GB2620118A

GB2620118A - Dynamic spectrum sharing in telecommunications systems

Info

Publication number: GB2620118A
Application number: GB2209292.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Markus Ranta-Aho Karri; Tapani Tiirola Esa; Hakola Sami-Jukka
Original assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy
Current assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy
Priority date: 2022-06-24
Filing date: 2022-06-24
Publication date: 2024-01-03
Also published as: GB202209292D0

Abstract

Apparatus and methods to supporting communication within a bandwidth using two radio access technologies (RATs) are outlined. The method comprises determining that a frequency bandwidth is shared to support communication within the frequency bandwidth using two RATs and determining a slot timing offset 400 to apply to communication using one of the two RATs, wherein the slot timing offset is less than or equal to the duration of a radio control channel resource allocation 100a within the other of the two RATs. In another aspect of the invention, the method further comprises applying a timing advance to a transmission made using the offset one of the two RATs relative to a transmission made using another RAT, wherein the applied timing advance comprises a portion determined by the duration of the slot timing offset. The slots of the offset one of the two RATs may comprise masked radio control channel resource elements which may be selected to accommodate a reference signal of the other of the two RATs. The RATs may comprise LTE® communication and NR reduced bandwidth communication.

Description

DYNAMIC SPECTRUM SHARING IN TELECOMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS

TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

Various example embodiments relate generally to wireless communications and more particularly to supporting communication within a bandwidth using two radio access technologies.

BACKGROUND

It has been recognised that it may be beneficial to enable operation of 5G NR (New to Radio) in bandwidths other than the 5MHz channels for which it was originally conceived. Such bandwidths may, for example, be narrower than those 5MHz channels. Examples of such operation include scenarios where NR communications are to be supported within a given bandwidth and, for example, where such communication is desired to co-exist alongside other radio access technologies (RATs), including legacy RATs.

By way of example, it is envisaged that deployment of NR in the 900MHz FRMCS (Future Railway Mobile Communication System) bands will take place alongside legacy GSM-R (Global System for Mobiles -Railway) carriers within a 5.6MHz bandwidth.

Such an arrangement may leave only 3 to 3.6MHz of available bandwidth for use with New Radio communication. Similarly, it is envisaged that NR is to be used to support smart utility grids in the US and to support public safety in Europe. Such applications envisage use of NR in bandwidth offering 2 X 3MHz for Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) communication. It will be appreciated that other deployments of NR, such as on frequency bands n8, n26 and n28, may be subject to particular restrictions in relation to available bandwidth.

Deployment of NR within available bandwidth, even if narrow, may offer a migration path from use of legacy RATs towards use of NR. Such migration pathways may require co-existence of a legacy radio access technology and NR within an available bandwidth. One way to provide a migration path between legacy RATs and NR is to provide ways in which available bandwidth can be effectively shared between RATs.

Some adaptations to wireless communication network devices and infrastructure may 35 be required to support such migration paths.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The scope of protection sought for various embodiments of the invention is set out by the independent claims. The embodiments and features, if any, described in this specification that do not fall under the scope of the independent claims are to be interpreted as examples useful for understanding various embodiments of the invention. 25 According to various, but not necessarily all, example embodiments of the invention there is provided an apparatus, comprising: means for determining that a frequency bandwidth is shared to support communication within the frequency bandwidth using two radio access technologies; means for determining a slot timing offset to apply to communication using one of the two radio access technologies; wherein the slot timing offset is less than or equal to the duration of a radio control channel resource allocation within the other of the two radio access technologies.

It is recognised that there maybe advantages associated with an ability to effectively share available bandwidth between two or more RATs. Such sharing, may, for example, support a migration path from use of a legacy radio access technology to use of a new radio access technology on any given carrier. Effective bandwidth or spectrum sharing requires deployment of spectrum sharing techniques.

In relation to spectrum sharing between Long Term Evolution (VIE) communication techniques and NR communication techniques, sharing of available bandwidth may require deployment of dynamic spectrum sharing (DSS). According to DSS techniques, NR communication and JIVE communication within a wireless communication network are overlaid in a manner which can support concurrent communication in each RAT operating within the same carrier. The sharing of a carrier between RATs may be subject to various operational constraints as a result of restricted available bandwidth. In particular, one such constraint may relate to one or more compromises necessary in relation to physical control channels in each RAT. Such physical control channels of any RAT maybe considered necessary to support communication within any communication network using that RAT.

Restriction and/or constraint of use of physical control channels within a RAT may prevent or hinder effective communication using that RAT or another RAT sharing the same bandwidth. Restricted capacity or restricted resource allocation to physical control channels may result in unforeseen restriction of coverage and/or capacity issues within a wireless communication network. In other words, when two RATs are supported within a restricted bandwidth, a resource allocation to physical channels may be similarly restricted. Furthermore, any resource allocation within a bandwidth may be shared between RATs.

By way of specific example, in a narrow band NR deployment where NR is to coexist with LTE, physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) capacity may be allocated three symbols within an LTE subframe. It will be appreciated that an LTE subframe is equivalent to a NR slot. The allocation of three symbols, where bandwidth is not shared between RATs, would typically be used to support PDCCH in relation to only LTE communication. Where bandwidth is to be shared, that same three symbol resource allocation is shared to support physical downlink control channels within both LTE and NR. Dynamic Spectrum Sharing (DSS) techniques may require that the control channel resource allocation across three symbols is split or divided between RATs to support communication in both LTE and NR networks. That sharing can lead to capacity and coverage problems for the PDCCH channel of one or both of the RATs.

The first aspect recognises that there maybe times where it can be helpful to adapt communication methodologies to accommodate co-existence of more than one RAT within a given bandwidth. Such adaptations may be of use where RATs are to share a restricted bandwidth. It is further recognised that adaptation of spectrum sharing techniques can be such that they provide adapted operation with minimal or few changes to overall function of each RAT sharing a bandwidth. Adaptation of spectrum sharing techniques may be provided which appropriately reuse existing infrastructure and associated eco systems of known RATs.

The first aspect recognises that in a bandwidth which is to be shared amongst two or more RATs, it is possible to effectively "shift" a subframe or slot used to support communication using one RAT in relation to a subframe or slot used to support communication using another RAT. By shifting the subframe or slot of each RAT with respect to the subframe or slot of another RAT it becomes possible to effectively increase a resource allocation to, for example, physical control in each RAT. Whilst described in relation to restriction of a physical control allocation, it will be appreciated that whilst described in relation to a desire to effectively increase physical channel resource allocation, the methods described, with appropriate adaptation, may be applied to balance resource allocated to other functionalities where a restricted bandwidth is to be shared between coexisting RATs.

In some example embodiments, the apparatus comprises a wireless communication network base station. In some example embodiments, the apparatus comprises a New Radio (NR) gNB. In some example embodiments, the apparatus comprises a Long Term Evolution (LTE) eNB.

In some example embodiments, the apparatus may comprise means for determining that a frequency bandwidth is shared to support communication within the frequency bandwidth using two radio access technologies; means for determining a subframe timing offset to apply to communication using one of the two radio access technologies; wherein the subframe timing offset is less than or equal to the duration of a radio control channel resource allocation within the other of the two radio access technologies. It will be appreciated that the slot of one radio access technology may be equivalent to a subframe of a different radio access technology.

In some example embodiments, the apparatus comprises means for preventing data transmission in a portion of a radio communication channel resource allocation of an offset slot; and wherein and the portion of radio communication channel resource allocation within which data transmission is prevented has the same duration as the slot timing offset.

In some example embodiments, the slot or subframe of the offset one of the two radio access technologies is offset to commence immediately after radio control channel resource used by the other of the two radio access technologies.

In some example embodiments, the apparatus comprises: means for masking elements of the radio resource allocation of the slot or subframe of the offset one of the two radio access technologies.

In some example embodiments, the slot or subframe of the offset one of the two radio access technologies comprises masked radio control channel resource elements, and optionally wherein the slot or subframe of the offset one of the two radio access 30 technologies comprises masked radio communication channel resource elements.

In some example embodiments, masked resource elements of the offset one of the two radio access technologies are selected to accommodate a reference signal of the other of the two radio access technologies.

In some example embodiments, the masked resource elements comprise a time-shifted reference signal rate matching pattern and wherein the time shift has the same magnitude but opposite direction to the slot or subframe timing offset.

In some example embodiments, the radio control channel resource allocation comprises three symbols of the slot or subframe and optionally wherein the slot or subframe timing offset comprises a delay of one of: one, two or three symbols of the slot or subframe.

In some example embodiments, the radio control channel resource allocation comprises: a physical downlink control channel.

In some example embodiments, at least two symbols of the slot or subframe in the radio control channel resource allocation within the slot or subframe is allocated to a physical downlink control channel of the other of the two radio access technologies and at least two symbols of the offset slot or subframe in the radio control channel resource allocation within the offset slot or subframe is allocated to a physical downlink control channel of the offset one of the two radio access technologies.

In some example embodiments, the two radio access technologies comprise: Long Term Evolution communication and New Radio reduced bandwidth communication.

In some example embodiments, the apparatus is configured to transmit New Radio reduced bandwidth signals within dedicated spectrum bandwidths of less than 5MHz and optionally less than 3MHz.

In some example embodiments, the apparatus is configured to transmit Long Term 25 Evolution signals within dedicated spectrum bandwidths of less than 5MHz and optionally less than 3MHz.

In some example embodiments, the apparatus comprises means to transmit a communication signal within the frequency bandwidth shared between two radio access technologies, wherein the communication signal comprises an indication of the slot or subframe timing offset.

According to various, but not necessarily all, example embodiments of the invention there is provided an apparatus, comprising: means for determining that a frequency bandwidth is shared to support communication within the bandwidth using two radio access technologies; means for receiving an indication of a slot timing offset applied to communication using one of the two radio access technologies wherein the slot timing offset is less than or equal to the duration of a radio control channel resource allocation within the other of the two radio access technologies; means for applying a timing advance to a transmission made using the offset one of the two radio access technologies relative to a transmission made using another radio access technology; wherein the applied timing advance comprises a portion determined by the duration of the slot timing offset.

In some example embodiments, there is provided an apparatus, comprising: means for determining that a frequency bandwidth is shared to support communication within the bandwidth using two radio access technologies; means for receiving an indication of a subframe timing offset applied to communication using one of the two radio access technologies wherein the subframe timing offset is less than or equal to the duration of a radio control channel resource allocation within the other of the two radio access technologies; means for applying a timing advance to a transmission made using the offset one of the two radio access technologies relative to a transmission made using another radio access technology; wherein the applied timing advance comprises a portion determined by the duration of the subframe timing offset.

In some example embodiments, the apparatus comprises user equipment. Accordingly, differences in downlink timing which may cause complications in relation to uplink timings can be accounted for and compensatory steps taken.

In some example embodiments, the indication of slot or subframe timing offset comprises a numerical delay. In some example embodiments, the indication of slot or subframe timing offset comprises one of a set of indices, each index associated with an indication of a numerical timing delay. In some example embodiments, the numerical delay comprises a whole number of symbols.

In some example embodiments, the applied timing advance comprises a portion 30 determined by the duration of the slot or subframe timing offset and a portion comprising a common timing advance applied to transmission made using the offset one of the two radio access technologies within the frequency bandwidth.

In some example embodiments, the applied timing advance is applied by the apparatus to uplink transmissions made using the offset one of the two radio access technologies within the frequency bandwidth.

In some example embodiments, the apparatus comprises means for applying a reference signal rate matching pattern to radio channel resource supporting communication within the shared frequency bandwidth; and means for offsetting the reference signal rate matching pattern in relation to one of the two radio access technologies and wherein an applied reference signal rate matching pattern offset has the same duration as the slot or subframe timing offset.

In some example embodiments, the slot or subframe timing offset comprises a delay of one of: one, two or three symbols of the slot or subframe.

In some example embodiments, the indication of slot or subframe timing offset is received in network signalling. In some example embodiments, the system information broadcast messaging comprises an indication of slot or subframe timing offset.

In some example embodiments, the apparatus is configured to transmit New Radio reduced bandwidth signals within dedicated spectrum bandwidths of less than 5MHz and optionally within dedicated spectrum bandwidths of less than 3MHz; and optionally wherein the apparatus is configured to transmit Long Term Evolution signals within dedicated spectrum bandwidths of less than 5MHz and optionally within dedicated spectrum bandwidths of less than 3MHz.

In some example embodiments, the apparatus comprises means to transmit a communication signal within a bandwidth using at least one of the two radio access technologies. In some example embodiments, the apparatus comprises means to transmit a communication signal within a bandwidth using each of the two radio access technologies.

According to various, but not necessarily all, example embodiments of the invention there is provided a method comprising determining that a frequency bandwidth is shared to support communication within the frequency bandwidth using two radio access technologies; determining a slot timing offset to apply to transmission to communication using one of the two radio access technologies; wherein the slot timing offset is less than or equal to the duration of a radio control channel resource allocation within the other of the two radio access technologies.

In some example embodiments, the method is performed by a wireless communication network base station. In some example embodiments, the method comprises a New Radio (NR) gNB method. In some example embodiments, the method comprises a Long Term Evolution (LTE) eNB method.

In some example embodiments, the method comprises determining that a frequency bandwidth is shared to support communication within the frequency bandwidth using two radio access technologies; determining a subframe timing offset to apply to communication using one of the two radio access technologies; wherein the subframe timing offset is less than or equal to the duration of a radio control channel resource allocation within the other of the two radio access technologies.

In some example embodiments, the method comprises preventing data transmission in a portion of a radio communication channel resource allocation of an offset slot; and wherein and the portion of radio communication channel resource allocation within which data transmission is prevented has the same duration as the slot timing offset.

In some example embodiments, the method comprises masking elements of the radio resource allocation of the slot or subframe of the offset one of the two radio access 25 technologies.

In some example embodiments, the radio control channel resource allocation comprises three symbols of the slot or subframe and optionally the slot or subframe timing offset comprises a delay of one of: one, two or three symbols of the slot or subframe.

In some example embodiments, the method comprises transmitting New Radio reduced bandwidth signals within dedicated spectrum bandwidths of less than 5MHz and optionally less than 3MHz.

In some example embodiments, the method comprises transmitting Long Term 25 Evolution signals within dedicated spectrum bandwidths of less than 5MHz and optionally less than 3MHz.

In some example embodiments, the method comprises transmitting a communication signal within the frequency bandwidth shared between two radio access technologies, 30 wherein the communication signal comprises an indication of the slot or subframe timing offset.

According to various, but not necessarily all, example embodiments of the invention there is provided a method, comprising: determining that a frequency bandwidth is shared to support communication within the bandwidth using two radio access technologies; receiving an indication of a slot timing offset applied to communication using one of the two radio access technologies, wherein the slot timing offset is less than or equal to the duration of a radio control channel resource allocation within the other of the two radio access technologies; means for applying a timing advance to a transmission made using the offset one of the two radio access technologies relative to a transmission made using another radio access technology; wherein the applied timing advance comprises a portion determined by the duration of the slot timing offset.

In some example embodiments, there is provided a method, comprising: determining that a frequency bandwidth is shared to support communication within the bandwidth using two radio access technologies; receiving an indication of a subframe timing offset applied to communication using one of the two radio access technologies, wherein the subframe timing offset is less than or equal to the duration of a radio control channel resource allocation within the other of the two radio access technologies; means for applying a timing advance to a transmission made using the offset one of the two radio access technologies relative to a transmission made using another radio access technology; wherein the applied timing advance comprises a portion determined by the duration of the subframe timing offset.

In some example embodiments, the method comprises a user equipment method.

In some example embodiments, the applied timing advance comprises a portion determined by the duration of the slot or subframe timing offset and a portion comprising a common timing advance applied to transmission made using the offset one of the two radio access technologies within the frequency bandwidth.

In some example embodiments, the applied timing advance is applied to uplink transmissions made using the offset one of the two radio access technologies within the frequency bandwidth.

In some example embodiments, the method comprises applying a reference signal rate matching pattern to radio channel resource supporting communication within the shared frequency bandwidth; and offsetting the reference signal rate matching pattern in relation to one of the two radio access technologies and wherein an applied reference signal rate matching pattern offset has the same duration as the slot or subframe timing offset.

In some example embodiments, the method comprises transmission of New Radio reduced bandwidth signals within dedicated spectrum bandwidths of less than 5MHz and optionally within dedicated spectrum bandwidths of less than 3MHz; and optionally transmission of Long Term Evolution signals within dedicated spectrum bandwidths of less than 5MHz and optionally within dedicated spectrum bandwidths of less than 3MHz.

In some example embodiments, the method comprises transmission of a communication signal within a bandwidth using at least one of the two radio access technologies. In some example embodiments, the method comprises transmission of a communication signal within a bandwidth using each of the two radio access technologies.

According to various, but not necessarily all, example embodiments of the invention there is provided a computer program product which, when executed by a processor on an apparatus, is operable to control the apparatus to perform an embodiment or further embodiment.

According to various, but not necessarily all, example embodiments of the invention there is provided an apparatus, comprising: circuitry configured to determine that a frequency bandwidth is shared to support communication within the frequency bandwidth using two radio access technologies; circuitry configured to determine a slot or subframe timing offset to apply to communication using one of the two radio access technologies; wherein the slot timing offset is less than or equal to the duration of a radio control channel resource allocation within the other of the two radio access technologies.

According to various, but not necessarily all, example embodiments of the invention there is provided an apparatus, comprising: circuitry configured to determine that a frequency bandwidth is shared to support communication within the bandwidth using two radio access technologies; circuitry configured to receive an indication of a slot or subframe timing offset applied to communication using one of the two radio access technologies wherein the slot or subframe timing offset is less than or equal to the duration of a radio control channel resource allocation within the other of the two radio access technologies; circuitry configured to apply a timing advance to a transmission made using the offset one of the two radio access technologies relative to a transmission made using another radio access technology; wherein the applied timing advance comprises a portion determined by the duration of the slot or subframe timing offset.

In some example embodiments, said means for preventing data transmission in a portion of a radio communication channel resource allocation of an offset slot comprises circuitry configured to prevent data transmission in a portion of a radio communication channel resource allocation of an offset slot; said means for masking zo elements of the radio resource allocation of the slot or subframe of the offset one of the two radio access technologies comprises circuitry configured to mask elements of the radio resource allocation of the slot or subframe of the offset one of the two radio access technologies; said means to transmit a communication signal within the frequency bandwidth shared between two radio access technologies comprises circuitry configured to transmit a communication signal within the frequency bandwidth shared between two radio access technologies; said means for applying a reference signal rate matching pattern to radio channel resource supporting communication within the shared frequency bandwidth comprises circuitry configured to apply a reference signal rate matching pattern to radio channel resource supporting communication within the shared frequency bandwidth; said means for offsetting the reference signal rate matching pattern in relation to one of the two radio access technologies comprises circuitry configured to offset the reference signal rate matching pattern in relation to one of the two radio access technologies; and said means to transmit a communication signal within a bandwidth using at least one of the two radio access technologies comprises circuitry configured to transmit a communication signal within a bandwidth using at least one of the two radio access technologies.

According to various, but not necessarily all, example embodiments of the invention there is provided an apparatus, comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code; the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform: determining that a frequency bandwidth is shared to support communication within the frequency bandwidth using two radio access technologies; determining a slot timing offset to apply to transmission to communication using one of the two radio access technologies; wherein the slot timing offset is less than or equal to the duration of a radio control channel resource allocation within the other of the two radio access technologies.

According to various, but not necessarily all, example embodiments of the invention there is provided an apparatus, comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code; the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform: determining that a frequency bandwidth is shared to support communication within the bandwidth using two radio access technologies; receiving an indication of a slot timing offset applied to communication using one of the two radio access technologies, wherein the slot timing offset is less than or equal to zo the duration of a radio control channel resource allocation within the other of the two radio access technologies; means for applying a timing advance to a transmission made using the offset one of the two radio access technologies relative to a transmission made using another radio access technology; wherein the applied timing advance comprises a portion determined by the duration of the slot timing offset.

Further particular and preferred aspects are set out in the accompanying independent and dependent claims. Features of the dependent claims may be combined with features of the independent claims as appropriate, and in combinations other than those explicitly set out in the claims.

Where an apparatus feature is described as being operable to provide a function, it will be appreciated that this includes an apparatus feature which provides that function or which is adapted or configured to provide that function.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FTGURES

Some example embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIG. 1 illustrates an existing radio resource allocation within a downlink subframe for Long term Evolution (LTE) and New Radio (NR) Physical Downlink Control Channels (PDCCH) in a 3MHz dynamic spectrum sharing deployment; FIG. 2 illustrates schematically downlink resource allocation within one LTE physical resource block over one LIE subframe; FIG. 3 illustrates schematically downlink resource allocation in one physical resource block across two subframes of LTE and two slots of NR, that allocation being implemented taking into account use of a two symbol offset; FIG. 4 illustrates one physical resource block downlink allocation within two subframes 10 of LTE and two slots of NR where LTE and NR coexist and are subject to a two symbol offset; FIG. 5 illustrates schematically an offset implemented in relation to LTE and NR uplink slots when an offset is implemented in downlink between LTE frames and NR slots; FIG. 6 shows apparatus in a communication system according to an example embodiment; and FIG. 7 shows a flow diagram illustrating steps in methods performed at network nodes according to some example embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before discussing the example embodiments in any more detail, first an overview will be provided.

Embodiments relate to methods for supporting improved operation of a wireless communication network in which available bandwidth is shared between more than one Radio Access Technology (RAT). Embodiments support mechanisms which operate in, for example, a Dynamic Spectrum Sharing (DSS) arrangement implemented within a wireless communication network. In particular, embodiments relate to ways in which it is possible to dedicated spectrum bandwidths having a restricted bandwidth or narrow bandwidth and may support use of New Radio (NR) communication in addition to legacy RAT communication. In other words, embodiments may have applicability where signalling being transmitted within a network and/or the structure of communication within a network are required to support both NR communication and communication using a legacy RAT. Such a bandwidth sharing arrangement can help a network operator to support migration from use of a legacy RAT to use of a new RAT, including, for example, NR.

One example of a bandwidth sharing arrangement may occur, for example, in relation to provision of a migration path from LTE to NR. Bandwidth sharing within a given carrier is implemented by deploying dynamic spectrum sharing (DSS). According to some DSS techniques, communication using two RATs, for example, NR communication and LTE communication, can be overlaid appropriately to make use of the same carrier.

An available carrier for sharing may comprise a restricted bandwidth carrier and may, for example, comprise a narrow band carrier. As a result, compromises may be required in relation to available resource for allocation between the two RATs.

By way of example, where a bandwidth is to be shared between RATs, physical downlink control channel resource allocation, and therefore control capacity, may be restricted. in legacy communication arrangements such as LTE three symbols of a subframe are typically used to carry a physical downlink control channel. Similarly, it would be typical for a standard NR deployment to also allocate three symbols within a slot for physical control. Practical implementations of DSS are currently such that three adjacent consecutive symbols serve both LTE physical downlink control channel and NR physical downlink control channel. In order to support user equipment (UE) which are limited to placement of the downlink physical control channels in three consecutives symbols, in a DSS arrangement, the physical control channels may be split or shared between two RATs. Sharing a physical control resource allocation, particularly where only a restricted or narrow carrier bandwidth is available, may cause capacity and coverage problems in either or both RAT.

FIG. 1 shows a typical resource allocation or structure of an LTE subframe and equivalent NR slot in which dynamic spectrum sharing has been deployed. In the example shown in FIG. 1 LTE and NR share available resource in a 3MHz bandwidth according to a DSS deployment. The resource available moo is shared to support physical control and data transfer between nodes in a network. The resource woo is nominally split into a physical control region 100 and a data region 200. Of course, depending upon implementation, it may be possible to use some of the physical control region km for data transfer. Similarly, in some implementations, it may be possible to use some of the data region zoo for physical control. Various multiplexing scenarios are also possible. For example, whilst it is described that the control region is Time Division Multiplexed (TDM) between the LTE and NR RATs and it is assumed that the same TDM may occur in data region 200, it is possible to implement a Frequency Division Multiplexed (FDM) approach such that NR and LTE are simultaneously transmitted in the data region zoo.

In the example shown in Figure 1, the physical downlink control channel region wo and data region 200 is shared between LTE and NR. In the example shown, a 3MHz carrier is available to be shared between LTE and NR. The resource moo available for sharing consists of 15 physical resource blocks (PRBs) shown on the y-axis of Figure 1, and 14 symbols, shown in the x-axis of Figure 1. Three of the available fourteen symbols within the ims subframe (LTE) or slot (NR) are nominally allocated to control. It will be appreciated that NR also has a subframe of ims, though the basic time domain resource in NR is termed a "slot". The resource loo in those three symbols is shared between LTE and NR to allow for provision of control information to communicating nodes in relation to both LTE communication and NR communication within a wireless communication network in which the available bandwidth is to be shared. In the example implementation shown in FIG. 1, two symbols of the control allocation loo are allocated to support the physical downlink control channels in LTE. The LTE control allocation looa forms part of the entire control allocation ma One symbol mob of the control allocation 100 is allocated to support a physical downlink control channel required in relation to support NR communication within the network.

It will be appreciated that various scenarios with different control allocations of symbols between two RATs can be implemented. In a typical scenario, the control zo allocations for each of the RATs may be non-overlapping (as shown in FIG.1, FIG. 3 and FIG.4, where the LTE PDCCH region and NR PDCCH region do not overlap as a result of symbol allocation). However, the examples described in detail can also be used in support of scenarios with in which, for example, there are partially overlapping control resource allocation between RATs (eg LTE and NR). In a typical LTE implementation, the LTE data region is assumed to commence immediately after the control allocation and therefore there is not naturally a gap which could be filled with NR control. A system may be configured such that it schedules LTE data when there is no transmission of NR physical control, or may be configured to frequency multiplex LTE data with physical control, or it uses a brute-force mechanism in relation to resource where the two would collide.

The control information provided in resource allocation wo allows nodes to understand how to read information provided in the data region zoo. The sharing of control allocation loo has the result that NR Physical Downlink Control Channels (PDCCH) has an allocation of fifteen physical resource blocks mob. As a result of the symbol restriction (x-axis) and the restricted available carrier bandwidth (only 15 PRBs) implementation of a DSS arrangement has the consequence that a communication link operating using NR within the carrier is limited to aggregation level 2 (AL2) This limitation is a result of the resource allocation required to support control channels within a NR arrangement. In particular, one NR control channel element (CCE) requires six physical resource blocks (PRBs). The number of available CCEs which can fit within a carrier sets an upper level to an aggregation level that is associated with a particular physical downlink control channel. Typically, when user equipment is provided further away from a base station, for example, gNB, resulting path loss can be compensated for by aggregating an increased number of CCEs. Aggregating CCEs and transmitting a physical downlink control channel using a larger number of resource elements can support effective communication within a network with user equipment that is further away from a base station since aggregation acts to transmit more energy and get the PDCCH information to reach a user equipment that is located further away from a base station. A physical downlink control channel arrangement which is limited to support a maximum aggregation level of 2 therefore may significantly constrain a coverage region which can be supported by a NR physical downlink control channel. By way of example, if a maximum aggregation level supported by NR specification is 16 a typical aggregation level used in standard NR arrangements is set such that cell edge users are assumed to be operating at an aggregation level of 8. It can therefore be seen that limiting NR control allocation to only fifteen physical resource blocks can significantly constrain the coverage area which can be supported by NR communication within a network. In particular, if transmitting PDCCH with aggregation level 8 (AL8) using a 3-symbol coreset, one resource block may be punctured since AL8 requires 16 RBs, but a 3MHz deployment scenario has only 15 RBs. Further, in relation to a 3-symbol coreset, 1 CUE (6REGs) occupy 2 PBs and 8 CCEs occupies 16 PRBs.

It is possible to split the three symbol control allocation differently. It is possible, for example, to allocate one symbol to LTE PDCCH and two symbols of the available control allocation to NR PDCCH. Such a rearrangement simply moves the constraint to the LTE network whilst helping the NR PDCCH to reach the higher aggregation level.

In particular, the restriction of control resource on the LTE side simply moves issues from the NR communication side to the LTE communication side. It is only possible to restrict VIE PDCCH to a single symbol with a one or two port LTE configuration since NR PDCCH cannot be overlaid onto an LTE cell specific reference signal (CRS). It will be appreciated that cell specific reference signals in LTE have particular predefined resource allocations within an LTE subframe.

FIG. 2 illustrates in detail one physical resource block resource allocation suitable for use in a DSS arrangement according to an LTE communication network. As indicated in Figure 1, the DSS arrangement allows 2 symbols of resource rooa for LTE physical channels. The physical resource block shown comprises twelve sub carriers (y-axis) across fourteen symbols (x-axis). Figure 2 shows a particular 4-port LTE cellspecificreference signal (CRS) resource element allocation. Although 4 CRS are included in Figure 2, for ease of reference, the resource elements of one CRS are specifically labelled 300. The CRS resource elements fall within the physical channel resource allocation roo and the data region zoo. As described previously, NR physical downlink control channels in a DSS arrangement cannot be arranged to overlap with an LTE CRS. As a result, in a DSS arrangement if the LTE cell is a 4-transmission antenna cell (that is to say it uses four cell-specific reference signal antenna ports), then the arrangement of the CRS resource elements prohibits positioning of new radio control channels on the first or second symbol within the LTE subframe. What this means is symbols o and 1 need to be reserved for LTE PDCCH. If a two transmit antenna LTE cell is in operation in a DSS arrangement, then antenna port number 2 and number 3 CRS resource elements (some of which are located on symbol 1) are not present and therefore it is possible to allocate one symbol of the available DSS control channel allocation loo to LTE PDCCH and two symbols to NR PDCCH. The same applies if a single transmit antenna LTE cell is in operation in a DSS arrangement, when antenna port number 1, number 2 and number 3 CRS resource elements are not present. That is to say, a consequent LTE communication network restriction results from extending a DSS NR control channel allocation to two symbols: that restriction being that only a single or 2-port transmission antenna can be used in the LTE network.

In summary, it is recognised that issues arise from a constrained control allocation when it is necessary to dynamically share spectrum between two radio access technologies. Extending the control allocation roo within a subframe woo to a greater number of symbols results in reduced resource 200 being available for transmission of data. However, the restriction of a control allocation foo within a restricted bandwidth can lead to significant compromise in supporting communication using both radio access technologies.

Before discussing a particular detailed examples of alternative ways in which available bandwidth could be shared to support communication using more than one RAT, a general overview of some features of arrangements is provided.

Downlink Offset Aspects recognise that a possible way to effectively extend a control channel allocation in a dynamic spectrum sharing arrangement which may mitigate some of the compromises or limitations of arrangements described above is offset or shift a subframe or slot of one RAT compared to that of another RAT. For example, where bandwidth is shared between LTE and NR communication networks, the downlink timing of a NR communication slot (and subframe) may be time shifted or offset with respect to a subframe of LTE communication. Offsetting one RAT compared to the other can effectively increase a resource allocation in each of the two RATs. For example, by offsetting an LTE subframe relative to a NR slot, such that the NR slot starts one, two, three or more symbols later than a LTE subframe, the control channel allocation looa can be used differently within the LTE subframe and NR slot respectively. In particular, one example arrangement may allow for using two symbols for physical downlink control channels in the LTE arrangement and, as a result of a relative shift between the NR and LTE communications, two symbols can be used in the NR slot in relation to support of NR communication. According to such an implementation, the offsetting of downlink timing means that PDCCH monitoring (for example, within the NR RAT) may be configured to operate according to a slot-based monitoring operation, typically supported by all UE. Alternative implementations, in which, for example, a CORESET is offset within a slot, may be such that the implementation requires additional UE capability (i.e. support for non-slot -based PDCCH monitoring).

FIG. 3 illustrates schematically in a side-by-side manner for the purposes of clarity, a possible configurational structure of an LTE subframe and an NR slot which may be suitable for off-setting in relation to each other. In particular, FIG. 3 shows resource allocation across two LTE subframes 3ooa and resource allocation across two NR slots 300b so that it can be seen how the relative allocations of resource within the LTE subframe 3ooa and the NR slot 300b respectively align with respect to one another when subject, in the example shown, to an offset 400 of two symbols.

In the example shown bandwidth is to be shared between LTE and NR communication. 30 DSS techniques are deployed and the first three symbols, whether in LTE or NR, are allocated to supporting control signalling within the two communication networks.

Taking first the resource allocation within an LTE subframe 3ooa, Figure 3 illustrates a 4-port LTE arrangement. The resource elements allocated to a 4-port CRS is shown, labelled with numbers o, 1, 2 and 3. The CRS elements of a 4 port CRS are located within the two symbol control allocation bow of the LTE subframe and then in the fifth, eighth, ninth and eleventh symbol of the LTE subframe. They have known and fixed predetermined positions.

Taking now the resource allocation in a NR slot 300b which has been offset 400 by two symbols relative to the LTE subframe 300a. Again, the first three symbols 100 of the slot are allocatable, according to the DSS arrangement, to support physical control channel transmission. However, in this instance the offset 400 of two symbols in relation to the timing of the LTE subframe 3ooa and the NR slot 300b is such that the NR physical control can use more than the single symbol mob shown in Figure 2. As shown in Figure 3, the offset 400 allows for the first three symbols of the NR slot to be used for NR PDCCH provided that, in this instance, given the known structure of the LTE subframe supporting a 4-port CRS, there is an expectation that some of the resource elements which fall within the first three symbols of the offset NR slot have already been allocated to use in support of LTE CRS. Those pre-allocated resource elements in the LTE subframe can be accounted for and masked 500 within the NR slot. Those masked resource elements 500 are not used in the NR slot to support NR PDCCH or NR data. The required NR demodulation reference signal (DMRS) 600 falls in symbols in the offset NR slot which do not coincide with LTE subframe symbols in which there is an LTE CRS allocation. Therefore there is no need to puncture or mask any of the resource elements in the LIE subframe symbol which would be overlaid with the DMRS 600 required to support NR communication.

It will be appreciated that whilst FIG. 3 shows LIE CRS in the PDCCH region, and the NR PDCCH puncturing takes account of that positioning, it is also possible to implement various resource allocation solutions, for example, the superpositioning (i.e. simultaneous transmission) of NR PDCCH and LTE CRS.

In the arrangement shown in Figure 3, it can be seen that the offset NR slot includes a masked region 700 which is not used for control or data so that the physical control channels which are required in relation to the LTE communication subframe 300a within the shared bandwidth can be successfully transmitted.

FIG. 4 illustrates the same allocation of resource elements within an LTE subframe and offset NR slot as shown in FIG.3 but overlaid, rather than side by side.

It will be appreciated whilst an offset of two symbols is shown in the example of Figures 3 and 4 the principles described in relation to those Figures may be adapted as appropriate to accommodate offsets of other durations. For example, it is possible to implement an NR slot off-set relative to an LW subframe which has a duration of one, two, three or more symbols. If implementing in a manner completely analogous to that described in relation to Figures 3 and 4, the offset NR slot may structured such that it takes into account a predetermined LTE CRS resource allocation. An appropriate CRS pattern matching approach can be used to make holes, puncture or mask NR resource elements so that the NR transmissions do not cause interference with specific transmissions made in the LTE subframe. Typically in relation to CRS rate matching patterns it is assumed that there is no offset between an LTE subframe and a NR slot, therefore typical pattern matching is set up to assume that there is no offset. In order to ensure ongoing functionality and to compensate for the offset being applied in relation to the whole NR slot relative to the LTE subframe, an appropriate symbol 10 offset may be introduced into the LTE CRS rate matching pattern configuration.

In other words, applying an offset in relation to downlink subframes and slots of varying radio access technologies may result in a consequence of applying an appropriate masking pattern to a resource allocation in one of the RATs to take account of the shifted transmissions being made within resource according to the differing radio access technology. In the particular example of a NR slot being shifted relative to an LTE subframe as shown in Figures 3 and 4, it will be appreciated that a consequence of offsetting the NR slot with relation to the LTE subframe is that of needing to rematch or realign an LTE cell-specific reference signal rate matching pattern to the moved NR slot Similarly, as described above in relation to Figures 3 and 4, use of an offset in relation to a NR slot relative to an LTE subframe may be implemented such that that an empty or masked part of the NR slot is provided. In the example shown, the masked part of the NR slot is provided at the end of the NR slot in those resource elements that otherwise would be overlaid with the LTE subframe control region. That is to say, an "empty" or unallocated part of the NR slot that will coincide with the LTE PDCCH region is moved from the beginning to the end of the NR slot as a result of the offset. The masking is implemented such that NR PDSCH scheduling and allocation of CSI-RS leaves as many symbols at the end of the slot unused as the NR slot is delayed or offset relative to the LTE subframe.

Uplink Offset The offset arrangements described so far in relation to downlink communications within a communication network may have consequences which can be experienced by user equipment or other nodes operating within a network. in particular, a person skilled in the art would understand that downlink timing typically works with reference to uplink timing and having an offset between communications in different RATs can make uplink multiplexing of the two RATs for efficient signalling within the two RATs problematic.

Changes can be implemented at user equipment and/or other network nodes to increase functionality within a network in the event of implementation of a downlink offset between RATs. Aspects recognise that one possible consequence of implementing an offset in the downlink may be a requirement to implement uplink timing advance de-offsetting.

The uplink timing of each RAT is typically defined relative to the downlink timing. In NR in DSS deployments the base Timing Advance Offset (NTA.,"The() is defined to be equal to the one last applied in the LTE cells. It can therefore be understood that the timing advance of the two RATs are tied to one another. The table below reflects a typical timing offset applied to NR cells operating in NR bands where LTE and NR coexisting, together with an indication of the timing offset applied where the RATs are not sharing spectrum.

Frequency range and band of cell used for uplink., (Unit. _,, transmission PITA,offset kuna: lei FR1 FDD band without LTE-NR coexistence case or FR1 TDD band without LTE-NR coexistence case 25600 (Note 1) FR1 FDD band with LTE-NR coexistence case 0 (Note 1) FR1 TDD band with LTE-NR coexistence case 39936 (Note 1) FR2 13792 Note 1 The UE identifies NTA,aset based on the information n-TimingAdvanceOffset as specified in TS 38.331 [2]. If UE is not provided with the information n-TimingAdvanceOffset, the default value of NTA,offset is set as 25600 for FR1 band. In case of multiple UL carriers in the same TAG, UE expects that the same value of n-TimingAdvanceOffset is provided for all the UL carriers according to clause 4.2 in TS 38.213 [3] and the value 39936 of NTA,offset can also be provided for a FDD serving cell.

Note 2: Void It will be appreciated that when the NR downlink slot is delayed or offset by any number of symbols relative to the LTE downlink subframe, it may be useful to provide some mechanism to compensate for that offset so that uplink transmissions made using the two different RATs appropriately re-align. Aspects recognise that it is possible to provide for an additional offset or timing advance to be applied relative to the downlink in relation to uplink transmissions and that such a compensatory additional timing advance will need to have the same duration or number of symbols as any offset applied in relation to the downlink. Matching the offsets re-aligns nominal uplink timings of the two RATs.

FIG. 5 illustrates schematically one possible mechanism for uplink timing realignment.

Figure 5 shows two downlink LTE subframes 3ooa and two downlink NR slots 300b. Those subframes and slots have the same structure as those shown and explained in more detail in Figures 3 and 4. An offset 400 of two symbols has been implemented such that the NR slots 300b are delayed by 2 symbols relative to the LTE subframes. If uplink transmissions using LTE and NR are to be considered to occur at the same time, to allow appropriate multiplexing, then the delay in the NR slot relative to the VIE subframe needs to be compensated for in uplink transmissions made by user equipment.

The LTE uplink subframe 800a and NR uplink slot 800b can be re-aligned by applying a timing advance to the NR uplink slots. It can be understood from the schematic representation of Figures that the timing advance 900 to be applied in relation to NR uplink slots to realign them with LTE uplink subframes is of the same duration as the offset 400 applied to the NR slot compared to the LTE subframe in the downlink. The timing advance is of the same magnitude as the downlink offset, but with an opposite direction. In particular, in the example shown in FIG. 5, the NR downlink slot is delayed by two symbols 400 relative to the LTE downlink subframe and in order to realign uplink transmissions made by the user equipment and understood by the network the NR uplink communications are correspondingly advanced by two symbols 900.

That additional timing advance is applied to NR uplink slots and not to the LIE uplink subframes. In this way, a downlink delay offset between the two radio access technologies can be compensated for in the uplink by applying a corresponding negative offset (or timing advance) in relation the NR uplink timing.

Rate Matching Pattern Offset As described above in relation to downlink transmissions, normally LTE CRS rate matching patterns applied in NR slots assume that there is complete alignment between an LTE subframe and a NR slot. The LTE cell-specific reference signal matching pattern configured to, for example, NR user equipment, is used to create holes in NR downlink transmission so that an LTE cell-specific reference signal can be transmitted in the holes created and the NR user equipment can receive NR signals placed on resource other than those which have been blocked out by the holes, without the LTE cell-specific reference signal interfering with NR operation. Typically an LTE CRS rate matching pattern configuration assumes that an LTE subframe and NR slot are aligned and therefore that symbol number 1 or symbol number o overlap. It will be appreciated that as a result of offsetting the NR downlink slot compared to the LTE downlink subframe it may be helpful to compensate for that offset to ensure that any masking pattern applied by communication nodes within a network are appropriate and useful. Aspects recognise that it is possible to apply a symbol offset to apply to the rate matching pattern, and that offset may compensate for the offset between the LTE and NR transmissions so that, for example, an LTE CRS rate matching pattern configuration is re-aligned to support effective NR communication with user equipment, so that the LTE and NR communications do not interfere with each other. It will come as no surprise to the person of skill in the art that the magnitude of an appropriate offset to apply to the CRS rate matching pattern is essentially the same as the offset applied to the NR slot compared to the LTE downlink subframe.

Overall it can be seen that the magnitude of the three offsets talked about herein (downlink offset; uplink timing advance; CRS rate matching pattern offset) will typically all be the same. The delay from the start of LTE downlink subframe to the start of the NR downlink slot defines an additional timing advance to be used to realign NR uplink slots with LTE uplink subframes. The delay from the start of an LTE downlink subframe to the start of the NR downlink slot also defines an offset to be applied in relation to LTE CRS matching patterns configured to NR user equipment.

Having described the general approach in the context of co-existence of two RATs within a shared bandwidth, particularly LTE and NR coexisting within a restricted bandwidth, a specific implementation and some signalling involved with such a specific implementation are now described in detail. It will be appreciated that this description relates to one possible detailed implementation and that further or alternative specific implementations of the principles described above may be possible. The detailed implementation described relates to a system in which changes are made to shared downlink resources and to communications made by user equipment in the uplink in response to such downlink communication.

In particular, the implementation described comprises implementing a NR downlink slot offset compared to an LTE subframe. That is to say, in a DSS situation, a network may be configured such that NR downlink slot timing is delayed by a number of symbols (in various arrangements, one, two or even three symbols) compared to LTE subframe timing. Such a delay can be configured to occur as a result of appropriate network configuration. in support of such a reconfiguration of downlink resource allocation, further changes can be made within a network to improve overall efficiency available as a result of a downlink frame or slot shift. By way of example, such changes may include uplink timing advance de-offsetting and LTE CRS rate matching pattern de-offsetting. An indication of an appropriate additional timing advance to apply in the event of DSS in which a relative offset is implemented can be provided to user equipment via network signalling. The network signalling or network configuration may be such that an additional timing advance applies to a basic timing advance offset which occurs as a result of dynamic spectrum sharing. In relation to the need to provide an updated offset cell-specific reference signal rate matching pattern, network configuration or signalling can be adjusted to accommodate introduction of an offset to a typical LTE CRS rate matching pattern configured to NR user equipment.

Unlink Timing Advance De-offsetting According to one possible implementation, an additional offset can be known by user equipment before that user equipment is operable to transmit anything within a network. That is to say, initial access-related uplink transmissions may already be configured to apply such an additional timing advance offset. Such an implementation may require the introduction of an additional component to be added to a offset indication NTA.offse( which is provided in a system information block (eg SIM.) of a system information broadcast. Such an implementation could be achieved, for example, by introducing a new indication in SIM. (T838.331) that can be present only if required. Changes to standard signalling could include the following in which an indicator of a magnitude of a timing advance to be applied can be signalled to user equipment. The absence of such an indicator simply means that no offset is required.

n-TimingAdvanceOffsetSymbols Offset n number o vtp es (TO Symbo k.... *,-. T.3ta 1 OP) li3iO72 1024, - ..:c. ""' : 10240+ g 281A100 n3 10240+29 421888 3*131072 4,*iiO72, 10240: 6: 562176 rib 5i3iQ72 10240 9 702464 0 0'13 -10240+ - 842752 one,: r Uian the r4.iirs LTE CRS Rate Matching Patttern De-offsetting Deoffsetting the LTE CRS rate matching pattern may, according to some implementations, be explicitly introduced into the CRS rate matching pattern configuration or can be directly derived from, for example, the additional timing advance offset signalling described in relation to the uplink timing advance deoffsetting above. An example of such signalling is set out below: FIG. 6 shows apparatus in a communication system according to an example embodiment. In particular Figure 6 illustrates a wireless communication network in which a core network 6100 is configured to communicate with base stations 6200 ad determine the way in which they operate within the network 6000. Those base stations 6200 may comprise base stations with different RAT capabilities. In some examples, they may comprise NR base stations and LTE base stations. Abase station 6200 in accordance with one example embodiment may comprise: circuitry 6300 configured to determine that a frequency bandwidth is shared to support communication within the frequency bandwidth using two radio access technologies; and circuitry 6400 configured to determine a slot or subframe timing offset to apply to communication using one of the two radio access technologies; wherein the slot timing offset is less than or equal to the duration of a radio control channel resource allocation within the other of the two radio access technologies. The base station 6200 may further comprise transmission equipment 650o configured to make transmissions to other nodes within a network in accordance with the methodology set by circuitry 6300 and 6400.

Figure 6 further shows a user equipment node 7000 configured to operate within network 6000. According to one example embodiment, the user equipment node 7000 may comprise circuitry 7100 configured to determine that a frequency bandwidth is shared to support communication within the bandwidth using two radio access technologies and circuitry 7200 configured to receive an indication of a slot or subframe timing offset applied to communication using one of the two radio access technologies wherein the slot or subframe timing offset is less than or equal to the duration of a radio control channel resource allocation within the other of the two radio access technologies. The user equipment 7000 may also comprise circuitry 7300 configured to apply a timing advance to a transmission made using the offset one of the two radio access technologies relative to a transmission made using another radio access technology; wherein the applied timing advance comprises a portion determined by the duration of the slot or subframe timing offset. r:N 0

Ca:Ttet:a:andwr:;t,rjl. ENUN, OPTIONAL --Need *ct RA-r.

symbolOffset ENUMERATED (n1 n2 n3 n4 n5 n6} symbolOffset Offset from the LTE subframe symbol#0 to the NR slot symbol#0 in 15 kHz symbols. If the field is absent, the UE uses zero as the offset.

FIG. 7 shows a flow diagram illustrating steps in methods performed at network nodes according to the example embodiment shown in Figure 6.

In particular, base station 6200 may be configured to perform the steps of: S63oo: determining that a frequency bandwidth is shared to support communication within the frequency bandwidth using two radio access technologies; and S6400: determining a slot timing offset to apply to transmission to communication using one of the two radio access technologies; wherein the slot timing offset is less than or equal to the duration of a radio control channel resource allocation within the other of the two radio access technologies.

User Equipment 7000 may be configured to perform the steps of: S7too: determining that a frequency bandwidth is shared to support communication within the bandwidth using two radio access technologies; S7200: receiving an indication of a slot timing offset applied to communication using one of the two radio access technologies, wherein the slot timing offset is less than or equal to the duration of a radio control channel resource allocation within the other of the two radio access technologies; S7300: applying a timing advance to a transmission made using the offset one of the two radio access technologies relative to a transmission made using another radio access technology; wherein the applied timing advance comprises a portion determined by the duration of the slot timing offset.

A person of skill in the art would readily recognize that steps of various above-described methods can be performed by programmed computers. Herein, some embodiments are also intended to cover program storage devices, e.g., digital data storage media, which are machine or computer readable and encode machine-executable or computer-executable programs of instructions, wherein said instructions perform some or all of the steps of said above-described methods. The program storage devices maybe, e.g., digital memories, magnetic storage media such as a magnetic disks and magnetic tapes, hard drives, or optically readable digital data storage media. The embodiments are also intended to cover computers programmed to perform said steps of the above-described methods.

As used in this application, the term "circuitry" may refer to one or more or all of the following: (a) hardware-only circuit implementations (such as implementations in only analog and/or digital circuitry) and (b) combinations of hardware circuits and software, such as (as applicable): (i) a combination of analog and/or digital hardware circuit(s) with software/firmware and (ii) any portions of hardware processor(s) with software (including digital signal processor(s)), software, and memory(ies) that work together to cause an apparatus, such as a mobile phone or server, to perform various functions) and (c) hardware circuit(s) and or processor(s), such as a microprocessor(s) or a portion of a microprocessor(s), that requires software (e.g., firmware) for operation, but the software may not be present when it is not needed for operation.

This definition of circuitry applies to all uses of this term in this application, including in any claims. As a further example, as used in this application, the term circuitry also covers an implementation of merely a hardware circuit or processor (or multiple processors) or portion of a hardware circuit or processor and its (or their) accompanying software and/or firmware. The term circuitry also covers, for example and if applicable to the particular claim element, a baseband integrated circuit or processor integrated circuit for a mobile device or a similar integrated circuit in server, a cellular network device, or other computing or network device.

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

Features described in the preceding description may be used in combinations other than the combinations explicitly described.

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

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

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

Claims

CLAIMS1. An apparatus, comprising means for determining that a frequency bandwidth is shared to support communication within the frequency bandwidth using two radio access technologies; means for determining a slot timing offset to apply to communication using one of the two radio access technologies; wherein the slot timing offset is less than or equal to the duration of a radio control channel resource allocation within the other of the two radio access technologies.
2. An apparatus according to claim 1, comprising means for preventing data transmission in a portion of a radio communication channel resource allocation of an offset slot; and wherein and the portion of radio communication channel resource allocation within which data transmission is prevented has the same duration as the slot timing offset.
3. An apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the slot of the offset one of the two radio access technologies is offset to commence immediately after radio control channel resource used by the other of the two radio access technologies.
4. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus comprises: means for masking elements of the radio resource allocation of the slot of the offset one of the two radio access technologies.
5. An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the slot of the offset one of the two radio access technologies comprises masked radio control channel resource elements, and optionally wherein the slot of the offset one of the two radio access technologies comprises masked radio communication channel resource elements.
6. An apparatus according to claim 4 or claim 5, wherein masked resource elements of the offset one of the two radio access technologies are selected to accommodate a reference signal of the other of the two radio access technologies.
7. An apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the masked resource elements comprise a time-shifted reference signal rate matching pattern and wherein the time shift has the same magnitude but opposite direction to the slot timing offset.
8. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the radio control channel resource allocation comprises three symbols of the slot and optionally wherein the slot timing offset comprises a delay of one of: one, two or three symbols of the slot.
9. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the radio control channel resource allocation comprises: a physical downlink control channel.
10. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein at least two symbols of in the slot in the radio control channel resource allocation within the slot is allocated to a physical downlink control channel of the other of the two radio access technologies and at least two symbols of the offset slot in the radio control channel resource allocation within the offset slot is allocated to a physical downlink control channel of the offset one of the two radio access technologies.
An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the two radio access technologies comprise: Long Term Evolution communication and New Radio reduced bandwidth communication.
12. An apparatus according to claim n, wherein the apparatus is configured to transmit New Radio reduced bandwidth signals within dedicated spectrum bandwidths of less than 5MHz and optionally less than 3MHz.
13. An apparatus according to claim 11 or claim 12, wherein the apparatus is configured to transmit Long Term Evolution signals within dedicated spectrum bandwidths of less than 5MHz and optionally less than 3MHz.
14. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, comprising means to transmit a communication signal within the frequency bandwidth shared between two radio 30 access technologies, wherein the communication signal comprises an indication of the slot timing offset.
15. An apparatus, comprising means for determining that a frequency bandwidth is shared to support communication within the bandwidth using two radio access technologies; means for receiving an indication of a slot timing offset applied to communication using one of the two radio access technologies wherein the slot timing offset is less than or equal to the duration of a radio control channel resource allocation within the other of the two radio access technologies; means for applying a timing advance to a transmission made using the offset one of the two radio access technologies relative to a transmission made using another radio access technology; wherein the applied timing advance comprises a portion determined by the duration of the slot timing offset.
16. An apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the applied timing advance comprises a portion determined by the duration of the slot timing offset and a portion comprising a common timing advance applied to transmission made using the offset one of the two radio access technologies within the frequency bandwidth.
17. An apparatus according to claim 15 or claim 16, wherein the applied timing 15 advance is applied by the apparatus to uplink transmissions made using the offset one of the two radio access technologies within the frequency bandwidth.
18. An apparatus according to any one of claims 15 to 17, comprising means for applying a reference signal rate matching pattern to radio channel resource supporting communication within the shared frequency bandwidth; and means for offsetting the reference signal rate matching pattern in relation to one of the two radio access technologies and wherein an applied reference signal rate matching pattern offset has the same duration as the slot timing offset.
19. An apparatus according to any one of claims 15 to 18, wherein the slot timing offset comprises a delay of one of: one, two or three symbols of the slot.
20. An apparatus according to any one of claims 15 to 19, wherein the two radio access technologies comprise: Long Term Evolution communication and new radio 30 reduced bandwidth communication.
21. An apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the apparatus is configured to transmit new radio reduced bandwidth signals within dedicated spectrum bandwidths of less than 5MHz and optionally within dedicated spectrum bandwidths of less than 3MHz; and optionally wherein the apparatus is configured to transmit Long Term Evolution signals within dedicated spectrum bandwidths of less than 5MHz and optionally within dedicated spectrum bandwidths of less than 3MHz.
22. An apparatus according to any one of claims 15 to 21, comprising means to transmit a communication signal within a bandwidth using the two radio access technologies.
23. A method comprising determining that a frequency bandwidth is shared to support communication within the frequency bandwidth using two radio access technologies; determining a slot timing offset to apply to transmission to communication using one of the two radio access technologies; wherein the slot timing offset is less than or equal to the duration of a radio control channel resource allocation within the other of the two radio access technologies.
24. A method, comprising determining that a frequency bandwidth is shared to support communication within 15 the bandwidth using two radio access technologies; receiving an indication of a slot timing offset applied to communication using one of the two radio access technologies, wherein the slot timing offset is less than or equal to the duration of a radio control channel resource allocation within the other of the two radio access technologies; means for applying a timing advance to a transmission made using the offset one of the two radio access technologies relative to a transmission made using another radio access technology; wherein the applied timing advance comprises a portion determined by the duration of the slot timing offset.
25. A computer program product which, when executed by a processor on an apparatus, is operable to control the apparatus to perform a method according to claim 23 or claim 24.