WO2022120570A1

WO2022120570A1 - Method and apparatus for reporting configured grant resource

Info

Publication number: WO2022120570A1
Application number: PCT/CN2020/134532
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jie Shi; Lianhai WU; Haiming Wang; Ran YUE; Min Xu
Original assignee: Lenovo (Beijing) Limited
Priority date: 2020-12-08
Filing date: 2020-12-08
Publication date: 2022-06-16

Abstract

Embodiments of the present application are directed to a method and apparatus for reporting configured grant resource. In an embodiment of the present application, the method includes: transmitting a message including assistant information on configured grant (CG) resource; and receiving a response with respect to the message including the assistant information.

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REPORTING CONFIGURED GRANT RESOURCE

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the present application generally relate to wireless communication technology, especially to a method and apparatus for reporting configured grant (CG) resource for small data transmission (SDT) .

BACKGROUND

For a user equipment (UE) in radio resource control (RRC) _INACTIVE state (also called an inactive mode UE) , pre-configured physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) resources (configured grant type 1 resources) will be applied for transmitting uplink small data. This configured grant type 1 resource (CG resource) is configured for a dedicated UE. Therefore, the UE may choose the CG resource to transmit the uplink small data in inactive mode. However, the UE may fail to use CG resource to transmit the uplink small data because of UE mobility or channel quality degrading. And then the UE may apply the 2-step RACH procedure or 4-step RACH procedure to transmit the small data. Therefore, how to make the UE timely update or release the CG resource which is failed to be used by the UE or to make a base station (BS) timely release the CG resource needs to be discussed.

SUMMARY OF THE APPLICATION

Embodiments of the present application provide a method and apparatus for reporting CG resource for small data transmission (SDT) .

Some embodiments of the present application provide a method performed by a user equipment (UE) . The method may include: transmitting a message including assistant information on configured grant (CG) resource; and receiving a response with respect to the message including the assistant information.

In an embodiment of the present application, the method may further include: receiving CG resource configuration information, wherein the CG resource configuration information includes one or more CG resources, each CG resource is configured to transmit uplink (UL) data for all small data transmission (SDT) data radio bearer (DRB) or all SDT logical channel, and/or configured to transmit the UL data for a set of SDT DRB or a set of SDT logical channel.

In an embodiment of the present application, the method may further include: if there is data available for a SDT DRB, choosing the CG resource configured for the SDT DRB or using another configured CG resource of SDT. The another configured CG resource of SDT may not be configured for this SDT DRB.

In an embodiment of the present application, the assistant information on the CG resource is transmitted in at least one of Msg. A of 2-step random access channel (RACH) procedure or Msg. 3 of 4-step RACH procedure, or in a small data transmission (SDT) procedure where the UE is in inactive mode or idle mode, or in a procedure where the UE is in a connected mode.

In an embodiment of the present application, the assistant information on the CG resource comprises at least one of: a measurement result on CG resource; and a CG resource configuration request.

In an embodiment of the present application, the measurement result on CG resource may include at least one of: reference signal received power (RSRP) or reference signal receiving quality (RSRQ) value information on synchronization signal block (SSB) associated with the CG resource, dedicated bandwidth part (BWP) , or a serving cell; indication to indicate that the RSRP value information on SSB associated with the CG resource, the dedicated BWP or the serving cell is lower than a first threshold; indication to indicate that the RSRQ value information on SSB associated with the CG resource, the dedicated BWP or the serving cell is lower than a second threshold; and required retransmission or repetition number of downlink (DL) transmission in dedicated SSB, which is associated with the SSB for uplink (UL) CG based transmission; and required retransmission or repetition number of downlink (DL) transmission related to dedicated CG resource or dedicated CG resource occasion, which is associated with the SSB for uplink (UL) CG based transmission.

In an embodiment of the present application, the CG resource configuration request comprises at least one of: an index of the CG resource; a number of failed initial transmissions or consecutive failed initial transmissions on the CG resource; a failed initial transmission on CG resource or a consecutive failed initial transmissions on the CG resource; and indication to request network to update the CG resource, release the CG resource, or reconfigure to another CG resource.

In an embodiment of the present application, the failed initial transmission on CG resource indicates at least one of: the UE does not receive from the network a response after the UE transmits initial UL data in preconfigured CG resource; the UE does not receive from the network an acknowledgement (ACK) response after the UE transmits the initial UL data in preconfigured CG resource; the UE only receives from the network a negative acknowledgement (NACK) response after the UE transmits the initial UL data in preconfigured CG resource; the UE does not receive from the network a response after the UE transmits a new transport block (TB) in preconfigured CG resource; the UE does not receive from the network a response after the UE transmits a new transport block (TB) and/or its retransmission TB in preconfigured CG resource; the UE does not receive from the network an ACK response after the UE transmits the new TB in preconfigured CG resource; the UE does not receive from the network an ACK response after the UE transmits a new transport block (TB) and/or its retransmission TB in preconfigured CG resource; the UE only receives from the network a NACK response after the UE transmits the new TB in preconfigured CG resource; or the UE only receives from the network a NACK response after the UE transmits a new transport block (TB) and/or its retransmission TB in preconfigured CG resource.

In an embodiment of the present application, in the case that the indication to request network to update the CG resource, release the CG resource, or reconfigure a CG resource is transmitted, a trigger condition for transmitting the indication comprises at least one of: the measurement result on the CG resource or CG resource occasions is lower than a first threshold; the number of the failed initial transmissions or the consecutive failed initial transmissions on the CG resource is equal to or greater than a second threshold; and the initial transmission on the CG resource is failed.

In an embodiment of the present application, the first threshold and the second threshold is configured by the network or preconfigured.

In an embodiment of the present application, the method may further include: transmitting a cause of a failed transmission over the CG resource in the SDT procedure or a procedure when the UE is in connected mode, wherein the cause of the failed transmission over the CG resource comprises at least one of: time advance (TA) invalidity; or TA validity but failed in initial SDT; failed in initial SDT; a failed initial transmissions; or a number of failed initial transmissions.

In an embodiment of the present application, the TA validity but failed in initial SDT or failed in initial SDT comprises at least one of: failed for one or several times for initial transport block (TB) transmission over the CG resource; failed for one or several times for transmissions including new transmission and its re-transmission over the CG resource; failed for one or several times for initial transport block (TB) transmission over the CG resource and the CG resource is valid; or failed for one or several times for transmissions including new transmission and its re-transmission over the CG resource and the CG resource is valid.

In an embodiment of the present application, the assistant information on the CG resource is included in a media access control (MAC) control element (CE) , in a RRC message, or in downlink control information (DCI) .

In an embodiment of the present application, in the case that the assistant information on the CG resource is included in the MAC CE, each type of the assistant information on the CG resource is included in one MAC CE, and a logical ID is included in a MAC subheader to indicate the type of a corresponding MAC CE.

In an embodiment of the present application, in the case that the assistant information on the CG resource is included in the MAC CE, at least one type of the assistant information on the CG resource is included in one MAC CE in an order, and the MAC CE is a fixed-size MAC CE or a variable-sized MAC CE.

In an embodiment of the present application, in the case that the assistant information on the CG resource is included in the MAC CE and the MAC CE for the assistant information on the CG resource is multiplexed with a MAC service data unit (SDU) for SDT data radio bearer (DRB) , a priority of the MAC CE for the assistant information on the CG resource is lower than a priority of the MAC SDU for SDT DRB if the MAC CE is transmitted in a SDT procedure; or in the case that the assistant information on the CG resource is included in the MAC CE and the MAC CE for the assistant information on the CG resource is multiplexed with a MAC SDU for DRB, a priority of the MAC CE for the assistant information on the CG resource is lower than a priority of the MAC SDU for DRB if the MAC CE is transmitted in a Msg. 3 or Msg. A in RACH procedure for SDT or non-SDT; or in the case that the assistant information on the CG resource is included in the RRC message and a MAC SDU for the RRC message for the assistant information on the CG resource is multiplexed with a MAC SDU for DRB, a priority of the MAC SDU for RRC message for the assistant information on the CG resource is lower than a priority of the MAC SDU for DRB if the RRC message is transmitted in a SDT procedure; or in the case that the assistant information on the CG resource is included in the RRC message and a MAC SDU for the RRC message for the assistant information on the CG resource is multiplexed with a MAC SDU for DRB, a priority of the MAC SDU for RRC message for the assistant information on the CG resource is lower than a priority of the MAC SDU for DRB if the RRC message is transmitted in a Msg. 3 or Msg. A in a RACH procedure for SDT or non-SDT.

In another embodiment of the present application, in the case that the assistant information on the CG resource is included in the MAC CE and the MAC CE for the assistant information on the CG resource is multiplexed with a MAC SDU for SDT DRB, a priority of the MAC CE for the assistant information on the CG resource is higher than a priority of the MAC SDU for SDT DRB if the MAC CE is transmitted in a SDT procedure or CG based SDT procedure; or in the case that the assistant information on the CG resource is included in the MAC CE and the MAC CE for the assistant information on the CG resource is multiplexed with a MAC SDU for DRB, a priority of the MAC CE for the assistant information on the CG resource is higher than a priority of the MAC SDU for DRB if the MAC CE is transmitted in a Msg. 3 or Msg. A in a RACH procedure for SDT or non-SDT; or in the case that the assistant information on the CG resource is included in the MAC CE and the MAC CE for the assistant information on the CG resource is multiplexed with a MAC SDU for DRB, a priority of the MAC CE for the assistant information on the CG resource is higher than a priority of the MAC SDU for DRB if the MAC CE is transmitted in SDT procedure with subsequent data transmission or in the SDT subsequent data transmission; or in the case that the assistant information on the CG resource is included in the RRC message and the a MAC SDU for the RRC message for the assistant information on the CG resource is multiplexed with a MAC SDU for DRB, a priority of the MAC SDU for RRC message for the assistant information on the CG resource is higher than a priority of the MAC SDU for DRB if the RRC message is transmitted in a SDT procedure or CG based SDT procedure; or in the case that the assistant information on the CG resource is included in the RRC message and a MAC SDU for the RRC message for the assistant information on the CG resource is multiplexed with a MAC SDU for DRB, a priority of the MAC SDU for RRC message for the assistant information on the CG resource is higher than a priority of the MAC SDU for DRB if the RRC message is transmitted in a Msg. 3 or Msg. A in RACH procedure for SDT or non-SDT; or in the case that the assistant information on the CG resource is included in the RRC message and a MAC SDU for the RRC message for the assistant information on the CG resource is multiplexed with a MAC SDU for DRB, a priority of the MAC SDU for RRC message for the assistant information on the CG resource is higher than a priority of the MAC SDU for DRB if the RRC message is transmitted in SDT procedure with subsequent data transmission or in the SDT subsequent data transmission. The SDT procedure with subsequent data transmission or in the SDT subsequent data transmission could be at least one of 2-step RACH based SDT, 4-step RACH based SDT, or CG based SDT.

In an embodiment of the present application, in the case that the MAC CE for the assistant information on the CG resource is multiplexed with the MAC SDU for SDT DRB, the priority of the MAC CE for the assistant information on the CG resource is lower than the priority of the MAC SDU for SDT DRB in one of the following conditions: if the MAC CE is included in Msg. 3 or Msg. A in a RACH based SDT procedure with only one shot of UL data transmission; if the MAC CE is included in Msg. 3 or Msg. A in a RACH based SDT procedure without a subsequent or segmented UL data transmission; and if the MAC CE is in an initial UL data transmission in a SDT procedure.

In another embodiment of the present application, in the case that the MAC SDU for the RRC message for the assistant information on the CG resource is multiplexed with the MAC SDU for DRB, the priority of the MAC SDU for the RRC message for the assistant information on the CG resource is lower than the priority of the MAC SDU for DRB if the RRC message is transmitted in the SDT procedure in one of the following conditions: if the MAC SDU for the RRC message is included in Msg. 3 or Msg. A in a RACH based SDT procedure with only one shot of UL data transmission; if the MAC SDU for the RRC message is included in Msg. 3 or Msg. Ain a RACH based SDT procedure without a subsequent or segmented UL data transmission; and if the MAC SDU for the RRC message is in an initial UL data transmission in a SDT procedure.

In an embodiment of the present application, when the MAC CE for the assistant information on the CG resource is triggered, a priority of the MAC CE for the assistant information on the CG resource is higher than a priority of data from any logical channel, except data from UL-common control channel (CCCH) , only if after logical channel prioritization including the MAC CE in the resulting MAC protocol data unit (PDU) does not require segmenting radio link control (RLC) service data unit (SDU) .

In another embodiment of the present application, when the MAC SDU for RRC message for the assistant information on the CG resource is triggered, a priority of the MAC SDU for RRC message for the assistant information on the CG resource is higher than a priority of data from any logical channel, except data from UL-CCCH, only if after logical channel prioritization including the MAC SDU for RRC message in the resulting MAC PDU does not require segmenting RLC SDU for DRB for SDT or non-SDT.

In an embodiment of the present application, the assistant information on the CG resource indicates a channel quality on dedicated beam, band, BWP, or resource blocks (RBs) for the UE with a reduced capability.

In an embodiment of the present application, the method may further include: receiving indication to enable or disable the priority of the MAC CE for the assistant information on the CG resource being lower than the priority of the MAC SDU for SDT DRB if the MAC CE is transmitted in a SDT procedure, or enable or disable the priority of the MAC SDU for the RRC message for the assistant information on the CG resource being lower than the priority of the MAC SDU for DRB if the RRC message is transmitted in a SDT procedure.

In an embodiment of the present application, the method may further include: receiving indication, and the indication indicates the priority of the MAC CE for the assistant information on the CG resource being higher than the priority of the MAC SDU for SDT DRB if the MAC CE is transmitted in a SDT procedure.

In an embodiment of the present application, the method may further include: receiving indication, and the indication indicates the priority of the MAC SDU for the RRC message for the assistant information on the CG resource being higher than the priority of the MAC SDU for DRB if the RRC message is transmitted in a SDT procedure.

In an embodiment of the present application, the MAC SDU for RRC message or the MAC CE for the assistant information on the CG resource is multiplexed in a subsequent data transmission, if logical channel prioritization including the MAC SDU for RRC message or the MAC CE in a resulting MAC PDU requires segmenting RLC SDU for an initial UL SDT transmission.

In an embodiment of the present application, for the variable-sized MAC CE, if after logical channel prioritization including the MAC CE for the assistant information on the CG resource in a resulting MAC PDU requires segmenting RLC SDU, part of content in the MAC CE is transmitted with higher priority than data from any logical channel, except data from UL-common control channel (CCCH) .

In an embodiment of the present application, for the variable-sized MAC CE, if after logical channel prioritization including the MAC CE for the assistant information on the CG resource in a resulting MAC PDU does not require segmenting RLC SDU, data from any logical channel is transmitted with higher priority than the MAC CE.

In an embodiment of the present application, the method may further include: receiving a priority of the content in the MAC CE and selecting the content in the MAC CE based on the received priority.

Some other embodiments of the present application provide a method performed by a base station (BS) . The method may include: receiving a message including assistant information on configured grant (CG) resource; and transmitting a response with respect to the message including the assistant information.

In an embodiment of the present application, the method may further include: transmitting CG resource configuration information, wherein the CG resource configuration information includes one or more CG resources, each CG resource is configured to transmit uplink (UL) data for all small data transmission (SDT) data radio bearer (DRB) or all SDT logical channel, and/or configured to transmit the UL data for a set of SDT DRB or a set of SDT logical channel.

In an embodiment of the present application, if there is data available for a SDT DRB, the CG resource configured for the SDT DRB is chose by a UE, or another configured CG resource of SDT is used. The another configured CG resource of SDT may not be configured for this SDT DRB.

In an embodiment of the present application, the assistant information on the CG resource is received in at least one of Msg. A of 2-step random access channel (RACH) procedure or Msg3 of 4-step RACH procedure, or in a small data transmission (SDT) procedure where a user equipment (UE) is in inactive mode or idle mode, or in a procedure where the UE is in a connected mode.

In an embodiment of the present application, the measurement result on CG resource may include at least one of: reference signal received power (RSRP) or reference signal receiving quality (RSRQ) value information on synchronization signal block (SSB) associated with the CG resource, dedicated bandwidth part (BWP) , or a serving cell; indication to indicate that the RSRP value information on SSB associated with the CG resource, the dedicated BWP or the serving cell is lower than a first threshold; indication to indicate that the RSRQ value information on SSB associated with the CG resource, the dedicated BWP or the serving cell is lower than a second threshold; and required retransmission or repeat times of downlink (DL) transmission in dedicated SSB, which is associated with the SSB for uplink (UL) CG based transmission; and required retransmission or repetition number of downlink (DL) transmission related to dedicated CG resource or dedicated CG resource occasion, which is associated with the SSB for uplink (UL) CG based transmission. The dedicated bandwidth part could be at least one of the initial BWP, or UE specific dedicated BWP, or default BWP.

In an embodiment of the present application, the CG resource could be the CG resource occasion (s) related to a beam. The CG resource occasion (s) are related to a beam.

In an embodiment of the present application, the failed initial transmission on CG resource indicates at least one of: a UE does not receive from the network a response after the UE transmits the initial UL data in preconfigured CG resource; the UE does not receive from the network an acknowledgement (ACK) response after the UE transmits the initial UL data in preconfigured CG resource; the UE only receives from the network a negative acknowledgement (NACK) response after the UE transmits the initial UL data in preconfigured CG resource; the UE does not receive from the network a response after the UE transmits a new transport block (TB) in preconfigured CG resource; the UE does not receive from the network a response after the UE transmits a new transport block (TB) and/or its retransmission TB in preconfigured CG resource; the UE does not receive from the network an ACK response after the UE transmits the new TB in preconfigured CG resource; the UE does not receive from the network an ACK response after the UE transmits a new transport block (TB) and/or its retransmission TB in preconfigured CG resource; the UE only receives from the network a NACK response after the UE transmits the new TB in preconfigured CG resource; or the UE only receives from the network a NACK response after the UE transmits a new transport block (TB) and/or its retransmission TB in preconfigured CG resource.

In an embodiment of the present application, in the case that the indication to request network to update the CG resource, release the CG resource, or reconfigure to another CG resource is received, a trigger condition for transmitting the indication by a UE comprises at least one of: the measurement result on the CG resource or CG resource occasions is lower than a first threshold; the number of the failed initial transmissions or the consecutive failed initial transmissions on the CG resource is equal to or greater than a second threshold; and the initial transmission on the CG resource is failed.

In an embodiment of the present application, the method may further include: receiving a cause of a failed transmission over the CG resource in the SDT procedure or a procedure when the UE is in connected mode, wherein the cause of the failed transmission over the CG resource comprises at least one of: time advance (TA) invalidity; and TA validity but failed in initial SDT; failed in initial SDT; a failed initial transmissions; or a number of failed initial transmissions.

In an embodiment of the present application, in the case that the assistant information on the CG resource is included in the MAC CE and the MAC CE for the assistant information on the CG resource is multiplexed with a MAC service data unit (SDU) for SDT data radio bearer (DRB) , a priority of the MAC CE for the assistant information on the CG resource is lower than a priority of the MAC SDU for SDT DRB if the MAC CE is transmitted in a SDT procedure or CG based SDT procedure; or in the case that the assistant information on the CG resource is included in the MAC CE and the MAC CE for the assistant information on the CG resource is multiplexed with a MAC SDU for DRB, a priority of the MAC CE for the assistant information on the CG resource is lower than a priority of the MAC SDU for DRB if the MAC CE is transmitted in a Msg. 3 or Msg. A in a RACH procedure for SDT or non-SDT; or in the case that the assistant information on the CG resource is included in the MAC CE and the MAC CE for the assistant information on the CG resource is multiplexed with a MAC SDU for DRB, a priority of the MAC CE for the assistant information on the CG resource is higher than a priority of the MAC SDU for DRB if the MAC CE is transmitted in SDT procedure with subsequent data transmission or in the SDT subsequent data transmission; or in the case that the assistant information on the CG resource is included in the RRC message and a MAC SDU for the RRC message for the assistant information on the CG resource is multiplexed with a MAC SDU for DRB, a priority of the MAC SDU for RRC message for the assistant information on the CG resource is lower than a priority of the MAC SDU for DRB if the RRC message is transmitted in a SDT procedure or CG based SDT procedure; or in the case that the assistant information on the CG resource is included in the RRC message and a MAC SDU for the RRC message for the assistant information on the CG resource is multiplexed with a MAC SDU for DRB, a priority of the MAC SDU for RRC message for the assistant information on the CG resource is lower than a priority of the MAC SDU for DRB if the RRC message is transmitted in a Msg. 3 or Msg. A in RACH procedure for SDT or non-SDT; or in the case that the assistant information on the CG resource is included in the RRC message and a MAC SDU for the RRC message for the assistant information on the CG resource is multiplexed with a MAC SDU for DRB, a priority of the MAC SDU for RRC message for the assistant information on the CG resource is higher than a priority of the MAC SDU for DRB if the RRC message is transmitted in SDT procedure with subsequent data transmission or in the SDT subsequent data transmission.

In another embodiment of the present application, in the case that the assistant information on the CG resource is included in the MAC CE and the MAC CE for the assistant information on the CG resource is multiplexed with a MAC SDU for SDT DRB, a priority of the MAC CE for the assistant information on the CG resource is higher than a priority of the MAC SDU for SDT DRB if the MAC CE is transmitted in a SDT procedure; or in the case that the assistant information on the CG resource is included in the MAC CE and the MAC CE for the assistant information on the CG resource is multiplexed with a MAC SDU for DRB, a priority of the MAC CE for the assistant information on the CG resource is higher than a priority of the MAC SDU for DRB if the MAC CE is transmitted in a Msg. 3 or Msg. A in a RACH procedure for SDT or non-SDT; or in the case that the assistant information on the CG resource is included in the RRC message and the a MAC SDU for the RRC message for the assistant information on the CG resource is multiplexed with a MAC SDU for DRB, a priority of the MAC SDU for RRC message for the assistant information on the CG resource is higher than a priority of the MAC SDU for DRB if the RRC message is transmitted in a SDT procedure; or in the case that the assistant information on the CG resource is included in the RRC message and a MAC SDU for the RRC message for the assistant information on the CG resource is multiplexed with a MAC SDU for DRB, a priority of the MAC SDU for RRC message for the assistant information on the CG resource is higher than a priority of the MAC SDU for DRB if the RRC message is transmitted in a Msg. 3 or Msg. A in RACH procedure for SDT or non-SDT.

In an embodiment of the present application, in the case that the MAC CE for the assistant information on the CG resource is multiplexed with the MAC SDU for SDT DRB, the priority of the MAC CE for the assistant information on the CG resource is lower than a priority of the MAC SDU for SDT DRB in one of the following conditions: if the MAC CE is included in Msg. 3 or Msg. A in a RACH based SDT procedure with only one shot of UL data transmission; if the MAC CE is included in Msg. 3 or Msg. A in a RACH based SDT procedure without a subsequent or segmented UL data transmission; and if the MAC CE is in an initial UL data transmission in a SDT procedure.

In another embodiment of the present application, in the case that the MAC SDU for the RRC message for the assistant information on the CG resource is multiplexed with the MAC SDU for DRB, the priority of the MAC SDU for the RRC message for the assistant information on the CG resource is lower than the priority of the MAC SDU for DRB if the RRC message is transmitted in the SDT procedure in one of the following conditions: if the MAC SDU for the RRC message is included in Msg. 3 or Msg. A in a RACH based SDT procedure with only one shot of UL data transmission; if the MAC SDU for the RRC message is included in Msg. 3 or Msg. A in a RACH based SDT procedure without a subsequent or segmented UL data transmission; and if the MAC SDU for the RRC message is in an initial UL data transmission in a SDT procedure.

In an embodiment of the present application, the assistant information on the CG resource indicates a channel quality on dedicated band, BWP, or resource blocks (RBs) for the UE with a reduced capability.

In an embodiment of the present application, the method may further include: transmitting indication to enable or disable the priority of the MAC CE for the assistant information on the CG resource being lower than the priority of the MAC SDU for SDT DRB if the MAC CE is transmitted in a SDT procedure, or enable or disable the priority of the MAC SDU for the RRC message for the assistant information on the CG resource being lower than the priority of the MAC SDU for DRB if the RRC message is transmitted in a SDT procedure.

In an embodiment of the present application, the method may further include: transmitting indication, and the indication indicates the priority of the MAC CE for the assistant information on the CG resource being higher than the priority of the MAC SDU for SDT DRB if the MAC CE is transmitted in a SDT procedure.

In an embodiment of the present application, the method may further include: transmitting indication, and the indication indicates the priority of the MAC SDU for the RRC message for the assistant information on the CG resource being higher than the priority of the MAC SDU for DRB if the RRC message is transmitted in a SDT procedure.

In an embodiment of the present application, the method may further include: transmitting a priority of the content in the MAC CE, wherein the content in the MAC CE is selected by the UE based on the priority.

In an embodiment of the present application, the method may further include: transmitting indication to enable or disable the transmission of the assistant information on the CG resource of the UE.

In an embodiment of the present application, the response with respect to the assistant information is transmitted in Msg. B of 2-step random access channel (RACH) procedure or Msg4 of 4-step RACH procedure.

Some other embodiments of the present application provide an apparatus. The apparatus may include at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium having computer executable instructions stored therein; at least one receiver; at least one transmitter; and at least one processor coupled to the at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium, the at least one receiver and the at least one transmitter. The computer executable instructions are programmed to implement the above method with the at least one receiver, the at least one transmitter and the at least one processor.

Embodiments of the present application make it is possible for a UE to timely update or release the CG resource which is failed to be used by the UE and a BS may timely release the CG resource or reconfigure a new CG resource to the UE.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to describe the manner in which advantages and features of the application can be obtained, a description of the application is rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which are illustrated in the appended drawings. These drawings depict only example embodiments of the application and are not therefore to be considered limiting of its scope.

FIG. 1 illustrates a wireless communication system according to some embodiments of the present application;

FIG. 2 illustrates a flow chart of a method for reporting CG resource according to some embodiments of the present application;

FIG. 3 illustrates an apparatus according to some embodiments of the present application; and

FIG. 4 illustrates another apparatus according to some other embodiments of the present application.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed descriptions of the appended drawings are intended as descriptions of preferred embodiments of the present application and are not intended to represent the only form in which the present application may be practiced. It should be understood that the same or equivalent functions may be accomplished by different embodiments that are intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the present application.

Reference will now be made in detail to some embodiments of the present application, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates a wireless communication system according to some embodiments of the present application.

As shown in FIG. 1, the wireless communication system can include at least one base station (BS) 102, at least one UE 101, and a core network (CN) node 103. Although a specific number of BSs and UEs, e.g., a BS (e.g., BS 102) and a UE (UE 101) are depicted in FIG. 1, one skilled in the art will recognize that any number of BSs and UEs may be included in the wireless communication system. As shown in FIG. 1, the BS 102 may be distributed over a geographic region and may communicate with the CN node 103 via an interface.

The UE 101 may be a computing device, such as a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA) , a tablet computer, a smart television (e.g., a television connected to the Internet) , a set-top box, a game console, a security system (including security cameras) , a vehicle on-board computer, a network device (e.g., router, switch, and modem) , or the like. According to an embodiment of the present application, the UE 101 may be a portable wireless communication device, a smart phone, a cellular telephone, a flip phone, a device having a subscriber identity module, a personal computer, a selective call receiver, or any other device that is capable of sending and receiving communication signals on a wireless network. In some embodiments of the present application, the UE 101 may be a wearable device, such as a smart watch, a fitness band, an optical head-mounted display, or the like. Moreover, the UE 101 may be referred to as a subscriber unit, a mobile, a mobile station, a user, a terminal, a mobile terminal, a wireless terminal, a fixed terminal, a subscriber station, a user terminal, or a device, or described using other terminology used in the art.

The BS 102 may communicate with a CN node 103 via an interface. In some embodiments of the present application, the BS 102 may also be referred to as an access point, an access terminal, a base, a base unit, a macro cell, a Node-B, an evolved Node B (eNB) , a gNB, a Home Node-B, a relay node, or a device, or described using other terminology used in the art. The BS 102 is generally part of a radio access network that may include one or more controllers communicably coupled to one or more corresponding BS (s) .

In an example, the CN node 103 can be a mobility management entity (MME) or a serving gateway (S-GW) . In another embodiment of the present application, the CN node 103 may include a mobility management function (AMF) or a user plane function (UPF) .

The wireless communication system may be compatible with any type of network that is capable of sending and receiving wireless communication signals. For example, the wireless communication system can be compatible with a wireless communication network, a cellular telephone network, a time division multiple access (TDMA) -based network, a code division multiple access (CDMA) -based network, an orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) -based network, a long term evolution (LTE) network, a 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) -based network, a 3GPP 5G network, a satellite communications network, a high altitude platform network, and/or other communications networks.

In some embodiments of the present application, the wireless communication system can be compatible with 5G new radio of the 3GPP protocol, wherein BS 102 transmits data using an OFDM modulation scheme on the downlink (DL) and UE 101 transmits data on the uplink (UL) using a single-carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) or OFDM scheme. More generally, however, the wireless communication system may implement some other open or proprietary communication protocols, for example, WiMAX, WiFi, among other protocols.

In some embodiments of the present application, the BS 102 may communicate using other communication protocols, such as the IEEE 802.11 family of wireless communication protocols. Further, in some embodiments of the present application, the BS 102 may communicate over licensed spectrums, whereas in other embodiments the BS 102 may communicate over unlicensed spectrums. Embodiments of the present application are not intended to be limited to the implementation of any particular wireless communication system architecture or protocol. In yet some embodiments of the present application, the BS 102 may communicate with UE 101 using 3GPP 5G protocols.

In an example, the UE 101 is not in RRC_CONNECTED state, for example, the UE 101 could be in a RRC_IDLE state or in a RRC_INACTIVE state. When performing small data transmission, the UE 101 transmits packets to the BS 102, and the BS 102 transmits the small data to the CN node 103 via the interface.

Herein, the data transmission or small data transmission (SDT) may mean that a UE in an inactive state/mode or an idle state/mode could transmit the data to the network side (or network) , or receive the data from the network side. The details could be as follows:

An inactive UE may have a CN connection in a cell (e.g., cell A) associated with its last serving BS (also referred to as "anchor BS" ) . However, in some scenarios, the inactive UE may perform data transmission via another cell (cell B) . The data transmission may include at least one of an uplink data transmission and downlink data transmission. For example, the inactive UE may initiate an uplink data transmission via cell B, establish a RAN connection with cell B, enter the connected mode, and then perform the data transmission. Or, the inactive UE may initiate an uplink data transmission via cell B and still stay in inactive mode in the data transmission procedure. An idle UE may act similarly.

After the completion of the data transmission, the inactive or idle UE may receive a suspend message or release message from cell B and then go back to the inactive or idle mode. Or, after the completion of the data transmission, the inactive or idle UE may receive a suspend message or release message from cell B and the UE still stay in inactive or idle mode in the data transmission procedure. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the suspend message or release message is an RRC message. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the data size in such data transmission may be no larger than the maximum transport block (TB) size that can be applied in one transmission, as defined in standard protocols. Small data transmission is one of such scenarios.

Currently, a UE in inactive mode could perform a small data transmission over configured grant type 1 resources, Msg. A for 2-step RACH, or Msg. 3 in normal RACH from INACTIVE state. And a work item (WID) on small data transmission (SDT) in a RRC_INACTIVE state is as follows:

- For the RRC_INACTIVE state:

○ UL small data transmissions for RACH-based schemes (i.e. 2-step and 4-step RACH) :

■ General procedure to enable UP data transmission for small data packets from INACTIVE state (e.g. using MSGA or MSG. 3) [RAN2]

■ Enable flexible payload sizes larger than the Rel-16 CCCH message size that is possible currently for INACTIVE state for MSGA and MSG. 3 to support UP data transmission in UL (actual payload size can be up to network configuration) [RAN2]

■ Context fetch and data forwarding (with and without anchor relocation) in INACTIVE state for RACH-based solutions [RAN2, RAN3]

Note 1: The security aspects of the above solutions should be checked with SA3 (Services &Systems Aspects 3)

○ Transmission of UL data on pre-configured PUSCH resources (i.e. reusing the configured grant type 1) -when TA is valid

■ General procedure for small data transmission over configured grant type 1 resources from INACTIVE state [RAN2]

■ Configuration of the configured grant type1 resources for small data transmission in UL for INACTIVE state [RAN2]

No new RRC state should be introduced in this WID. Transmission of small data in UL, subsequent transmission of small data in UL and DL and the state transition decisions should be under network control. Focus of the WID should be on licensed carriers and the solutions can be reused for NR-U if applicable.

Note 2: Any associated specification work in RAN1 that is needed to support the above set of objectives should be initiated by RAN2 via an LS.

Currently, a UE may choose CG resource to transmit the uplink small data in inactive mode. However, the UE may fail to use the CG resource to transmit the uplink small data because of UE mobility or channel quality degrading. Then the UE may apply a 2-step RACH procedure or a 4-step RACH procedure to transmit the small data. Therefore, how to make the UE update or release the CG resource timely or to make a BS timely release the CG resource which is failed to be used by the UE will be discussed in the following description of the present application.

Furthermore, for example, if an UE assistant information for releasing the CG resource could be transmitted in Msg. A of a 2-step RACH procedure or Msg. 3 of a 4-step RACH procedure, for example, the UE assistant information on the channel quality of the CG resource may be designed to be a specific value in a medium access control (MAC) control element (CE) , the logical channel prioritization (LCP) of the MAC CE and the MAC service data unit (SDU) forming the data radio bearer (DRB) for SDT should be further specified to make the UE transmit the valuable information as early as possible. Therefore, how to design the LCP of the UE assistant information (such as, MAC CE) and the MAC SDU forming the DRB for SDT will be further discussed in the following description of the present application.

FIG. 2 illustrates a flow chart of a method for reporting CG resource for SDT according to some embodiments of the present application. The method in FIG. 2 is performed between a BS (e.g., BS 102 in FIG. 1) and a UE (e.g., UE 101 in FIG. 1) .

As shown in FIG. 2, in operation 210, the UE may perform an initial small data transmission (SDT) over a preconfigured resource, i.e., a CG resource. For example, the UE transmits uplink (UL) small data to the BS when the UE is in inactive mode or idle mode.

Before operation 210, the UE may receive CG resource configuration information from the BS. The CG resource configuration information may include one or more CG resources, each CG resource could be configured to transmit uplink (UL) data for all small data transmission (SDT) data radio bearer (DRB) or all SDT logical channel, and/or could be configured to transmit the UL data for a set of SDT DRB or a set of SDT logical channel. For example, each CG resource may be defined with its period, offset, and duration. Even the beam information for the CG occasion in the CG resource could be configured. At least one CG resource is configured for all SDT DRB.

If there is data available for a SDT DRB, the UE will prefer to choose the CG resource configured for the dedicated DRB (that is, this SDT DRB) . In another embodiment the UE could also use another configured CG resource of SDT. The another configured CG resource of SDT may not be configured for this SDT DRB. It should be understood that the SDT DRB in the set of SDT DRB could be independent with each other. If one SDT DRB belongs to two or more CG resource, it is UE's implementation on how to choose the CG resource for the SDT DRB.

However, the initial SDT transmission over the CG resource may be failed. For example, the failed initial SDT transmission on CG resource may indicate that the UE does not receive a response (such as, in a response window or timer) from the network after the UE transmits initial UL data in preconfigured CG resource. The initial UL data means the first UL data transmitted in CG based SDT procedure.

In another example, the failed initial SDT transmission on CG resource may indicate that the UE does not receive an acknowledgement (ACK) (such as, in a response window or timer) from the network after the UE transmits the initial UL data in preconfigured CG resource.

In another example, the failed initial SDT transmission on CG resource may indicate that the UE only receives a negative acknowledgement (NACK) (such as, in a response window or timer) from the network after the UE transmits the initial UL data in preconfigured CG resource.

In another example, the failed initial SDT transmission on CG resource may indicate that the UE does not receive a response (such as, in a response window or timer) from the network after the UE transmits a new transport block (TB) in preconfigured CG resource.

In another example, the failed initial SDT transmission on CG resource may indicate that the UE does not receive a response (such as, in a response window or timer) from the network after the UE transmits a new transport block (TB) and/or its retransmission transport block in preconfigured CG resource.

In another example, the failed initial SDT transmission on CG resource may indicate that the UE does not receive an ACK (such as, in a response window or timer) from the network after the UE transmits the new TB in preconfigured CG resource.

In another example, the failed initial SDT transmission on CG resource may indicate that the UE does not receive an ACK (such as, in a response window or timer) from the network after the UE transmits the new TB and/or its retransmission transport block in preconfigured CG resource.

In another example, the failed initial SDT transmission on CG resource may indicate that the UE only receives a NACK (such as, in a response window or timer) from the network after the UE transmits the new TB in preconfigured CG resource.

In another example, the failed initial SDT transmission on CG resource may indicate that the UE only receives a NACK (such as, in a response window or timer) from the network after the UE transmits the new TB and/or its retransmission transport block in preconfigured CG resource.

After the failed initial SDT transmission over the CG resource happens, in operation 220, the UE may transmit a message including assistant information on the CG resource, which will be described in detail in the following description.

After the failed initial SDT transmission over the CG resource happens, or after a number of consecutive failed initial SDT transmission over the CG resource happens, the UE shall initiate the RACH based SDT transmission. The RACH based SDT transmission could be 2-step RACH based SDT transmission, or the 4-step RACH based SDT transmission. 2-step RACH based SDT transmission will have a higher priority than that of 4-step RACH based SDT transmission. The number of consecutive failed initial SDT transmission over the CG resource could be configured to the UE by system information block (SIB) information or dedicated RRC message.

In an embodiment, the UE may transmit the assistant information on the CG resource in a SDT procedure where the UE is in inactive mode or idle mode.

In another embodiment, the UE may transmit the assistant information on the CG resource in a random access channel (RACH) procedure, such as, in Msg. A of 2-step RACH procedure or in Msg. 3 of 4-step RACH procedure. In this embodiment, the UE may transmit the assistant information on the CG resource in a SDT procedure or in a non-SDT procedure. Msg. A of 2-step RACH procedure or Msg. 3 of 4-step RACH procedure could be with or without the data from DRB.

In another embodiment, the UE may transmit the assistant information on the CG resource in a procedure where the UE is in connected mode.

In addition, the assistant information on the CG resource may include at least one of: a measurement result on CG resource or a CG resource configuration request.

In an embodiment, the measurement result on CG resource may include reference signal received power (RSRP) or reference signal receiving quality (RSRQ) value information on synchronization signal block (SSB) associated with the CG resource, or dedicated bandwidth part (BWP) , or the serving cell. The SSB associated with the CG resource or the dedicated BWP or the serving cell could be beam specific CG resource, beam specific BWP, or beam specific serving cell. The SSB is associated with the CG resource, the CG resource occasion associated with a beam, or the dedicated BWP, or the serving cell.

In another embodiment, the measurement result on CG resource may include indication to indicate that the RSRP value information on SSB associated with the CG resource, or dedicated BWP or the serving cell is lower than a threshold. The threshold may be configured by the network or preconfigured (or predefined) .

In another embodiment, the measurement result on CG resource may include indication to indicate that the RSRQ value information on SSB associated with the CG resource, dedicated BWP or the serving cell is lower than a threshold. The threshold may be configured by the network or preconfigured (or predefined) .

In another embodiment, the measurement result on CG resource may include required retransmission or repeat times of downlink (DL) transmission in dedicated SSB, which is associated with the SSB for uplink (UL) CG based transmission. This case may be suitable for the UE with reduced capability (RedCap UE) with coverage enhancement.

In another embodiment, the measurement result on CG resource may include required retransmission or repetition number of downlink (DL) transmission related to dedicated CG resource or dedicated CG resource occasion, which is associated with the SSB for uplink (UL) CG based transmission.

The CG resource configuration request may be a CG resource updating request, a CG resource releasing request, or a CG resource configuration (reconfiguration) request. The CG resource configuration request may include at least one of: an index of the CG resource (i.e., the failed CG resource index) ; the number of the failed initial transmissions or consecutive failed initial transmissions on the CG resource; the failed initial transmission on CG resource or a consecutive failed initial transmissions on the CG resource; and indication to request the network to update the CG resource, release the CG resource, or reconfigure to another CG resource. The CG resource could also be indicated to CG resource occasion. The CG resource could also be indicated to CG resource occasion associated with a beam. For example, the CG resource configuration request may include at least one of: an index of the CG resource occasion (i.e., the failed CG resource index) associated with a beam; the number of the failed initial transmissions or consecutive failed initial transmissions on the CG resource occasion associated with a beam; the failed initial transmission on CG resource occasion associated with a beam; and indication to request the network to update the CG resource occasion associated with a beam, release the CG resource occasion associated with a beam, or reconfigure to another CG resource occasion associated with a beam. For example, the UE could send a CG resource releasing request to a CG resource occasion (s) associated with a beam. For example, the UE could reconfigure to another CG resource occasion associated with a dedicated beam.

The trigger condition for transmitting the indication to request the network to update the CG resource, release the CG resource, or reconfigure to another CG resource may be at least one of: the measurement result on the CG resource or CG resource occasions is lower than a threshold; the number of the failed initial transmissions or the consecutive failed initial transmissions on the CG resource is equal to or greater than a threshold; or the initial transmission on the CG resource is failed. The threshold for the measurement result and the threshold for the number of the (or consecutive) failed initial transmissions may be configured by the network or preconfigured (or predefined) . The CG resource occasion is related to a beam.

Besides the assistant information on CG resource in SDT procedure, the UE may also transmit the cause of the failed transmission over the CG resource in the SDT procedure or a procedure when the UE is in connected mode. In an example, the cause of the failed transmission over the CG resource may be transmitted along with the assistant information on the CG resource. In another example, the cause of the failed transmission over the CG resource may be transmitted independently from the assistant information on the CG resource.

The cause of the failed transmission over the CG resource may include at least one of: time advance (TA) invalidity; TA validity but failed in initial SDT; failed in initial SDT; a failed initial transmissions; or the number of failed initial transmissions. In particular, the TA validity but failed in initial SDT may include at least one of: CG resource is valid but failed for one or (optional consecutive) several times for initial transport block (TB) transmission over the CG resource; or CG resource is valid but failed for one or several times for transmissions including new transmission and its re-transmission over the CG resource. The failed in initial SDT may include at least one of: failed for one or several times for initial transport block (TB) transmission over the CG resource; and failed for one or several times for transmissions including new transmission and its re-transmission over the CG resource.

The initial transport block (TB) transmission over the CG resource means the first UL data transmitted in CG based SDT procedure. The failed initial transmission means a failed initial SDT transmission on CG resource.

When transmitting the assistant information on the CG resource, in an embodiment, the assistant information on the CG resource may be included in a media access control (MAC) control element (CE) . In another embodiment, the assistant information on the CG resource may be included in a RRC message. In another embodiment, the assistant information on the CG resource may be included in downlink control information (DCI) .

For example, in an embodiment, in the case that the assistant information on the CG resource is included in the MAC CE, each type of the assistant information on the CG resource is included in one MAC CE, and a logical ID is included in a MAC subheader to indicate the type of a corresponding MAC CE. For example, one of the above measurement result on CG resource and/or the CG resource configuration request may be included in one MAC CE, and the logical ID in the MAC subheader may indicate the type of the MAC CE.

In another embodiment, at least one type of the assistant information on the CG resource may be included in one MAC CE in an order, and the MAC CE is a fixed-size MAC CE or a variable-sized MAC CE. For example, the indication of invalidity of the CG resource and the RSRP value information on the SSB associated with the CG resource could be in the same MAC CE with fixed MACCE size. The order for placing the indication of invalidity of the CG resource and the RSRP value information in the MAC CE may be configured by the network or preconfigured. For another example, the indication of invalidity of the CG resource and the failed CG resource index could be in the same MAC CE with a variable-sized MAC CE.

Furthermore, in an embodiment, the MAC CE including the assistant information on the CG resource may be multiplexed with a MAC service data unit (SDU) for SDT data radio bearer (DRB) . The priority of the MAC CE for the assistant information on the CG resource may be lower than the priority of the MAC SDU for SDT DRB if the MAC CE is transmitted in a SDT procedure. The reason is that the main purpose of the SDT procedure is to transmit the UL small data in UE inactive mode. The SDT procedure may be 2-step RACH based SDT procedure or 4-step RACH based SDT procedure. The MAC CE may be transmitted with a MAC SDU for SDT DRB in Msg. A of the 2-step RACH procedure or Msg. 3 of 4-step RACH procedure. For example, logical channels may be prioritized in accordance with the following order, wherein the highest priority is listed first and the MAC CE for channel quality on CG resource is an example of the assistant information on the CG resource:

…

- MAC CE for channel quality on CG resource, with exception of when it is included in Msg. 3 or Msg. A in SDT;

- data from any Logical Channel, except data from uplink-common control channel (UL-CCCH) ;

- MAC CE for channel quality on CG resource, when it is included in Msg. 3 or Msg. A in SDT;

…

In another embodiment, the MAC CE including the assistant information on the CG resource may be multiplexed with a MAC SDU for DRB. The priority of the MAC CE for the assistant information on the CG resource may be lower than the priority of the MAC SDU for DRB if the MAC CE is transmitted in Msg. 3 or Msg. A in RACH procedure for SDT or non-SDT. For example, if the MAC CE is transmitted in Msg. 3 or Msg. A in RACH procedure for non-SDT, logical channels may be prioritized in accordance with the following order, wherein the highest priority is listed first and the MAC CE for channel quality on CG resource is an example of the assistant information on the CG resource:

…

- MAC CE for channel quality on CG resource, with exception of when it is included in Msg. 3 or Msg. A;

- MAC CE for channel quality on CG resource, when it is included in Msg. 3 or Msg. A;

…

In another embodiment, the assistant information on the CG resource may be included in a RRC message (the RRC message is from a signaling radio bearer (SRB) ) , and a MAC SDU for the RRC message for the assistant information on the CG resource is multiplexed with a MAC SDU for DRB. The priority of the MAC SDU for the RRC message for the assistant information on the CG resource is lower than the priority of the MAC SDU for DRB if the RRC message is transmitted in SDT procedure. The SDT procedure may be 2-step RACH based SDT procedure or 4-step RACH based SDT procedure. The SDT procedure may be a SDT procedure for the subsequent small data transmission.

In another embodiment, the assistant information on the CG resource may be included in a RRC message (from a SRB) , and a MAC SDU for the RRC message for the assistant information on the CG resource is multiplexed with a MAC SDU for DRB. The priority of the MAC SDU for the RRC message for the assistant information on the CG resource is lower than the priority of the MAC SDU for DRB if the RRC message is transmitted in Msg. 3 or Msg. A in a RACH procedure for SDT or non-SDT.

In the above embodiments, the priority of the assistant information on the CG resource is lower than the priority of the data. For example, the network could enable the order of priority of the assistant information on the CG resource be lower than the data. In some other embodiments, the priority of the assistant information on the CG resource may be higher than the priority of the data. For example, the network could disable the order of priority of the assistant information on the CG resource be lower than the data. In some other embodiments, in the procedure of CG based SDT, the priority of the assistant information on the CG resource may be higher than the priority of the data for DRB.

For example, in an embodiment, in the case that the assistant information on the CG resource is included in the MAC CE and the MAC CE for the assistant information on the CG resource is multiplexed with a MAC SDU for SDT DRB, the priority of the MAC CE for the assistant information on the CG resource is higher than the priority of the MAC SDU for SDT DRB if the MAC CE is transmitted in a SDT procedure or CG based SDT procedure.

In another embodiment, in the case that the assistant information on the CG resource is included in the MAC CE and the MAC CE for the assistant information on the CG resource is multiplexed with a MAC SDU for DRB, the priority of the MAC CE for the assistant information on the CG resource is higher than the priority of the MAC SDU for DRB if the MAC CE is transmitted in a Msg. 3 or Msg. A in a RACH procedure for SDT or non-SDT.

In another embodiment, in the case that the assistant information on the CG resource is included in the MAC CE and the MAC CE for the assistant information on the CG resource is multiplexed with a MAC SDU for DRB, the priority of the MAC CE for the assistant information on the CG resource is higher than the priority of the MAC SDU for DRB if the MAC CE is transmitted in SDT procedure with subsequent data transmission or in the SDT subsequent data transmission.

In another embodiment, in the case that the assistant information on the CG resource is included in the RRC message and the a MAC SDU for the RRC message for the assistant information on the CG resource is multiplexed with a MAC SDU for DRB, the priority of the MAC SDU for RRC message for the assistant information on the CG resource is higher than the priority of the MAC SDU for DRB if the RRC message is transmitted in a SDT procedure or CG based SDT procedure.

In another embodiment, in the case that the assistant information on the CG resource is included in the RRC message and a MAC SDU for the RRC message for the assistant information on the CG resource is multiplexed with a MAC SDU for DRB, the priority of the MAC SDU for RRC message for the assistant information on the CG resource is higher than the priority of the MAC SDU for DRB if the RRC message is transmitted in a Msg. 3 or Msg. A in a RACH procedure for SDT or non-SDT.

In another embodiment, in the case that the assistant information on the CG resource is included in the RRC message and a MAC SDU for the RRC message for the assistant information on the CG resource is multiplexed with a MAC SDU for DRB, the priority of the MAC SDU for RRC message for the assistant information on the CG resource is higher than the priority of the MAC SDU for DRB if the RRC message is transmitted in SDT procedure with subsequent data transmission or in the SDT subsequent data transmission.

The SDT procedure with subsequent data transmission or in the SDT subsequent data transmission could be at least one of 2-step RACH based SDT, 4-step RACH based SDT, or CG based SDT.

In some embodiments, some restrictions may be applied to a SDT procedure, where one shot of UL data will be transmitted in a RACH procedure, and the MAC CE for the assistant information on the CG resource will be lower priority than the UL data.

In an embodiment, in the case that the MAC CE for the assistant information on the CG resource is multiplexed with the MAC SDU for SDT DRB, the priority of the MAC CE for the assistant information on the CG resource is lower than the priority of the MAC SDU for SDT DRB in one of the following conditions:

if the MAC CE is included in Msg. 3 or Msg. A in a RACH based SDT procedure with only one shot of UL data transmission;

if the MAC CE is included in Msg. 3 or Msg. A in a RACH based SDT procedure without a subsequent or segmented UL data transmission; and

if the MAC CE is in an initial UL data transmission in a SDT procedure.

In the above description, the initial UL data is the first data transmission in SDT procedure. In an example, logical channels may be prioritized in accordance with the following order, wherein the highest priority is listed first and the MAC CE for channel quality on CG resource is an example of the assistant information on the CG resource:

…

- MAC CE for channel quality on CG resource, with exception of when it is included in Msg. 3 or Msg. A in SDT with only one shot of UL data transmission;

- data from any Logical Channel, except data from UL-CCCH;

- MACCE for channel quality on CG resource, when it is included in Msg. 3 or Msg. A in SDT with only one shot of UL data transmission;

…

In another example, logical channels may be prioritized in accordance with the following order, wherein the highest priority is listed first and the MAC CE for channel quality on CG resource is an example of the assistant information on the CG resource:

…

- MAC CE for channel quality on CG resource, with exception of when it is included in Msg. 3 or Msg. A in SDT without subsequent/segmented UL data transmission;

- data from any Logical Channel, except data from UL-CCCH;

- MACCE for channel quality on CG resource, when it is included in Msg. 3 or Msg. A in SDT without subsequent/segmented UL data transmission;

...

…

- MAC CE for channel quality on CG resource, with exception of when it is in SDT initial UL data transmission;

- data from any Logical Channel, except data from UL-CCCH;

- MAC CE for channel quality on CG resource, when it is in SDT initial UL data transmission;

…

It should be understood that the similar conditions may be also applied if the MAC CE is transmitted in a RACH procedure for non-SDT.

In another embodiment, in the case that the MAC SDU for the RRC message for the assistant information on the CG resource is multiplexed with the MAC SDU for DRB, the priority of the MAC SDU for the RRC message for the assistant information on the CG resource is lower than the priority of the MAC SDU for DRB if the RRC message is transmitted in the SDT procedure in one of the following conditions:

if the MAC SDU for the RRC message is included in Msg. 3 or Msg. A in a RACH based SDT procedure with only one shot of UL data transmission;

if the MAC SDU for the RRC message is included in Msg. 3 or Msg. A in a RACH based SDT procedure without a subsequent or segmented UL data transmission; and

if the MAC SDU for the RRC message is in an initial UL data transmission in a SDT procedure.

In the above description, the initial UL data is the first data transmission in SDT procedure. It should be understood that the similar conditions may be also applied if the MAC SDU for the RRC message is transmitted in a RACH procedure for non-SDT.

Furthermore, for data transmission in UE connected mode, or for subsequent data transmission in SDT procedure, the assistant information on the CG resource usually has a higher priority than data, but it is better not to introduce the segmentation of radio link control (RLC) service data unit (SDU) , and if it leads to the segmentation of the RLC SDU, its priority will be degraded.

In an embodiment, for data transmission in UE connected mode, or for subsequent data transmission in SDT procedure, when the MAC CE for the assistant information on the CG resource is triggered, the priority of the MAC CE for the assistant information on the CG resource is higher than the priority of data from any logical channel, except data from UL-common control channel (CCCH) , only if after logical channel prioritization including the MAC CE in the resulting MAC protocol data unit (PDU) does not require segmenting RLC SDU. For example, the RLC SDU may be for DRB for SDT (DRB for SDT may be also called SDT DRB) .

In an embodiment, for data transmission in UE connected mode, or for subsequent data transmission in SDT procedure, when the MAC SDU for RRC message for the assistant information on the CG resource is triggered, the priority of the MAC SDU for RRC message for the assistant information on the CG resource is higher than the priority of data from any logical channel, except data from UL-CCCH, only if after logical channel prioritization including the MAC SDU for RRC message in the resulting MAC PDU does not require segmenting RLC SDU for DRB for SDT or non-SDT. In particular, the RLC SDU may be for DRB for SDT in SDT procedure or non-SDT in non-SDT procedure.

In some embodiments, the assistant information on the CG resource may indicate a channel quality on dedicated beam, band, BWP, or resource blocks (RBs) for the UE with a reduced capability (RedCap UE) .

In some embodiments, the CG resource is configured by network, and the network could enable or disable the order of priority of the assistant information on the CG resource over the data from any logical channel in a SDT procedure.

In an embodiment, the network may transmit indication to the UE to enable or disable the priority of the MAC CE for the assistant information on the CG resource being lower than the priority of the MAC SDU for SDT DRB if the MAC CE is transmitted in a SDT procedure. Or based on the indication from the network, the priority of the MAC CE for the assistant information on the CG resource being higher than the priority of the MAC SDU for SDT DRB if the MAC CE is transmitted in a SDT procedure.

In another embodiment, the network may transmit indication to the UE to enable or disable the priority of the MAC SDU for the RRC message for the assistant information on the CG resource being lower than the priority of the MAC SDU for DRB if the RRC message is transmitted in a SDT procedure. Or the network may transmit indication to the UE, and the indication may indicate the priority of the MAC SDU for the RRC message for the assistant information on the CG resource being higher than the priority of the MAC SDU for DRB if the RRC message is transmitted in a SDT procedure.

For example, if the CG resource is precious to the network, the network will not enable this order of priority; otherwise, if the CG resource is sufficient to the network, the network will enable this order of priority which makes the assistant information on the CG resource will be transmitted to the network after the data.

In this document, the SDT (small data transmission) procedure means the UE transmits the UL data or receives the DL data when UE is in inactive mode or idle mode. The SDT procedure means the UE transmits the UL data or receives the DL data when UE is in inactive mode. The SDT procedure means the UE transmits the UL data or receives the DL data when UE is in inactive mode and in a CG based SDT procedure. The SDT procedure means the UE transmits the UL data or receives the DL data when UE is in inactive mode and in a 2-step RACH or 4-step RACH based SDT procedure. The CG based SDT procedure could be the initial data transmission procedure or the subsequent data transmission procedure. The 2-step RACH based SDT procedure could be the initial data transmission procedure or the subsequent data transmission procedure. The 4-step RACH based SDT procedure could be the initial data transmission procedure or the subsequent data transmission procedure.

In some embodiments, the network may transmit indication to the UE to enable or disable the priority of the MAC SDU for the RRC message for the assistant information on the CG resource being lower than the priority of the MAC SDU for DRB if the RRC message is transmitted in a SDT initial data procedure. Or the network may transmit indication to the UE, and the indication may indicate the priority of the MAC SDU for the RRC message for the assistant information on the CG resource being higher than the priority of the MAC SDU for DRB if the RRC message is transmitted in a SDT procedure with subsequent data transmission.

In an embodiment of the present application, the method may further include: receiving indication to enable or disable the priority of the MAC CE for the assistant information on the CG resource being lower than the priority of the MAC SDU for SDT DRB if the MAC CE is transmitted in a SDT initial data procedure, or enable or disable the priority of the MAC SDU for the RRC message for the assistant information on the CG resource being lower than the priority of the MAC SDU for DRB if the RRC message is transmitted in a SDT initial data procedure.

In an embodiment of the present application, the method may further include: receiving indication, the indication may indicate the priority of the MAC CE for the assistant information on the CG resource being higher than the priority of the MAC SDU for SDT DRB if the MAC CE is transmitted in a SDT procedure with subsequent data transmission.

In an embodiment of the present application, the method may further include: receiving indication, the indication may indicate the priority of the MAC SDU for the RRC message for the assistant information on the CG resource being higher than the priority of the MAC SDU for DRB if the RRC message is transmitted in a SDT procedure with subsequent data transmission

In some embodiments, the MAC SDU for RRC message or the MAC CE for the assistant information on the CG resource is multiplexed in a subsequent data transmission, if logical channel prioritization including the MAC SDU for RRC message or the MAC CE in a resulting MAC PDU requires segmenting RLC SDU for an initial UL SDT transmission. The initial UL data is the first data transmission in SDT procedure.

In some embodiments, for the variable-sized MAC CE, if after logical channel prioritization including the MAC CE for the assistant information on the CG resource in a resulting MAC PDU requires segmenting RLC SDU, part of content in the MAC CE is transmitted with higher priority than data from any logical channel, except data from UL-CCCH. Otherwise, the data from any logical channel shall have a higher priority than the MAC CE for the assistant information on the CG resource.

The part of the content in the MAC CE could be selected based the order of the content in the MAC CE. For example, for variable-size MAC CE orderly with the indication of invalidity of CG resource and the RSRP value information, if both the indication of invalidity of CG resource and the RSRP value information could be included in the MAC CE without segmenting the RLC SDU, the indication of invalidity of CG resource will have a priority higher than the RSRP value information. In another example, the network may configure the priority of the content in the MAC CE to the UE, or the priority of the content in the MAC CE may be preconfigured. The UE may select the content in the MAC CE based on the configured (or preconfigured) priority.

Now returning to FIG. 2, the BS may receive the message including the assistant information on the CG resource based on the above embodiments from the UE in operation 220, and then in operation 230, the BS may transmit a response with respect to the message including the assistant information. For example, in the response, the BS may indicate the UE to transit to connected mode or reconfigure to another CG resource. Or, the BS may indicate the UE to release the CG resource of the UE, such as, in Msg. B of 2-step RACH procedure or Msg. 4 of 4-step RACH procedure in order to avoid the resource consumption.

In other embodiments, the network may enable or disable the above assistant information reporting procedure.

Through the embodiments of the present application, a UE may timely update or release the CG resource which is failed to be used by the UE and a BS may timely release the CG resource or reconfigure a new CG resource to the UE.

FIG. 3 illustrates an apparatus according to some embodiments of the present application. In some embodiments of the present application, the apparatus 300 may be the UE 101 as illustrated in FIG. 1 or other embodiments of the present application.

As shown in FIG. 3, the apparatus 300 may include a receiver 301, a transmitter 303, a processer 305, and a non-transitory computer-readable medium 307. The non-transitory computer-readable medium 307 has computer executable instructions stored therein. The processer 305 is configured to be coupled to the non-transitory computer readable medium 307, the receiver 301, and the transmitter 303. It can be contemplated that the apparatus 300 may include more computer-readable mediums, receiver, transmitters and processors in some other embodiments of the present application according to practical requirements. In some embodiments of the present application, the receiver 301 and the transmitter 303 can be integrated into a single device, such as a transceiver. In certain embodiments, the apparatus 300 may further include an input device, a memory, and/or other components.

In some embodiments of the present application, the non-transitory computer-readable medium 307 may have stored thereon computer-executable instructions to cause the apparatus 300 to implement the method according to embodiments of the present application.

FIG. 4 illustrates another apparatus according to some embodiments of the present application. In some embodiments of the present application, the apparatus 400 may be the BS 102 as illustrated in FIG. 1 or other embodiments of the present application.

As shown in FIG. 4, the apparatus 400 may include a receiver 401, a transmitter 403, a processer 405, and a non-transitory computer-readable medium 407. The non-transitory computer-readable medium 407 has computer executable instructions stored therein. The processer 405 is configured to be coupled to the non-transitory computer readable medium 407, the receiver 401, and the transmitter 403. It is contemplated that the apparatus 400 may include more computer-readable mediums, receiver, transmitters and processors in some other embodiments of the present application according to practical requirements. In some embodiments of the present application, the receiver 401 and the transmitter 403 can be integrated into a single device, such as a transceiver. In certain embodiments, the apparatus 400 may further include an input device, a memory, and/or other components.

In some embodiments of the present application, the non-transitory computer-readable medium 407 may have stored thereon computer-executable instructions to cause the apparatus 400 to implement the method according to embodiments of the present application.

In some embodiments of the present application, the CG resource could be the CG resource occasion (s) related to a beam. The CG resource occasions are related to a beam.

In some embodiments of the present application, a failed transmission over the CG resource is one or a number of failed transmissions over the CG resource. A number of failed transmissions over the CG resource could be a number of consecutive failed transmissions over the CG resource.

In this document, the CG resource means the type1 CG resource which is configured by the RRC message. Optionally, the CG resource means the type2 CG resource some of which is configured by physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) .

In this document, the dedicated bandwidth part could be at least one of the initial BWP, or UE specific dedicated BWP, or default BWP. The serving cell is the cell associated to CG resource.

In this document, the network can configure RSRP, RSRQ or SINR as trigger quantity. Reporting measurement results on CG resource can be any combination of quantities (i.e. only RSRP; only RSRQ; only SINR; RSRP and RSRQ; RSRP and SINR; RSRQ and SINR; RSRP, RSRQ and SINR) . The measurement result on CG resource comprises at least one of:

The measurement result on synchronization signal block (SSB) associated with the CG resource, dedicated bandwidth part (BWP) , or a serving cell; and

Indication to indicate that the measurement result on SSB associated with the CG resource, the dedicated BWP, or the serving cell is lower than a first threshold.

In this document, the measurement results on the SSB could be replaced by the measurement results on the beam.

Persons skilled in the art should understand that as the technology develops and advances, the terminologies described in the present application may change, and should not affect or limit the principle and spirit of the present application.

Those having ordinary skill in the art would understand that the steps of a method described in connection with the aspects disclosed herein may be embodied directly in hardware, in a software module executed by a processor, or in a combination of the two. A software module may reside in RAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, a hard disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium known in the art. Additionally, in some aspects, the steps of a method may reside as one or any combination or set of codes and/or instructions on a non-transitory computer-readable medium, which may be incorporated into a computer program product.

While this disclosure has been described with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, and variations may be apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, various components of the embodiments may be interchanged, added, or substituted in the other embodiments. Also, all of the elements of each figure are not necessary for operation of the disclosed embodiments. For example, one of ordinary skill in the art of the disclosed embodiments would be enabled to make and use the teachings of the disclosure by simply employing the elements of the independent claims. Accordingly, embodiments of the disclosure as set forth herein are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

In this document, the terms "comprises, " "comprising, " or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element proceeded by "a, " "an, " or the like does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element. Also, the term "another" is defined as at least a second or more. The terms "including, " "having, " and the like, as used herein, are defined as "comprising. "

Claims

A method, performed by a user equipment (UE) , comprising:

transmitting a message including assistant information on configured grant (CG) resource; and

receiving a response with respect to the message including the assistant information.
The method of Claim 1, further comprising:

receiving CG resource configuration information, wherein the CG resource configuration information includes one or more CG resources, each CG resource is configured to transmit uplink (UL) data for all small data transmission (SDT) data radio bearer (DRB) or all SDT logical channel, and/or configured to transmit the UL data for a set of SDT DRB or a set of SDT logical channel.
The method of Claim 2, further comprising:

if there is data available for a SDT DRB, choosing the CG resource configured for the SDT DRB or using another configured CG resource of SDT.
The method of Claim 1, wherein the assistant information on the CG resource is transmitted in at least one of Msg. A of 2-step random access channel (RACH) procedure or Msg. 3 of 4-step RACH procedure, or in a small data transmission (SDT) procedure where the UE is in inactive mode or idle mode, or in a procedure where the UE is in a connected mode.
The method of Claim 1, wherein the assistant information on the CG resource comprises at least one of:

a measurement result on CG resource; or

a CG resource configuration request.
The method of Claim 5, wherein the measurement result on CG resource comprises at least one of:

reference signal received power (RSRP) or reference signal receiving quality (RSRQ) value information on synchronization signal block (SSB) associated with the CG resource, dedicated bandwidth part (BWP) , or a serving cell;

indication to indicate that the RSRP value information on SSB associated with the CG resource, the dedicated BWP, or the serving cell is lower than a first threshold;

indication to indicate that the RSRQ value information on SSB associated with the CG resource or the dedicated BWP, or the serving cell is lower than a second threshold;

required retransmission or repetition number of downlink (DL) transmission in dedicated SSB, which is associated with the SSB for uplink (UL) CG based transmission; and

required retransmission or repetition number of downlink (DL) transmission related to dedicated CG resource or dedicated CG resource occasion, which is associated with the SSB for uplink (UL) CG based transmission.
The method of Claim 5, wherein the CG resource configuration request comprises at least one of:

an index of the CG resource;

a number of failed initial transmissions or consecutive failed initial transmissions on the CG resource;

a failed initial transmission on CG resource or a consecutive failed initial transmissions on the CG resource; or

indication to request network to update the CG resource, release the CG resource, or reconfigure to another CG resource.
The method of Claim 7, wherein the failed initial transmission on CG resource indicates at least one of:

the UE does not receive from the network a response after the UE transmits initial UL data in preconfigured CG resource;

the UE does not receive from the network an acknowledgement (ACK) response after the UE transmits the initial UL data in preconfigured CG resource;

the UE only receives from the network a negative acknowledgement (NACK) response after the UE transmits the initial UL data in preconfigured CG resource;

the UE does not receive from the network a response after the UE transmits a new transport block (TB) in preconfigured CG resource;

the UE does not receive from the network a response after the UE transmits a new transport block (TB) and/or its retransmission TB in preconfigured CG resource;

the UE does not receive from the network an ACK response after the UE transmits the new TB in preconfigured CG resource;

the UE does not receive from the network an ACK response after the UE transmits a new transport block (TB) and/or its retransmission TB in preconfigured CG resource;

the UE only receives from the network a NACK response after the UE transmits the new TB in preconfigured CG resource; or

the UE only receives from the network a NACK response after the UE transmits a retransmission TB in preconfigured CG resource.
The method of Claim 7, wherein in the case that the indication to request network to update the CG resource, release the CG resource, or reconfigure to another CG resource is transmitted, a trigger condition for transmitting the indication comprises at least one of:

the measurement result on the CG resource or CG resource occasions is lower than a first threshold;

the number of the failed initial transmissions or the consecutive failed initial transmissions on the CG resource is equal to or greater than a second threshold; or

the initial transmission on the CG resource is failed.
The method of Claim 9, wherein the first threshold and the second threshold is configured by the network or preconfigured.
The method of Claim 1, further comprising:

transmitting a cause of a failed transmission over the CG resource in the SDT procedure or a procedure when the UE is in connected mode,

wherein the cause of the failed transmission over the CG resource comprises at least one of:

time advance (TA) invalidity;

TA validity but failed in initial SDT;

failed in initial SDT;

a failed initial transmissions; or

a number of failed initial transmissions.
The method of Claim 11, wherein the TA validity but failed in initial SDT or failed in initial SDT comprises at least one of:

failed for one or several times for initial transport block (TB) transmission over the CG resource;

failed for one or several times for transmissions including new transmission and its re-transmission over the CG resource;

failed for one or several times for initial transport block (TB) transmission over the CG resource and the CG resource is valid; or

failed for one or several times for transmissions including new transmission and its re-transmission over the CG resource and the CG resource is valid.
The method of Claim 1, wherein the assistant information on the CG resource is included in a media access control (MAC) control element (CE) , in a RRC message, or in downlink control information (DCI) .
The method of Claim 13, wherein,

in the case that the assistant information on the CG resource is included in the MAC CE and the MAC CE for the assistant information on the CG resource is multiplexed with a MAC service data unit (SDU) for SDT data radio bearer (DRB) , a priority of the MAC CE for the assistant information on the CG resource is lower than a priority of the MAC SDU for SDT DRB if the MAC CE is transmitted in a SDT procedure; or

in the case that the assistant information on the CG resource is included in the MAC CE and the MAC CE for the assistant information on the CG resource is multiplexed with a MAC SDU for DRB, a priority of the MAC CE for the assistant information on the CG resource is lower than a priority of the MAC SDU for DRB if the MAC CE is transmitted in a Msg. 3 or Msg. A in RACH procedure for SDT or non-SDT; or

in the case that the assistant information on the CG resource is included in the RRC message and a MAC SDU for the RRC message for the assistant information on the CG resource is multiplexed with a MAC SDU for DRB, a priority of the MAC SDU for RRC message for the assistant information on the CG resource is lower than a priority of the MAC SDU for DRB if the RRC message is transmitted in a SDT procedure; or

in the case that the assistant information on the CG resource is included in the RRC message and a MAC SDU for the RRC message for the assistant information on the CG resource is multiplexed with a MAC SDU for DRB, a priority of the MAC SDU for RRC message for the assistant information on the CG resource is lower than a priority of the MAC SDU for DRB if the RRC message is transmitted in a Msg. 3 or Msg. A in a RACH procedure for SDT or non-SDT.
The method of Claim 13, wherein,

in the case that the assistant information on the CG resource is included in the MAC CE and the MAC CE for the assistant information on the CG resource is multiplexed with a MAC SDU for SDT DRB, a priority of the MAC CE for the assistant information on the CG resource is higher than the MAC SDU for SDT DRB if the MAC CE is transmitted in a SDT procedure or CG based SDT procedure; or

in the case that the assistant information on the CG resource is included in the MAC CE and the MAC CE for the assistant information on the CG resource is multiplexed with a MAC SDU for DRB, a priority of the MAC CE for the assistant information on the CG resource is higher than a priority of the MAC SDU for DRB if the MAC CE is transmitted in a Msg. 3 or Msg. A in a RACH procedure for SDT or non-SDT; or

in the case that the assistant information on the CG resource is included in the MAC CE and the MAC CE for the assistant information on the CG resource is multiplexed with a MAC SDU for DRB, a priority of the MAC CE for the assistant information on the CG resource is higher than a priority of the MAC SDU for DRB if the MAC CE is transmitted in SDT procedure with subsequent data transmission or in the SDT subsequent data transmission; or

in the case that the assistant information on the CG resource is included in the RRC message and the a MAC SDU for the RRC message for the assistant information on the CG resource is multiplexed with a MAC SDU for DRB, a priority of the MAC SDU for RRC message for the assistant information on the CG resource is higher than a priority of the MAC SDU for DRB if the RRC message is transmitted in a SDT procedure or CG based SDT procedure; or

in the case that the assistant information on the CG resource is included in the RRC message and a MAC SDU for the RRC message for the assistant information on the CG resource is multiplexed with a MAC SDU for DRB, a priority of the MAC SDU for RRC message for the assistant information on the CG resource is higher than a priority of the MAC SDU for DRB if the RRC message is transmitted in a Msg. 3 or Msg. A in RACH procedure for SDT or non-SDT; or

in the case that the assistant information on the CG resource is included in the RRC message and a MAC SDU for the RRC message for the assistant information on the CG resource is multiplexed with a MAC SDU for DRB, a priority of the MAC SDU for RRC message for the assistant information on the CG resource is higher than a priority of the MAC SDU for DRB if the RRC message is transmitted in SDT procedure with subsequent data transmission or in the SDT subsequent data transmission.