EP4666404A1

EP4666404A1 - Methods, devices, and computer program for downlink communication

Info

Publication number: EP4666404A1
Application number: EP23705370.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Magnus Nilsson; Andreas Nilsson; Mikael Coldrey; Sven JACOBSSON
Original assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson AB
Current assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson AB
Priority date: 2023-02-14
Filing date: 2023-02-14
Publication date: 2025-12-24
Also published as: WO2024170066A1

Abstract

There is provided techniques for downlink reception from a network node. The method is performed by a transceiver device. The method comprises exchanging signaling with the network node to form a RVUE, constituted by a group of transceiver devices. The transceiver device is part of the group of transceiver devices. The signaling at least indicates number of antenna ports available for communication with the network node per transceiver device in the group of transceiver devices. The method comprises receiving configuration from the network node for the RVUE to receive downlink transmission from the network node. The configuration at least indicates which at least one transceiver device in the group of transceiver devices to be activated for reception of downlink transmission from the network node. The method comprises receiving the downlink transmission from the network node in accordance with the received configuration.

Description

METHODS, DEVICES, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM FOR DOWNLINK COMMUNICATION

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments presented herein relate to a method, a transceiver device, a computer program, and a computer program product for downlink reception from a network node. Embodiments presented herein further relate to a method, a network node, a computer program, and a computer program product for downlink transmission towards a group of transceiver devices.

BACKGROUND

Some communication nodes, such as access points or other types of nodes at the network side but also user equipment (UEs) or other types of devices at the user side, can form a network by establishing connectivity between the communication nodes. A network of such communication nodes can constitute of wireless connections, wired connections, or a combination of both. Typically, the communication nodes communicate with each other in the network according to some predefined interface. In general terms, UEs served in a (radio) access network can form a network with other UEs. In such a network, the UEs might communicated directly with each other, or at least without utilizing any cellular connectivity. For example, the UEs might communicate with each other by using Bluetooth connectivity or side-link connectivity.

The network can be static, semi-static or fully flexible with respect to its members. For example, communication nodes could be enabled to join and/or leave semi-static or fully flexible networks. Examples of networks are local computer networks where communication nodes in the form of computers can be added or removed from the local computer network and where communication within the network is facilitated using wired Ethernet links or wireless Wi-Fi links.

Compared to co-located multiple input multiple output (MIMO) systems, distributed MIMO (D-MIMO) systems provide better coverage and multi-user connectivity by making use of joint processing from many access points (for example in terms of Remote Radio Units (RRUs)) that are distributed over a deployment area. The likelihood of a served user being close and having a good connection to one such access point is high. Further, the likelihood of shadowing and the likelihood of having correlated MIMO channels are reduced compared to colocated MIMO systems. Further, D-MIMO systems also bring higher system and link capacity, compared to colocated MIMO systems, at the expense of more complex deployment and more transport needs.

A given UE can have poor connectivity to its serving access points in the serving cellular network due to, e.g., shadowing or interference. Good cellular connectivity, especially at higher frequencies, require a dense network deployment, such as densely deployed co-located MIMO system or even a D-MIMO system. Such systems are complex (in terms of hardware and software) and drives cost. In addition to this, a given UE might need to support many different frequencies, bandwidths, and communication standards which makes the UE complex (in terms of hardware and software), bulky, and costly. In general terms, typically, the more receiver antennas a UE is equipped with, the better the downlink performance the UE can achieve. Hence, for a UE, it is beneficial to make use of as many receiver antennas as possible in order to e.g., maximize the received signal strength, improve its capability to suppress interference, and/or increase the downlink rank. However, increasing the number of antennas implies that the UE needs to become more and more complex (in terms of hardware and software), bulky, and costly.

SUMMARY

An object of embodiments herein is to address the above issues by providing improved downlink communication for a group of transceiver devices.

According to a first aspect there is presented a method for downlink reception from a network node. The method is performed by a transceiver device. The method comprises exchanging signaling with the network node to form a RVUE, constituted by a group of transceiver devices. The transceiver device is part of the group of transceiver devices. The signaling at least indicates number of antenna ports available for communication with the network node per transceiver device in the group of transceiver devices. The method comprises receiving configuration from the network node for the RVUE to receive downlink transmission from the network node. The configuration at least indicates which at least one transceiver device in the group of transceiver devices to be activated for reception of downlink transmission from the network node. The method comprises receiving the downlink transmission from the network node in accordance with the received configuration.

According to a second aspect there is presented a transceiver device for downlink reception from a network node. The transceiver device comprises processing circuitry. The processing circuitry is configured to cause the transceiver device to exchange signaling with the network node to form a RVUE, constituted by a group of transceiver devices. The transceiver device is part of the group of transceiver devices. The signaling at least indicates number of antenna ports available for communication with the network node per transceiver device in the group of transceiver devices. The processing circuitry is configured to cause the transceiver device to receive configuration from the network node for the RVUE to receive downlink transmission from the network node. The configuration at least indicates which at least one transceiver device in the group of transceiver devices to be activated for reception of downlink transmission from the network node. The processing circuitry is configured to cause the transceiver device to receive the downlink transmission from the network node in accordance with the received configuration.

According to a third aspect there is presented a transceiver device for downlink reception from a network node. The transceiver device comprises a signal module configured to exchange signaling with the network node to form a RVUE, constituted by a group of transceiver devices. The transceiver device is part of the group of transceiver devices. The signaling at least indicates number of antenna ports available for communication with the network node per transceiver device in the group of transceiver devices. The transceiver device comprises a receive module configured to receive configuration from the network node for the RVUE to receive downlink transmission from the network node. The configuration at least indicates which at least one transceiver device in the group of transceiver devices to be activated for reception of downlink transmission from the network node. The transceiver device comprises a receive module configured to receive the downlink transmission from the network node in accordance with the received configuration.

According to a fourth aspect there is presented a computer program for downlink reception from a network node. The computer program comprises computer code which, when run on processing circuitry of a transceiver device, causes the transceiver device to perform actions. One action comprises the transceiver device to exchange signaling with the network node to form a RVUE, constituted by a group of transceiver devices. The transceiver device is part of the group of transceiver devices. The signaling at least indicates number of antenna ports available for communication with the network node per transceiver device in the group of transceiver devices. One action comprises the transceiver device to receive configuration from the network node for the RVUE to receive downlink transmission from the network node. The configuration at least indicates which at least one transceiver device in the group of transceiver devices to be activated for reception of downlink transmission from the network node. One action comprises the transceiver device to receive the downlink transmission from the network node in accordance with the received configuration.

According to a fifth aspect there is presented a method for downlink transmission towards a group of transceiver devices. The method is performed by a network node. The method comprises exchanging signaling with one of the transceiver devices in the group of transceiver devices to form a RVUE, constituted by the group of transceiver devices. The signaling at least indicates number of antenna ports available for communication with the network node per transceiver device in the group of transceiver devices. The method comprises configuring the RVUE to receive downlink transmission from the network node. The RVUE is configured as a function of the number of antenna ports available for communication with the network node per transceiver device in the group of transceiver devices. The configuring at least indicates which at least one transceiver device in the group of transceiver devices to be activated for reception of downlink transmission from the network node. The method comprises performing the downlink transmission towards the RVUE.

According to a sixth aspect there is presented a network node for downlink transmission towards a group of transceiver devices. The network node comprises processing circuitry. The processing circuitry is configured to cause the network node to exchange signaling with one of the transceiver devices in the group of transceiver devices to form a RVUE, constituted by the group of transceiver devices. The signaling at least indicates number of antenna ports available for communication with the network node per transceiver device in the group of transceiver devices. The processing circuitry is configured to cause the network node to configure the RVUE to receive downlink transmission from the network node. The RVUE is configured as a function of the number of antenna ports available for communication with the network node per transceiver device in the group of transceiver devices. The configuring at least indicates which at least one transceiver device in the group of transceiver devices to be activated for reception of downlink transmission from the network node. The processing circuitry is configured to cause the network node to perform the downlink transmission towards the RVUE.

According to a seventh aspect there is presented a network node for downlink transmission towards a group of transceiver devices. The network node comprises a signal module configured to exchange signaling with one of the transceiver devices in the group of transceiver devices to form a RVUE, constituted by the group of transceiver devices. The signaling at least indicates number of antenna ports available for communication with the network node per transceiver device in the group of transceiver devices. The network node comprises a configure module configured to configure the RVUE to receive downlink transmission from the network node. The RVUE is configured as a function of the number of antenna ports available for communication with the network node per transceiver device in the group of transceiver devices. The configuring at least indicates which at least one transceiver device in the group of transceiver devices to be activated for reception of downlink transmission from the network node. The network node comprises a send module configured to perform the downlink transmission towards the RVUE.

According to an eighth aspect there is presented a computer program for downlink transmission towards a group of transceiver devices. The computer program comprises computer code which, when run on processing circuitry of a network node, causes the network node to perform actions. One action comprises the network node to exchange signaling with one of the transceiver devices in the group of transceiver devices to form a RVUE, constituted by the group of transceiver devices. The signaling at least indicates number of antenna ports available for communication with the network node per transceiver device in the group of transceiver devices. One action comprises the network node to configure the RVUE to receive downlink transmission from the network node. The RVUE is configured as a function of the number of antenna ports available for communication with the network node per transceiver device in the group of transceiver devices. The configuring at least indicates which at least one transceiver device in the group of transceiver devices to be activated for reception of downlink transmission from the network node. One action comprises the network node to perform the downlink transmission towards the RVUE.

According to a ninth aspect there is presented a computer program product comprising a computer program according to at least one of the fourth aspect and the eighth aspect and a computer readable storage medium on which the computer program is stored. The computer readable storage medium could be a non-transitory computer readable storage medium.

Advantageously, these aspects can reduce the overhead for downlink communication when the transceiver devices collaboratively act as one RVUE, compared to the overhead for individual downlink communication towards the transceiver devices. Advantageously, these aspects can improve the throughput for downlink communication when the transceiver devices collaboratively act as one RVUE, compared to the throughput for individual downlink communication towards the transceiver devices.

Advantageously, these aspects can improve the downlink communication diversity when the transceiver devices collaboratively act as one RVUE, compared to the diversity for individual downlink communication towards the transceiver devices.

Advantageously, these aspects can improve the robustness towards blocking during downlink communication when the transceiver devices collaboratively act as one RVUE, compared to the robustness towards blocking during individual downlink communication towards the transceiver devices.

Advantageously, these aspects can be used to reduce the energy consumption for downlink reception at the transceiver devices when the transceiver devices collaboratively act as one RVUE, compared to the energy consumption for individual reception of downlink communication at the transceiver devices.

Other objectives, features and advantages of the enclosed embodiments will be apparent from the following detailed disclosure, from the attached dependent claims as well as from the drawings.

Generally, all terms used in the claims are to be interpreted according to their ordinary meaning in the technical field, unless explicitly defined otherwise herein. All references to "a/an/the element, apparatus, component, means, module, step, etc." are to be interpreted openly as referring to at least one instance of the element, apparatus, component, means, module, step, etc., unless explicitly stated otherwise. The steps of any method disclosed herein do not have to be performed in the exact order disclosed, unless explicitly stated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The inventive concept is now described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a schematic illustration of a group of transceiver devices according to an example;

Fig. 2 is a schematic illustration of an RVUE according to an embodiment;

Fig. 3 is a schematic illustration of an RVUE communicating with a network node according to an embodiment;

Figs. 4 and 5 are flowcharts of methods according to embodiments;

Figs. 6, 7, and 8 are schematic illustration of an RVUE according to embodiments;

Fig. 9 is a signaling diagram according to an embodiment; Fig. 10 is a schematic diagram showing functional units of a transceiver device according to an embodiment;

Fig. 11 is a schematic diagram showing functional modules of a transceiver device according to an embodiment;

Fig. 12 is a schematic diagram showing functional units of a network node according to an embodiment;

Fig. 13 is a schematic diagram showing functional modules of a network node according to an embodiment; and

Fig. 14 shows one example of a computer program product comprising computer readable means according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The inventive concept will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which certain embodiments of the inventive concept are shown. This inventive concept may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided by way of example so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the inventive concept to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout the description. Any step or feature illustrated by dashed lines should be regarded as optional.

Fig. 1 illustrates a traditional scenario where three different transceiver devices 200 (in terms of a conventional UE, a smart watch and an extended reality (XR headset) belonging to the same user 500 are configured for individual and independent communication, as illustrated by beams 511, 512, 513, with a network. When configured for individual and independent communication with the network, each of the transceiver devices 200 might need to support many different frequencies, bandwidths, and communication standards. This makes the transceiver devices 200 complex (in terms of hardware and software), bulky, and costly.

In contrast to Fig. 1, in Fig. 2 is illustrated a scenario with the same three different transceiver devices 200 as in Fig. 1, but where the transceiver devices 200 are configured to collaborate with each other as a group of transceiver devices. More particularly, the transceiver devices 200 are configured to communicate with each other, as indicated by links 515, 516, but when communicating with the network, the transceiver devices 200 appear one single device, hereinafter referred to as a RVUE 400. This is illustrated by beam 514 used by the RVUE 400 for communicating with the network. The herein disclosed embodiments are based on such a group of transceiver devices 200, together constituting an RVUE 400. An RVUE 400 is thus constituted by a group of transceiver devices 200.

Compared to a single transceiver device 200, the RVUE 400 has an increased number of antennas. In general terms, the RVUE 400 has more antennas both in terms of transmitter antennas and receiver antennas, but focus in this disclosure is on receiver antennas. Increasing the number of receiver antennas can improve the capability to suppress interference (from other transmissions/streams from the same base stations, from other base stations, or even other systems). However, depending on the processing capability and connection between different receiver antennas, the interference suppression capability will vary. Further, the more receiver antennas a UE is equipped with, the more simultaneous downlink layers the UE can be scheduled with, which can be used to increase the UE user throughput. Still further, multiple receiver antennas can be used to improve diversity, which in turn can be used to increase the reliability of the downlink communication. Still further, multiple receiver antennas can be used to increase the received signal strength (or signal to noise ratio) by combining the received signal from the multiple receiver antennas, which in turn will improve downlink coverage and user throughput.

Each transceiver device 200 may or may not have its own individual network identity. It is sufficient that at least one of the transceiver devices 200 has its own individual network identity. For this purpose, at least one of the transceiver devices 200 needs to be provided with a Subscriber Identity Module or Subscriber Identification Module (SIM). The SIM might be provided in terms of a traditional SIM card, or by an embedded SIM (eSIM) or an integrated SIM (ISIM). In some examples, each of the transceiver devices 200 is provided with hardware that enables each of the transceiver devices 200 to independently connect to the network. In this way, even if only one of the transceiver devices 200 is provided with a SIM, all of the transceiver devices 200 can be used for communication with the network when the transceiver devices 200 collaborate with each other as a group of transceiver devices 200 constituting an RVUE 400. In some embodiments, at least one of the transceiver devices 200 in the group of transceiver devices 200 (that constitute an RVUE 400) comprises a cellular modem and has a cellular network identity. In some embodiments, each of the transceiver devices 200 in the group of transceiver devices 200 (that constitute an RVUE 400) comprises a signaling interface for non-cellular communication with other transceiver devices 200 in the group of transceiver devices 200. In some embodiments the the RVUE 400 can be seen as a device-centric network that shares resources. Examples of such resources can be processing, power amplifiers, antennas, identities, etc. In some embodiments, at least one of the transceiver devices 200 in the group of transceiver devices 200 has a network identity, and the network identity is used by the network node 300 when communicating with the RVUE 400 in accordance with RVUE 400 configurations. In some examples, the RVUE 400 configuration comprises instructions that the RVUE 400 is to be formed by at least two transceiver devices 200 in the group of transceiver devices. For alternative characterizations of an RVUE 400 and related technical information, reference is made to the applicant's parallel disclosures [applicant reference: P105673W001] and [applicant reference: P106173W001] and [applicant reference: P106126WO01], which are hereby incorporated by reference.

The transceiver devices 200 are operatively connectable to each other via any proprietary or standardized, wired, or wireless, technology. The transceiver device 200 of each RVUE 400 can belong to the same user or can be shared between multiple users. By forming a RVUE 400, the connection to the network for the transceiver devices 200 is improved compared to the connection to the network for just one single transceiver device 200. The RVUE 400 enables diversity and/or multiplexing over multiple spatially separated devices. Each transceiver device 200 can have its own unique characteristics, for example, having its operations optimized for a certain frequency band or deployment location. Some non-limiting examples of transceiver devices 200 are consumer premises equipment (CPEs), UEs (such as mobile phones, tablet computers, laptop computers, etc.), smart wearables (such as smart watches, smart glasses, etc.), relays, repeaters, modems, routers, remote radio units (RRUs), network connectible vehicles (such as unmanned aerial vehicles, self-driving cars, etc.), network connectible machines and industry equipment, etc. As a first non-limiting example, consider a set of smart wearables operatively connected to one and the same UE. The smart wearables and the UE could then constitute a RVUE 400. As a second non-limiting example, consider a set of communication equipment composed of a UE, a tablet computer, and a laptop computer belonging to one and the same user. The set of communication equipment could then constitute an RVUE 400. As a third non-limiting example, consider a set of communication equipment composed of a modem, a router, and a computer connected to one and the same local-area network. The set of communication equipment could then constitute an RVUE 400. As a fourth non-limiting example, consider a set of communication equipment composed of two or more UEs, tablet computers, laptop computers, etc. placed in one and the same vehicle (such as a car, a bus, a train car, etc.). The set of communication equipment could then constitute an RVUE 400. As a fourth non-limiting example, consider a set of communication equipment composed of one or more UEs and a network connectible vehicle, where the one or more UEs are placed in the network connectible vehicle. In this respect, the hardware capabilities of the network connectible vehicle can be much better than for the UEs, in terms of more output power, better synchronization between transmitters, more and larger antenna panels, antenna panels placed on the exterior of the vehicle with line of sight to the serving access point, etc. In this case, the UEs and the network connectible vehicle may be configured as a virtual UE, where data from all the communication equipment is routed to the network via the network connectible vehicle. As a fourth non-limiting example, consider a set of communication equipment composed of integrated access and backhaul (I AB) nodes operatively connected to the same donor I AB node. The I AB nodes could then constitute an RVUE 400. Each I AB node is equipped with at least one antenna port for communication with the network, whereas the transmission between the I AB nodes and the donor I AB node is performed via the Uu interface. The IAB nodes can be connected to each other over an alternative interface and, hence, can exchange data with each other without the network being involved.

In some examples, one of the transceiver devices 200 constituting the RVUE 400 acts as a coordinating transceiver device 200 in the group of the transceiver devices 200. This coordinating transceiver device 200 might then be configured for coordinating joint processing and transmission/reception over the group of the transceiver devices 200.

In Fig. 3 is illustrated a scenario where transceiver devices 200, by means of the RVUE 400, communicate in a beam 514 with a network node 300. The network node 300 could be any of a (radio) access network node, radio base station, base transceiver station, node B (NB), evolved node B (eNB), gNB, access point, etc. Since the RVUE 400 is constituted by spatially separated devices with possibly different connection capabilities, the likelihood of good network connectivity thanks to spatial diversity and/or multiplexing over transceiver devices 200 is increased compared to the network capability per each individual transceiver device 200. The network node 300 would recognize the RVUE 400 as a single transceiver device 200 but with possibly increases capacity and/or capability compared to an individual transceiver device 200. This could be useful for adding spatial diversity and/or multiplexing to improve performance without exposing each individual transceiver device 200 to the network.

Reference is now made to Fig. 4 illustrating a method for downlink reception from a network node 300 as performed by the transceiver device 200 according to an embodiment.

It is assumed that a group of transceiver devices 200 has been configured to form a RVUE 400 and that the network node 300 is made aware of this.

S104: The transceiver device 200 exchanges signaling with the network node 300 to form a RVUE 400, constituted by a group of transceiver devices 200. The transceiver device 200 is part of the group of transceiver devices 200. The signaling at least indicates number of antenna ports available for communication with the network node 300 per transceiver device 200 in the group of transceiver devices 200.

The information could be signaled from each transceiver device 200 separately, or from one of the transceiver devices 200 in the group of transceiver devices 200 on behalf of all transceiver devices 200 that constitute the RVUE 400. For example, the information could be signaled as part of device capability signaling. Based on this information, the network node 300 can configure the RVUE 400, and thus the transceiver devices 200 constituting the RVUE 400, for reception of downlink transmission from the network node 300.

S106: The transceiver device 200 receives configuration from the network node 300 for the RVUE 400 to receive downlink transmission from the network node 300. The configuration at least indicates which at least one transceiver device 200 in the group of transceiver devices 200 to be activated for reception of downlink transmission from the network node 300.

That is, the network node 300 can configure the RVUE 400 over a subset, or all, antenna ports of the transceiver devices 200 that constitute the RVUE 400. Different types of configurations will be disclosed below. The transceiver device 200 the follows the configuration when receiving the downlink transmission from the network node 300.

S112: The transceiver device 200 receives the downlink transmission from the network node 300 in accordance with the received configuration.

Embodiments relating to further details of downlink reception from a network node 300 as performed by the transceiver device 200 will now be disclosed with continued reference to Fig. 4. Details of the signaling in step S104 will be disclosed next.

In some embodiments, the signaling further indicates support of receiving the downlink transmission with joint receiver signaling processing over two or more of the transceiver devices 200 in the group of transceiver devices 200.

In some embodiments, the signaling further indicates any, or any combination of: number of transceiver devices 200 in the group of transceiver devices 200, receiver processing capability per transceiver device 200 in the group of transceiver devices 200, joint receiver processing capabilities among the transceiver devices 200 in the group of transceiver devices 200, communication capabilities for communication between the transceiver devices 200 in the group of transceiver devices 200, supported bandwidth per transceiver device 200 in the group of transceiver devices 200, battery status per transceiver device 200 in the group of transceiver devices 200.

In some examples, the transceiver device 200 exchanges further signalling with the network node 300, as the status of the RVUE 400 changes. Such signalling could pertain to updates of any of the above-listed parameters. This could, for example, be the case where transceiver devices 200 enter and/or leave the RVUE 400. This could, for example, also be the case where the battery status of some of the transceiver devices 200 changes (either being drained such that some transceiver devices 200 need to save energy or being charged such that some transceiver devices 200 have higher capacity for receiving downlink transmissions). In this case the network node 300 might update the configuration such that downlink transmission towards transceiver devices 200 having left the RVUE 400 or transceiver devices 200 with low battery status is avoided. A transceiver device 200 with low battery status can thereby turn off one or more antenna ports from receiving downlink transmission from the network node 300 (but still be able to communicate with other transceiver devices 200 in the RVUE 400) to save power.

In addition to the parameters included in the configuration that are listed in conjunction with step S106, there might be further parameters included in the configuration. In some embodiments, the configuration further indicates any, or any combination of: maximum downlink transmission rank for the RVUE 400, maximum downlink transmission rank per transceiver device 200 of the RVUE 400, mapping of layers to the transceiver devices 200 of the RVUE 400, total number of layers for the RVUE 400, total number of layers per transceiver device 200 of the RVUE 400, mapping of layers to transceiver devices 200 of the RVUE 400.

It might be so that the available number of antenna ports is less than the total number of antenna ports of the RVUE 400. The transceiver device 200 might then perform (optional) step S102.

S102: The transceiver device 200 selects the number of available antenna ports from all antenna ports of the RVUE 400. Only using a subset of the total antenna ports of the RVUE 400 at a given time could be used to minimize, or at least reduce, the downlink overhead.

Details of how the selection can be made will be disclosed next.

In some embodiments, the selecting is based on at least one of: signal quality, capacity, of signaling interfaces between the transceiver devices 200 in the group of transceiver devices 200.

As will be disclosed below, the network node 300 inform the RVUE 400 of an upcoming downlink transmission. Hence, in some embodiments, the transceiver device 200 is configured to perform (optional) action S108.

S108: The transceiver device 200 receives a trigger message from the network node 300 to receive the downlink transmission from the network node 300.

In some examples, the trigger message indicates which of the one or more transceiver devices 200 in the RVUE 400 and/or which RVUE 400 the data transmission is associated with. In some examples, the downlink transmission is composed of layers, and the trigger message indicates which layer of the downlink transmission that is associated with which group of transceiver devices 200. Thereby, upon having received the trigger message, the transceiver device 200 might inform the relevant other transceiver devices 200 in the RVUE 400 of the upcoming downlink transmission. Hence, in some embodiments, the transceiver device 200 is configured to perform (optional) action S110.

S110: The transceiver device 200 communicates with other transceiver devices 200 in the group of transceiver devices 200 to inform these other transceiver devices 200 to receive the downlink transmission from the network node 300.

In some embodiments, the trigger message is sent as a dedicated message. In other embodiments, the trigger message is part of the configuration received from the network node 300 in S106.

In some embodiments, the downlink transmission is received from the network node 300 by at least one other transceiver device 200 in the group of transceiver devices 200. This at least one other transceiver device 200 might then forward the downlink transmission to other transceiver devices 200 in the group of transceiver devices 200 that are associated with the downlink transmission. Hence, in some embodiments, the transceiver device 200 is configured to perform (optional) actions S114 and S116.

S114: The transceiver device 200 receives the downlink transmission as received by the at least one other transceiver device 200. The downlink transmission is received from the at least one other transceiver device 200.

S116: The transceiver device 200 jointly processes the downlink transmission as received by the transceiver device 200 and the downlink transmission as received from the at least one other transceiver device 200. In some embodiments, the downlink transmission as received by the transceiver device 200 is associated also with at least one other transceiver device 200 in the group of transceiver devices 200 that did not receive the downlink transmission. Therefore, in some embodiments, the transceiver device 200 is configured to perform (optional) action S118.

S118: The transceiver device 200 provides the received downlink transmission to at least one other transceiver device 200 in the group of transceiver devices 200. This at least one other transceiver device 200 was not activated for reception of the downlink transmission from the network node 300.

Reference is now made to Fig. 5 illustrating a method for downlink transmission towards a group of transceiver devices 200 as performed by the network node 300 according to an embodiment.

As above, it is assumed that a group of transceiver devices 200 has been configured to form a RVUE 400 and that the network node 300 is made aware of this.

S202: The network node 300 exchanges signaling with one of the transceiver devices 200 in the group of transceiver devices 200 to form a RVUE 400, constituted by the group of transceiver devices 200. The signaling at least indicates number of antenna ports available for communication with the network node 300 per transceiver device 200 in the group of transceiver devices 200.

Upon receiving such signaling, the network node 300 configures not only its own downlink transmission but also how the group of transceiver devices 200 are to receive the downlink transmission from the network node 300, treating the group of transceiver devices 200 as one RVUE 400 in a way to enable overhead efficient and high performing downlink transmissions. This is achieved by selecting the configuration parameters only for one of the transceiver devices 200 and/or by informing only one of the transceiver devices 200 of the configuration parameters.

S204: The network node 300 configures the RVUE 400 to receive downlink transmission from the network node 300, The RVUE 400 is configured as a function of the number of antenna ports available for communication with the network node 300 per transceiver device 200 in the group of transceiver devices 200. The configuring at least indicates which at least one transceiver device 200 in the group of transceiver devices 200 to be activated for reception of downlink transmission from the network node 300.

As disclosed above, the transceiver devices 200 then follow the configuration when receiving the downlink transmissions.

S208: The network node 300 performs the downlink transmission towards the RVUE 400.

Embodiments relating to further details of downlink transmission towards a group of transceiver devices 200 as performed by the network node 300 will now be disclosed with continued reference to Fig. 5. As disclosed above, in some embodiments, the signaling further indicates support of receiving the downlink transmission with joint receiver signaling processing over two or more of the transceiver devices 200 in the group of transceiver devices 200.

As further disclosed above, in some embodiments, the signaling further indicates any, or any combination of: number of transceiver devices 200 in the group of transceiver devices 200, receiver processing capability per transceiver device 200 in the group of transceiver devices 200, joint receiver processing capabilities among the transceiver devices 200 in the group of transceiver devices 200, communication capabilities for communication between the transceiver devices 200 in the group of transceiver devices 200, supported bandwidth per transceiver device 200 in the group of transceiver devices 200, battery status per transceiver device 200 in the group of transceiver devices 200.

As further disclosed above, in some embodiments, the configuration further indicates any, or any combination of the configuration further indicates any of: maximum downlink transmission rank for the RVUE 400, maximum downlink transmission rank per transceiver device 200 of the RVUE 400, mapping of layers to the transceiver devices 200 of the RVUE 400, total number of layers for the RVUE 400, total number of layers per transceiver device 200 of the RVUE 400, mapping of layers to transceiver devices 200 of the RVUE 400.

The configuration might be conveyed using radio-resource control signaling and, for example be configured in the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) configuration parameter or as radio-resource configuration, as specified in 3GPP TS 38.331 entitled "NR; Radio Resource Control (RRC); Protocol specification”, version 17.3.0. In some examples, the network node 300 configures the RVUE 400 with one or more "Device group for DL data reception”, where each "Device group for DL data reception” can consist of one or more of the transceiver devices 200.

The network node 300 might perform scheduling of its downlink transmission and as part of the scheduling inform the RVUE 400 of an upcoming downlink transmission. Hence, in some embodiments, the network node 300 is configured to perform (optional) action S206:

S206: The network node 300 sends a trigger message towards the RVUE 400 for the RVUE 400 to receive the downlink transmission from the network node 300.

In some embodiments, the trigger message is sent as a dedicated message. In other embodiments, the trigger message is part of the configuration in S204.

In some examples, the trigger message indicates which of the one or more transceiver devices 200 in the RVUE 400 and/or which RVUE 400 the data transmission is associated with. In some examples, the downlink transmission is composed of layers and the trigger message indicates which layer of the downlink transmission that is associated with which group of transceiver devices 200. The downlink transmission can be simultaneously performed towards at least two groups of transceiver devices 200 in the RVUE 400, where the downlink transmission is performed in one layer per group of transceiver devices 200.

Further embodiments, aspects and examples, as applicable to the transceiver devices 200 and the network node 300 will now be disclosed.

In general terms, combinations of transceiver devices 200 with different capabilities yield different capabilities of the RVUE 400. One example of this is illustrated in Fig. 6 and another example is illustrated in Fig. 7.

In Fig. 6 is illustrated an example RVUE 400 with four antennas in total, The RVUE 400 is constituted by a smartphone (Device 1), a smart watch (Device 2) and a piece of smart glasses (Device 3), where the smartphone (Device 1) has one dual-port antenna panel (p=0 and p=1 ), the smart watch (Device 2) has one single-port antenna panel (p=2), and the piece of smart glasses (Device 3) has one single-port antenna panel (p=3) for communicating with the network. Each of Device 1, Device 2, and Device 3 is a respective transceiver device 200. When operating as individual devices, the devices thus have either one or two antenna ports for communicating with the network. By forming an RVUE 400, the devices now instead share a total of four antenna ports (p=0, ... p=3) for communicating with the network.

Further, it is assumed that the connection between Device 1 and Device 2 is comparatively strong and that the RVUE 400 can perform advanced inter-stream interference cancellation over all the ports belonging to Device 1 and Device 2. In the same way, it is assumed that the connection between Device 2 and Device 3 is comparatively strong, and that the RVUE 400 can perform advanced inter-stream interference cancellation over all the ports belonging to Device 2 and Device 3. However, the connection between Device 1 and Device 3 is assumed to be comparatively poor, and hence no inter-stream interference cancellation can be performed across the ports belonging to Device 1 and Device 3. It is further assumed that the network node 300 is made aware of this information, for example in aforementioned actions S104 and S202.

Based on this information attained by the network node 200 during e.g., UE capability signaling, which might be reported as part of S104, the network node 300, as in S204, configures the RVUE 400 with downlink data transmission over one or more groups of the transceiver devices 200 of the RVUE 400. In this example the transceiver devices 200 with strong connection between them, such that they e.g., support advanced inter-stream interference cancellation over the antenna ports belonging to the two devices, are included in the same "Device group for DL data reception”, since then the RVUE 400 can in a good way mitigate inter-stream interference for multi-layer DL data transmission applied over the antenna ports belonging to the two devices. Hence, according to one example, Device 1 and Device 2 belong to the same "Device group for DL data reception”, whereas in another example, Device 2 and Device 3 belong to the same "Device group for DL data reception”.

When the network node 300 triggers the RVUE 400 for DL data transmission, the network node 300 can indicate for which "Device group(s) for DL data reception” that the triggered DL data transmission is associated with. One of the transceiver devices 200 of the RVUE 400 can with this information indicate to the remaining transceiver devices 200 of the RVUE 400 to de-activate/activate their receiver chains depending on if they are associated with the DL transmission or not (which can save energy of the transceiver devices 200 not scheduled for the DL transmission).

In some examples one and the same RVUE 400 is simultaneously scheduled with two or more "Device groups for DL data reception”, where each "Device group for DL data reception” is scheduled with different sets of layers. For example, a first "Device group for DL data reception” can be scheduled with a first set of layers simultaneously as a second "Device group for DL data reception” is scheduled with a second group of layers. Different layers are used in the two groups of layers. One example of this is illustrated with reference to Fig. 7. The RVUE 400 in Fig. 7 is similar to the RVUE 400 in Fig. 6. However, the RVUE 400 in Fig. 7 is constituted by four transceiver devices 200, denoted Device, 1, Device 2, Device 3, and Device 4. In the example of Fig. 7, Device 1 and Device 2 are assumed to have a comparatively strong connection between them, such that they e.g., support advanced inter-stream interference cancellation over the antenna ports belonging to the Device 1 and Device 2. Device 1 and Device 2 are therefore included in the same "Device group for DL data reception”. In a similar way, Device 3 and Device 4 are included in the same "Device group for DL data reception”. In this case, the RVUE 400 could be scheduled with a first group of layers targeting the first "Device group for DL data reception”, and simultaneously be scheduled with a second group of layers targeting the second "Device group for DL data reception”. In other words, MU-MIMO can be performed across the different "Device groups for DL data reception” at the same RVUE 400.

Techniques such as maximum-ratio combining (MRC), interference rejection combining (IRC) and successive interference cancellation (SIC) could utilize the increased number of total antenna ports of the RVUE compared to using only one of the devices of the RVUE, which can increase the performance (e.g., in terms of coverage, diversity, capacity, interference suppression, etc.). As an example, with reference to the example in Fig. 7, Device 3 and Device 4 could transfer its decoded data to Device 1 and Device 2. Device 1 and Device 2 could use this decoded data to cancel downlink transmission aimed towards Device 3 and Device 4 from its own received data, before decoding of its own received data.

Reference is next made to Fig. 8 which illustrates an example where data as received in the downlink at two transceiver devices 200 (Device 2 and Device 3) belonging to an RVUE 400 is conveyed to a central processing unit, implementing the functionality of a virtual baseband unit, in Device 1 of the RVUE 400. As in Fig. 6, Device 1 could be a router, Device 2 could be a laptop computer and Device 3 could be a stationary computer.

One particular embodiment based on at least some of the above disclosed embodiments will now be disclosed in detail with reference to the signaling diagram of Fig. 9. S301 : A first transceiver device 200 acting as coordinating transceiver device exchanges signalling with the network node 300 to indicate the number of antenna ports available for communication with the network node 300 per transceiver device 200 in the group of transceiver devices 200 that constitutes an RVUE 400.

S302: The network node 300 configures the RVUE 400 to receive downlink transmission from the network node 300, The RVUE 400 is configured as a function of the number of antenna ports available for communication with the network node 300 per transceiver device 200 in the group of transceiver devices 200. The configuring at least indicates which at least one transceiver device 200 in the group of transceiver devices 200 to be activated for reception of downlink transmission from the network node 300.

S303: The network node 300 sends a trigger message towards the RVUE 400 for the RVUE 400 to receive the downlink transmission from the network node 300.

S304: The first transceiver device 200 communicates with the second transceiver device 200 in the group of transceiver devices 200 to inform the second transceiver device 200 to receive the downlink transmission from the network node 300.

S305: The second transceiver device 200 activates its receiver antenna ports for reception of the downlink transmission.

S306: The network node 300 performs the downlink transmission towards the RVUE 400. It is assumed that the downlink transmission is received by the first transceiver device and the second transceiver device.

S307: The second transceiver device 200 performs some signal processing on the received downlink transmission.

S308: The second transceiver device 200 forwards the processed received downlink transmission to the first transceiver device 200.

S309: The first transceiver device 200 jointly processes the downlink transmission as received by the first transceiver device 200 and the downlink transmission as received from the second transceiver device 200

Fig. 10 schematically illustrates, in terms of a number of functional units, the components of a transceiver device 200 according to an embodiment. Processing circuitry 210 is provided using any combination of one or more of a suitable central processing unit (CPU), multiprocessor, microcontroller, digital signal processor (DSP), etc., capable of executing software instructions stored in a computer program product 1410a (as in Fig. 14), e.g. in the form of a storage medium 230. The processing circuitry 210 may further be provided as at least one application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or field programmable gate array (FPGA). Particularly, the processing circuitry 210 is configured to cause the transceiver device 200 to perform a set of operations, or steps, as disclosed above. For example, the storage medium 230 may store the set of operations, and the processing circuitry 210 may be configured to retrieve the set of operations from the storage medium 230 to cause the transceiver device 200 to perform the set of operations. The set of operations may be provided as a set of executable instructions. Thus the processing circuitry 210 is thereby arranged to execute methods as herein disclosed.

The storage medium 230 may also comprise persistent storage, which, for example, can be any single one or combination of magnetic memory, optical memory, solid state memory or even remotely mounted memory.

The transceiver device 200 may further comprise a communications (comm.) interface 220 for communications with other entities, functions, nodes, and devices, such as other transceiver devices 200 as well as the network node 300. As such the communications interface 220 may comprise one or more transmitters and receivers, comprising analogue and digital components.

The processing circuitry 210 controls the general operation of the transceiver device 200 e.g. by sending data and control signals to the communications interface 220 and the storage medium 230, by receiving data and reports from the communications interface 220, and by retrieving data and instructions from the storage medium 230. Other components, as well as the related functionality, of the transceiver device 200 are omitted in order not to obscure the concepts presented herein.

Fig. 11 schematically illustrates, in terms of a number of functional modules, the components of a transceiver device 200 according to an embodiment. The transceiver device 200 of Fig. 11 comprises a number of functional modules; a signal module 210b configured to perform action S104, a receive module 210c configured to perform action S106, and a receive module 21 Of configured to perform action S112. The transceiver device 200 of Fig. 11 may further comprise a number of optional functional modules, such as any of a select module 210a configured to perform action S102, a receive module 21 Od configured to perform action S108, a communicate (comm.) module 21 Oe configured to perform action S110, a receive module 210g configured to perform action S114, a process module 21 Oh configured to perform action S116, and a provide module 21 Oi configured to perform action S118.

In general terms, each functional module 210a:21 Oi may be implemented in hardware or in software. Preferably, one or more or all functional modules 210a:21 Oi may be implemented by the processing circuitry 210, possibly in cooperation with the communications interface 220 and/or the storage medium 230. The processing circuitry 210 may thus be arranged to from the storage medium 230 fetch instructions as provided by a functional module 210a:21 Oi and to execute these instructions, thereby performing any actions of the transceiver device 200 as disclosed herein.

Fig. 12 schematically illustrates, in terms of a number of functional units, the components of a network node 300 according to an embodiment. Processing circuitry 310 is provided using any combination of one or more of a suitable central processing unit (CPU), multiprocessor, microcontroller, digital signal processor (DSP), etc., capable of executing software instructions stored in a computer program product 1410b (as in Fig. 14), e.g. in the form of a storage medium 330. The processing circuitry 310 may further be provided as at least one application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or field programmable gate array (FPGA).

Particularly, the processing circuitry 310 is configured to cause the network node 300 to perform a set of operations, or steps, as disclosed above. For example, the storage medium 330 may store the set of operations, and the processing circuitry 310 may be configured to retrieve the set of operations from the storage medium 330 to cause the network node 300 to perform the set of operations. The set of operations may be provided as a set of executable instructions. Thus the processing circuitry 310 is thereby arranged to execute methods as herein disclosed.

The storage medium 330 may also comprise persistent storage, which, for example, can be any single one or combination of magnetic memory, optical memory, solid state memory or even remotely mounted memory.

The network node 300 may further comprise a communications interface 320 for communications with other entities, functions, nodes, and devices, such as with individual transceiver devices 200 as well as with an RVUE 400 constituted by a group of transceiver devices 200. As such the communications interface 320 may comprise one or more transmitters and receivers, comprising analogue and digital components.

The processing circuitry 310 controls the general operation of the network node 300 e.g. by sending data and control signals to the communications interface 320 and the storage medium 330, by receiving data and reports from the communications interface 320, and by retrieving data and instructions from the storage medium 330. Other components, as well as the related functionality, of the network node 300 are omitted in order not to obscure the concepts presented herein.

Fig. 13 schematically illustrates, in terms of a number of functional modules, the components of a network node 300 according to an embodiment. The network node 300 of Fig. 13 comprises a number of functional modules; a signal module 310a configured to perform action S102, a configure module 310b configured to perform action S204, and a send module 31 Od configured to perform action S208. The network node 300 of Fig. 13 may further comprise a number of optional functional modules, such as a send module 310c configured to perform action S206. In general terms, each functional module 310a:31 Od may be implemented in hardware or in software. Preferably, one or more or all functional modules 310a:31 Od may be implemented by the processing circuitry 310, possibly in cooperation with the communications interface 320 and/or the storage medium 330. The processing circuitry 310 may thus be arranged to from the storage medium 330 fetch instructions as provided by a functional module 310a:31 Od and to execute these instructions, thereby performing any actions of the network node 300 as disclosed herein. The network node 300 may be provided as a standalone device or as a part of at least one further device. For example, the network node 300 may be provided in a node of the radio access network or in a node of the core network. Alternatively, functionality of the network node 300 may be distributed between at least two devices, or nodes. These at least two nodes, or devices, may either be part of the same network part (such as the radio access network or the core network) or may be spread between at least two such network parts. In general terms, instructions that are required to be performed in real time may be performed in a device, or node, operatively closer to the cell than instructions that are not required to be performed in real time.

Thus, a first portion of the instructions performed by the network node 300 may be executed in a first device, and a second portion of the instructions performed by the network node 300 may be executed in a second device; the herein disclosed embodiments are not limited to any particular number of devices on which the instructions performed by the network node 300 may be executed. Hence, the methods according to the herein disclosed embodiments are suitable to be performed by a network node 300 residing in a cloud computational environment. Therefore, although a single processing circuitry 310 is illustrated in Fig. 12 the processing circuitry 310 may be distributed among a plurality of devices, or nodes. The same applies to the functional modules 310a:31 Od of Fig. 13 and the computer program 1420b of Fig. 14.

Some (radio) access network architectures define network nodes (or gNBs) comprising multiple component parts or nodes: a central unit (CU), one or more distributed units (DUs), and one or more radio units (RUs). The protocol layer stack of the network node is divided between the CU, the DUs and the RUs, with one or more lower layers of the stack implemented in the RUs, and one or more higher layers of the stack implemented in the CU and/or DUs. The CU is coupled to the DUs via a fronthaul higher layer split (HLS) network; the CU/DUs are connected to the RUs via a fronthaul lower-layer split (LLS) network. The DU may be combined with the CU in some embodiments, where a combined DU/CU may be referred to as a CU or simply a baseband unit. A communication link for communication of user data messages or packets between the RU and the baseband unit, CU, or DU is referred to as a fronthaul network or interface. Messages or packets may be transmitted from the network node 300 in the downlink (i.e., from the CU to the RU) or received by the network node 300 in the uplink (i.e., from the RU to the CU).

Fig. 14 shows one example of a computer program product 1410a, 1410b comprising computer readable means 1430. On this computer readable means 1430, a computer program 1420a can be stored, which computer program 1420a can cause the processing circuitry 210 and thereto operatively coupled entities and devices, such as the communications interface 220 and the storage medium 230, to execute methods according to embodiments described herein. The computer program 1420a and/or computer program product 1410a may thus provide means for performing any steps of the transceiver device 200 as herein disclosed. On this computer readable means 1430, a computer program 1420b can be stored, which computer program 1420b can cause the processing circuitry 310 and thereto operatively coupled entities and devices, such as the communications interface 320 and the storage medium 330, to execute methods according to embodiments described herein. The computer program 1420b and/or computer program product 1410b may thus provide means for performing any steps of the network node 300 as herein disclosed.

In the example of Fig. 14, the computer program product 1410a, 1410b is illustrated as an optical disc, such as a CD (compact disc) or a DVD (digital versatile disc) or a Blu-Ray disc. The computer program product 1410a, 1410b could also be embodied as a memory, such as a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory

(ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), or an electrically erasable programmable readonly memory (EEPROM) and more particularly as a non-volatile storage medium of a device in an external memory such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory or a Flash memory, such as a compact Flash memory. Thus, while the computer program 1420a, 1420b is here schematically shown as a track on the depicted optical disk, the computer program 1420a, 1420b can be stored in any way which is suitable for the computer program product 1410a, 1410b.

The inventive concept has mainly been described above with reference to a few embodiments. However, as is readily appreciated by a person skilled in the art, other embodiments than the ones disclosed above are equally possible within the scope of the inventive concept, as defined by the appended patent claims.

Claims

1. A method for downlink reception from a network node (300), wherein the method is performed by a transceiver device (200), and wherein the method comprises: exchanging (S104) signaling with the network node (300) to form a RVUE (400), constituted by a group of transceiver devices (200), wherein the transceiver device (200) is part of the group of transceiver devices (200), and wherein the signaling at least indicates number of antenna ports available for communication with the network node (300) per transceiver device (200) in the group of transceiver devices (200); receiving (S106) configuration from the network node (300) for the RVUE (400) to receive downlink transmission from the network node (300), wherein the configuration at least indicates which at least one transceiver device (200) in the group of transceiver devices (200) to be activated for reception of downlink transmission from the network node (300); and receiving (S112) the downlink transmission from the network node (300) in accordance with the received configuration.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the signaling further indicates support of receiving the downlink transmission with joint receiver signaling processing over two or more of the transceiver devices (200) in the group of transceiver devices (200).

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the signaling further indicates any of: number of transceiver devices (200) in the group of transceiver devices (200), receiver processing capability per transceiver device (200) in the group of transceiver devices (200), joint receiver processing capabilities among the transceiver devices (200) in the group of transceiver devices (200), communication capabilities for communication between the transceiver devices (200) in the group of transceiver devices (200), supported bandwidth per transceiver device (200) in the group of transceiver devices (200), battery status per transceiver device (200) in the group of transceiver devices (200).

4. The method according to any preceding claim, wherein the configuration further indicates any of: maximum downlink transmission rank for the RVUE (400), maximum downlink transmission rank per transceiver device (200) of the RVUE (400), mapping of layers to the transceiver devices (200) of the RVUE (400), total number of layers for the RVUE (400), total number of layers per transceiver device (200) of the RVUE (400), mapping of layers to transceiver devices (200) of the RVUE (400).

5. The method according to any preceding claim, wherein the number of antenna available ports is less than total number of antenna ports of the RVUE (400), and wherein the method further comprises: selecting (S102) the number of available antenna ports from all antenna ports of the RVUE (400).

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the selecting is based on at least one of: signal quality, capacity, of signaling interfaces between the transceiver devices (200) in the group of transceiver devices (200).

7. The method according to any preceding claim, wherein the method further comprises: receiving (S108) a trigger message from the network node (300) to receive the downlink transmission from the network node (300).

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the method further comprises: communicating (S110) with other transceiver devices (200) in the group of transceiver devices (200) to inform said other transceiver devices (200) to receive the downlink transmission from the network node (300).

9. The method according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the trigger message is part of the configuration received from the network node (300).

10. The method according to claim 7, 8 or 9, wherein the downlink transmission is composed of layers, and wherein the trigger message indicates which layer of the downlink transmission that is associated with which group of transceiver devices (200).

11 . The method according to any preceding claim, wherein the downlink transmission is received from the network node (300) by at least one other transceiver device (200) in the group of transceiver devices (200), and wherein the method further comprises: receiving (S114) the downlink transmission as received by said at least one other transceiver device (200) from said at least one other transceiver device (200); and jointly processing (S116) the downlink transmission as received by the transceiver device (200) and the downlink transmission as received from said at least one other transceiver device (200).

12. The method according to any of claims 1 to 10, wherein the method further comprises: providing (S118) the received downlink transmission to at least one other transceiver device (200) in the group of transceiver devices (200), wherein said at least one other transceiver device (200) was not activated for reception of the downlink transmission from the network node (300).

13. The method according to any preceding claim, wherein at least one of the transceiver devices (200) in the group of transceiver devices (200) comprises a cellular modem and has a cellular network identity.

14. The method according to any preceding claim, wherein each of the transceiver devices (200) in the group of transceiver devices (200) comprises a signaling interface for non-cell ular communication with other transceiver devices (200) in the group of transceiver devices (200).

15. A method for downlink transmission towards a group of transceiver devices (200), wherein the method is performed by a network node (300), and wherein the method comprises: exchanging (S202) signaling with one of the transceiver devices (200) in the group of transceiver devices (200) to form a RVUE (400), constituted by the group of transceiver devices (200), wherein the signaling at least indicates number of antenna ports available for communication with the network node (300) per transceiver device (200) in the group of transceiver devices (200); configuring (S204) the RVUE (400) to receive downlink transmission from the network node (300), wherein the RVUE (400) is configured as a function of the number of antenna ports available for communication with the network node (300) per transceiver device (200) in the group of transceiver devices (200), wherein the configuring at least indicates which at least one transceiver device (200) in the group of transceiver devices (200) to be activated for reception of downlink transmission from the network node (300); and performing (S208) the downlink transmission towards the RVUE (400).

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the signaling further indicates support of receiving the downlink transmission with joint receiver signaling processing over two or more of the transceiver devices (200) in the group of transceiver devices (200).

17. The method according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the signaling further indicates any of: number of transceiver devices (200) in the group of transceiver devices (200), receiver processing capability per transceiver device (200) in the group of transceiver devices (200), joint receiver processing capabilities among the transceiver devices (200) in the group of transceiver devices (200), communication capabilities for communication between the transceiver devices (200) in the group of transceiver devices (200), supported bandwidth per transceiver device (200) in the group of transceiver devices (200), battery status per transceiver device (200) in the group of transceiver devices (200).

18. The method according to any of claims 15 to 17, wherein the configuration further indicates any of: maximum downlink transmission rank for the RVUE (400), maximum downlink transmission rank per transceiver device (200) of the RVUE (400), mapping of layers to the transceiver devices (200) of the RVUE (400), total number of layers for the RVUE (400), total number of layers per transceiver device (200) of the RVUE (400), mapping of layers to transceiver devices (200) of the RVUE (400).

19. The method according to any of claims 15 to 18, wherein the method further comprises: sending (S206) a trigger message towards the RVUE (400) for the RVUE (400) to receive the downlink transmission from the network node (300).

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the trigger message is sent as part of configuring the RVUE (400).

21. The method according to claim 19 or 20, wherein the downlink transmission is composed of layers, and wherein the trigger message indicates which layer of the downlink transmission that is associated with which group of transceiver devices (200).

22. The method according to claim 21, wherein the downlink transmission is simultaneously performed towards at least two groups of transceiver devices (200) in the RVUE (400), where the downlink transmission is performed in one layer per group of transceiver devices (200).

23. A transceiver device (200) for downlink reception from a network node (300), the transceiver device (200) comprising processing circuitry (210), the processing circuitry being configured to cause the transceiver device (200) to: exchange signaling with the network node (300) to form a RVUE (400), constituted by a group of transceiver devices (200), wherein the transceiver device (200) is part of the group of transceiver devices (200), and wherein the signaling at least indicates number of antenna ports available for communication with the network node (300) per transceiver device (200) in the group of transceiver devices (200); receive configuration from the network node (300) for the RVUE (400) to receive downlink transmission from the network node (300), wherein the configuration at least indicates which at least one transceiver device (200) in the group of transceiver devices (200) to be activated for reception of downlink transmission from the network node (300); and receive the downlink transmission from the network node (300) in accordance with the received configuration.

24. A transceiver device (200) for downlink reception from a network node (300), the transceiver device (200) comprising: a signal module (210b) configured to exchange signaling with the network node (300) to form a RVUE (400), constituted by a group of transceiver devices (200), wherein the transceiver device (200) is part of the group of transceiver devices (200), and wherein the signaling at least indicates number of antenna ports available for communication with the network node (300) per transceiver device (200) in the group of transceiver devices (200); a receive module (210c) configured to receive configuration from the network node (300) for the RVUE (400) to receive downlink transmission from the network node (300), wherein the configuration at least indicates which at least one transceiver device (200) in the group of transceiver devices (200) to be activated for reception of downlink transmission from the network node (300); and a receive module (21 Of) configured to receive the downlink transmission from the network node (300) in accordance with the received configuration.

25. The transceiver device (200) according to claim 23 or 24, further being configured to perform the method according to any of claims 2 to 14.

26. A network node (300) for downlink transmission towards a group of transceiver devices (200), the network node (300) comprising processing circuitry (310), the processing circuitry being configured to cause the network node (300) to: exchange signaling with one of the transceiver devices (200) in the group of transceiver devices (200) to form a RVUE (400), constituted by the group of transceiver devices (200), wherein the signaling at least indicates number of antenna ports available for communication with the network node (300) per transceiver device (200) in the group of transceiver devices (200); configure the RVUE (400) to receive downlink transmission from the network node (300), wherein the RVUE (400) is configured as a function of the number of antenna ports available for communication with the network node (300) per transceiver device (200) in the group of transceiver devices (200), wherein the configuring at least indicates which at least one transceiver device (200) in the group of transceiver devices (200) to be activated for reception of downlink transmission from the network node (300); and perform the downlink transmission towards the RVUE (400).

27. A network node (300) for downlink transmission towards a group of transceiver devices (200), the network node (300) comprising: a signal module (310a) configured to exchange signaling with one of the transceiver devices (200) in the group of transceiver devices (200) to form a RVUE (400), constituted by the group of transceiver devices (200), wherein the signaling at least indicates number of antenna ports available for communication with the network node (300) per transceiver device (200) in the group of transceiver devices (200); a configure module (310b) configured to configure the RVUE (400) to receive downlink transmission from the network node (300), wherein the RVUE (400) is configured as a function of the number of antenna ports available for communication with the network node (300) per transceiver device (200) in the group of transceiver devices (200), wherein the configuring at least indicates which at least one transceiver device (200) in the group of transceiver devices (200) to be activated for reception of downlink transmission from the network node (300); and a send module (31 Od) configured to perform the downlink transmission towards the RVUE (400).

28. The network node (300) according to claim 26 or 27, further being configured to perform the method according to any of claims 16 to 22.

29. A computer program (1420a) for downlink reception from a network node (300), the computer program comprising computer code which, when run on processing circuitry (210) of a transceiver device (200), causes the transceiver device (200) to: exchange (S104) signaling with the network node (300) to form a RVUE (400), constituted by a group of transceiver devices (200), wherein the transceiver device (200) is part of the group of transceiver devices (200), and wherein the signaling at least indicates number of antenna ports available for communication with the network node (300) per transceiver device (200) in the group of transceiver devices (200); receive (S106) configuration from the network node (300) for the RVUE (400) to receive downlink transmission from the network node (300), wherein the configuration at least indicates which at least one transceiver device (200) in the group of transceiver devices (200) to be activated for reception of downlink transmission from the network node (300); and receive (S112) the downlink transmission from the network node (300) in accordance with the received configuration.

30. A computer program (1420b) for downlink transmission towards a group of transceiver devices (200), the computer program comprising computer code which, when run on processing circuitry (310) of a network node (300), causes the network node (300) to: exchange (S202) signaling with one of the transceiver devices (200) in the group of transceiver devices (200) to form a RVUE (400), constituted by the group of transceiver devices (200), wherein the signaling at least indicates number of antenna ports available for communication with the network node (300) per transceiver device (200) in the group of transceiver devices (200); configure (S204) the RVUE (400) to receive downlink transmission from the network node (300), wherein the RVUE (400) is configured as a function of the number of antenna ports available for communication with the network node (300) per transceiver device (200) in the group of transceiver devices (200), wherein the configuring at least indicates which at least one transceiver device (200) in the group of transceiver devices (200) to be activated for reception of downlink transmission from the network node (300); and perform (S208) the downlink transmission towards the RVUE (400).

31. A computer program product (1410a, 1410b) comprising a computer program (1420a, 1420b) according to at least one of claims 29 and 30, and a computer readable storage medium (1430) on which the computer program is stored.