GB2548922A

GB2548922A - Resource block allocation for uplink communications

Info

Publication number: GB2548922A
Application number: GB1605638.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Liu Guang
Original assignee: TCL Communication Ltd
Current assignee: TCL Communication Ltd
Priority date: 2016-04-01
Filing date: 2016-04-01
Publication date: 2017-10-04
Anticipated expiration: 2036-04-01
Also published as: CN109156001A; CN109156001B; GB2548922B; WO2017166998A1

Abstract

Allocating resource blocks (RBs) to a plurality of user equipment (UEs) transmitting uplink data to a base station over a frequency bandwidth of unlicensed radio spectrum, comprising: allocating one or more full interlaces of a set of predefined interlaces to the UE for an uplink transmission when the number of RBs required for the uplink transmission is greater than or equal to a total number of non-contiguous RBs of one or more interlaces, wherein the total number of non-contiguous RBs for each of the one or more interlaces are available; allocating, for any further RBs required for the UE uplink data transmission, a partial interlace to the UE when the number of further RBs required for the uplink transmission is less than the number of available non-contiguous RBs of the interlace, wherein the partial interface defines a subset of available RBs of an interlace of the set of predefined interlaces; and, allocating a partial interlace to the UE when the total number of RBs required for the uplink transmission is less than the total number of available non-contiguous RBs of the interlace; and, sending a resource information message to each UE, including data representative of the set of RBs allocated.

Description

RESOURCE BLOCK ALLOCATION FOR UPLINK COMMUNICATIONS

Technical Field [0001] Embodiments or examples of the present invention generally relate to allocating resource blocks (RBs) for uplink transmissions using unlicensed radio spectrum in a telecommunications network. In particular, allocating the RBs based on one or more interlaces with available RBs being allocated to each of a plurality of user equipment (UEs) served by a base station, where the UEs use the allocated RBs for transmitting uplink data to the base station.

Background [0002] Current telecommunications networks operate using licensed radio spectrum in which multiple accesses to the communications resources of the licensed radio spectrum is strictly controlled. Each user of the network is essentially provided a “slice” of the spectrum using a variety of multiple access techniques such as, by way of example only but not limited to, frequency division multiplexing, time division multiplexing, code division multiplexing, and space division multiplexing ora combination of one or more of these techniques. Even with a combination of these techniques, with the popularity of mobile telecommunications, the capacity of current and future telecommunications networks is still very limited, especially when using licensed radio spectrum.

[0003] The use of unlicensed radio spectrum may be used by telecommunication network operators in order to increase or supplement the capacity of their telecommunications networks. For example, a telecommunication network based on the Long Term Evolution (LTE)/LTE advanced standards have an enhanced downlink that uses a mechanism called Licensed-Assisted-Access (LAA) to operate on unlicensed spectrum such as the 5GHz Wi-Fi radio spectrum, which may increase the downlink capacity of current networks operating in the licensed radio spectrum. This enables the operation of a telecommunication network based on LTE in the 5GHz unlicensed spectrum for low power secondary cells based on regional regulatory power limits using carrier aggregation.

[0004] Nevertheless, network operators are not allowed to have unfettered access or use of unlicensed spectrum because they must share the unlicensed spectrum with other wireless devices such as, by way of example only but not limited to, Wi-Fi access points and terminals, medical devices, utilities meters, wireless machine-to-machine devices, Internet-of-things devices. Thus, a compromise has been struck between network operators and the governing bodies of the radio spectrum in relation to the use of unlicensed spectrum. Network operators must comply with various telecommunications regulations in order to make use of the unlicensed spectrum.

[0005] Currently there are two main regulations in sections 4.3 and 4.4 of the ETSI EN 301 893 VI .7.2 (2014-07) “Broadband Radio Access Networks (BRAN); 5 GHz high performance RLAN; Harmonized EN covering the essential requirements of article 3.2 of the R&TTE Directive” draft standard that each uplink (UL) wireless communication unit should comply with for the UL when using the unlicensed spectrum. The first regulation, in section 4.3 ETSI EN 301 893 VI .7.2 (2014-07), the output signal of each wireless communication unit must be able to occupy at least 80% of the whole bandwidth. Even when only 2 RBs are allocated to one terminal, they must be located with enough distance in between, e.g., one RB at the left end and the other on the right end of the system bandwidth, while they could be located anywhere next to each other currently.

[0006] The second regulation, in section 4.4 ETSI EN 301 893 VI .7.2 (2014-07), describes the power density per MHz is limited to a certain level measured in dBm (e.g., lOdBm), this means even only one RB (e.g. 180KHz) needs to be sent and the UE cannot use full power (e.g., 23dBm) To use more power, it is expected that the UE distributes the subcarriers in frequency in a way that they are mapped into as many “MHz” as possible.

[0007] Although the following description describes, by way of example only but is not limited to, the use of Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiple Access (OFDMA), single-carrier and multicarrier transmitters/receivers based on OFDM and other carrier formats, it is to be appreciated by the skilled person that the following description may be applied, not only to OFDMA or other related systems, but also to other communication systems, receivers and transmitters, such as, by way of example only but is not limited to. Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) systems, time division multiple access (TDMA) systems, any other Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA) systems, or Space Division Multiple Access (SDMA) systems, or any other suitable communication system or combinations thereof.

[0008] For LAA with 20MHz bandwidth, with a total of 100 RBs for allocation to each UE, there have been several proposals to only allocate a limited set of RB mappings or interlace patterns that satisfy the above regulations. Each RB mapping or interlace pattern corresponds to a particular number of RBs that may be allocated to the UE. When the number of RBs required by a UE is not one of these particular numbers, padding bits are added until an interlace pattern is fully occupied by that UE. The result is reduced flexibility when allocating RBs to each UE that adversely impacts the uplink RB allocation efficiency and hence possible capacity of the UL of the unlicensed spectrum. Therefore, there is a desire to improve the RB allocation efficiency and uplink capacity of the telecommunication network.

Summary [0009] This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0010] Methods and apparatus and are provided for allocating resource blocks (RBs) to a plurality of user equipment (UEs) transmitting uplink data to a base station (BS) in a telecommunication network over a frequency bandwidth (FBW) of unlicensed radio spectrum.

The FBW includes a plurality of contiguous RBs spanning the FBW. A BS is configured to receive from each of the UEs, a request representing data indicative of a number of RBs required by said each UE for transmitting uplink data; allocate, for each UE, a set of RBs based on a set of predefined interlaces with available RBs for the uplink transmission, each interlace in the set of predefined interlaces defining a unique plurality of non-contiguous RBs selected from the plurality of contiguous RBs. The BS allocates the set of RBs for each UE further includes: allocating one or more full interlaces of the set of predefined interlaces to the UE for the uplink transmission when the number of RBs required for the uplink transmission is greater than or equal to a total number of non-contiguous RBs of one or more interlaces. The total number of non-contiguous RBs for each of the one or more interlaces are available. The BS allocates, for any further RBs required for the UE uplink data transmission, a partial interlace to the UE when the number of further RBs required for the uplink transmission is less than the number of available noncontiguous RBs of the interlace. The partial interface defines a subset of available RBs of an interlace of the set of predefined interlaces. The BS allocates a partial interlace to the UE when the total number of RBs required for the uplink transmission is less than the total number of available non-contiguous RBs of the interlace; and sending a resource information message to each UE, the resource information message including data representative of the set of RBs allocated to that UE. The UE receives the resource information message and assigns RBs accordingly for the uplink transmission.

[0011] According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a method for allocating RBs, RBs, to a plurality of user equipment (UEs) transmitting uplink data to a base station in a telecommunication network over a frequency bandwidth of unlicensed radio spectrum, where the frequency bandwidth includes a plurality of contiguous RBs spanning the frequency bandwidth. The method, performed by the base station, comprising: receiving, from each of the UEs, a request representing data indicative of a number of RBs required by said each UE for transmitting uplink data; allocating, for each UE, a set of RBs based on a set of predefined interlaces with available RBs for the uplink transmission, each interlace in the set of predefined interlaces defining a unique plurality of non-contiguous RBs selected from the plurality of contiguous RBs, wherein allocating the set of RBs for each UE further comprises: allocating one or more full interlaces of the set of predefined interlaces to the UE for the uplink transmission when the number of RBs required for the uplink transmission is greater than or equal to a total number of non-contiguous RBs of one or more interlaces, wherein the total number of non-contiguous RBs for each of the one or more interlaces are available; allocating, for any further RBs required for the UE uplink data transmission, a partial interlace to the UE when the number of further RBs required for the uplink transmission is less than the number of available non-contiguous RBs of the interlace, wherein the partial interface defines a subset of available RBs of an interlace of the set of predefined interlaces; and allocating a partial interlace to the UE when the total number of RBs required for the uplink transmission is less than the total number of available non-contiguous RBs of the interlace; and sending a resource information message to each UE, the resource information message including data representative of the set of RBs allocated to that UE.

[0012] As an option, when one or more full interlaces are allocated to the UE, and allocating, for any further RBs required for the UE uplink data transmission, a partial interlace to the UE further comprises allocating the further RBs from a subset of available RBs of the partial interlace, wherein each RB of the subset of available RBs comprise the available RBs of the partial interlace that are closest in proximity to the center of the frequency bandwidth.

[0013] Optionally, when a partial interlace is allocated to the UE and the total number of RBs required for the uplink transmission is less than the total number of available non-contiguous RBs of the interlace, and allocating the partial interlace further comprises allocating the RBs required for the UE uplink data transmission from a subset of available RBs of the partial interlace, wherein each RB of the subset of available RBs comprise the available RBs of the partial interlace that are furthest in proximity from the center of the frequency bandwidth.

[0014] As another option, the subset of available RBs comprise two available RBs of the partial interlace that span at least 80% of the frequency bandwidth of the unlicensed frequency spectrum Optionally, the plurality of non-contiguous RBs for each interlace of the set of predefined interlaces span at least 80% of the frequency bandwidth. As another option, the set of predefined interlaces are allocated in a predefined order that maximises the output transmission power of each of the UEs.

[0015] Optionally, the plurality of contiguous RBs divides evenly into a set of contiguous groups of RBs, each group comprises the same number, Nc, of contiguous RBs, wherein the plurality of non-contiguous RBs defined by each predefined interlace includes one RB selected from the same RB position in each group of RBs, wherein the predefined interlaces are ordered such that a first interlace provides NT/Nc clusters of non-contiguous RBs, the second interlace when combined with the first interlace provides 2 NT/Nc clusters of non-contiguous RBs, and subsequent interlaces when combined with previously combined interlaces provides 2 NT/Nc clusters of non-contiguous RBs, and wherein a second last predefined interlace in the ordered set of predefined interlaces, when combined with all the previously combined interfaces, provides NT/Nc clusters of non-contiguous RBs, and wherein a last predefined interlace in the ordered set of predefined interlaces, when combined with all the previously combined interfaces, provides one cluster of RBs, and allocating the one or more interlaces or partial interlaces with available RBs according to the predefined order.

[0016] As an option, the plurality of contiguous RBs divide into a set of contiguous groups of RBs each group of a first set of contiguous groups of RBs comprises the same number, Nc, of contiguous RBs and another group of RBs comprises a second number, Nc1<Nc, of contiguous RBs, wherein the plurality of non-contiguous RBs defined by each of a first set of Ncl predefined interlaces includes one RB selected from the same RB position in each group of the first set of contiguous groups of RBs and the second group of RBs, wherein the plurality of non-contiguous RBs defined by each of a set of remaining Nc-Nci predefined interlaces includes one RB selected from the same RB position in each group of the first set of contiguous groups of RBs, wherein the predefined interlaces are ordered such that a first interlace provides floor(NT/Nc)+1 clusters of non-contiguous RBs, the second interlace when combined with the first interlace provides 2*floor(NT/Nc)+1 or 2*floor(NT/Nc) clusters of non-contiguous RBs, and subsequent interlaces when combined with previously combined interlaces provides 2*floor(NT/Nc)+1 or 2*floor(NT/Nc) clusters of non-contiguous RBs, and wherein a second last predefined interlace in the ordered set of predefined interlaces, when combined with all the previously combined interfaces, provides floor(NT/Nc)+1 clusters of non-contiguous RBs, and wherein a last predefined interlace in the ordered set of predefined interlaces, when combined with all the previously combined interfaces, provides one cluster of RBs, and allocating the one or more interlaces or partial interlaces with available RBs according to the predefined order.

[0017] As an option, the resource information message includes data representative of the set of RBs allocated to that UE, the data representative of the set of RBs further comprising data representative of an interface index identifying the first interlace allocated to the UE based on the predefined order and the number of interlaces allocated to the UE. As another option, the resource information message further includes data representative of an interlace index identifying one or more partial interlaces allocated to the UE based on the predefined order and whether the partial interlace is the first or the last interlace allocated to the UE.

[0018] Optionally, the resource information message for each UE further includes data from the group of: data identifying an interlace identifier of the first interlace allocated to the UE; data identifying the number of interlaces allocated to the UE; data identifying whether the first interlace allocated to the UE is a partial interlace; data identifying whether a partial interlace has been allocated other than the first interlace to the UE; and data identifying the set of RBs from any partial interlace allocated to the UE.

[0019] According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method for transmitting uplink data from a UE to a base station in a telecommunication network over a frequency bandwidth of uniicensed radio spectrum, wherein the frequency bandwidth comprises a plurality of contiguous RBs spanning the frequency bandwidth. The method including: transmitting, to the base station, a request representing data indicative of a number of RBs required by the UE for transmitting upiink data; receiving, from the base station, a resource information message comprising data representative of a set of RBs aliocated to the UE for transmitting the uplink data, the data representative of the set of RBs based on an aiiocated one or more interlaces of a set of predefined interiaces with avaiiabie RBs that have been aiiocated by the base station to the UE for the upiink transmission, each interiace in the set of predefined interlaces defining a unique plurality of non-contiguous RBs seiected from the piuraiity of contiguous RBs; assigning RBs from the piuraiity of contiguous RBs based on one or more fuii interiaces of the set of predefined interiaces aiiocated for the upiink transmission when the number of RBs required for the uplink transmission is greater than or equai to a totai number of non-contiguous RBs of one or more interiaces, wherein the totai number of non-contiguous RBs for each of the one or more interlaces are available; assigning, for any further RBs required for the UE uplink data transmission, one or more further RBs from the plurality of contiguous RBs based on a partial interlace allocated to the UE when the number of further RBs required for the uplink transmission is less than the number of available non-contiguous RBs of the interlace, wherein the partial interface defines a subset of available RBs of an interlace of the set of predefined interlaces; assigning RBs from the plurality of contiguous RBs based on a partial interlace allocated to the UE when the total number of RBs required for the uplink transmission is less than the total number of available non-contiguous RBs of the interlace; and transmitting the uplink data to the base station based on the assigned RBs.

[0020] As an option, when one or more full interlaces are allocated to the UE, and assigning, for any further RBs required for the UE uplink data transmission, one or more further RBs from plurality of contiguous RBs based on a partial interlace further comprises assigning the further RBs from a subset of available RBs of the partial interlace, wherein each RB of the subset of available RBs comprise the available RBs of the partial interlace that are closest in proximity to the center of the frequency bandwidth.

[0021] Optionally, when a partial interlace is allocated to the UE and the total number of RBs required for the uplink transmission is less than the total number of available non-contiguous RBs of the interlace, and assigning RBs from the plurality of contiguous RBs based on the partial interlace allocated to the UE further comprises assigning the RBs required for the UE uplink data transmission from a subset of available RBs of the partial interlace, wherein each RB of the subset of available RBs comprise the available RBs of the partial interlace that are furthest in proximity from the center of the frequency bandwidth.

[0022] As another option, the subset of available RBs comprise two available RBs of the partial interlace that span at least 80% of the frequency bandwidth of the unlicensed frequency spectrum, Optionally, the plurality of non-contiguous RBs for each interlace of the set of predefined interlaces span at least 80% of the frequency bandwidth.

[0023] As an option, the resource information message includes data representative of the set of RBs allocated to the LIE, the data representative of the set of RBs further comprising data representative of an interface index identifying the first interlace allocated to the UE based on a predefined order and the number of interlaces allocated to the UE. Optionally, the resource information message further includes data representative of an interlace index identifying one or more partial interlaces allocated to the UE based on a predefined order and whether the partial interlace is the first or the last interlace allocated to the UE.

[0024] As another option, the resource information message for the UE further includes data from the group of: data identifying an interlace identifier of the first interlace allocated to the UE; data identifying the number of interlaces allocated to the UE; data identifying whether the first interlace allocated to the UE is a partial interlace; data identifying whether a partial interlace has been allocated other than the first interlace to the UE; and data identifying the set of RBs from any partial interlace allocated to the UE.

[0025] According to further aspects of the invention there is provided a UE apparatus including a processor, a storage unit and a communications interface, where the processor unit, storage unit, and communications interface are configured to perform the method(s) as described or as described herein.

[0026] According to yet further aspects of the invention there is provided a base station apparatus including a processor, a storage unit and a communications interface, wherein the processor unit, storage unit, communications interface are configured to perform the method(s) as described or as described herein.

[0027] According to still further aspects of the invention there is provided a telecommunications network including a plurality of UEs configured as described with reference to the UE apparatus or as described herein, a plurality of base stations configured as described with reference to base station apparatus or as described herein, each base station configured for communicating with one or more of the plurality of UEs.

[0028] The methods described herein may be performed by software in machine readable form on a tangible storage medium or computer readable medium e.g. in the form of a computer program comprising computer program code means adapted to perform all the steps of any of the methods described herein when the program is run on a computer and where the computer program may be embodied on a computer readable medium. Examples of tangible (or non-transitory) storage media include disks, thumb drives, memory cards etc. and do not include propagated signals. The software can be suitable for execution on a parallel processor or a serial processor such that the method steps may be carried out in any suitable order, or simultaneously. For example, another other aspect of the invention there is provided a computer readable medium comprising a computer program, program code or instructions stored thereon, which when executed on a processor, causes the processor to perform a method for allocating RBs to each of a plurality of UEs for uplink data transmission to a base station using unlicensed radio spectrum and/or as described herein. In a further aspect of the invention there is provided a computer readable medium comprising a computer program, program code or instructions stored thereon, which when executed on a processor, causes the processor to perform a method for transmitting uplink data from a LIE to a base station using unlicensed radio spectrum and/or as described herein.

[0029] This acknowledges that firmware and software can be valuable, separately tradable commodities. It is intended to encompass software, which runs on or controls “dumb” or standard hardware, to carry out the desired functions. It is also intended to encompass software which “describes” or defines the configuration of hardware, such as HDL (hardware description language) software, as is used for designing silicon chips, or for configuring universal programmable chips, to carry out desired functions.

[0030] The preferred features may be combined as appropriate, as would be apparent to a skilled person, and may be combined with any of the aspects of the invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings [0031] Embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to, by way of example only but not limited to, the following drawings, in which: [0032] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a telecommunications network; [0033] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of an example RB structure for the uplink and/or downlink of the telecommunications network of figure 1; [0034] Figure 3a is a schematic diagram of an example set of predefined interlaces: [0035] Figure 3b is a schematic diagram of an example conventional interlace-based solution using padding bits based on the predefined interlaces of figure 3a; [0036] Figure 4a is a flow diagram of an example process for allocating RBs according to the invention; [0037] Figure 4b is a flow diagram of an example process for using scheduled RBs according to the invention; [0038] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of allocating RBs according to the invention; [0039] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating another example of allocating RBs according to the invention; [0040] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example allocation pattern for use in allocating RBs according to the invention; [0041] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of allocating RBs according to the invention; [0042] Figures 9a and 9b are graphs illustrating performance results comparing the conventional interlace-based solution using padding bits with the partial interlace allocation scheme according to the invention; [0043] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of a base station device for implementing one or more aspects or functions of the invention; and [0044] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of a UE device for implementing one or more aspects or functions of the invention.

[0045] Common reference numerals are used throughout the figures to indicate similar features. Detailed Description [0046] Embodiments of the present invention are described below by way of example only.

These examples represent the best ways of putting the invention into practice that are currently known to the Applicant although they are not the only ways in which this could be achieved. The description sets forth the functions of the example and the sequence of steps for constructing and operating the example. However, the same or equivalent functions and sequences may be accomplished by different examples.

[0047] The inventors have found that it is possible to improve allocation of communication resources associated with a frequency bandwidth of unlicensed radio spectrum for a telecommunications network such that end user equipment devices (UEs) meet the requirements of the standards regulating the unlicensed radio spectrum whilst providing improvements in the network capacity of the frequency bandwidth of the unlicensed radio spectrum for multiple users. A UE may comprise or represent any portable computing device for communications. Examples of UEs that may be used in certain embodiments of the described apparatus, methods and systems may be wired or wireless devices such as mobile devices, mobile phones, terminals, smart phones, portable computing devices such as laptops, handheld devices, tablets, tablet computers, netbooks, phablets, personal digital assistants, music players, and other computing devices capable of wired or wireless communications.

[0048] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a telecommunications network 100 comprising telecommunications infrastmcture 102 (e.g. telecoms, infrastructure 102), a plurality of communication network nodes 104a-104m with cells 106a-106m for serving a plurality of UEs 108a-108l. The plurality of communication network nodes 104a-104m are connected by links to the telecommunications infrastmcture 102. The links may be wired or wireless (for example, radio communications links, optical fibre, etc.). The telecommunications infrastructure 102 may include one or more core network(s) that may be in communication with one or more radio access network(s) including the plurality of network nodes 104a-104m.

[0049] In this example, the network nodes 104a-104m are illustrated as base stations, which, by way of example only but not limited to, in a Long Term Evolution (LTE) Advanced telecommunications network may be eNodeBs (eNBs). The plurality of network nodes 104a-104m (e.g. base stations) each have a footprint indicated schematically in figure 1 as corresponding hexagonal cells 106a-106m for serving one or more of the UEs 108a-108l. UEs 108a-108l are able to receive services from the telecommunications network 100 such as voice, video, audio and other services.

[0050] Telecommunications network 100 may comprise or represent any one or more communication network(s) used for communications between UEs 108a-108l and other devices, content sources or servers that are connected to the telecommunications network 100. The telecommunication infrastructure 102 may also comprise or represent any one or more communication network(s), one or more network nodes, entities, elements, application servers, servers, base stations or other network devices that are linked, coupled or connected to form telecommunications network 100. The coupling or links between network nodes may be wired or wireless (for example, radio communications links, optical fibre, etc.). The telecommunication network 100 and telecommunication infrastructure 102 may include any suitable combination of core network(s) and radio access network(s) including network nodes or entities, base stations, access points, etc. that enable communications between the UEs 108a-108l, network nodes 104a-104m of the telecommunication network 100 and telecommunication infrastructure 102, content sources and/or other devices connecting to the network 100.

[0051] Examples of telecommunication network 100 that may be used in certain embodiments of the described apparatus, methods and systems may be at least one communication network or combination thereof including, but not limited to, one or more wired and/or wireless telecommunication network(s), one or more core network(s), one or more radio access network(s), one or more computer networks, one or more data communication network(s), the Internet, the telephone network, wireless network(s) such as the WiMAX, WLAN(s) based on, by way of example only, the IEEE 802.11 standards and/or Wi-Fi networks, or Internet Protocol (IP) networks, packet-switched networks or enhanced packet switched networks, IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) networks, or communications networks based on wireless, cellular or satellite technologies such as mobile networks. Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), GPRS networks. Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (W-CDMA), CDMA2000 or Long Term Evolution (LTE)/LTE Advanced networks or any 2nd, 3'^'’, 4*'^ or 5*'^ Generation and beyond type communication networks and the like.

[0052] In the example of figure 1, the telecommunications network may be, by way of example only but is not limited to, an LTE/LTE advanced communication network that uses orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) technologies for the downlink and uplink channels. The downlink may include one or more communication channels) for transmitting data from one or more base stations 104a-104m to one or more UEs 108a-108l. Typically, a downlink channel is a communication channel for transmitting data, for example, from a base station 104a to a LIE 108a. In LTE/LTE advanced communication networks, the multiple access method used in the downlink may be orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA).

[0053] The uplink may include one or more communication channel(s) for transmitting data from one or more UE(s) 108a-108l to one or more base station(s) 104a-104m. The LTE/LTE advanced uplink may use single-carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) mode, which is similar to OFDMA. Typically, an uplink channel is a communication channel for transmitting data, for example, from a UE 108a to a base station 108a. In OFDM, multi-carrier transmission is used to carry data in the form of OFDM symbols over the uplink and downlink channels. For example, an uplink channel or downlink channel between LIE 108a and base station 104a may comprise or represent one or more narrowband carriers in which each narrowband carrier may further include a plurality of narrowband sub-carriers. This is known as multi-carrier transmission. Each of the narrowband sub-carriers is used for transmitting data in the form of OFDM symbols.

[0054] Both the uplink and downlink for LTE/LTE advanced networks are divided into radio frames (e.g. each frame may be 10ms in length), in which each frame may be divided into a plurality of subframes. For example, each frame may include ten subframes of equal length, with each subframe consisting of a number of time slots (e.g. 2 slots) for transmitting data. In addition to the time slots, a subframe may include several additional special fields or OFDM symbols that may include, by way of example only, downlink synchronization symbols (s), broadcast symbol(s). and/or uplink reference symbol (s). For OFDMA, the smallest resource unit or element in the time domain is an OFDM symbol for the downlink and an SC-FDMA symbol for the uplink.

[0055] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a communication resource grid 200 in the frequency and time domain of a time slot 202 of a radio frame for when the telecommunications network 100 as described with reference to figure 1 may be an LTE/LTE Advanced network. The frequency domain is on the y axis of the communication resource grid 200 and the time domain is the X axis of the communication resource grid 200. The communication resource grid 200 for the time slot 202 may represent one carrier of a plurality of carriers in the frequency domain. The communication resource grid 200 includes a plurality of RBs in which each RB 204 may be associated with a particular carrier frequency of the plurality of carriers.

[0056] Each carrier for uplink communications may be divided into a number, Nrb, of one or more RBs in which each RB 204 has a plurality of subcarriers, e.g. each RB 204 may have a number, Nsc, of one or more subcarriers, in which each subcarrier may be offset from the carrier frequency associated with the RB 204. Each carrier includes a number of Nrb x Nsc subcarriers (i.e. a plurality of subcarriers) associated with one or more RB(s) 204. Each RB 204 may be represented by a subset of the plurality of subcarriers, e.g. Nsc subcarriers, in the frequency domain and a plurality of symbols over the time slot 202, e.g. Nsymb symbols, in which each symbol has a symbol period.

[0057] The RB 204 defines a grid in the frequency and time domain of Nsc x Nsymb resource elements 206. For RB 204, a resource element 206 corresponds to a particular subcarrier of the Nsc subcarriers and a particular symbol of the Nsymb symbols overtime slot 202. The communications resources that may be allocated and assigned to a UE may be based on the communication resource grid 200 and are typically assigned in terms of one or more RBs/subcarriers associated with a corresponding carrier. The communication resources may be described in terms of one or more carrier(s), one or more subcarrier(s), and/or one or more RB(s).

[0058] The communication resource grid 200 for the downlink and uplink are effectively the same type of structure, with some slight differences. For example, the downlink for LTE/LTE Advanced networks typically uses OFDM multiple access, hence the downlink may use OFDM symbols in the time domain. The uplink for LTE-LTE Advanced networks typically uses SC-FDMA for accessing the uplink, and so SC-FDMA symbols may be used in the time domain. Although this may be the case for current LTE/LTE Advanced networks, it is to be appreciated by the person skilled in the art that any type of OFDM/SC-FDMA type symbols and the like may be used in the uplink.

[0059] Referring to figures 1 and 2, typically, in LTE networks, communication resources may be allocated by base stations 104a-104m (e.g. eNBs) to UEs 108a-108l in terms of a list of carriers and/or RBs 204. For example, in current LTE network(s), the smallest dimensional unit for assigning resources in the frequency domain is a RB with bandwidth 180kHz, which corresponds to Nsc =12 subcarriers, each at 15kHz offset from the carrier frequency associated with the RB. However, although LTE networks may assign communication resources in terms of a list of carriers or a number of one or more RBs, it is to be appreciated by the person skilled in the art that communication resources may be assigned in terms of one or more carriers, one or more RBs, one or more subcarriers, and/or, in future, in terms of one or more resource elements or any combination thereof.

[0060] As an example, for LAA with 20MHz bandwidth of unlicensed spectrum in which each RB is 180kHz, then a total of 100 RBs may be allocated by a base station to each UE. There have been several proposals to allocate a limited set of RB mappings or so-called interlaces that satisfy the two main regulations of sections 4.3 and 4.4 of the ETSI EN 301 893 VI .7.2 (2014-07) as described above. Each RB mapping or interlace corresponds to a particular number of RBs that may be allocated to the UE. When the number of RBs required by a UE is not one of these particular numbers, padding bits may be added until an interlace is fully occupied by that UE.

[0061] An interlace may be defined as a plurality of non-contiguous RBs selected from a plurality of contiguous RBs spanning an available frequency bandwidth of the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum. The interlace may be a pre-defined set of RBs selected to span the frequency bandwidth. The non-contiguous RBs may be selected in such a manner that the RBs span at least 80% of the available frequency bandwidth of the unlicensed radio frequency spectmm and/or satisfying the first main regulation of section 4.3 of the ETSI EN 301 893 VI .7.2 (2014-07) as described above. There may be a plurality of pre-defined interlaces in which each interlace defines a different plurality of non-contiguous RBs or a different set of RBs selected from the plurality of contiguous RBs. Typically, the set of RBs of each interlace are different to the sets of RBs of every other interlace. That is, each interlace may define a unique plurality of noncontiguous RBs from the plurality of contiguous RBs spanning the frequency bandwidth or a unique set of RBs.

[0062] Each interlace in a set of predefined interlaces may have a unique interlace identifier, which may be used by the base station when allocating RBs to a UE for uplink transmission over the frequency bandwidth of the unlicensed spectrum. If both the base station and the UE have knowledge of the set of predefined interlaces and corresponding interlace identifiers, then the base station can allocate a set of RBs by allocating an interlace or one or more interlaces to a UE using the corresponding interlace identifier rather than the exact RB position within the plurality of contiguous RBs. Thus, each allocated interlace defines a plurality of non-contiguous RBs that the UE may use for its uplink transmissions.

[0063] Figure 3a is a schematic diagram illustrating an example set of predefined interlaces 300 or use over a frequency bandwidth, Fbw, of unlicensed radio spectrum that may assist a LIE to satisfy the two regulation requirements and assist each UE to use more output power efficiently. The frequency bandwidth includes a plurality of contiguous RBs 204aa-204pj spanning the frequency bandwidth, in which each RB has an RB position or index 0<=]<=Ντ, where Nj is the total number of RBs in the plurality of contiguous RBs and Nt>1 . There may be a number Nc, where 0<Nc < Nj, of predefined interlaces in which each interlace is defined by an interlace identifier represented by #i, 0<=i<Nc. In this example, the interlace identifier #i defines the plurality of non-contiguous RBs by selecting a set of RBs from the plurality of contiguous RBs using RB positions or RB indexes defined by i, i+Nc, i+2*Nc, ..., i+(n-1)*Nc, where n=floor(NT/Nc) and when rem(NT/Nc)=0. When rem(NT/Nc)>0, then the interlace identifier #i may define the plurality of non-contiguous RBs by selecting a set of RBs from the plurality of contiguous RBs using RB positions or RB indexes defined by either a) i, i+Nc, i+2*Nc, ..., i+(n-1)*Nc, and i+n*Nc, where n=floor(NT/Nc) and i<rem(NT/Nc); orb) i, i+Nc, i+2*Nc, ..., i+(n-1)*Ncwhen i>=rem(NT/Nc). Each interlace Is a pre-defined set of RBs that are selected to span the frequency bandwidth, in which each set of RBs is unique compared with other sets of RBs defined by other interlaces. In addition to the above selection of RB positions, each set of RBs defined by each interlace may be further adjusted or manually modified or defined depending on design considerations.

[0064] For simplicity, figure 3a illustrates, by way of example only but Is not limited, an example set of predefined interlaces 300 in which Nj=100 and Nc=10. Although the examples herein use Nj=100 and Nc=10, this is for simplicity and by way of example only, It Is to be appreciated by the skilled person that any number may be used for Nj and Nc as long as 0<Nc<Nj. In this example, with Nj=100 and Nc=10, then this example set of predefined Interlaces can divide or split the total number, Nj, of the plurality of contiguous RBs 204aa-204jp evenly Into a number, Nc, of a plurality of contiguous groups of RBs 302a-302p (e.g. Group 1-Group 9) spanning the frequency bandwidth j ^BW" l^ this example, each group of RBs 302a-302p has the same number, Nc, of RBs and the RB mapping or the plurality of non-contiguous RBs defined by each interlace may be based on an RB position or index in each group of RBs 302a-302p within the number, Nc, of RBs that may be allocated from each group of RBs to each UE when that Interlace is allocated to the UE.

[0065] As described, each Interlace #i (i = 0, 1,2.....(Nc-1)=9) defines an RB mapping (unique set of RBs) or a plurality of non-contiguous RBs by selecting RBs at RB positions or indexes of i, i+10, i+20, ..., i+90, from the plurality of contiguous RBs. Alternatively, each interlace #i selects a plurality of non-contiguous RBs by selecting an RB at RB position i from each of the plurality of groups of RBs 302a-302p over the frequency bandwidth. In this example, each interlace defines an allocation of Nj/Nc RBs to each UE. Thus, the base station may select and allocate more than one interlace to a UE when allocating integer multiples of Nj/Nc RBs to the UE.

[0066] Thus, when interlace #0 (i=0) is selected for allocation to a UE, then the plurality of noncontiguous RBs for interlace #0 include RBs at RB positions 204aa, 204ab, 204ac, ..., 204ap (or RBs at RB positions or indexes of 0,10, 20,...,90. Similarly, when interlace #5 (i=5) is selected for allocation to a UE, then the plurality of non-contiguous RBs for interlace #5 include RBs at RB positions 204fa, 204fb, 204fc, ..., 204fp (or RBs at RB positions or indexes of 5, 15, 25,...,95. When interlace #9 (1=9) is selected for allocation to a UE, then the plurality of non-contiguous RBs

for interlace #9 includes RBs at RB positions 204ja, 204jb, 204jc.....204jp (or RBs at RB positions or indexes of 9, 19, 29,...,99).

[0067] Alternatively, in terms of groups of RBs 302a-202p (e.g. Groups 1-9), when interlace #0 (i=0) is selected for allocation to a UE, then the first RB at RB position 0 from each of the groups of RBs 302a-302p (e.g. RB 204aa from group 302a, RB 204ab from group 302b, RB 204ac from group 302c, and so on to RB 204ap from group 302p) is allocated to the UE. Similarly, when interlace pattern #5 (1=5) is selected, then the sixth RB (e.g. RB 204fa from group 302a, RB 204fb from group 302b, RB 204fc from group 302c, and so on to RB 204fp from group 302p) from each of the groups of RBs 302a-302p is selected for allocating to a UE. When interlace pattern #9 (i=9 or Nc-1) is selected, then the (Nc-I)th RB, i.e. the ninth RB (e.g. RB 204ja from group 302a, RB 204jb from group 302b, RB 204jc from group 302c, and so on to RB 204m from group 302p) from each of the groups of RBs 302a-302p is selected for allocation to a UE.

[0068] When rem(NT/Nc)>0, then the interlace identifier #i may define the plurality of noncontiguous RBs by selecting a set of RBs from the plurality of contiguous RBs using RB positions orRB indexes defined by i, i+Nc, i+2*Nc, ..., i+(n-1)*Nc, and i+n*Nc, where n=floor(NT/Nc), and when i<rem(NT/Nc).

[0069] Although the above example with Nt=100 and Nc=10 divides or splits the plurality of contiguous RBs 204aa-204m evenly into Nc groups of RBs 302a-302p, it is to be appreciated by the skilled person that other values of Nj and Nc may be used, but which may not evenly divide or split the plurality of contiguous RBs 204aa-204m spanning the frequency bandwidth, Few- Thus, when rem(NT/Nc)>0, and given that Nc defines the number of interlaces, the plurality of contiguous RBs may be divided into a set of contiguous groups of RBs 302a-302p including a first set of groups of contiguous RBs and a second group of RBs. The number of groups of RBs may be floor(NT/Nc)+1 groups of RBs. Each group of RBs in the first set of contiguous RBs may have a first number, Nc, of contiguous RBs. Each group of RBs in the second group of RBs may have a second number, rem(NT/Nc)<Nc, of contiguous RBs. Thus, the set of predefined interlaces may include a first set of predefined interlaces and a second set of predefined interlaces.

[0070] Each interlace #i in the first set of predefined interlaces defines a plurality of noncontiguous RBs by selecting a set of RBs from the plurality of contiguous RBs using RB positions or RB indexes defined by i, i+Nc, i+2*Nc, ..., i+(n-1)*Nc, and i+n*Nc, where n=floor(NT/Nc) and when 0<=i<rem(NT/Nc). The number of non-contiguous RBs for each interlace in the first set of interiaces is fioor(NT/Nc)+1 and the number of interlaces in the first set of interlaces is Nc1 = rem(NT/Nc). Each interlace #i in the second set of predefined interlaces defines a plurality of noncontiguous RBs by selecting a set of RBs from the plurality of contiguous RBs using RB positions or RB indexes defined by i, i+Nc, i+2*Nc, ..., i+(n-1)*Nc where n=floor(NT/Nc) and when rem(NT/Nc)<=i<=Nc-1. The number of non-contiguous RBs for each interlace in the second set of interlaces is Nc and the number of interlaces in the second set of interlaces is floor(NT/Nc).

[0071] For example, when the plurality of contiguous RBs of Nt=100 RBs are split into 8 interlaces, i.e. Nc=8, then there will be floor(NT/Nc)+1 or 13 groups of RBs split into a first set of 12 groups of RBs each having 8 contiguous RBs and a second group of RBs having 4 contiguous RBs. Note, that the number of RBs per interlace could be 12 or 13 for different interlaces. That is, interlaces #0, #1, #2 and #3 have 13 non-contiguous RBs whilst the remaining interlaces have 12 non-contiguous RBs.

[0072] It is noted that each interlace has or supports a certain or particular number of noncontiguous RBs. When a UE requires more than the number of non-contiguous RBs supported by an interlace, then more than one interlace may be selected by the base station for allocating the RBs to a UE for an uplink transmission. Then, only those RBs defined by each of the selected interlaces are allocated to the UE. For example, when Nt=100 and Nc=10, if interlace patterns #0 #5, and #Nc-1 are selected for allocating 3*Nc RBs (or 30 RBs) to the UE, then the first RB, sixth RB and last RB (e.g. RBs 204aa, 204fa and 204ja from group 302a, RBs 204ab, 204fb and 204jb from group 302b, RBs 204ac, 204fc and 204jc from group 302c, and so on to RBs 204ap, 204fp and 204m from group 302p) from each of the groups of RBs are allocated to the UE. Each interlace ensures at least one RB is allocated from the lower portion (e.g. group 302a) of the frequency bandwidth and at least one RB is allocated at the upper portion (e.g. group 302p) of the frequency bandwidth to satisfy the 80% requirement. In the example when Nj=100 RBs and Nc=8, the base station (or eNB) could allocate interlace #0 to UE if the required number of RBs for the UE uplink transmission is less than or equal to 13, or interlace #0 and interlace #5 if the required number of RBs for the UE uplink transmission is between 13 and 26, or interlace #0, #1 and #5 if the required number of RBs is between 26 and 39, and so on.

[0073] Figure 3b illustrates an example ordering 310 when combining one or more interlaces as illustrated in figure 3a for LAA when frequency bandwidth is Fbw=20 MHz, the total number of RBs 204aa-204m is Nj = 100 RBs and the number of interlaces is Nc=10, which means the number of groups of RBs 302a-302p, in this special case, is also Nc=10. For each interlace #i (i = 0, 1,2, ... 9), 10 non-contiguous RBs with RB positions or indexes as i, i+10, i+20.....i+90 over the frequency bandwidth belong to that interlace. If, by way of example only, a UE only requires the number, Nc=10, of RBs of one interlace, then the base station may select interlace #0 for allocating 10 RBs to that LIE. This is illustrated as interlace ordering A in figure 3b. For interlace ordering A, the first RB and the last RB span 16.38 MHz (=180 KHz per RB * 91 RBs) which is clearly greater than 80% of the nominal channel bandwidth of 20 MHz and there are 10 different “MHz” that are occupied so the permitted output power of the LIE can be up to 20dBm (=10dBm + 10*log10(10)).

[0074] As illustrated in Figure 3b, there are 10 different interlace orderings A-J based on the interlaces #i (i = 0, 1,2, ..., 9). Interlace ordering A is based on interlace #0, which provides Nc=10 clusters of RBs as shown in row A of interlace ordering A. Interlace ordering B is based on an ordering of interlaces #0 and #5, which provides 2Nc=20 clusters of RBs as shown in row B of interlace ordering B. Interlace ordering C is based on the ordering of interlaces #0, #5, and #1, which provides 2Nc=20 clusters of RBs as shown in row C of interlace ordering C. Interlace ordering D is based on the ordering of interlaces #0, #5, #1, and #6, which also provides 2Nc=20 clusters of RBs as shown in row D of interlace ordering D. Interlace ordering E is based on the ordering of interlaces #0, #5, #1, #6, and #2, which provides 2Nc=20 clusters of RBs as shown in row E of interlace ordering E. Interlace ordering F is based on the ordering of interlaces #0, #5, #1, #6, #2 and #7, which provides 2Nc=20 clusters of RBs as shown in row F of interlace ordering F. Interlace ordering G is based on the ordering of interlaces #0, #5, #1, #6, #2, #7, #3 with the last 6 RBs from the group of RBs 302p removed because the number of RBs would be 70, which is not acceptable for Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT) implementation so 6 RBs are removed to reduce the total number down to 64, which provides 2Nc-1=19 clusters of RBs as shown in row G of interlace ordering G. Interlace ordering H is based on the ordering of interlaces #0, #5, #1, #6, #2, #7, #3 and #8, which provides 2Nc=20 clusters of RBs as shown in row H of interlace ordering H. The second last interlace ordering I is based on the ordering of interlaces #0, #5, #1, #6, #2, #7, #3, #8 and #4, which provides Nc=20 clusters of RBs as shown in row I of interlace ordering I. Finally, the last interlace ordering J is based on interlaces #0, #5, #1, #6, #2, #7, #3, #8, #4, and #9, which provides one cluster of RBs as shown in row J of interlace ordering J. As can be seen, when more than one interlace may be allocated to a UE, they are allocated to that UE in the particular ordering of #0, #5, #1, #6, #2, #7, #3, #8, #4, and #9. In this example, the total number of RBs needs to be a product of 2, 3 and 5 only. Note that the above combinations of different interlaces are examples and their horizontal shifts belong to the same ordering, for instance, interlace #i (i = 0,1,2, ..., 9) is also interlace ordering A and interlace #i, #i+5, #i+1, and #i+6 (i = 0,1,2, 3) combination is also interlace ordering D.

[0075] In general, this ordering of interlaces may be described when the total number Nj of the plurality of contiguous RBs divides evenly into a set of contiguous groups of RBs, each group including the same number, Nc, of contiguous RBs. The plurality of non-contiguous RBs defined by each predefined interlace includes one RB selected from the same RB position in each group of RBs. The predefined interlaces may be ordered in any manner such that the ordering of interlaces satisfies: 1) a first interlace provides Nt/Nc clusters of non-contiguous RBs; 2) a second interlace when combined with the first interlace provides 2 Nt/Nc clusters of non-contiguous RBs; 3) subsequent interlaces when combined with previously combined interlaces provides 2 Nt/Nc clusters of non-contiguous RBs; 4) where a second last predefined interlace in the ordered set of predefined interlaces, when combined with all the previously combined interfaces, provides Nt/Nc clusters of non-contiguous RBs; and 5) where a last predefined interlace in the ordered set of predefined interlaces, when combined with all the previously combined interfaces, provides one cluster of RBs. As described below, the one or more interlaces or partial interlaces may be allocated to a UE or one or more UEs according to this predefined ordering.

[0076] Additionally, another ordering of interlaces may be generally described when the total number Nj of the plurality of contiguous RBs does not divide evenly into a set of contiguous groups of RBs. Instead, the total number Nj of the plurality of contiguous RBs may divide into a set of contiguous groups of RBs, each group of a first set of contiguous groups of RBs includes the same number, Nc, of contiguous RBs and another group of RBs includes a second number, Net <Nc (e.g. Nc1 =rem(NT/Nc)) of contiguous RBs. The plurality of non-contiguous RBs defined by each of a first set of Net predefined interlaces includes one RB selected from the same RB position in each group of the first set of contiguous groups of RBs and the second group of RBs. The plurality of non-contiguous RBs defined by each of a set of remaining Nc-Nc1 predefined interlaces includes one RB selected from the same RB position in each group of the first set of contiguous groups of RBs. The predefined interlaces may be ordered in any manner such that the ordering of interlaces satisfies: 1) a first interlace provides floor(NT/Nc)+1 clusters of noncontiguous RBs; 2) a second interlace when combined with the first interlace provides 2*floor(NT/Nc)+1 clusters of non-contiguous RBs; 3) subsequent interlaces when combined with previously combined interlaces provides 2*floor(NT/Nc)+1 clusters of non-contiguous RBs; 4) a second last predefined interlace in the ordered set of predefined interlaces, when combined with all the previously combined interfaces, provides floor(NT/Nc)+1 clusters of non-contiguous RBs; and 5) a last predefined interlace in the ordered set of predefined interlaces, when combined with all the previously combined interfaces, provides one cluster of RBs. As described below, the one or more interlaces or partial interlaces may be allocated to a UE or one or more UEs according to this predefined ordering.

[0077] It was agreed by RAN1 that at least RB-level multi-cluster transmission (>2) is supported for eLAA in the physical uplink shared channel. As a result, one or more interlaces may be allocated to a UE based on interlace orderings A-J such that the number of RBs allocated to a UE could be 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 64, 80, 90 and 100. When the number of RBs required by a UE is not one of these numbers, padding bits are added until a full interlace can be occupied for each interlace. A full interlace may be defined as the whole set or all of the plurality of non-contiguous resource blocks or the entire pre-defined set of resource blocks of that interlace being used or occupied. For example, if 15 RBs are required by a UE, then interlaces based on interlace ordering B (e.g. interlaces #0 and #5) may be allocated to the UE by the base station (e.g. eNB) to provide 20 RBs of 2 interlaces (#0 and #5) in which padding bits equal to the amount of 5 RBs are added to interlace #5 such that two full interlaces are occupied by the UE.

[0078] The interlace-based solution illustrated in figure 3b can only allocate a certain number of RBs from 1 to 100 to one UE when this certain number of RBs is a product of 2, 3 and 5 only.

This reduces the flexibility of allocating a variable number of RBs to each UE over PUSCH. Given that multiple UEs can share the uplink using PUSCH, this reduced flexibility will further severely impact the UL RB allocation efficiency and/or uplink capacity.

[0079] For example, in a scenario in which there are 3 UEs, UE1, UE2, and UE3, sharing a PUSCH over, by way of example, a frequency bandwidth of Fbw=20 MHz, a total number of contiguous RBs 204aa-204m of Nj = 100 RBs and Nc=10 interlaces, or a number of groups of RBs 302a-302p is Nc=10. The interlaces may be allocated to the UE1, UE2 and UE3 based on the interlace orderings A-J of Figure 3b. A base station may allocate one or more interlaces to UE1, another one or more interlaces to UE2, and a further one or more interlaces to UE3 following the interlace ordering as mentioned above. It is noted that the interlaces do not overlap and are different for each UE because of the condition, for the above-mentioned interlace based solution, that each interlace must be fully occupied by each UE. In the above scenario, each interlace provides 10 non-contiguous RBs that may be allocated to a UE. If UE1 requires 15 RB, UE2 requires 4 RBs and UE3 requires 11 RBs, then given the interlace orderings A-J and associated interlace patterns, UE1 requires 2 interlaces with 5RBs padding, UE2 requires another 1 interlace with 6 RBs of padding, and UE3 requires a further 2 interlaces with 9 RBs of padding. Thus, 5 interlaces are needed to allocate the necessary number of RBs to UE1, UE2 and UE3. The 5 interlaces may be allocated based on the interlace ordering E (i.e. using interlaces #0, #5, #1, #6, #2). That is, UE1 may be allocated interlaces #0 and #5, UE2 may be allocated interlace #1, and UE3 may be allocated interlaces #6 and #2.

[0080] In this scenario, although the interlaces enable each UE with a variable RB requirement to occupy as many “MHz” as possible, and that greater than 80% of the frequency bandwidth is used, there is a loss of allocation efficiency on the PUSCH and an increase of battery consumption due to the required padding of RBs.

[0081] The inventors have found that a more efficient allocation scheme may be used that removes or reduces the padding requirement but still allows RBs to be efficiently allocated based on interlace schemes and orderings such as that described in relation to figures 3a and 3b. Without padding bits, the UL RBs can be used more efficiently and as a result, UL throughput can be improved. Further, terminal battery consumption can be reduced because there is no need to transmit the padding bits, which wastes crucial transmit power. The inventors have realised that an enhancement to the above interlace-based RB allocation scheme of figures 3a and 3b can be implemented that efficiently supports multiple UEs with variable bandwidth requirements and further improves the UL spectrum usage efficiency.

[0082] In essence, when the number of RBs required by a LIE is less than the total number of available RBs of one full interlace, the enhanced allocation scheme according to the invention implemented by the base station (or eNB) may only allocate a subset of available non-contiguous RBs of an interlace, which may be called a partial interlace. A partial interlace may be defined as subset or a selection of the plurality of non-contiguous RBs of an interlace or of a full interlace. Allocating the partial interlace may further include allocating the RBs required for the LIE uplink data transmission from a subset of available RBs of the partial interlace, where each RB of the subset of available RBs includes the available RBs of the partial interlace that are furthest from the center of the frequency bandwidth, or the available RBs of the partial interlace that are furthest in proximity to the center of the frequency bandwidth. The subset of available RBs may be the furthest RBs in proximity to the center of the frequency bandwidth but which also satisfy the 80% bandwidth requirement. Thus, the subset of available RBs may include RBs from group of RBs at the outermost regions of the frequency bandwidth. The partial interlace allocated to UE1 is only partially filled as UE1 does not require the full number of RBs of this interlace.

[0083] When the number of RBs required by a LIE is more than the total number of RBs supported by one interlace, then the base station may first allocate one or more full interlaces to this UE, then the remaining RBs can be allocated from another interlace either before or after the already allocated interlaces. This latterly allocated interlace is partially allocated in which the available RBs closest to the center of the frequency bandwidth are allocated first, or those available RBs closest in proximity to the center of the frequency bandwidth may be allocated first. For example, another UE, e.g. UE2, may require more RBs than the total number of RBs one or more interlaces can support and may thus make use of any unallocated RBs of the partial interlace used by UE1. UE2 may first be allocated one or more full interlaces, which will satisfy the bandwidth requirement, and for any remaining or further RBs required by UE2, UE2 may be allocated a second subset of available RBs from any available non-contiguous RBs of the partial interlace used by UE1. Each RB of the second subset of RBs includes the available RBs of the partial interlace that are closest in proximity to the center of the frequency bandwidth. That is, the second subset of RBs include available RBs based on RB positions a close as possible or nearer the center or middle of the frequency bandwidth. For example, for the second subset of available RBs of the partial interlace allocated to UE2, the second subset of RBs may include the first available RB with an RB position that is closest in proximity to the center of the frequency bandwidth, then a second available RB with an RB position that is next closest in proximity to the center of the frequency bandwidth, and so on for subsequent RBs radiating outwards towards the outermost RB positions of the partial interlace as more RBs are allocated.

[0084] Should a third interlace be required by UE2, then any remaining RBs may be allocated from a third subset of available RBs from the third interlace that are closest to the center of the frequency bandwidth, or closest in proximity to the center of the frequency bandwidth. For example, for the third interlace, the third subset of RBs may include the first available RB with an RB position that is closest to the center of the frequency bandwidth, then a second available RB with an RB position that is closest to the center of the frequency bandwidth, and so on for subsequent RBs radiating outwards towards the outermost RB positions of the third interlace as more RBs are allocated.

[0085] Figure 4a is a flow diagram illustrating an example process 400 according to the invention for a base station 104a to allocate a set of RBs to one or more UEs 108a-108b of a plurality of UEs 108a-108b transmitting uplink data to the base station in a telecommunication network over a frequency bandwidth of unlicensed radio spectrum. For simplicity, reference numerals of the same and/or similar components as used in figures 1-3b have been reused or are referred to. For simplicity, two UEs 108a and 108b are described being served by the base station 104a, but it is to be appreciated by the skilled person that the base station 104a may serve a plurality of UEs and the following process 400 may be applied to each of the plurality of UEs served by the base station 104a. The frequency bandwidth includes a plurality of contiguous RBs 204aa-204m spanning the frequency bandwidth. The method, performed by the base station, may include the following steps of: [0086] Each UE 108a or 108b of the plurality of UEs being served by the base station 104a may transmit, to the base station 104a, a request representing data indicative of a number of RBs required by the UE 108a or 108b for transmitting uplink data. In step 402, the base station 104a receives, from each UE 108a or 108b of the plurality of UEs, the request representing data indicative of the number of RBs required by said each UE 108a and 108b for transmitting uplink data over the frequency bandwidth of the unlicensed radio spectmm. The request representing data indicative of a number of RBs required by each UE 108a or 108b for transmitting uplink data may include, by way of example only but is not limited to, 1) data representing a number of required RBs; 2) data indicating to the base station 104b to determine the number of required RBs; 3) a buffer level (e.g. how much data needs to be sent) in which the base station 104b can determine what number of required RBs should be allocated; 4) data representing a channel quality (good channel, less RBs, bad channel more RBs) that the base station can use to determine what number of RBs is required by the UE 108a or 108b; 5) any other data that may be interpreted or determined by the base station as a number of required RBs for said each UE 108a or 108b.

[0087] In step 404, the base station 104a allocates, for each UE 108a or 108b, a set of RBs based on a set of one or more predefined interlaces with available RBs for the uplink transmission where each interlace defines a unique plurality of non-contiguous RBs selected from the plurality of contiguous RBs. Step 404 may include steps 405, 406 and/or 408 for each UE 108a-108b depending on the number of required RBs for the uplink transmission for said each UE 108a or 108b.

[0088] In step 405, the base station 104a may allocate one or more full interlaces of the set of predefined interlaces to the UE 108a or 108b for the uplink transmission when the number of RBs required for the uplink transmission is greater than or equal to a total number of non-contiguous RBs of one or more interlaces, where the total number of non-contiguous RBs for each of the one or more interlaces are available.

[0089] In step 406, the base station 104a may allocate, for any further RBs required by said each UE’s uplink data transmission, a partial interlace associated with an interlace to the UE 108a when the number of further RBs required for the uplink transmission is less than the number of available non-contiguous RBs of the interlace, where the partial interface defines a subset of available RBs of an interlace of the set of predefined interlaces.

[0090] In step 408, the base station 104a may allocate a partial interlace associated with an interlace to the UE 108a when the total number of RBs required for the uplink transmission is less than the total number of available non-contiguous RBs of the partial interlace.

[0091] In step 410, the base station 104a sends a resource information message to each UE 108a and 108b, the resource information message including data representative of the set of RBs allocated to that UE.

[0092] Step 406 may further include allocating, for any other RBs required for the UE uplink data transmission, one or more further partial interlaces when the number of further RBs required by the UE is less than the number of available non-contiguous RBs of each of the one or more partial interlaces.

[0093] When one or more full interlaces are allocated to the UE 108a, step 406 may further include, allocating the further RBs from a subset of available RBs of the partial interlace, wherein each RB of the subset of available RBs include the available RBs of the partial interlace that are closest to the center of the frequency bandwidth, or closest in proximity to the center of the frequency bandwidth.

[0094] When a partial interlace is allocated to the UE 108a and the total number of RBs required for the uplink transmission is less than the total number of available non-contiguous RBs of the interlace, step 408 may further include allocating the RBs required for the LIE uplink data transmission from a subset of available RBs of the partial interlace, where each RB of the subset of available RBs includes the available RBs of the partial interlace that are furthest from the center of the frequency bandwidth, or furthest in proximity from the center of the frequency bandwidth.

[0095] The subset of available RBs may include two available RBs of the partial interlace that span at least 80% of the frequency bandwidth of the unlicensed frequency spectrum. The plurality of non-contiguous RBs for each interlace of the set of predefined interlaces span at least 80% of the frequency bandwidth.

[0096] The process 400 may include allocating interfaces from the set of predefined interlaces in a predefined order that maximises the output transmission power of each of the UEs.

Alternatively, the interlaces may be allocated in a predefined order for when the total number Nj of the plurality of contiguous RBs divides evenly into a set of contiguous groups of RBs, each group including the same number, Nc, of contiguous RBs. The plurality of non-contiguous RBs defined by each predefined interlace includes one RB selected from the same RB position in each group of RBs. The predefined interlaces may be ordered in any manner such that the ordering of interlaces satisfies: 1) a first interlace provides Nt/Nc clusters of non-contiguous RBs; 2) a second interlace when combined with the first interlace provides 2 Nt/Nc clusters of non-contiguous RBs; 3) subsequent interlaces when combined with previously combined interlaces provides 2 Nt/Nc clusters of non-contiguous RBs; 4) where a second last predefined interlace in the ordered set of predefined interlaces, when combined with all the previously combined interfaces, provides Nt/Nc clusters of non-contiguous RBs; and 5) where a last predefined interlace in the ordered set of predefined interlaces, when combined with all the previously combined interfaces, provides one cluster of RBs. As described below, the one or more interlaces or partial interlaces may be allocated to a UE or one or more UEs according to this predefined ordering. The predefined ordering may be based on the orderings described with reference to figures 3a and 3b.

[0097] Alternatively or additionally, another predefined ordering or order of the interlaces may be generally described when the total number Νγ of the plurality of contiguous RBs does not divide evenly into a set of contiguous groups of RBs. Instead, the total number Nj of the plurality of contiguous RBs may divide into a set of contiguous groups of RBs, each group of a first set of contiguous groups of RBs includes the same number, Nc, of contiguous RBs and another group of RBs includes a second number, Nc1<Nc (e.g. Nc1 =rem(NT/Nc)) of contiguous RBs. The plurality of non-contiguous RBs defined by each of a first set of Nc1 predefined interlaces includes one RB selected from the same RB position in each group of the first set of contiguous groups of RBs and the second group of RBs. The plurality of non-contiguous RBs defined by each of a set of remaining Nc-Nc1 predefined interlaces includes one RB selected from the same RB position in each group of the first set of contiguous groups of RBs. The predefined interlaces may be ordered in any manner such that the ordering of interlaces satisfies: 1) a first interlace provides floor(NT/Nc)+1 clusters of non-contiguous RBs; 2) a second interlace when combined with the first interlace provides 2*floor(NT/Nc)+1 or 2* floor(NT/Nc) clusters of non-contiguous RBs; 3) subsequent interlaces when combined with previously combined interlaces 2*floor(NT/Nc)+1 or 2* floor(NT/Nc) clusters of non-contiguous RBs; 4) a second last predefined interlace in the ordered set of predefined interlaces, when combined with all the previously combined interfaces, provides floor(NT/Nc)+1 clusters of non-contiguous RBs; and 5) a last predefined interlace in the ordered set of predefined interlaces, when combined with all the previously combined interfaces, provides one cluster of RBs. The one or more interlaces or partial interlaces may be allocated to a LIE 108a or one or more UEs according to this predefined ordering. The predefined ordering may also be based on the orderings described with reference to figures 3a and 3b.

[0098] The resource information message may include data representative of the set of RBs allocated to that UE, the data representative of the set of RBs further including data representative of an interface index identifying the first interlace allocated to the UE based on the predefined order and the number of interlaces allocated to the UE. The resource information message may further include data representative of an interlace index identifying one or more partial interlaces allocated to the UE based on the predefined order and whether the partial interlace is the first or the last interlace allocated to the UE.

[0099] Alternatively or additionally, the resource information message for each UE further includes data from the group of: data identifying an interlace identifier of the first interlace allocated to the UE; data identifying the number of interlaces allocated to the UE; data identifying whether the first interlace allocated to the UE is a partial interlace; data identifying whether a partial interlace has been allocated other than the first interlace to the UE; and data identifying the set of RBs from any partial interlace allocated to the UE.

[00100] Figure 4b is a flow diagram illustrating an example process 430 according to the invention fora UE when receiving an allocated set of RBs from the base station, which have been allocated in accordance with the process 400 and step 404 of figure 4a. The process 430 may be used for assigning RBs for transmission of uplink data from a UE 108a to a base station 104a in a telecommunication network 100 over a frequency bandwidth of unlicensed radio spectrum. The frequency bandwidth may include a plurality of contiguous RBs spanning the frequency bandwidth The process, performed by the UE, may include the steps of: [00101] The UE 108a may transmit, to the base station, a request representing data indicative of a number of RBs required by the UE 108a for transmitting uplink data. In step 432, the UE 108a receives, from the base station, a resource information message including data representative of a set of RBs allocated to the UE 108a for transmitting the uplink data. The data representative of the set of RBs based on an allocated one or more Interlaces of a set of predefined Interlaces with available RBs that have been allocated by the base station 104a to the UE 108a for the uplink transmission, each interlace in the set of predefined interlaces defining a unique plurality of noncontiguous RBs selected from the plurality of contiguous RBs.

[00102] In step 434, the UE 108a assigns, based on the allocated one or more interlaces, RBs from the plurality of contiguous RBs. Step 434 may include steps 435, 436 and/or 438 for assigning RBs for the uplink transmission depending on the number of required RBs allocated by the base station 104a to the UE 108a for the uplink transmission.

[00103] In step 435, the UE 108a may assign RBs from the plurality of contiguous RBs based on one or more full interlaces of the set of predefined interlaces allocated for the uplink transmission when the number of RBs required for the uplink transmission is greater than or equal to a total number of non-contiguous RBs of one or more interlaces, where the total number of noncontiguous RBs for each of the one or more interlaces are available.

[00104] In step 436, the UE 108a may assign, for any further RBs required for the UE 108a uplink data transmission, one or more further RBs from the plurality of contiguous RBs based on a partial interlace associated with an interlace allocated to the UE 108a when the number of further RBs required for the uplink transmission is less than the number of available non-contiguous RBs of the interlace, wherein the partial interface defines a subset of available RBs of an interlace of the set of predefined interlaces.

[00105] In step 438, the UE 108a may assign RBs from the plurality of contiguous RBs based on a partial interlace associated with an interlace allocated to the UE 108a when the total number of RBs required for the uplink transmission is less than the total number of available non-contiguous RBs of the interlace.

[00106] In step 440, the UE 108a transmits the uplink data to the base station 104a based on the assigned RBs.

[00107] Step 436 may further include, when one or more full interlaces are allocated to the UE 108a, the UE 108a assigning the further RBs from a subset of available RBs of the partial interlace, where each RB of the subset of available RBs comprise the available RBs of the partial interlace that are closest to the center of the frequency bandwidth, or closest in proximity to the center of the frequency bandwidth.

[00108] Step 438 may further include, when a partial interlace is allocated to the UE 108a and the total number of RBs required for the uplink transmission is less than the total number of available non-contiguous RBs of the interlace, the UE 108a assigning the RBs required for the UE 108a uplink data transmission from a subset of available RBs of the partial interlace, wherein each RB of the subset of available RBs comprise the available RBs of the partial interlace that are furthest from the center of the frequency bandwidth, or furthest in proximity from the center of the frequency bandwidth. Additionally, the subset of available RBs may include two available RBs of the partial interlace that span at least 80% of the frequency bandwidth of the unlicensed frequency spectrum. As well, the plurality of non-contiguous RBs for each interlace of the set of predefined interlaces may span at least 80% of the frequency bandwidth.

[00109] In step 432, the resource information message may include data representative of the set of RBs allocated to the LIE 108a, the data representative of the set of RBs further including data representative of an interface index identifying the first interlace allocated to the UE 108a based on a predefined order and the number of interlaces allocated to the UE 108a. Additionally or alternatively, the resource information message may further include data representative of an interlace index identifying one or more partial interlaces allocated to the UE 108a based on a predefined order and whether the partial interlace is the first or the last interlace allocated to the UE 108a.

[00110] Additionally or alternatively, the resource information message for the UE 108a may further include data from the group of: data identifying an interlace identifier of the first interlace allocated to the UE 108a; data identifying the number of interlaces allocated to the UE 108a; data identifying whether the first interlace allocated to the UE 108a is a partial interlace; data identifying whether a partial interlace has been allocated other than the first interlace to the UE 108a; and data identifying the set of RBs from any partial interlace allocated to the UE 108a.

[00111] Figure 5 is a schematic illustration of interlace #0 from figure 3a when Nj =100 and Nc=10. Interlace #0 includes RB positions or indexes 0,10, ..., 90 each from the first RB position of the plurality of groups of RBs 302a-302p. Based on the allocation method according to the invention, the most outside two RBs, RB 0 and RB 90 must be allocated to one UE in which these two RBs ensure the UE can pass the 80% occupied channel bandwidth test. If additional RBs less than the total number of RBs supported by interlace #0 are required for this UE, then a partial interlace of interlace #0 may be allocated and the RBs follow an allocation pattern in which RBs are allocated from any available subset of RBs of the interlace furthest from the center of the frequency bandwidth, or furthest in proximity from the center of the frequency bandwidth, which, by way of example only but is not limited to, may be located in the vicinity of RBs 40-60 of the frequency bandwidth, or in the vicinity of RB 50. That is, RBs may be allocated from the outermost available RBs (e.g. furthest available RBs from the center of the frequency bandwidth) of the interlace #0 towards the central region or the middle of the interlace #0 (e.g. RB positions may be allocated according to the allocation pattern of #0, #90, #10, #80, #20, #70, #30, and so on).

[00112] When the number of RBs required by this UE is more than that provided by one or more interlaces, the remaining RBs, which cannot occupy the full interlaces, can be mapped to any RB locations within a partial interlace of an interlace as long as all UEs follow a common allocation pattern. The decision on the locations can be taken at the base station (e.g. eNB) depending on, byway of example only, how multiple UE RB allocations can be best multiplexed. In this case, the remaining RBs may be allocated from any available subset of RBs of the interlace closest to the center of the frequency bandwidth or closest in proximity to the center of the frequency bandwidth, which may be, in this example, in the vicinity of RBs 40-60 or in the vicinity of RB 50. That is RBs may be allocated from the innermost available RBs closest to the middle (e.g. closest available RBs to the center of the frequency bandwidth) of the same interlace pattern #0 (e.g. from RBs #40, #50, #30, #60, #20, ..., #80), which can also help to obtain more permitted output power. Figure 7 describes an ordering of how the RBs may be allocated from the available RBs closest to the middle of the frequency bandwidth. When the number of RBs required by this UE is more than that provided by one interlace pattern, the remaining RBs, which cannot occupy the full interlace, can be mapped to any RB locations within a partial interlace as long as all UEs follow a common allocation pattern (e.g. an allocation pattern as described above or with reference to figure 7). The decision on the locations can be taken at the base station (e.g. eNB) depending on, byway of example only, how multiple UE RB allocations can be best multiplexed.

[00113] Figure 6 is another schematic illustration of an example RB allocation 600 for 3 UEs, UE1 UE2 and UE3 in which the RBs are allocated based on the partial interlace allocation scheme according to the invention. As described previously, in the scenario in which there are 3 UEs, UE1, UE2, and UE3, sharing a PUSCH over, by way of example but not limited to, a frequency bandwidth of Fbw=20 MHz, a total number of RBs of Nj = 100 RBs and a number of groups of RBs 302a-302j is Nc=10 and using the interlaces #0-#9 of Figures 3a and 3b and interlace orderings A-J of figure 3b. If UE1 needs 15 RBs, UE2 needs 4 RBs and UE3 needs 11 RBs, then the conventional interlace-based solution as described with reference to figure 3a and 3b required in total of 5 interlaces for allocating the required RBs. However, with the partial interlace allocation scheme according to the invention, it is possible to satisfy all 3 UEs’ requirements with only 3 interlaces as shown in Figure 6 whilst still satisfying the two requirements that the occupied channel bandwidths for all 3 UEs are over 80% and that the overall power is below 23dBm.

[00114] Referring to figure 6, there are a plurality of groups of RBs 302a-302j numbered from 1-10 in which each group of RBs 302a-302j has a number of contiguous RBs, Nc=10, numbered from 0-9. Given that UE1 requires 15 RBs, the base station 104a selects, for UE1, two interlaces that will support 15 RBs. Using the interlaces and orderings described with reference to figures 3a and 3b, the base station may select interlace #0 and #5, which have available RBs for allocating to UE1 for its uplink transmission. The base station 104a then allocates a set of RBs to UE1 based on the selected two interlaces #0 and #5 and the available RBs therein. The base station first allocates the full interlace #0 to the UE1, which includes RBs 602a-602j associated with the selected interlace #0. There are now 5 remaining RBs 602k-602o to allocate to UE1.

[00115] The base station 104a then selects the next interlace based on the ordering defined in figure 3b, which is interlace #5, with available RBs in the middle clusters, which are located in proximity to the center of the frequency bandwidth (e.g. near Group 5) and allocates, for the 5 remaining RBs 602k-602o required by UE1 uplink data transmission. The 5 remaining RBs 602k-602o associated with interlace #5 may be allocated to UE1 according to an allocation pattern in which a subset of available RBs that are closest in proximity to the center of the frequency bandwidth are used as described previously. That is the 5 remaining RBs 602k-602o are allocated from the one or more further groups of RBs 302d-302h, which will include a subset of RBs from interlace #5 in proximity to the center of the frequency bandwidth, which is a middle portion of the frequency bandwidth. The 5 remaining RBs 602k-602o may be allocated from any available RBs of interlace #5 that are closest to the central region of the frequency bandwidth, closest to the center of the frequency bandwidth, or closest in proximity to the center of the frequency bandwidth. In this example, the subset of RBs 602k-602o are allocated first from the innermost groups of RBs 302d-302h, with group 302f being the closest to the center frequency bandwidth, followed by subsequent innermost groups of RBs 302e, 302g, 302d and 302h each of which are subsequently the next closest group of RBs with available RBs to the center frequency bandwidth. Given this, RB 602k is allocated from group of RBs 302f, RB 6021 is allocated from group of RBs 302e, RB 602m is allocated from group of RBs 302g, RB 602n is allocated from group of RBs 302d, and RB 602o is allocated from group of RBs 302h. The subset of available RBs is allocated from the next closest available RB of interlace #5 in proximity to the center of the frequency bandwidth and outwards, but not including, the outermost clusters of interlace #5. In this case, as the number of RBs is 5, which is less than the number of available RBs for interlace #5, so only a subset of RBs from groups 302d-302h are needed. Thus, the set of 15 RBs for UE1 may be allocated fully from interlace #0 and partially from interlace #5 (a partial interlace associated with interlace #5).

[00116] Given that UE2 requires 4 RBs, the base station 104a selects, for UE2, an interlace that will support 4 RBs. In order to avoid padding interlaces, and according to the predefined ordering as described in figure 3b, since interlace #0 is fully occupied by UE1, the base station may then select a partial interlace associated with interlace #5, which now has an available 5 RBs in clusters 302a-302c and 302i-302j for allocating to UE2 for its uplink transmission. The base station 104a then allocates a set of RBs to UE2 based on interlace #5 as a partial interlace and an available subset of RBs therein. Given the required number of RBs for UE2 is less than the number of RBs supported by each interlace, UE2 is allocated a partial interlace according to the allocation pattern in which the furthest subset of available RBs of interlace #5 from the center of the frequency bandwidth are allocated to UE2, such an allocation pattern was described previously with reference to figures 4a-5. The base station typically allocates a subset of the available non-contiguous RBs of partial interface #5 based on the available RBs that are furthest from the center of the frequency bandwidth or central region or proximity to the center of the frequency bandwidth. Thus, the base station first allocates two RBs 604a and 604b associated with the selected interlace #5 from a first and second group of RBs 302a and 302j (e.g. clusters 1 and 10) corresponding to the outermost portions of the frequency bandwidth, which are the furthest available RBs from the central region or center of the frequency bandwidth in interlace #5. There are now 2 RBs to allocate. The base station 104a then allocates, for the further 2 RBs required by the UE2 uplink data transmission, a further 2 RBs 604c-604d associated with interlace #5 that are the next furthest from the center of the frequency bandwidth or from the proximity of the center of the frequency bandwidth. These may include the one or more further groups of RBs 302b, 302c and 302i, which correspond to the remaining furthest available RBs from the central region, center or middle portion(s) of the frequency bandwidth. In this example, the RBs 604c-604d are allocated from the outer clusters 302b and 302i. Thus, the subset of 4 RBs for UE2 may be allocated from partial interlace of interlace #5. Interlace #5 now has 1 remaining available RB for allocation.

[00117] Given that UE3 requires 11 RBs, the base station 104a selects, for UE3, two interlaces that will support 11 RBs. The base station determines which next interlace of the predefined ordering may allow UE3 to meet the 80% bandwidth requirement and so may select interlace #1, which has 10 available RBs for allocation spanning the frequency bandwidth. The base station then determines whether any further remaining RBs are required, in which case there is 1 further RB required, thus base station determines that interlace #5 has an available 1 RB for allocation. So, base station selects interlace #1 as a full interlace for allocation to UE3 and interlace #5 as a partial interlace for allocating to UE3. The base station 104a then allocates a set of RBs to UE3 based on the selected two interlaces #1 and #5 and the available RBs therein. The base station first allocates the full interlace of interlace #1 which includes the two outermost RBs 606a and 606j from the first and last group of RBs 302a and 302j (e.g. groups 1 and 10) corresponding to the outermost portions of the frequency bandwidth. There are now 9 RBs to allocate. The base station 104a then allocates, for the further 9 RBs required by UE3 uplink data transmission, a further 8 RBs 606b-606i associated with interlace #1 may be allocated to UE3 from the groups of RBs 302b-302i, thus a full interlace associated with interlace #1 is allocated to UE3. There is now 1 remaining RB 606k to allocate to UE3. Given the further remaining RBs required is less than the number of RBs supported by a full interlace, the base station 104a selects the next partial interlace for allocation to the UE3 in the predefined ordering, which is interlace #5, for allocating the further remaining 1 RB. The further remaining 1 RB is allocated from the available RBs closest to the center of the frequency bandwidth, given there is only 1 available RB in interlace #5, the 1 remaining RB 606k in group 302c associated with interlace pattern #5 may be allocated to UE3 corresponding to the available RB that is closest to the center of the frequency bandwidth. In this example, the RB 602k is allocated from the only innermost cluster 302c of interlace #5. Thus, the set of 11 RBs for UE3 may be allocated fully from interlace pattern #1 and partially from interlace pattern #5.

[00118] As can be seen, the enhanced partial allocation method or scheme according to the invention has only used 3 interlaces #0, #5, and #1 as opposed to 5 interlaces #0, #5, #1, #6, #2 of the interlace-based solution of Figure 3a and 3b. The RBs usage efficiency and battery usage efficiency (which are same) are compared in table 1 below. As can be seen for the above scenario, both the RBs usage efficiency and battery usage efficiency are improved using partial interlace allocation scheme according to the invention as opposed to the full interlace allocation scheme with padding as described in figure 3a and 3b.

Table 1: Efficiency comparison between Full and partial interlace allocation schemes [00119] To support the type of RB allocation as described in figures 4a-6, two changes need to be made to current specifications. The first change is to introduce an allocation pattern for allocating RBs from each interlace pattern such that the interlace pattern is fully utilised or the utilisation of available RBs in each interlace pattern is maximised, but which ensures the RB allocation meets the two main requirements regarding frequency bandwidth and transmission power. A second change is required for introducing a set of signalling bits to indicate the set of RBs allocated to each UE.

[00120] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating an allocation pattern 700 for allocating RBs to a UE from each of the selected interlaces. When the total number of RBs allocated to a UE cannot occupy a full interlace, the most outside RBs should be occupied first. For instance, when the number of required RBs for the UE uplink transmission is less than the total number of RBs supported by an interlace, then a partial interlace is allocated for a subset of RBs including at least two RBs from groups 302a and 302j corresponding to positions (9) and (10) of allocation pattern 700 should be allocated in order to satisfy the OCB requirement. Then, any remaining RBs are allocated to the subset of RBs from the next outermost groups of RBs 302b-302i in an alternating order with RBs furthest from the center of the frequency bandwidth or the middle portion of the frequency bandwidth (e.g. groups 302e-302f) being allocated first towards the center of the frequency bandwidth. Once the subset of RBs has the required number of RBs, the allocation pattern 700 may then be used to generate an indication of the starting RB of the partial interlace that is allocated to the UE. The indication of the starting RB of the partial interlace is the position in the allocation pattern 700 that includes the RB from the resulting subset of RBs that is closest to the center of the frequency bandwidth. This indication of the starting position along with the number of RBs in the subset of RBs and the partial interlace identifier/interlace identifier may be used as signalling for notifying the UE how to assign the RBs from the partial interlace allocated to it.

[00121] When the number of required RBs is greater than one or more interlaces, the full interlaces will be allocated to the UE, and any further remaining RBs will be allocated to a partial interlace associated with another interlace. In this instance, since the full interlaces have been allocated to the UE, the OCB requirement has been met. Then, the further remaining RBs, which are less than a full interlace, are allocated to another subset of RBs from the innermost groups of RBs 302b-302i in an alternating order with available RBs closest to the center of the frequency bandwidth or the middle portion of the frequency bandwidth (e.g. groups 302e-3021) being allocated first and subsequent available RBs closest to the center of the frequency bandwidth being allocated subsequently, which may be read outwards in an alternating order illustrated by positions steps (1)-(8) of allocation pattern 700 in figure 7. For example, for the interlace #i associated with the partial interlace, if the RB (e.g. RB#i+50) from group 302f at position (1) is available, then this is first allocated, then if the next available RB at position (2), which is the next closest to the center of the frequency bandwidth, is available then this is allocated the RB (e.g. RB#i+40) from group 302e, this alternating pattern is repeated for subsequent RBs and positions (3)-(8) as outlined in Figure 7 until all required remaining RBs have been allocated to the subset of RBs for interlace #i. This allocation process alternates towards the RBs of the outermost clusters 302a and 302j. It is noted that if the innermost RBs from the innermost groups closest to the center of the frequency bandwidth are unavailable, then the position (1<j<8) corresponding to the available RB that is closest to the center of the frequency bandwidth is first allocated, and subsequent positions j+1 and so on are allocated in an alternative manner as in figure 7.

[00122] Once the other subset of RBs has the required number of RBs, the allocation pattern 700 may then be used to generate an indication of the starting RB of the partial interlace that is allocated to the UE. The indication of the starting RB of the partial interlace is the position in the allocation pattern 700 that includes the RB from the resulting subset of RBs that is closest to the center of the frequency bandwidth. This indication of the starting position along with the number of RBs in the subset of RBs and the partial interlace identifier/interlace identifier may be used as signalling for notifying the UE how to assign the RBs from the partial interlace allocated to it.

Thus, when the total number of RBs allocated to a UE cannot occupy several continuous full interlaces, the remaining RBs may be mapped to the centre of an interlace first, or failing that, to any available RBs closest to the center of the frequency bandwidth or the middle portion of the interlace first as this depends on where the available RBs are in the selected interlace.

[00123] As described above, data representative of the sets of RBs allocated to each LIE needs to be sent from the base station 104a to each LIE 108a-108b. The data may be representative of a set of signalling bits that indicate the set of RBs allocated to each LIE based on the interlaces allocated (e.g. full interlaces or partial interlaces) to each LIE and the corresponding RBs used in each interlace. The data representative of the signalling bits may be sent in a resource information message to each LIE. This may include data representative of one or more of: data identifying a allocated interlace with at least one available RB allocated to the LIE in each of the outermost groups; data identifying a selected interlace pattern with further available RBs allocated to the LIE within the middle groups; and/or data identifying the number of further available RBs.

[00124] An example of the signalling bits that may be used to support the above enhanced partial allocation schemes according to the invention as described with reference to figures 3a-7 may be based, by way of example only but is not limited to, the following parameters: • Index of starting interlace; • Number of interlaces allocated; • Indicator (1 bit) if the first (“0”) or the last interlace (“1”) is partial; • Index of starting RB; • Number of RBs allocated on the partial interlace.

[00125] For example, following the same design of “uplink resource allocation type 0” as specified in Section 8.1.1 of 3GPP TS 36.213 V12.6.0, to support RB allocation and scheduling according to the invention the examples outlined above with reference to figures 3a-7, where 10 interlaces and 10 RBs per interlace are used, then 6 bits are required for the interlace index and the number of interlaces together, 1 bit is required to indicate which interlace is partial, and 6 bits are required for RB index and the number of RBs together. The number of total signalling bits is 13 which is exactly the same as that of the DC I format 0 RIV (resource indication value) bits.

[00126] As an illustration, the signalling for scheduling and allocating RBs to the UEs in the Figure 6 example is further explained in Table 2 below. Note that interlace allocation needs to follow a specific interlace order, which for the example outlined in figures 3a-6 such as the interlace ordering of 0, 5,1,6, 2, 7, 3, 8, 4, and 9.

Table 2: Signalling Examp e#1 for UE1/UE2/UE3 [00127] The above signalling design is assumed to be a reasonable one with the limitation that 1) only the first or the last interlace can be partial; 2) all allocated interlaces of one UE must be continuous by following the above interlace pattern order of 0, 5, 1,6, ..., 9; and 3) at most 3 UEs can share the same interlace.

[00128] Alternatively, the signalling size may be reduced by using, byway of example only but not limited to, the following parameters: • Index of starting interlace; • Number of interlaces allocated; • Indicator (1 bit) if the first (“0”) or the last interlace (“1”) is partial; • Number of RBs allocated.

[00129] With this signalling design, only 2 UEs can be assigned to share one interlace pattern and the 1 bit indicator needs to be explained as follows: when it is “0”, the first interlace could be partial and the RBs allocated in the partial interlace must be mapped in the reverse order as given in Figure 7, which is to start allocating RBs from step (10) and end at step (1) and when it is “1”, the last interlace could be partial and the RBs allocated in the partial interlace must be mapped in the same order as given in Figure 7, which is to start allocating RBs from step (1) and end at step (10). When there is only one interlace allocated, this indicator is assumed to be “0” no matter what it actually is.

[00130] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example allocation 800 in which only 2 UEs, UE1 and UE2, may share the same interlace. In this example, UE1 requires 15 RBs and UE2 requires 4 RBs. The signalling values of UE1/UE2 using the alternative signalling with reduced size is given in Table 3 below. Especially for UE2, Interlace index is 5 and the number of interlaces is 1 so the partial interlace indicator is ignored. The number of RBs is 4, a reverse order of the allocation pattern of Figure 7 is followed so RBs 804a, 804b, 804c, 804d in the respective groups of RBs 302a, 302j, 302b, 302i corresponding to positions 10, 9, 8 and 7 are occupied as shown in Figure 8.

Table 3 Signalling Example#2 for UE1/UE2 [00131] For this alternative signalling example#2, the total signalling size is 11 bits (2 bits are saved compared with the example#1). Although two examples for signalling the set of RBs to each UE have been described, it is to be appreciated by the skilled that other designs are also possible depending on the compromises in flexibility required, for example, more signalling bits provides more flexibility or less signalling bits provides less flexibility.

[00132] Figures 9a and 9b are graphs illustrating performance results from simulations that compare the full interlace solution with padding bits of figure 3 with the partial interlace allocation scheme with reduced or no padding bits according to the invention as described herein with reference to figures 4a-8. The simulation of the telecommunication system includes 1 eNB serving 3 UEs sharing the same bandwidth of 20 MHz and each UE has a different throughput (in RBs) as outlined below: • UE1: (40 + R) RBs per sub frame, where R is a random integer with uniform distribution from (0 ~ 30); • UE2: (10 + R) RBs per subframe, where R is a random integer with uniform distribution from (0 ~ 10); • UE3: R RBs per subframe, where R is a random integer with uniform distribution from (0 ~10); [00133] The total throughput is no more than 100 RBs and there should be no delay due to insufficient number of RBs. The average throughput is 75 RBs.

[00134] Three different RB allocation methods are compared: • Option 1: if the required number of RBs is not a product of 10, padding bits are added to occupy a full interlace (this is the interlace-based solution as described in figure 3); • Option 2: if the required number of RBs is not a product of 10, those RBs which can occupy full interlaces are sent first and the corresponding data packets for the remaining RBs are delayed and combined with data packets of the next subframe; • Option 3: this the partial interlace scheme according to the invention, but where unused RBs of partial interlaces are also occupied with padding bits. For instance, if UE3 has more than 11 RBs, there will be two interlaces which cannot be fully used.

[00135] The difference between Option 1 and Option 3 is the RBs usage efficiency and both have “0” latency from scheduling. The difference between Option 2 and Option 3 is mainly latency and Option 2 has ideal RB usage efficiency which is 75%.

[00136] Figure 9a is a Load vs CDF graph illustrating the simulation results for RBs usage efficiency of Option 1 and Option 3. Option 1 is illustrated by the solid link and Option 3 is illustrated by the dashed-dotted line. The RBs usage efficiencies are compared in Figure 9a in which Option 1 uses 88.5% of the total RBs on average whilst Option 3 uses 80.2% on average so the relative efficiency gain of Option 3 over Option 1 is 10%.

[00137] Figure 9b is a graph illustrating the latency distributions of all 3 UEs with Option 2. It is noted that there is no latency for all UEs with Option3, which is the partial interlace scheme according to the invention. In figure 9b, the latency is given in a number of units called “chance” which could be one TTI with multi-subframe scheduling supported ora scheduling period when the delayed RBs of Option 2 cannot be sent within the current scheduling period. As can be seen in figure 9b, different UEs have different latency, UE1 with high throughput has 10% RBs delayed by 1 chance and UE2 with medium throughput has 30% RBs delayed by 1 chance. UE3 experiences the longest delay which is 1 chance for 61.5% RBs, 2 chances for 21.7% RBs and 3 or more chances for 6.9% RBs.

[00138] It is apparent that the potential gains of the partial interlace allocation scheme according to the invention in relation to RBs usage efficiency and latency are improved over the Option 1 (the previous full interlace-based solution of figure 3 using padding) and also Option 2 schemes.

[00139] Figure 10 illustrates various components of an exemplary computing-based device 1000 which may be implemented to include the functionality of the scheduling and allocation of communication resources as described, by way of example only, with respect to an eNB 104a of a telecommunications network 100 as described with reference to figures 1-9b.

[00140] The computing-based device 1000 comprises one or more processors 1002 which may be microprocessors, controllers or any other suitable type of processors for processing computer executable instructions to control the operation of the device in order to perform measurements, receive measurement reports, schedule and/or allocate communication resources as described in the process(es) and method(s) as described herein.

[00141] In some examples, for example where a system on a chip architecture is used, the processors 1002 may include one or more fixed function blocks (also referred to as accelerators) which implement the methods and/or processes as described herein in hardware (rather than software or firmware).

[00142] Platform software and/or computer executable instructions comprising an operating system 1004a or any other suitable platform software may be provided at the computing-based device to enable application software to be executed on the device. Depending on the functionality and capabilities of the computing device 1000 and application of the computing device, software and/or computer executable instructions may include the functionality of perform measurements, receive measurement reports, schedule and/or allocate communication resources and/or the functionality of the base stations or eNBs according to the invention as described with reference to figures 1-9b.

[00143] For example, computing device 1000 may be used to implement base station 104a or eNB 104a and may include software and/or computer executable instructions that may include functionality of perform measurements, receive measurement reports, schedule and/or allocate communication resources and/or the functionality of the base stations or eNBs according to the invention as described with reference to figures 1-9b.

[00144] The software and/or computer executable instructions may be provided using any computer-readable media that is accessible by computing based device 1000. Computer-readable media may include, for example, computer storage media such as memory 1004 and communications media. Computer storage media, such as memory 1004, includes volatile and non-volatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data.

[00145] Computer storage media may include, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other non-transmission medium that can be used to store information for access by a computing device. In contrast, communication media may embody computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data in a modulated data signal, such as a carrier wave, or other transport mechanism. As defined herein, computer storage media does not include communication media. Although the computer storage media (memory 1004) is shown within the computing-based device 1000 it will be appreciated that the storage may be distributed or located remotely and accessed via a network or other communication link (e.g. using communication interface 1006).

[00146] The computing-based device 1000 may also optionally or if desired comprises an input/output controller 1010 arranged to output display information to a display device 1012 which may be separate from or integral to the computing-based device 1000. The display information may provide a graphical user interface. The input/output controller 1010 is also arranged to receive and process input from one or more devices, such as a user input device 1014 (e.g. a mouse or a keyboard). This user input may be used to set scheduiing for measurement reports, orfor aiiocating communication resources, or to set which communications resources are of a first type and/or of a second type etc. in an embodiment the dispiay device 1012 may aiso act as the user input device 1014 if it is a touch sensitive dispiay device. The input/output controiier 1010 may aiso output data to devices other than the dispiay device, e.g. other computing devices via communication interface 1006, any other communication interface, or a iocaiiy connected printing device/computing devices etc.

[00147] Figure 11 iiiustrates various components of an exempiary computing-based device 1100 which may be impiemented to inciude the functionaiity of the assignment and use of scheduled communication resources as described, by way of exampie oniy but not limited to, with respect to UE 104a or UE 104b of a teiecommunications network 100 as described with reference to figures 1-10.

[00148] The computing-based device 1100 comprises one or more processors 1102 which may be microprocessors, controiiers or any other suitable type of processors for processing computer executabie instructions to controi the operation of the device in order to perform measurements, receive measurement reports, scheduie and/or allocate communication resources as described in the process(es) and method(s) as described herein. In some examples, for example where a system on a chip architecture is used, the processors 1102 may include one or more fixed function biocks (aiso referred to as accelerators) which implement the methods and/or processes as described herein in hardware (rather than software or firmware).

[00149] Piatform software and/or computer executable instructions comprising an operating system 1104a or any other suitable platform software may be provided at the computing-based device to enable application software to be executed on the device. Depending on the functionality and capabilities of the computing device 1100 and application of the computing device, software and/or computer executable instructions may include the functionality of performing measurements, sending measurement reports, assigning and using scheduled communication resources and/or the functionality of the UEs according to the invention as described with reference to figures 1-9e. For example, computing device 1100 may be used to implement a UE 108a or 108b as described herein and may include software and/or computer executable instructions that may include functionality of performing measurements, transmitting measurement reports, assigning and using scheduled communication resources and/or the functionality of the UEs according to the invention as described with reference to figures 1-9b.

[00150] The software and/or computer executable instructions may be provided using any computer-readable media that is accessible by computing based device 1100. Computer-readable media may include, for example, computer storage media such as memory 1104 and communications media. Computer storage media, such as memory 1104, includes volatile and non-volatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data.

[00151] Computer storage media may include, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other non-transmission medium that can be used to store information for access by a computing device. In contrast, communication media may embody computer readable instmctions, data structures, program modules, or other data in a modulated data signal, such as a carrier wave, or other transport mechanism. As defined herein, computer storage media does not include communication media. Although the computer storage media (memory 1104) is shown within the computing-based device 1100 it will be appreciated that the storage may be distributed or located remotely and accessed via a network or other communication link (e.g. using communication interface 1106).

[00152] The computing-based device 1100 may also optionally or if desired comprises an input/output controller 1110 arranged to output display information to a display device 1112 which may be separate from or integral to the computing-based device 1100. The display information may provide a graphical user interface. The input/output controller 1110 is also arranged to receive and process input from one or more devices, such as a user input device 1114 (e.g. keypad, touch screen or other input). This user input may be used to operate the computing device. In an embodiment the display device 1112 may also act as the user input device 1114 if it is a touch sensitive display device. The input/output controller 1110 may also output data to devices other than the display device, e.g. other computing devices via communication interface 1106, any other communication interface, or a locally connected printing device/computing devices etc.

[00153] The term 'computer· is used herein to refer to any device with processing capability such that it can execute instructions. Those skilled in the art will realise that such processing capabilities are incorporated into many different devices and therefore the term 'computer· includes PCs, servers, base stations, eNBs, network nodes and other network elements, mobile telephones, UEs, personal digital assistants, other portable wireless communications devices and many other devices.

[00154] Those skilled in the art will realise that storage devices utilised to store program instructions can be distributed across a network. For example, a remote computer may store an example of the process described as software. A local or terminal computer may access the remote computer and download a part or all of the software to run the program. Alternatively, the local computer may download pieces of the software as needed, or execute some software instructions at the local terminal and some at the remote computer (or computer network). Those skilled in the art will also realise that by utilising conventional techniques known to those skilled in the art that all, or a portion of the software instructions may be carried out by a dedicated circuit, such as a DSP, programmable logic array, or the like.

[00155] Any range or device value given herein may be extended or altered without losing the effect sought, as will be apparent to the skilled person.

[00156] It will be understood that the benefits and advantages described above may relate to one example or embodiment or may relate to several examples or embodiments. The examples or embodiments are not limited to those that solve any or all of the stated problems or those that have any or all of the stated benefits and advantages.

[00157] Any reference to 'an' item refers to one or more of those items. The term 'comprising' is used herein to mean including the method blocks, features or elements identified, but that such blocks, features or elements do not comprise an exclusive list and a method or apparatus may contain additional blocks, features or elements.

[00158] The steps of the methods described herein may be carried out in any suitable order, or simultaneously where appropriate. Additionally, individual blocks may be deleted from any of the methods without departing from the spirit and scope of the subject matter described herein. Aspects of any of the examples described above may be combined with aspects of any of the other examples described to form further examples without losing the effect sought.

[00159] It will be understood that the above description of a preferred embodiment is given by way of example only and that various modifications may be made by those skilled in the art. Although various embodiments have been described above with a certain degree of particularity, or with reference to one or more individual embodiments, those skilled in the art could make numerous alterations to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of this invention.

Claims

1. A method for allocating RBs, RBs, to a plurality of user equipment, UEs, transmitting uplink data to a base station in a telecommunication network over a frequency bandwidth of unlicensed radio spectrum, wherein the frequency bandwidth comprises a plurality of contiguous RBs spanning the frequency bandwidth, the method, performed by the base station, comprising: receiving, from each of the UEs, a request representing data indicative of a number of RBs required by said each UE for transmitting uplink data; allocating, for each UE, a set of RBs based on a set of predefined interlaces with available RBs for the uplink transmission, each interlace in the set of predefined interlaces defining a unique plurality of non-contiguous RBs selected from the plurality of contiguous RBs, wherein allocating the set of RBs for each UE further comprises: allocating one or more full interlaces of the set of predefined interlaces to the UE for the uplink transmission when the number of RBs required for the uplink transmission is greater than or equal to a total number of non-contiguous RBs of one or more interlaces, wherein the total number of non-contiguous RBs for each of the one or more interlaces are available; allocating, for any further RBs required for the UE uplink data transmission, a partial interlace to the UE when the number of further RBs required for the uplink transmission is less than the number of available non-contiguous RBs of the interlace, wherein the partial interface defines a subset of available RBs of an interlace of the set of predefined interlaces; and allocating a partial interlace to the UE when the total number of RBs required for the uplink transmission is less than the total number of available non-contiguous RBs of the interlace; and sending a resource information message to each UE, the resource information message including data representative of the set of RBs allocated to that UE.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein, when one or more full interlaces are allocated to the UE, and allocating, for any further RBs required for the UE uplink data transmission, a partial interlace to the UE further comprises allocating the further RBs from a subset of available RBs of the partial interlace, wherein each RB of the subset of available RBs comprise the available RBs of the partial interlace that are closest in proximity to the center of the frequency bandwidth.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein, when a partial interlace is allocated to the UE and the total number of RBs required for the uplink transmission is less than the total number of available non-contiguous RBs of the interlace, and allocating the partial interlace further comprises allocating the RBs required for the UE uplink data transmission from a subset of available RBs of the partial interlace, wherein each RB of the subset of available RBs comprise the available RBs of the partial interlace that are furthest in proximity from the center of the frequency bandwidth.

4. A method as claimed in claims 1 or 3, wherein the subset of available RBs comprise two available RBs of the partial interlace that span at least 80% of the frequency bandwidth of the unlicensed frequency spectrum.

5. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the plurality of non-contiguous RBs for each interlace of the set of predefined interlaces span at least 80% of the frequency bandwidth.

6. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the set of predefined interlaces are allocated in a predefined order that maximises the output transmission power of each of the UEs.

7. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the plurality of contiguous RBs divides evenly into a set of contiguous groups of RBs, each group comprises the same number, Nc, of contiguous RBs, wherein the plurality of non-contiguous RBs defined by each predefined interlace includes one RB selected from the same RB position in each group of RBs, wherein the predefined interlaces are ordered such that a first interlace provides Nt/Nc clusters of noncontiguous RBs, the second interlace when combined with the first interlace provides 2 Nt/Nc clusters of non-contiguous RBs, and subsequent interlaces when combined with previously combined interlaces provides 2 Nt/Nc clusters of non-contiguous RBs, and wherein a second last predefined interlace in the ordered set of predefined interlaces, when combined with all the previously combined interfaces, provides Nt/Nc clusters of non-contiguous RBs, and wherein a last predefined interlace in the ordered set of predefined interlaces, when combined with all the previously combined interfaces, provides one cluster of RBs, and allocating the one or more interlaces or partial interlaces with available RBs according to the predefined order.

8. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the plurality of contiguous RBs divide into a set of contiguous groups of RBs, each group of a first set of contiguous groups of RBs comprises the same number, Nc, of contiguous RBs and another group of RBs comprises a second number, Nc1<Nc, of contiguous RBs, wherein the plurality of non-contiguous RBs defined by each of a first set of Net predefined interlaces includes one RB selected from the same RB position in each group of the first set of contiguous groups of RBs and the second group of RBs, wherein the plurality of non-contiguous RBs defined by each of a set of remaining Nc-Nc1 predefined interlaces includes one RB selected from the same RB position in each group of the first set of contiguous groups of RBs, wherein the predefined interlaces are ordered such that a first interlace provides floor(NT/Nc)+1 clusters of non-contiguous RBs, the second interlace when combined with the first interlace provides 2*Αοογ(Ντ/Νο)+1 or 2*floor(NT/Nc) clusters of noncontiguous RBs, and subsequent interlaces when combined with previously combined interlaces provides 2*Αοογ(Ντ/Νο)+1 or 2*floor(NT/Nc) clusters of non-contiguous RBs, and wherein a second last predefined interlace in the ordered set of predefined interlaces, when combined with all the previously combined interfaces, provides floor(NT/Nc)+1 clusters of non-contiguous RBs, and wherein a last predefined interlace in the ordered set of predefined interlaces, when combined with all the previously combined interfaces, provides one cluster of RBs, and allocating the one or more interlaces or partial interlaces with available RBs according to the predefined order.

9. A method as claimed in any of claims 7 to 9, wherein the resource information message includes data representative of the set of RBs allocated to that UE, the data representative of the set of RBs further comprising data representative of an interface index identifying the first interlace allocated to the UE based on the predefined order and the number of interlaces allocated to the UE.

10. A method as claimed in any of claims, wherein the resource information message further includes data representative of an interlace index identifying one or more partial interlaces allocated to the UE based on the predefined order and whether the partial interlace is the first or the last interlace allocated to the UE.

11. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the resource information message for each UE further includes data from the group of: data identifying an interlace identifier of the first interlace allocated to the UE; data identifying the number of interlaces allocated to the UE; data identifying whether the first interlace allocated to the UE is a partial interlace; data identifying whether a partial interlace has been allocated other than the first interlace to the UE; and data identifying the set of RBs from any partial interlace allocated to the UE.

12. A method for transmitting uplink data from a user equipment, UE, to a base station in a telecommunication network over a frequency bandwidth of unlicensed radio spectrum, wherein the frequency bandwidth comprises a plurality of contiguous RBs spanning the frequency bandwidth, the method comprising; transmitting, to the base station, a request representing data indicative of a number of RBs required by the UE for transmitting uplink data; receiving, from the base station, a resource information message comprising data representative of a set of RBs allocated to the UE for transmitting the uplink data, the data representative of the set of RBs based on an allocated one or more interlaces of a set of predefined interlaces with available RBs that have been allocated by the base station to the UE for the uplink transmission, each interlace in the set of predefined interlaces defining a unique plurality of non-contiguous RBs selected from the plurality of contiguous RBs; assigning RBs from the plurality of contiguous RBs based on one or more full interlaces of the set of predefined interlaces allocated for the uplink transmission when the number of RBs required for the uplink transmission is greater than or equal to a total number of non-contiguous RBs of one or more interlaces, wherein the total number of non-contiguous RBs for each of the one or more interlaces are available; assigning, for any further RBs required for the UE uplink data transmission, one or more further RBs from the plurality of contiguous RBs based on a partial interlace allocated to the UE when the number of further RBs required for the uplink transmission is less than the number of available non-contiguous RBs of the interlace, wherein the partial interface defines a subset of available RBs of an interlace of the set of predefined interlaces; assigning RBs from the plurality of contiguous RBs based on a partial interlace allocated to the UE when the total number of RBs required for the uplink transmission is less than the total number of available non-contiguous RBs of the interlace; and transmitting the uplink data to the base station based on the assigned RBs.

13. A method as claimed in claim 12, when one or more full interlaces are allocated to the UE, and assigning, for any further RBs required for the UE uplink data transmission, one or more further RBs from plurality of contiguous RBs based on a partial interlace further comprises assigning the further RBs from a subset of available RBs of the partial interlace, wherein each RB of the subset of available RBs comprise the available RBs of the partial interlace that are closest in proximity to the center of the frequency bandwidth.

14. A method as claimed in claims 12 or 13, wherein when a partial interlace is allocated to the UE and the total number of RBs required for the uplink transmission is less than the total number of available non-contiguous RBs of the interlace, and assigning RBs from the plurality of contiguous RBs based on the partial interlace allocated to the UE further comprises assigning the RBs required for the UE uplink data transmission from a subset of available RBs of the partial interlace, wherein each RB of the subset of available RBs comprise the available RBs of the partial interlace that are furthest in proximity from the center of the frequency bandwidth.

15. A method as claimed in claims 12 or 14, wherein the subset of available RBs comprise two available RBs of the partial interlace that span at least 80% of the frequency bandwidth of the unlicensed frequency spectrum.

16. A method as claimed in any of claims 12 to 15, wherein the plurality of non-contiguous RBs for each interlace of the set of predefined interlaces span at least 80% of the frequency bandwidth

17. A method as claims in any of claims 12 to 16, wherein the resource information message includes data representative of the set of RBs allocated to the UE, the data representative of the set of RBs further comprising data representative of an interface index identifying the first interlace allocated to the UE based on a predefined order and the number of interlaces allocated to the UE.

18. A method as claimed in any of claims 12 to 17, wherein the resource information message further includes data representative of an interlace index identifying one or more partial interlaces allocated to the UE based on a predefined order and whether the partial interlace is the first or the last interlace allocated to the UE.

19. A method as claimed in any of claims 12 to 18, wherein the resource information message for the UE further includes data from the group of: data identifying an interlace identifier of the first interlace allocated to the UE; data identifying the number of interlaces allocated to the UE; data identifying whether the first interlace allocated to the UE is a partial interlace; data identifying whether a partial interlace has been allocated other than the first interlace to the UE; and data Identifying the set of RBs from any partial interlace allocated to the UE.

20. A computer readable medium comprising program code stored thereon, which when executed on a processor, causes the processor to perform a method according to any of claims 1-11.

21. A computer readable medium comprising program code stored thereon, which when executed on a processor, causes the processor to perform a method according to any of claims 12to 19.

22. A base station apparatus comprising a processor, a storage unit and a communications interface, wherein the processor unit, storage unit, communications interface are configured to perform the method as claimed in any one of claims 1-11.

23. A UE apparatus comprising a processor, a storage unit and a communications interface, wherein the processor unit, storage unit, and communications interface are configured to perform the method as claimed in any one of claims 12-19.