NR) network using a gNB as access node 120. The new radio is the 3GPP name for 5G technology.

The cellular network 100 shown in fig. 1 may be configured to operate NR in an unlicensed frequency band. In such a configuration, the access node 120 or the gNB will transmit downlink data to the UE over a Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH), and the UE will transmit HARQ-ACKs to the gNB on a Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) or a Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH).

Fig. 2 shows a situation that may lead to a failure of the HARQ-ACK transmission. Fig. 2 shows a Channel Occupation Time (COT) 200 occupied by a gNB operating a downlink semi-persistent scheduling (DL-SPS) in an unlicensed band. The gNB transmits intermittently, thus showing a plurality of COTs. The gNB performs Listen Before Talk (LBT) to sense whether the channel is idle and will transmit the COT 200 when the channel is idle.

Each COT 200 includes a plurality of time slots 202. In the example shown in fig. 2, SPS PDSCH 204 has a periodicity of 10 slots. Slots 202 within each COT 200 that are not indicated for SPS PDSCH are indicated for UL or DL transmissions.

In the example shown in fig. 2, the K1 value provided in the activation DCI is 2. This means that the HARQ-ACK should be transmitted two slots 202 later than the SPS PDSCH 204.

In the first COT 200 shown in fig. 2, a slot 202 two slots after an SPS PDSCH 204 slot is indicated for DL transmission. In this example, the time slot 202 falls completely within the time slot 202 indicated for DL transmission. In other examples, the time slot 202 may partially fall within the time slot 202 indicated for DL transmission. This will prevent transmission of HARQ-ACKs.

In the second COT 200 shown in fig. 2, a slot 202 of two slots after the SPS PDSCH 204 is indicated for UL transmission. In this COT 200, HARQ-ACK will be transmitted.

In the third COT 200 shown in fig. 2, a slot 202 of two slots after the SPS PDSCH 204 falls outside the COT 200. In this example, the time slot 202 falls entirely outside of the COT 200. In other examples, the time slot 202 may partially fall outside of the COT 200. This will also prevent HARQ-ACKs from being transmitted unless the UE gains its own channel access.

Fig. 3A illustrates a method 300 for solving these HARQ-ACK transmission problems.

Fig. 3A illustrates a method 300 that includes transmitting 302 a group common physical downlink control channel (GC-PDCCH) payload that includes an uplink resource indicator that indicates uplink resources for uplink transmission of HARQ-ACKs.

The method may be performed by the gNB 120. UE 110 will perform a corresponding method of receiving a GC-PDCCH payload that includes an uplink resource indicator indicating uplink resources for uplink transmission of HARQ-ACKs.

The uplink resource indicator may include any suitable information indicating uplink resources for uplink transmission of HARQ-ACKs. In some examples, the uplink resource indicator includes an uplink time slot indicator. In some examples, the uplink resource indicator includes a PDSCH-to-HARQ ACK timing indicator defining a time slot in which HARQ-ACKs should be transmitted relative to a time slot or sub-slot in which each PDSCH ends. The PDSCH-to-HARQ ACK timing indicator may be a K1 value, which is a value representing the number of slots or sub-slots between the PDSCH and the HARQ-ACK.

The GC-PDCCH is used to transmit control information to a group of UEs 110. The control information may include non-scheduled DCI in a common search space configured for more than one UE. The GC-PDCCH is scrambled for simultaneous reception by the group of UEs.

The control information transmitted using the GC-PDCCH may include a slot structure, a slot format, an indication of a control region, a Channel Occupation Time (COT), or other suitable information. The DCI provided in the GC-PDCCH does not provide scheduling of PDSCH or PUSCH. In some examples, the control information may be provided in the same GC-PDCCH payload that includes the uplink resource indicator. In some examples, control information may be provided in different GC-PDCCH payloads.

The uplink resource indicator, once received by UE 110, may be used to schedule HARQ-ACKs. Thus, the uplink resource indicator may cover an uplink resource indicator indicated by active Downlink Control Information (DCI) provided in a PDCCH payload for activating a DL-SPS.

The activation DCI also includes a Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) resource indicator, which is also applicable to an uplink resource indicator provided in the GC-PDCCH.

If the HARQ-ACK is not transmitted or will not be transmitted, transmission of a GC-PDCCH payload including an uplink resource indicator is triggered. If the resources allocated for the HARQ-ACK by the activation DCI at least partially fall outside the Channel Occupation Time (COT), the HARQ-ACK may not be transmitted. In other examples, HARQ-ACKs may not be transmitted if the resources allocated for HARQ-ACKs by the activation DCI fall at least partially within slots or symbols where UL transmissions are not available. UL transmissions may not be transmitted because slots or symbols are allocated for DL of the gNB or because slots or symbols are allocated for non-UL transmissions.

The new uplink resource indicator enables these problems to be solved by having the HARQ-ACKs scheduled to different time slots.

Fig. 3B illustrates another method 300 for implementing an embodiment of the invention.

The method 300 includes, at block 310, configuring DL SPS reception for the UE 110. The gNB 120 may transmit the activation DCI via the PDCCH. The activation DCI indicates uplink resources for uplink transmission of the HARQ-ACK. The activation DCI includes a K1 value for scheduling HARQ-ACKs.

At block 312, ue 110 receives a GC-PDCCH payload. The GC-PDCCH may be transmitted by the gNB 120 in response to detecting that the HARQ-ACK transmission has failed or is about to fail.

The GC-PDCCH payload may include a new K1 value. The GC-PDCCH payload may also include additional information, such as information about the COT structure, LBT type, LBT parameters. The LBT parameters may include a channel access priority level (CAPC), a Contention Window Size (CWS), or any other suitable parameter. In some examples, the K1 value may be received in a GC-PDCCH payload other than the additional information.

The GC-PDCCH may be in a slot allocated to the DL SPS. In other examples, the GC-PDCCH may be in a DL slot. In this case, an uplink resource indicator or K1 value may be provided for each slot allocated to an SPS transmit opportunity.

At block 314, ue 110 checks whether the GC-PDCCH payload includes a new K1 value. If so, at block 316, the HARQ-ACK is transmitted in the PUCCH indicated by the new K1 value. Thus, the new K1 value is used to override any K1 value provided in the activate DCI. UE 110 may apply the new LBT type and LBT parameters to check channel availability before transmitting the HARQ-ACK via the PUCCH.

If at block 314, ue 110 determines that a new K1 value has not been received, then at block 318, ue 110 checks whether the expected occasion for HARQ-ACK transmission falls within the UL symbol. UE 110 uses information such as the activation DCI and a Slot Format Indicator (SFI) to check whether the expected occasion for HARQ-ACK transmission falls within UL symbols. A transmission opportunity may be considered to fall within an UL symbol if the opportunity is expected to be dedicated to UL transmission, or if the opportunity includes semi-static flexible symbols or slots that may be used for UL or DL as desired.

If it is determined that the expected occasion for HARQ-ACK transmission falls within the UL symbol, at block 320, HARQ-ACK may be transmitted at the occasion. If it is determined that the expected occasion for the HARQ-ACK transmission does not fall within the UL symbol, at block 322, UE 110 defers the HARQ-ACK by storing the HARQ-ACK for transmission in a later time slot. At block 324, ue 110 determines available UL slots or UL symbols.

Information related to available UL slots or UL symbols may be provided through GC-PDCCH. For example by SFI in GC-PDCCH payload. To obtain information about available UL slots or UL symbols, UE 110 may monitor GC-PDCCH. UE 110 may check whether GC-PDCCH is being used.

UE 110 may transmit the HARQ-ACK in the next available UL slot after the deferred PUCCH of the HARQ-ACK using information related to the available UL slot or UL symbol. In some examples, UE 110 may select UL slots or symbols within the COT according to a set of rules.

If there are multiple UL slots in the COT, the following rules may be used for deferred HARQ-ACKs:

1) If there is a periodic PUCCH in multiple UL slots in the COT, a deferred HARQ-ACK is transmitted there,

2) If there is no periodic PUCCH, then the UL slots from within the COT are used to transmit deferred HARQ-ACKs. This may be a random or pseudo-random UL slot or the first UL slot.

In these examples, the GC-PDCCH overhead is minimized to a single bit for all DL-SPS users.

Once the UL slot of symbols is selected, a deferred HARQ-ACK is transmitted in one of the available UL slots or UL symbols at block 326.

Fig. 4 shows how the new K1 value is applied. Fig. 4 shows the use of a COT 200 in which a K1 value is provided in the activate DCI, and the use of a COT 200 in which a new K1 value is provided within the GC-PDCCH payload. In the example of fig. 4, a first SPS PDSCH 204 is allocated to the first time slot 202 and a second SPS PDSCH 204 is allocated to the second time slot 202. The second time slot 202 is adjacent to the first time slot 202. The time slot 202 immediately following the SPS PDSCH 204 is allocated to the DL. The first SPS PDSCH 204 is for a first UE 110 and the second SPS PDSCH 204 is for a different second UE 110.

In the example of fig. 4, the K1 value given in the activation DCI is 2. However, for both UEs 110, this results in HARQ-ACKs being allocated to slots 202 in which UL is not available.

In an embodiment of the invention, a new K1 value is provided in the GC-PDCCH payload, which gives new timing for HARQ-ACKs. In this example, different K1 values are given to different UEs 110. That is, different K1 values may be provided for different UEs 110 in different GC-PDCCH payloads. In this example, the first UE 110 is assigned a K1 value of 4 and the second UE 110 is assigned a K1 value of 3.

Using the new K1 value, the rescheduled HARQ-ACK now falls within UL slot 202 of each UE 110 and thus can be transmitted. Each rescheduled HARQ-ACK is provided within the same COT 200 as the corresponding SPS PDSCH 204.

In the example of fig. 4, HARQ-ACKs for two UEs 110 are rescheduled to the same slot 202. When two or more HARQ-ACKs fall within a slot 202 or sub-slot, a mapping rule may be used to order the HARQ-ACK bits. An example mapping rule would be to order the HARQ-ACK bits based on how long the HARQ-ACK has been deferred. In such an example, the deferred HARQ-ACK would be transmitted before the non-deferred HARQ-ACK. In another example, the HARQ-ACK bits may be ordered based on the HARQ process ID.

Fig. 5 shows another example embodiment of applying a new K1 value. Fig. 5 shows a COT 200 in which a K1 value provided in the activate DCI is used and a COT 200 in which a new K1 value provided within the GC-PDCCH payload is used. In the example of fig. 5, SPS PDSCH 204 is allocated to first time slot 202 near end 500 of COT 200.

In the example of fig. 5, the K1 value given in the activation DCI is 2. However, this results in the HARQ-ACK being allocated to a time slot 202 that is outside of the COT 200.

In this example, upon determining that the HARQ-ACK has not been transmitted or will not be transmitted, the gNB 120 provides a new K1 value and requests the UE 110 to initiate the COT itself and reports the HARQ-ACK in the UE-initiated COT 502. The UE-initiated COT 502 includes one or more UL slots 202 in which HARQ-ACKs or other UL information may be transmitted.

The request to initiate the COT 502 is provided in the GC-PDCCH payload. The request includes information required for the LBT operation, such as the LBT type and corresponding LBT parameters. The LBT parameters may include CAPC, CWS, ED thresholds or any other suitable parameters. The request to initiate the COT may be provided in the same GC-PDCCH payload as the new K1 value or in a different GC-PDCCH payload.

In the example shown in fig. 5, the new K1 value is 3.UE 110 applies cat.4lbt for UE-initiated COT 502 to provide UL slot 202, which UL slot 202 is 3 slots later than SPS-PDSCH for transmitting HARQ-ACKs. This enables HARQ-ACKs to be transmitted in a different COT 200 than SPS-PDSCH.

Fig. 6 shows another example embodiment, in which HARQ-ACKs are delayed to the next COT 200. In the example shown in fig. 6, SPS PDSCH 204 has a periodicity of 10 slots. The COT 200 has a length of less than 10 slots. In the example of fig. 6, SPS PDSCH 204 is allocated to first time slot 202 near end 500 of first COT 200. This results in HARQ-ACKs being allocated to time slots that fall outside of the COT 200.

In this example, UE 110 receives a GC-PDCCH payload containing a Slot Format Indicator (SFI) indicating a COT structure. The UE 110 uses this information to select the UL slot 202 in the next COT for transmission of the HARQ-ACK. In the example shown in fig. 6, PUCCH slots 202 are used that indicate HARQ-ACK transmission for subsequent DL-SPS 204. Since two HARQ-ACKs are scheduled for transmission in the same slot 202, the HARQ-ACK bits are accumulated and ordering is applied to them to transmit them. The GC-PDCCH payload containing information about the start of the next COT 200 and the structure of the COT 200 may also include a new K1 value.

In other examples, UL slots 202 may be randomly or pseudo-randomly selected from among the available UL slots 202 in a subsequent COT 200. In other examples, UE 110 selects a first available UL slot 202 in a subsequent COT 200. If there are multiple slots 202 within UL COT 200, there may be a Radio Resource Control (RRC) parameter or hash function in one or more uplink resources indicated in the GC-PDDCH payload that determines which UL slot 202 is selected by UE 110.

As described above, examples of the present disclosure provide an uplink resource indicator, such as a K1 value in a GC-PDCCH payload. This enables existing channels and payloads to be used to reschedule HARQ-ACKs. This has low overhead, can be transmitted with high reliability and can be decoded with low delay. Furthermore, GC-PDCCH is mandatory for unlicensed NR. This provides an efficient method for rescheduling HARQ-ACKs.

Fig. 7A illustrates an example of a controller 700. The controller may be provided within an apparatus such as the gNB 120 or the UE 110. The implementation of the controller 700 may be a controller circuit. The controller 700 may be implemented solely in hardware, have certain aspects in software including solely firmware, or may be a combination of hardware and software (including firmware).

As shown in fig. 7A, the controller 700 may be implemented using hardware-function-enabled instructions, for example, by using executable instructions of a computer program 706 in a general-purpose or special-purpose processor 702, which may be stored on a computer-readable storage medium (disk, memory, etc.) for execution by such processor 702.

The processor 702 is configured to read from the memory 704 and write to the memory 704. The processor 702 may also include an output interface via which the processor 702 outputs data and/or commands, and an input interface via which data and/or commands are input to the processor 702.

The memory 704 stores a computer program 706 comprising computer program instructions (computer program code) that, when loaded into the processor 702, control the operation of the apparatus 110, 120. The computer program instructions of the computer program 706 provide the logic and routines that enables the apparatus to perform the methods illustrated in fig. 2-6. The processor 702, by reading the memory 704, is able to load and execute a computer program 706.

Thus, the apparatus 120 comprises:

At least one processor 702; and

At least one memory 704 including computer program code

The at least one memory 704 and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor 702, cause the apparatus 120 at least to perform:

The transmission 202 includes a GC-PDCCH payload of an uplink resource indicator indicating uplink resources for uplink transmission of HARQ-ACKs.

Thus, the apparatus 110 comprises:

at least one SIM;

At least one processor 702; and

At least one memory 704 including computer program code

The at least one memory 704 and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor 702, cause the apparatus 110 at least to perform:

A GC-PDCCH payload including an uplink resource indicator indicating uplink resources for uplink transmission of HARQ-ACKs is received 202.

As shown in fig. 7B, the computer program 706 may arrive at the apparatus 110, 120 via any suitable delivery mechanism 710. The delivery mechanism 710 may be, for example, a machine-readable medium, a computer-readable medium, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, a computer program product, a storage device, a recording medium such as a compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM) or a Digital Versatile Disc (DVD) or solid state memory, an article of manufacture that includes or tangibly embodies the computer program 706. The delivery mechanism may be a signal configured to reliably transfer the computer program 706. The apparatus 110, 120 may propagate or transmit the computer program 706 as a computer data signal.

Computer program instructions for causing the apparatus 120 to perform at least the following or for performing at least the following:

The transmission 202 includes a GC-PDCCH payload of an uplink resource indicator indicating uplink resources for uplink transmission of HARQ-ACKs.

Computer program instructions for causing the apparatus 110 to perform at least the following or for performing at least the following:

A GC-PDCCH payload is received that includes an uplink resource indicator indicating uplink resources for uplink transmission of HARQ-ACKs.

The computer program instructions may be embodied in a computer program, a non-transitory computer readable medium, a computer program product, a machine readable medium. In some, but not necessarily all, examples, the computer program instructions may be distributed over more than one computer program.

Although the memory 704 is illustrated as a single component/circuit, it may be implemented as one or more separate components/circuits, some or all of which may be integrated/removable and/or may provide permanent/semi-permanent/dynamic/cached memory.

Although the processor 702 is shown as a single component/circuit, it may be implemented as one or more separate components/circuits, some or all of which may be integrated/removable. The processor 702 may be a single-core or multi-core processor.

References to "computer-readable storage medium", "computer program product", "tangibly embodied computer program", etc. or "controller", "computer", "processor", etc. are to be understood to include not only computers having different architectures such as single/multiprocessor architectures and sequential (von neumann)/parallel architectures, but also special-purpose circuits such as field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), application-specific circuits (ASIC), signal processing devices, and other processing circuits. References to computer programs, instructions, code etc. are to be understood to encompass software for a programmable processor or firmware such as, for example, the programmable content of a hardware device, whether instructions for a processor, or configuration settings for a fixed-function device, gate array or programmable logic device etc.

As used in this disclosure, the term "circuitry" may refer to one or more or all of the following:

(a) Hardware-only circuit implementations (e.g., implemented in analog and/or digital circuitry only) and

(B) A combination of hardware circuitry and software, such as (as applicable):

(i) Combination of analog and/or digital hardware circuit(s) and software/firmware, and

(Ii) Any portion of the hardware processor(s) works with software (including digital signal processor (s)), software, and memory(s) to cause an apparatus (e.g., a mobile phone or server) to perform various functions and

(C) Hardware circuit(s) and/or processor(s), such as microprocessor(s) or portion of microprocessors, that require software (e.g., firmware) for operation, but software may not exist where operation does not require it.

The definition of circuit applies to all uses of this term in this application (including in any claims). As another example, as used in this disclosure, the term circuitry also encompasses implementations of only hardware circuitry or a processor and its (or their) accompanying software and/or firmware. For example, if applicable to the particular claim element, the term circuitry also encompasses a baseband integrated circuit or server for a mobile device, a cellular network device, or a similar integrated circuit in other computing or network devices.

The stages shown in fig. 3A and 3B may represent steps in a method and/or code segments in the computer program 706. The illustration of a particular order of blocks does not necessarily imply a required or preferred order for the blocks, and the order and arrangement of the blocks may be varied. In addition, some blocks may be omitted.

Where a structural feature has been described, it may be replaced by means for performing one or more functions of the structural feature, whether or not the function or functions are explicitly or implicitly described.

As can be appreciated from the foregoing, in some examples, a system is provided that includes:

Apparatus 120, comprising: at least one processor 702; and at least one memory 704 including computer program code, the at least one memory 704 and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor 702, cause the apparatus 120 at least to perform: the transmission 202 includes a GC-PDCCH payload of an uplink resource indicator indicating uplink resources for uplink transmission of HARQ-ACKs; and

At least one user equipment comprising: at least one SIM; at least one processor 702; at least one memory 704 including computer program code, the at least one memory 704 and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor 702, cause the apparatus 110 to at least perform: a GC-PDCCH payload is received that includes an uplink resource indicator indicating uplink resources for uplink transmission of HARQ-ACKs.

In some, but not necessarily all, examples, UE 110 and gNB 120 are configured to transmit data with or without storing the data locally in memory 570 of UE 110 or gNB 120, and with or without processing the data locally by circuitry or processors at UE 110 or gNB 120.

The data may be stored remotely at one or more devices in a processed or unprocessed format. The data may be stored at the cloud.

The data may be processed remotely at one or more devices. The data may be processed locally in part and remotely in part at one or more devices.

For example, the data may be transmitted wirelessly to the remote device via short range radio communication such as Wi-Fi or bluetooth, or by a remote cellular radio link. The apparatus may comprise a communication interface such as, for example, a radio transceiver for data communication.

UE 110 and gNB 120 may be part of the internet of things that forms part of a larger distributed network.

The processing of data, whether local or remote, may be used for health monitoring, data aggregation, patient monitoring, vital sign monitoring purposes, or other purposes.

Processing of data, whether local or remote, may involve artificial intelligence or machine learning algorithms. For example, the data may be used as a learning input to train a machine learning network, or may be used as a query input to a machine learning network that provides a response. The machine learning network may, for example, use a linear regression, logistic regression, vector support machine, or non-round robin machine learning network, such as a single hidden layer or multiple hidden layer neural network.

Processing of the data, whether local or remote, may produce an output. The output may be transmitted to the device 110, where it may produce an output that is sensitive to the object, such as an audio output, a visual output, or a tactile output.

The above example may be used as an enabling component for:

An automotive system; a telecommunications system; electronic systems, including consumer electronics; a distributed computing system; media systems for generating or presenting media content, including audio, visual, and audiovisual content, and mixed, mediated, virtual, and/or augmented reality; personal systems, including personal wellness systems or personal fitness systems; a navigation system; a user interface, also known as a human-machine interface; networks, including cellular, non-cellular and optical networks; an ad hoc network; the Internet; the Internet of things; virtualizing a network; related software and services.

The term "comprising" as used in this document is intended to have an inclusive rather than exclusive meaning. That is, any reference to X containing Y means that X may contain only one Y or may contain more than one Y. If an exclusive inclusion is intended, it will be clearly set forth in the context of reference to "comprising only one" or use of "consisting of … …".

In this specification, various examples are referred to. The description of features or functions in connection with an example indicates that those features or functions are present in the example. The use of the term "example" or "e.g." or "may" in this text, whether explicitly stated or not, whether described as an example, means that such features or functions are present in at least the described example, and that they may, but need not, be present in some or all other examples. Thus, "example," e.g., "may," or "may" refer to a particular instance in a class of examples. The attributes of an instance may be attributes of only that instance, or attributes of a class, or attributes of a subclass of a class that includes some but not all instances. Thus, it is implicitly disclosed that features described with reference to one example but not with reference to another example can be used in that other example as part of a combination of operations where possible, but do not necessarily have to be used in that other example.

Although the embodiments have been described in the preceding paragraphs with reference to various examples, it should be appreciated that modifications to the examples given can be made without departing from the scope of the claims.

The features described in the foregoing description may be used in combinations other than those explicitly described above.

Although functions have been described with reference to certain features, those functions may be performed by other features, whether described or not.

Although features have been described with reference to certain embodiments, those features may also be present in other embodiments, whether described or not.

The terms "a" or "an" as used in this document have inclusive and not exclusive meanings. That is, any reference to X includes a/the Y means that X may include only one Y or may include more than one Y, unless the context clearly indicates to the contrary. If an exclusive meaning of "a" or "an" is intended to be used, it will be apparent from the context. In some instances, the use of "at least one" or "one or more" may be employed to emphasize an inclusive meaning, but such lack of terminology should not be taken as an inferred or exclusive meaning.

The presence of a feature (or combination of features) in the claims is a reference to that feature or (combination of features) itself, as well as to features (equivalent features) that achieve substantially the same technical result. Equivalent features include, for example, variations and features that achieve substantially the same results in substantially the same way. Equivalent features include, for example, features that perform substantially the same function in substantially the same way to achieve substantially the same result.

In this specification, various examples are referenced, and adjectives or adjective phrases are used to describe features of the examples. Such description of the characteristics associated with the examples indicates that the characteristics exist, in some examples, entirely as described and, in other examples, substantially as described.

Whilst endeavoring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features believed to be of importance it should be understood that the applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims (29)

1. An apparatus for communication, comprising:

At least one processor; and

At least one memory including computer program code,

The at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform:

Transmitting a group common physical downlink control channel (GC-PDCCH) payload comprising an uplink resource indicator indicating uplink resources for uplink transmission of a hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) Acknowledgement (ACK);

transmitting an activated Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) payload for downlink semi-persistent scheduling (DL-SPS), the PDCCH payload including activated Downlink Control Information (DCI) indicating uplink resources for uplink transmission of HARQ-ACKs; and

Wherein an uplink resource indicator included in the GC-PDCCH payload, which indicates uplink resources for uplink transmission of HARQ-ACK, covers uplink resources for transmission of HARQ-ACK indicated by the activation DCI.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the transmission of the GC-PDCCH payload is triggered if resources allocated for HARQ-ACKs by the active DCI fall at least partially outside a Channel Occupancy Time (COT).

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the transmission of the GC-PDCCH payload is triggered if resources allocated by the activation DCI for HARQ-ACKs at least partially fall within a time slot or symbol allocated for downlink transmission or for non-uplink transmission of the apparatus.

4. The apparatus of any of claims 1-3, wherein the activation DCI comprises a Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) resource indicator also adapted to be an uplink resource indicator indicating uplink resources for uplink transmission of HARQ-ACKs.

5. The apparatus of any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the GC-PDCCH payload includes information related to a COT structure and an uplink resource indicator indicating uplink resources for uplink transmission of HARQ-ACKs.

6. The apparatus of any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the information about the COT structure is provided in a different GC-PDCCH payload than a GC-PDCCH payload comprising an uplink resource indicator indicating uplink resources for uplink transmission of HARQ-ACKs.

7. The apparatus of any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the transmission comprises a GC-PDCCH payload of an uplink resource indicator indicating uplink resources for uplink transmission of HARQ-ACKs in a time slot providing transmission opportunities for DL SPS.

8. The apparatus of any of claims 1-3, wherein the uplink resource indicator indicating uplink resources for uplink transmission of HARQ-ACKs comprises at least one of a UL slot indicator, a slot timing value.

9. The apparatus of any of claims 1-3, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to request a User Equipment (UE) to initiate a COT and report HARQ-ACKs within the UE-initiated COT.

10. The apparatus of any of claims 1-3, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to transmit a Listen Before Talk (LBT) type and LBT parameters for COT.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the LBT type and the LBT parameter are included within the GC-PDCCH payload comprising an uplink resource indicator indicating uplink resources for uplink transmission of HARQ-ACKs.

12. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the uplink resource indicator included within the GC-PDDCH payload indicating uplink resources for uplink transmission of HARQ-ACKs moves the HARQ-ACKs to a next COT.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the time slot for HARQ-ACK is determined according to at least one of a Radio Resource Control (RRC) parameter, a hash function in one or more uplink resources indicated in the GC-PDDCH payload.

14. The apparatus of any of claims 1-3, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, enable the apparatus to enable cellular-based access to unlicensed bands.

15. A method for communication, comprising:

Transmitting a group common physical downlink control channel (GC-PDCCH) payload comprising an uplink resource indicator indicating uplink resources for uplink transmission of a hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) Acknowledgement (ACK);

transmitting an activated Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) payload for downlink semi-persistent scheduling (DL-SPS), the PDCCH payload including activated Downlink Control Information (DCI) indicating uplink resources for uplink transmission of HARQ-ACKs; and

Wherein an uplink resource indicator included in the GC-PDCCH payload, which indicates uplink resources for uplink transmission of HARQ-ACK, covers uplink resources for transmission of HARQ-ACK indicated by the activation DCI.

16. A computer readable storage medium comprising program instructions for causing an apparatus for communication to perform or to perform at least the following:

Transmitting a group common physical downlink control channel (GC-PDCCH) payload comprising an uplink resource indicator indicating uplink resources for uplink transmission of a hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) Acknowledgement (ACK);

transmitting an activated Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) payload for downlink semi-persistent scheduling (DL-SPS), the PDCCH payload including activated Downlink Control Information (DCI) indicating uplink resources for uplink transmission of HARQ-ACKs; and

Wherein an uplink resource indicator included in the GC-PDCCH payload, which indicates uplink resources for uplink transmission of HARQ-ACK, covers uplink resources for transmission of HARQ-ACK indicated by the activation DCI.

17. A User Equipment (UE) for communication, comprising:

At least one Subscriber Identity Module (SIM),

At least one processor; and

At least one memory including computer program code,

The at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the UE to at least perform:

receiving a GC-PDCCH payload comprising an uplink resource indicator indicating uplink resources for uplink transmission of HARQ-ACKs;

Receiving an activated PDCCH payload for downlink semi-persistent scheduling (DL-SPS), the PDCCH payload including activated Downlink Control Information (DCI) indicating uplink resources for uplink transmission of HARQ-ACKs; and

Wherein the uplink resource indicator included in the GC-PDCCH payload indicating uplink resources for uplink transmission of HARQ-ACK covers uplink resources authorized by the activation DCI for transmission of HARQ-ACK.

18. The User Equipment (UE) of claim 17, wherein the transmission of the GC-PDCCH payload is triggered if resources allocated to HARQ-ACKs by the active DCI fall at least partially outside a Channel Occupancy Time (COT).

19. The User Equipment (UE) of claim 17, wherein the transmission of the GC-PDCCH payload is triggered if the resources allocated by the activation DCI for the HARQ-ACK fall at least partially within a time slot or symbol allocated for downlink transmission or for non-uplink transmission of the device.

20. The User Equipment (UE) of any of claims 17 to 19, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the UE to check for availability of a channel for Uplink (UL) prior to transmission of HARQ-ACKs.

21. The User Equipment (UE) of claim 20, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the UE to monitor GC-PDCCH payloads without UL availability in a time slot scheduled for HARQ-ACKs.

22. The User Equipment (UE) of any of claims 17-19, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the UE to initiate a COT in response to receiving a request and report HARQ-ACKs within the initiated COT.

23. The User Equipment (UE) of claim 22, wherein the request to initiate the COT comprises a Listen Before Talk (LBT) type and LBT parameters for the COT.

24. The User Equipment (UE) of claim 23, wherein the LBT type and the LBT parameter are included within the GC-PDCCH payload comprising an uplink resource indicator indicating uplink resources for uplink transmission of HARQ-ACKs.

25. The User Equipment (UE) according to any of claims 17 to 19, wherein the uplink resource indicator contained within the GC-PDDCH payload indicating uplink resources for uplink transmission of HARQ-ACKs moves the HARQ-ACKs to the next COT.

26. The User Equipment (UE) of claim 24, wherein the time slot for HARQ-ACK is determined according to at least one of a Radio Resource Control (RRC) parameter, a hash function in one or more uplink resources indicated in the GC-PDDCH payload.

27. The User Equipment (UE) of any of claims 17-19, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, enable the UE to enable cellular-based access to unlicensed bands.

28. A method for communication, comprising:

receiving a GC-PDCCH payload comprising an uplink resource indicator indicating uplink resources for uplink transmission of HARQ-ACKs;

Receiving an activated PDCCH payload for downlink semi-persistent scheduling (DL-SPS), the PDCCH payload including activated Downlink Control Information (DCI) indicating uplink resources for uplink transmission of HARQ-ACKs; and

Wherein the uplink resource indicator included in the GC-PDCCH payload indicating uplink resources for uplink transmission of HARQ-ACK covers uplink resources authorized by the activation DCI for transmission of HARQ-ACK.

29. A computer readable storage medium comprising program instructions for causing a User Equipment (UE) for communication to perform or for performing at least the following:

receiving a GC-PDCCH payload comprising an uplink resource indicator indicating uplink resources for uplink transmission of HARQ-ACKs;

Receiving an activated PDCCH payload for downlink semi-persistent scheduling (DL-SPS), the PDCCH payload including activated Downlink Control Information (DCI) indicating uplink resources for uplink transmission of HARQ-ACKs; and

Wherein the uplink resource indicator included in the GC-PDCCH payload indicating uplink resources for uplink transmission of HARQ-ACK covers uplink resources authorized by the activation DCI for transmission of HARQ-ACK.