WO2023219536A1

WO2023219536A1 - Methods, network node and ues for handling transmission power in a communications network

Info

Publication number: WO2023219536A1
Application number: PCT/SE2022/050465
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jan Christoffersson; Stefan WÄNSTEDT; Mårten ERICSON; Erik Dahlman
Original assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson (Publ)
Priority date: 2022-05-11
Filing date: 2022-05-11
Publication date: 2023-11-16

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a method performed by a network node (101) for handling transmission power in a communications network (100). The network node (101) is arranged to communicate with one or more UEs (105) in a group (108) of UEs (105). The network node (101) determines a maximum combined transmission power that all UEs (105) in the group (108) of UEs (105) together are allowed to use in UL transmissions to the network node (101). The network node (101) provides, to a coordinator UE (105_1) in the group (108) of UEs (105), information indicating the maximum combined transmission power.

Description

METHODS, NETWORK NODE AND UEs FOR HANDLING TRANSMISSION POWER IN A COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to a network node, a method performed by the network node, a coordinator User Equipment (UE), a method performed by the coordinator UE, a UE and a method performed by the UE. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to handling transmission power in a communications network.

BACKGROUND

Cooperative transmissions

Device to Device (D2D) group communication may be a way to increase the uplink coverage and user bit rate for example in future high frequency Fifth Generation (5G) and Sixth Generation (6G) networks. On a high level, a group of UEs or sensors are D2D capable, and when a UE has data to transmit it will, in a first step, first distribute this data to neighboring UEs in the group over the D2D or sidelink (SL). In a second step, the UEs in the group will cooperatively transmit the data over the cellular uplink (UL). The cooperative transmission will increase the UL coverage e.g. by combining several UEs the total output power and may be beneficial from a latency point of view compared to repeated transmissions for coverage, as used e.g. in Long Term Evolution (LTE) narrowband. A group of UEs comprises a plurality of UEs, i.e. multiple UEs, two or more UEs.

The 2-hop group transmission concept is described in fig. 1a and fig. 1b. Fig. 1a and fig. 1b illustrate a communications system 100 comprising a network node 101 , e.g. an eNB or a gNB. The communications system 100 comprises a plurality of UEs 105 which are comprised in a group 108. Fig. 1a and fig. 1b illustrate an example where the group 108 comprises four UEs 105, but any other suitable number of UEs 105 may be comprised in the group 108. Fig. 1 a and fig. 1 b illustrate an example with a coordinator UE 105_1 , a second UE 105_2, a third UE 105_3 and a fourth UE 105_4, and all of these are comprised in the group 108. When the reference umber 105 is used herein without any additional number such as _2, _3,_4 etc. the reference number 150 refers to any UE 105 in the group 108. Fig. 1 a illustrates that the coordinator UE 105_1 transmits data to the other members of the group, e.g. the second UE 105_2, the third UE 105_2 and the fourth UE 105_4, for example using a sidelink. Fig. 1 b illustrates a cooperative transmission from each UE 105 in the group 108 to the network node 101 , for example using Uu UL. Fig. 1 a illustrates a first step and fig. 1 b illustrates a second step.

In a first step, when one UE 105 in the group 108 wants to transmit data through the group 108, for example the coordinator UE 105_1 , it sends, its data over the sidelink to the other UEs 105 in the group, e.g. the second UE 105_2, the third UE 105_3 and the fourth UE 105_4, see fig. 1a. Thereafter, in the second step, the data is transmitted in a synchronized manner from each UE 105 in the group 108 over the cellular UL to the network node 101 , e.g. an eNB or a gNB, see fig. 1 b.

In the DL, the network node 101 transmits data to the group 108 as if it was a single UE 105. At least one UE 105 in the group 108 must be able to receive the DL data. If necessary, the DL data is relayed to the other UEs 105 in the group via D2D. This is also known as cooperative relaying or Virtual Antenna Array. With the introduction of a group ID concept, there is no need for an extra radio chain. Furthermore, the UEs 105 in the group 108 are not required to have UL coverage. Only one of the UEs 105 in the group 108 must have UL and DL cellular coverage.

According to LTE 3GPP, it is for example possible to create groups of UEs 105 transmitting to each other using the 3GPP ReL 12 LTE concept proximity-based services (ProSe).

Sidelink transmissions in New Radio (NR)

Sidelink transmissions over NR are specified for 3GPP release 16. These are enhancements of the ProSe specified for LTE. Four new enhancements of particular importance are introduced to NR sidelink transmissions as follows:

• Support for unicast and groupcast transmissions are added. For unicast and groupcast, the physical sidelink feedback channel (PSFCH) is introduced for a receiving UE 105 to be able to acknowledge the decoding status to a transmitting UE 105.

• Support for grant-free transmissions is provided, to improve the latency performance.

• A new design of PSCCH alleviates resource collisions among different sidelink transmissions launched by different UEs 105. Further, this design enhances channel sensing and resource selection procedures. Support for Quality of Service (QoS) management is added to achieve a high connection density and congestion control.

To enable the above enhancements, new physical channels and reference signals are introduced in NR (similar to the channels available in LTE):

Physical Sidelink Shared Channel (PSSCH), i.e. the SL version of PDSCH: The PSSCH is transmitted by a sidelink transmitting UE 105, which conveys sidelink transmission data, System Information Blocks (SIBs) for Radio Resource Control (RRC) configuration, and a part of the Sidelink Control Information (SCI).

Physical Sidelink (PSFCH), i.e. the SL version of PUCCH: The PSFCH is transmitted by a sidelink receiving UE 105 for unicast and groupcast, which conveys 1 bit information over 1 RB for the Hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) acknowledgement (ACK) and the negative ACK (NACK). In addition, Channel State Information (CSI) is carried in the Medium Access Control (MAC) Control Element (CE) over the PSSCH instead of the PSFCH.

Physical Sidelink Common Control Channel (PSCCH), i.e. the SL version of PDCCH: When the traffic to be sent to a receiving UE 105 arrives at a transmitting UE 105, a transmitting UE 105 should first send the PSCCH, which conveys a part of SCI, i.e. the SL version of Downlink Control Information (DCI), to be decoded by any UE 105 for the channel sensing purpose, including the reserved time-frequency resources for transmissions, Demodulation Reference Signal (DMRS) pattern and antenna port, etc.

Sidelink Primary/Secondary Synchronization Signal (SPSS/SSSS): Similar to downlink transmissions in NR, in sidelink transmissions, primary and secondary synchronization signals, called SPSS and SSSS, respectively, are supported. Through detecting the SPSS and SSSS, a UE 105 is able to identify the Sidelink Synchronization Identity (SSID) from the UE 105 sending the SPSS/SSSS. Through detecting the SPSS/SSSS, a UE 105 is therefore able to know the characteristics of the UE 105 transmitting the SPSS/SSSS. A series of process of acquiring timing and frequency synchronization together with SSIDs of UEs 105 is called initial cell search. Note that the UE 105 sending the SPSS/SSSS may not be necessarily involved in sidelink transmissions, and a node, e.g. UE or eNB or gNB, sending the SPSS/SSSS is called a synchronization source.

Physical Sidelink Broadcast Channel (PSBCH): The PSBCH is transmitted along with the SPSS/SSSS as a synchronization signal/PSBCH block (SSB). The SSB has the same numerology as PSCCH/PSSCH on that carrier, and an SSB should be transmitted within the bandwidth of the configured BWP. The PSBCH conveys information related to synchronization, such as the Direct Frame Number (DFN), indication of the slot and symbol level time resources for sidelink transmissions, in-coverage indicator, etc. The SSB is transmitted periodically at every 160 ms.

DMRS, phase tracking reference signal (PT-RS), Channel State Information Reference Signal (CSIRS): These physical reference signals supported by NR downlink/uplink transmissions are also adopted by sidelink transmissions. Similarly, the PT-RS is only applicable for Frequency Range 2 (FR2) transmission.

Another new feature is the two-stage SCI. This a version of the DCI for SL. Unlike the DCI, only part, e.g. the first stage, of the SCI is sent on the PSCCH. This part is used for channel sensing purposes, including the reserved time-frequency resources for transmissions, DMRS pattern and antenna port, etc., and can be read by all UEs 105 while the remaining, e.g. the second step, scheduling and control information such as a 8-bits source identity (ID) and a 16-bits destination ID, New Data Indication (NDI), Redundancy Version (RV) and HARQ process ID is sent on the PSSCH to be decoded by the receiving UE 105.

Similar as for ProSe in LTE, NR sidelink transmissions have the following two modes of resource allocations:

Mode 1 : Sidelink resources are scheduled by a network node 101 .

Mode 2: The UE 105 autonomously selects sidelink resources from a (pre-)configured sidelink resource pool(s) based on the channel sensing mechanism.

For the in-coverage UE 105, a network node 101 may be configured to adopt Mode 1 or Mode 2. For the out-of-coverage UE 105, only Mode 2 can be adopted. As in LTE, scheduling over the sidelink in NR is done in different ways for Mode 1 and Mode 2.

Mode 1 supports the following two kinds of grants:

Dynamic grant: When the traffic to be sent over sidelink arrives at a transmitting UE 105, this UE 105 should launch the four-message exchange procedure to request sidelink resources from a network node 101 , e.g. SR on UL, grant, BSR on UL, grant for data on SL sent to UE 105. During the resource request procedure, a network node 101 may allocate a Sidelink-Radio Network Temporary Identifier (SL-RNTI) to the transmitting UE, for example during Random Access (RA). If this sidelink resource request is granted by a network node 101 , then a network node 101 indicates the resource allocation for the PSCCH and the PSSCH in the DCI conveyed by PDCCH with Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC) scrambled with the SL-RNTL When a transmitting UE 105 receives such a DCI, a transmitting UE 105 can obtain the grant only if the scrambled CRC of DCI can be successfully solved by the assigned SL-RNTL A transmitting UE 105 then indicates the time-frequency resources and the transmission scheme of the allocated PSSCH in the PSCCH and launches the PSCCH and the PSSCH on the allocated resources for sidelink transmissions. When a grant is obtained from a network node 101 , a transmitting UE 105 can only transmit a single T ransport Block (TB). As a result, this kind of grant is suitable for traffic with a loose latency requirement.

Configured grant: For the traffic with a strict latency requirement, performing the four- message exchange procedure to request sidelink resources may induce unacceptable latency. In this case, prior to the traffic arrival, a transmitting UE 105 may perform the four-message exchange procedure and request a set of resources. If a grant can be obtained from a network node 101 , then the requested resources are reserved in a periodic manner. Upon traffic arriving at a transmitting UE 105, this UE 105 can launch the PSCCH and the PSSCH on the upcoming resource occasion. In fact, this kind of grant is also known as grant-free transmissions. In both dynamic grant and configured grant, a sidelink receiving UE 105 cannot receive the DCI since it is addressed to the transmitting UE 105, and therefore a receiving UE 105 should perform blind decoding to identify the presence of PSCCH and find the resources for the PSSCH through the SCI.

When a transmitting UE 105 launches the PSCCH, CRC is also inserted in the SCI without any scrambling.

In the Mode 2 resource allocation, when traffic arrives at a transmitting UE 105, this transmitting UE 105 should autonomously select resources for the PSCCH and the PSSCH. To further minimize the latency of the feedback HARQ ACK/NACK transmissions and subsequently retransmissions, a transmitting UE 105 may also reserve resources for PSCCH/PSSCH for retransmissions. To further enhance the probability of successful TB decoding at one shot and thus suppress the probability to perform retransmissions, a transmitting UE 105 may repeat the TB transmission along with the initial TB transmission. This mechanism is also known as blind retransmission. As a result, when traffic arrives at a transmitting UE 105, then this transmitting UE 105 should select resources for the following transmissions:

1 ) The PSSCH associated with the PSCCH for initial transmission and blind retransmissions.

2) The PSSCH associated with the PSCCH for retransmissions.

Since each transmitting UE 105 in sidelink transmissions should autonomously select resources for above transmissions, how to prevent different transmitting UEs 105 from selecting the same resources turns out to be a critical issue in Mode 2. A particular resource selection procedure is therefore imposed to Mode 2 based on channel sensing. The channel sensing algorithm involves measuring RSRP on different subchannels and requires knowledge of the different UEs 105 power levels of DMRS on the PSSCH or the DMRS on the PSCCH depending on the configuration. This information is known only after receiving SCI launched by (all) other UEs 105. The sensing and selection algorithm is rather complex.

LIE Maximum Transmission Power The UE maximum transmit power is specified in e.g. 3GPP 38.101 for NR stand-alone. The maximum transit power for the default class 3, i.e. handheld devices, is 23 dBm. The reason to have a maximum transmit power is for example to avoid that some UEs 105 interfere with other UEs 105 too much.

There are rules that sets a limit on how much radiation can be absorbed by the body, also called Specific Absorption Rate, or SAR, is 1 .6 W/Kg in 1g of tissue.

There are guidelines for limiting exposure to time-varying electric, magnetic, and Electromagnetic Fields (EMFs) of up to 300 GHz. The current safety limits put in place are 2.0 W/Kg in 10g of tissue.

Another reason for defining a maximum transmit power for UEs 105 is to ensure fairness among UEs 105. For example, a UE 105 transmitting at higher power could be perceived as having better channel conditions than other UEs 105 and thereby have advantages compared to other UEs 105 when it comes to scheduling. In another case, a UE 105 transmitting PRACH at a higher transmit power would have a higher chance of successful random access than UEs 105 transmitting with lower power. Yet another reason is that UEs 105 transmitting with higher power will create more interference to other UEs 105, thereby reducing the system performance.

The UE power classes are specified as follows in Table 1 :

Table 1

UE Power class 1 , 2, 3, and 4 are specified based on the assumption of certain UE types with specific device architectures. Power class 3 is a default power class.

When a group of UEs 10 perform cooperative transmissions, they will create at least the same amount of interference as if only one of the UEs 105 was transmitting with a higher power, i.e. the sum of the power used by the UEs 105 doing the cooperative transmissions. From this, the following two observations can be made:

1 . The allowed maximum allowed UE transmission power may be exceeded by the group doing cooperative transmissions.

2. A single UE 105 transmitting with the same power as the group doing cooperative transmission would, on average, not create more interference to other UEs 105 than what is created by the cooperative transmissions.

The first observation means that one of the purposes of enforcing a maximum transmission power is not achieved, i.e. the cooperative transmission would create an unacceptable interference level if all UEs 105 transmit with their maximum power. Therefore, some algorithms or procedures to control the use and interference caused by cooperative transmissions is needed.

The second observation implies that if cooperative transmissions can be allowed to use a total power, which exceeds the individual UE maximum power, then from a system perspective, it would just as well be possible to allow a single UE 105 to transmit with the same power as is allowed jointly for the cooperative devices, ignoring possible health issues for the user of the UE.

Therefore, there is a need to at least mitigate or solve this issue.

SUMMARY

An object is to obviate at least one of the above disadvantages and to improve handling of transmission power in a communications network.

According to a first aspect, the object is achieved by a method in performed by a network node for handling transmission power in a communications network. The network node is arranged to communicate with one or more UE in a group of UEs. The network node determines a maximum combined transmission power that all UEs in the group of UEs together are allowed to use in UL transmissions to the network node. The network node provides, to a coordinator UE in the group of UEs, information indicating the maximum combined transmission power. According to a second aspect, the object is achieved by a method performed by a coordinator UE for handling transmission power in a communications network. The coordinator UE is comprised in a group of UEs. Each UE in the group of UEs are configured to perform UL transmissions with a respective first maximum transmission power. The coordinator UE obtains, from a network node, information indicating a maximum combined transmission power that all UEs in the group of UEs together are allowed to use in UL transmissions to the network node. The coordinator UE obtains a power sharing scheme for all UEs in the group of UEs. The power sharing scheme is based on the maximum combined transmission power. The power sharing scheme comprises a second maximum transmission power for each UE in the group of UEs. The second maximum transmission power replaces the first maximum transmission power. The coordinator UE provides, to each UE in the group of UEs, information indicating their respective second maximum transmission power.

According to a third aspect, the object is achieved by a method performed by a UE for handling transmission power in a communications network. The UE is comprised in a group of UEs. The UE is configured to perform UL transmission with a first maximum transmission power. The UE obtains, from a coordinator UE in the group of UEs, information indicating a second maximum transmission power that the UE is allowed to use in uplink transmissions to a network node. The second maximum transmission power replaces the first maximum transmission power. The UE performs UL transmissions to the network node according to the second maximum transmission power.

According to a fourth aspect, the object is achieved by a network node for handling transmission power in a communications network. The network node is arranged to communicate with one or more UE in a group of UEs. The network node is arranged to determine a maximum combined transmission power that all UEs in the group of UEs together are allowed to use in UL transmissions to the network node. The network node is arranged to provide, to a coordinator UE in the group of UEs, information indicating the maximum combined transmission power.

According to a fifth aspect, the object is achieved by a coordinator UE for handling transmission power in a communications network. The coordinator UE is comprised in a group of UEs. Each UE in the group of UEs are configured to perform UL transmissions with a respective first maximum transmission power. The coordinator UE is arranged to obtain, from a network node, information indicating a maximum combined transmission power that all UEs in the group of UEs together are allowed to use in UL transmissions to the network node. The coordinator UE is arranged to obtain a power sharing scheme for all UEs in the group of UEs. The power sharing scheme is based on the maximum combined transmission power. The power sharing scheme comprises a second maximum transmission power for each UE in the group of UEs. The second maximum transmission power replaces the first maximum transmission power. The coordinator UE is arranged to provide, to each UE in the group of UEs, information indicating their respective second maximum transmission power.

According to a sixth aspect, the object is achieved by a a UE for handling transmission power in a communications network. The UE is comprised in a group of UEs. The UE is configured to perform UL transmission with a first maximum transmission power. The UE arranged to obtain, from a coordinator UE in the group of UEs, information indicating a second maximum transmission power that the UE is allowed to use in uplink transmissions to a network node. The second maximum transmission power replaces the first maximum transmission power. The UE is arranged to perform UL transmissions to the network node according to the second maximum transmission power.

Thanks to the maximum combined transmission power, which can be used for a group of UEs, the allowable UL power may be distributed among the UEs in the group and possible interference created by the UEs in the group may be controlled. Thus, handling of transmission power in a communications network is improved.

The present disclosure herein affords many advantages, of which a non-exhaustive list of examples follows:

An advantage of the present disclosure may be that it controls the interference created by a group of UEs doing cooperative UL transmissions. It is important to ensure that cooperative transmissions do not create unmanageable interference and thereby degrade the performance of other UEs in the cell.

Another advantage of the present disclosure may be that it enables improved coverage and bitrate for cooperative transmissions as well as for normal UL transmissions. A normal UL transmission may be direct UL transmission and may be described as the normal or legacy transmission where only one UE transmits on a particular UL resource. This is achieved by configuring a higher total allowed UL power that can be distributed among the UEs in the group doing cooperative transmissions. This allows to distribute more allowed power to UEs with good side link radio conditions and good uplink radio conditions.

The present disclosure is not limited to the features and advantages mentioned above. A person skilled in the art will recognize additional features and advantages upon reading the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure will now be described in more detail by way of example only in the following detailed description by reference to the appended drawings in which:

Fig. 1 a and 1 b are schematic drawings illustrating a 2-step group communication,

Fig. 2 is a schematic drawing illustrating a communications system.

Fig. 3 is a signaling diagram illustrating a method.

Fig. 4 is a schematic drawing illustrating cooperative transmission.

Fig. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a method performed by a network node.

Fig. 6 is a flow chart illustrating a method performed by a coordinating UE.

Fig. 7 is a flow chart illustrating a method performed by a UE.

Fig. 8a is a schematic drawing illustrating a network node.

Fig. 8b is a schematic drawing illustrating a network node.

Fig. 9a is a schematic drawing illustrating a UE.

Fig. 9b is a schematic drawing illustrating a UE.

Fig. 10 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a telecommunication network connected via an intermediate network to a host computer,

Fig. 11 is a schematic block diagram of a host computer communicating via a base station with a UE over a partially wireless connection.

Fig. 12 is a flowchart depicting a method in a communications system comprising a host computer, a base station and a UE.

Fig. 13 is a flowchart depicting a method in a communications system comprising a host computer, a base station and a UE.

Fig. 14 is a flowchart depicting a method in a communications system comprising a host computer, a base station and a UE. Fig. 15 is a flowchart depicting a method in a communications system comprising a host computer, a base station and a UE.

The drawings are not necessarily to scale, and the dimensions of certain features may have been exaggerated for the sake of clarity. Emphasis is instead placed upon illustrating the principle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Fig. 2 depicts a non-limiting example of a communications system 100, which may be a wireless communications system, sometimes also referred to as a wireless communications network, cellular radio system, or cellular network, in which the present disclosure may be implemented. The communications system 100 may be a 5G system, 5G network, NR-U or Next Gen system or network. The communications system 100 may alternatively be a younger system or older system than a 5G system, such as e.g. a 2G system, a 3G system, a 4G system, a 6G system a 7G system etc. The communications system 100 may support other technologies such as, for example, Long-Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced/LTE-Advanced Pro, e.g. LTE Frequency Division Duplex (FDD), LTE Time Division Duplex (TDD), LTE Half-Duplex Frequency Division Duplex (HD-FDD), LTE operating in an unlicensed band, NB-loT. Thus, although terminology from 5G/NR and LTE may be used in this disclosure to exemplify, this should not be seen as limiting to only the aforementioned systems.

The communications system 100 comprises one or a plurality of network nodes, whereof a network node 101 is depicted in the non-limiting example of fig. 2. The network node 101 may be a radio network node, such as a radio base station, or any other network node with similar features capable of serving a user equipment, such as a wireless device or a machine type communication device, in the communications system 100. The network node 101 may be an eNB, a gNB, a MeNB etc. The communications system 100 may comprise any suitable number of network nodes 101 , but only one is exemplified in fig. 2 for the sake of simplicity.

The communications system 100 covers a geographical area which may be divided into cell areas, wherein each cell area may be served by a network node, although, one network node may serve one or several cells. A cell is a geographical area where radio coverage is provided by the network node 101 at a network node site. Each cell is identified by an identity within the local network node area, which is broadcast in the cell. The network node 101 may be of a certain class, such as, e.g., macro base station (BS), home BS or pico BS, based on transmission power and thereby also cell size. The network node 101 may be directly connected to one or more core networks, which are not depicted in fig. 2 for the sake of simplicity. The network node 101 may be a distributed node, such as a virtual node in the cloud, and it may perform its functions entirely on the cloud, or partially, in collaboration with another network node.

One or a plurality of UEs 105 is comprised in the communication system 100. Four UEs 105 are exemplified in fig. 2. A UE 105 may also be referred to simply as a device. The UE 105, e.g. an LTE UE or a 5G/NR UE or any other UE, may be a wireless communication device which may also be known as e.g., a wireless device, a mobile terminal, wireless terminal and/or mobile station, a mobile telephone, cellular telephone, or laptop with wireless capability, just to mention some examples. The UE 105 may be a device by which a subscriber may access services offered by an operator’s network and services outside operator’s network to which the operator’s radio access network and core network provide access, e.g. access to the Internet. The UE 105 may be any device, mobile or stationary, enabled to communicate over a radio channel in the communications system 100, for instance but not limited to e.g. UE, mobile phone, smart phone, sensors, meters, vehicles, household appliances, medical appliances, media players, cameras, Machine to Machine (M2M) device, Internet of Things ( IOT) device, terminal device, communication device or any type of consumer electronic, for instance but not limited to television, radio, lighting arrangements, tablet computer, laptop or Personal Computer (PC).The UE 105 may be portable, pocket storable, hand held, computer comprised, or vehicle mounted devices, enabled to communicate voice and/or data, via the radio access network, with another entity, such as another UE, a server, a laptop, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), or a tablet, Machine-to-Machine (M2M) device, device equipped with a wireless interface, such as a printer or a file storage device, modem, or any other radio network unit capable of communicating over a radio link in the communications system 100.

The UEs 105 illustrated in fig. 2 are comprised in a group 108, also referred to as a UE group, a group of UEs etc. The group 108 comprises multiple UEs 105 which may be described as members of the group, group member UEs etc. One of the UEs 105 in the group 108 may be a coordinator UE 105_1 . The coordinator UE 105_1 may be a first UE, a master UE, a group manager etc. The coordinator UE 105_1 may be described as a coordinator of the group 108 and may be arranged to perform coordinating functions for the group 108, it may be arranged to manage the group 108, communicate with the UEs 105 in the group 108, coordinate communication within the group 108. The coordinating functions for the group 108 may be performed by one UE 105 in the group 108, or the coordination functions may be distributed among two or more UEs 105 in the group 108. The group 108 comprises UEs 105 that are member of the group 108, but which are not the coordinator UE 105_1 . Fig. 2 illustrates an example with one coordinator UE 105_1 , and three UEs 105, e.g. the second UE 105_2, the third UE 105_3 and the fourth UE 105_4, which are member of the group 108, and which are in addition to the coordinator UE 10_1 , i.e. they are not the coordinator UE 105_1 .

The UE 105 is enabled to communicate wirelessly within the communications system 100. The communication may be performed e.g. between two UEs 105, between a UE 105 and a regular telephone, between the UE 105 and the network node 101 , between network nodes, and/or between the UE 105 and a server via the radio access network and possibly one or more core networks and possibly the internet.

The network node 101 may be configured to communicate in the communications system 100 with the UE 105 over a communication link, e.g., a radio link or a wired link, although communication over more links may be possible.

It should be noted that the communication links in the communications system 100 may be of any suitable kind comprising either a wired or wireless link. The link may use any suitable protocol depending on type and level of layer (e.g. as indicated by the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model) as understood by the person skilled in the art.

The method for handling transmission power in a communications network 100 will now be described with reference to the signaling diagram depicted in fig. 3. Before step 301 , each UE 105 in the group 108 of UEs 105 may be configured to perform UL transmissions with a respective first maximum transmission power Pmaxjegacy. In other words, each UE 105 in the group 108 may initially be configured with the first maximum transmission power Pmaxjegacy. The method comprises at least one of the following steps, which steps may as well be carried out in another suitable order than described below: Step 301

The network node 101 determines a maximum combined transmission power, Pmax_coop. All UEs 105 in the group 108 together or in combination are allowed to use the maximum combined transmission power P_max_coo_P in UL transmissions to the network node 101 . This means that the transmission power of the coordinator UE 105_1 plus the transmission power of the second UE 105_2 plus the transmission power of the third UE 105_3 plus the transmission power of the fourth UE 105_4 will not exceed the maximum combined transmission power P max coop determined by the network node 101 .

Step 302

The network node 101 provides, to a coordinator UE 105_1 in the group 108 of UEs 105, information indicating the maximum combined transmission power P_max_coo_P. In other words, the network node 101 informs the coordinator UE 105_1 about the maximum combined transmission power P_max coop that it has determined in step 301 . The coordinator UE 105_1 Obtains the information indicating the maximum combined transmission power P_max_coo_P from the network node 101.

Step 303

The coordinator UE 105_1 or the network node 101 may determine, based on the maximum combined transmission power P max coop, a transmission power sharing scheme for all UEs 105 in the group 108 of UEs 105. The power sharing scheme comprises a second maximum transmission power P_max, new for each UE 105 in the group 108 of UEs 105. The second maximum transmission power P_max, new may replace or override the first maximum transmission power Pmaxjegacy, i.e. the first maximum transmission power Pmaxjegacy that each UE 105 is initially configured with before step 301 is performed. The first maximum transmission power Pmaxjegacy may be referred to as a legacy maximum transmission power. The second maximum transmission power P_max, new may be referred to as a new maximum transmission power. Typically, the network node 101 may determine the maximum combined transmission power Pmax coop- The coordinator UE 105_1 or the network node 101 may then determine the distribution of power within the group 108 based on the maximum combined transmission power P max coop. If the network node 101 is the one that determines the transmission power sharing scheme, then the network node 101 may provide information indicating the transmission power sharing scheme to the coordinator UE 105_1 .

Step 304

If the network node 101 is the one that determine the transmission power sharing scheme, then the network node 101 may provide information indicating the second maximum transmission power Pmax, new to each UE 105 in the group 108 of UEs 105 via the coordinator UE 105_1 . The network node 101 may first provide, e.g. transmit, forward etc., the information indicating the second maximum transmission power P_max, new to the coordinator UE 105_1 , and then the coordinator UE 105_1 may provide the information indicating the second maximum transmission power P max, new to each UE 105 in the group 108.

If the coordinator UE 105_1 Is the one that determines the power sharing scheme, then the coordinator UE 105_1 may provide the information indicating the second maximum transmission power P max, new to each UE 105 in the group 108 of UEs 105.

Each UE 105 in the group 108 may obtain the information indicating the second maximum transmission power P_max, new. When each UE 105 in the group 108 has obtained the information indicating the second maximum transmission power P_max, new, each UE 105 may replace its first maximum transmission power Pmaxjegacy with the second maximum transmission power Pmax. new, or determine to use the second maximum transmission power Pmax. new instead of the first maximum transmission power Pmaxjegacy.

Step 305

After having received the information indicating the second maximum transmission power P_max, new, each UE 105 in the group 108 may determine which transmission type to use for its transmissions, for example to achieve successful transmissions. The transmission type may be UL cooperative transmission or direct UL transmission. This step may be performed by all UEs 105 in the group 108, i.e. both the coordinator UE 105_1 and the other UEs 105 in the group 108 which are not the coordinator UE 105_1 .

306

Each UE 105 in the group 108 performs UL transmissions to the network node 101 according to the second maximum transmission power Pmax. new. The UL transmission may be performed using the transmission type determined in step 305, i.e. the UL cooperative transmission or direct UL transmission. This step may be performed by all UEs 105 in the group 108, i.e. both the coordinator UE 105_1 and the other UEs 105 in the group 108 which are not the coordinator UE 105_1 .

As mentioned above, the network node 101 may assign the maximum combined transmission power Pmax_coo_P used for a group 108 of UEs 105 doing cooperative transmissions. The maximum power Pmax_coo_P, may be limited to be the same as the maximum power allowed by a single UE, i.e. the first maximum transmission power Pmaxjegacy to ensure that the total interference caused by the cooperative transmissions does not exceed that of a single UE 105. In another example, the maximum combined transmission power P_max_coo_P may be allowed to be higher than the first maximum transmission power Pmaxjegacy, e.g. in cases where the group 108 may need to use a higher overall power for successful cooperative transmission. The maximum combined transmission power Pmax_coo_P may then be split between the UEs 105 in the group 108 of N UEs 105 in different ways, for example all UEs 105 get an equal share, e.g. Pmax_coo_P /N, or is distributed equally to a subset of K UEs 105, i.e. Pmax_coo_P /K. N is a positive integer larger than 1 and K is a positive integer larger than 1 . The coordinator UE 105_1 may also distribute the power to each UE 105 in the group 108 depending on indications of the UEs’ 105 UL channel characteristics and SL channel characteristics, i.e. remove UEs 105 with bad UL or SL. In other cases when the maximum combined transmission power Pmax_coo_P is set higher than the first maximum transmission power Pmaxjegacy, the source UE 105 or other UE 150 may get a larger share of the power than what is normally allowed for a single UE 105. In this case, a UE 150 may do a direct transmission to the network node 101 using a higher power than is normally allowed for UL transmissions. The coordinator UE 105_1 may also take into account if the UE 105 is handheld or a sensor. It may also depend on the load level and/or interference level in the system, cell, slice or part of the cell or the interference a UE 105 will create to other cells. The size of the group 108 or number of UEs 105 in the group 108 that are allowed to participate in the cooperative transmission may also be limited by the load level and/or interference level in the cell. Fig. 4 illustrates an example where three groups 108 of UEs 105 are configured to do cooperative transmissions. Group A comprises four UEs 105 which share the maximum combined transmission power Pmax_coo_P equally where maximum combined transmission power = first maximum transmission power, i.e. Pmax_coo_P = Pmaxjegacy. In Group A, the total maximum power of the group 108 is limited to be the same as for a single UE 105 and split equally among the UEs. This controls the interference to be as for a single UE 105. Group B comprises four UEs 105 and group C comprises three UEs 105. In group B and C, the maximum combined transmission power Pmax_coo_P is set to a higher value, creating higher interference but also better coverage. In group B the UEs 105 share the maximum combined transmission power P max coop equally while group C allocates all maximum combined transmission power P max coop to the UE 105 with the best location. In Group B, the allocated power is split equal among the group members while in group C all power is allocated to a single UE 105. A third UE 105 is exemplified in fig. 4 to uses the first maximum transmission power Pmaxjegacy.

As an initial step, which corresponds to step 301 in fig. 3, the network node 101 needs to determine a maximum combined transmission power P max coop that may be used by the group 108 or by the UE 105 in the group 108 which is configured with a higher maximum power. One method for this may be to use the first maximum transmission power Pmaxjegacy allowed by a single UE 105 in the cell i.e. Pmax_coo_P= Pmaxjegacy. This is a scenario which may ensure that the interference created by the group 108 does not exceed that of a normal UE 105. A normal UE 105 may be a UE 105 which is not involved in cooperative transmission. A normal UE 105 may be a legacy UE.

Alternatively, the network node 101 may determine that the maximum combined transmission power P_max coop that may be used by the group 108 may be larger than the first maximum transmission power Pmaxjegacy allowed by a single UE 105 in the cell, i.e. P max coop > P max legacy, for example, to enhance the coverage and bitrate of the cooperative transmissions. This may be done by:

• Considering the UL characteristics of the coordinator UE 105_1 of the group 108 or the UE 105 in the group 108 which will be configured with a higher first maximum transmission power Pmaxjegacy.

• The physical position of the group 108 or UE 105 which will be allocated a higher first maximum transmission power Pmaxjegacy.

• The interference and load situation in the cell.

• The interference situation for adjacent groups 108 may also be reported by the coordinator based on SL pilot and/or discovery signals.

• In a target scenario, the load and interference situation in the cell allows considerably higher load and interference without impacting the network node’s 101 ability to receive UL transmissions. The interference and load situation in adjacent cells. This may be reported by neighbour network nodes 101.

In a first step, which corresponds to step 302 in fig. 3, the coordinator UE 105_1 receives a configuration from the network node 101 of the maximum combined transmission power Pmax coop. Note that, according to above, the maximum combined transmission power Pmax_coop may be higher than the first maximum transmission power Pmaxjegacy that a normal UE 105 is allowed to use. A normal UE 105 may be a UE 105 that is not involved in cooperative transmissions. A normal UE 105 may be a legacy UE.

The maximum combined transmission power P_max coop may be distributed from the network node 101 to the coordinator UE 105_1 via for example:

• System Information (SI).

• Dedicated signalling to the coordinator UE 105_1 .

• Hardcoded in a standard specification and preconfigured in the coordinator UE 105_1.

In a second step, which corresponds to step 303 in fig. 3, the coordinator UE 105_1 or the network node 101 determines a suitable power sharing scheme for the UEs 105 in the group 108. The maximum combined transmission power P_max coop is shared or divided among the UEs 105 in the group 108 by the coordinator UE 105_1 so each UE 105 in the group 108 receives a new maximum transmission power, i.e. a second maximum transmission power Pmax. new. This second maximum transmission Pmax. new may then be applied either regardless of if the UE 105 is participating in a group transmission or if the UE 105 is transmitting directly by itself as normal transmission or only if the UE 105 is participating in a coordinated transmission.

The power sharing scheme may be an equal split between the N UEs 105 in the group 108, i.e. a UE 105 may use second maximum transmission power= maximum combined transmission power/N, i.e. Pmax, new = Pmax_coo_P/N , where N is a positive integer larger than one.

If the maximum combined transmission power is equal to the second maximum transmission power, i.e. Pmax_coo_P = Pmaxjegacy, then interference from the cooperative transmission is controlled to be no more than that of a normal UE 105. The power sharing scheme may also distribute the power unequally among the UEs 105 in the group 108. This may for example be a higher level to the source UE 105, i.e. the UE 105 in the group 108 that has the data to transmit or the coordinator UE 105_1 or the UE 105 with most favourable UL conditions or other capable UE(s) 105.

Some UEs 105 in the group 108 may be allocated zero power.

In case that the maximum combined transmission power is larger than the second maximum transmission power, i.e. Pmax_coo_P> Pmaxjegacy, the power sharing scheme may result in that one or several UEs 105 may use a second maximum transmission power Pmax, new which is higher than the first maximum transmission power Pmaxjegacy.

It may also be set as a side condition that the second maximum transmission power P_max, new is always less than the first maximum transmission power Pmaxjegacy.

In one example, the maximum combined transmission power P_max_coo_P or the second maximum transmission power Pmax, new may be used, i.e. be valid, under certain conditions such as;

• If the load in the cell and/or the SSB is below a threshold, or

• If the pathloss of the UE 105 is above a threshold, e.g. restricting the use to celledge UEs 105.

• The network node 101 may signal load indicators in SI, i.e. if it is allowed to apply the higher Pmax or not.

The determination of the maximum power that a specific UE 105 can use, i.e. the second maximum transmission power Pmax, new may further be based on one or more of the following:

• UE’s link quality and/or pathloss to the network node 101.

• The UE’s link quality on the SL. o This may be a weighted average from the UE 105 to all the other UEs 105 in the group 108. o This may be a weighted average of the link quality on the SL from the UE 105 to k UEs 105 in the group 108, where k is a positive integer larger than zero, 0. o This may be a weighted average of the link quality on the SL from the UE 105 to the k UEs 105 with the best UL. o That a SL with a link quality above a first threshold, e.g. SL-Thr, to one UE 105 with UL link quality above a second threshold e.g. UL-Thr, is available

• The amount of interference created to neighbouring cells, estimated by the difference between the RSRP from the serving cell and the RSRP from the neighbouring cells.

In case radio conditions are used for the determination of the second maximum transmission power Pmax. new, signalling of SL and UL link qualities is needed from the UEs 105 to the coordinator UE 105_1 or the network node 101 .

In a third step, which corresponds to step 304 in fig. 3, the coordinator UE 105_1 or the network node 101 signals the second maximum transmission power Pmax. new for each UE 105 in the group 108. In case determination of the second maximum transmission power Pmax, new was done by the network node 101 , this signalling may be done from the network node 101 via the coordinator UE 105_1 to the other UEs 105 in the group 108.

The coordinator UE 105_1 may signal two values to each UE 105 in the group 108, a first value being the second maximum transmission power Pmax. new used for cooperative transmissions Pmax. new and a second value being a direct maximum transmission power Pmax direct for normal UL, i.e. direct, transmission. In some cases, the direct maximum transmission power P_max_direct may be equal to the second maximum transmission power P max. new- The UE 105 may in this case:

• Use cooperative transmissions if the UE 105 believes this is needed for transmission, e.g. for successful transmission, by utilizing the spatial diversity of the cooperative UEs 105, using the second maximum transmission power Pmax.new.

• Use direct transmission if it believes this is sufficient for successful transmission using the direct maximum transmission power P_max_direct, and thereby reducing latency.

• It may be set as a side condition that the direct maximum transmission power Pmax direct is lower than the second maximum transmission power, P_max_direct < Pmaxjegacy. Another side condition may be that the second maximum transmission power P max, new is lower than the first maximum transmission power, Pmax.new <

P maxjegacy- The UE’s 105 choice of direct transmission or cooperative transmission may further be based on radio characteristics such as RSRP thresholds. In one example, the UE 105 may do direct transmission if the RSRP is above a threshold and otherwise do a cooperative transmission.

In the case direct transmission is used, the transmission may be scheduled by the coordinator UE 105_1 or the network node 101 to ensure that two UEs 105 do not use the same high transmission power simultaneously.

The values of direct maximum transmission power P_max_direct divided by the maximum combined transmission power P_max_direct / Pmax_coo_P of the UEs 105 may be restricted for use by data belonging to specific LCHs and/or LCGs, i.e. , specific priorities.

The values of direct maximum transmission power P_max_direct divided by the maximum combined transmission power P_max_direct / Pmax_coo_P of the UEs 105 may be restricted for use by certain UE capabilities.

In case a UE 105 uses direct transmission, it may send a PHR reporting the power headroom left up to P_max direct- This enables the gNB to efficiently schedule the UE taking into account the configured Pmax_direct. In case the Pmax_direct is used for the Power Headroom Report (PHR), one of the unused R-bits in the Power Headroom Report (PGR) Medium Access Control (MAC) Control Element (CE) may be used to indicate that the power headroom is calculated based on the second maximum transmission power P_max, new.

An overview of at least some of the transmission power parameters used herein provided below in Table 2:

Table 2

The method described above will now be described seen from the perspective of the network node 101. Fig. 5 is a flowchart describing the present method in the network node 101 for handling transmission power in a communications network 100. The network node 101 is arranged to communicate with one or more UE 105 in a group 108 of UE 105. Each UE in the group 108 of UEs 105 may be configured to perform UL transmissions with a respective first maximum transmission power Pmaxjegacy. The method comprises at least one of the following steps to be performed by the network node 101 , which steps may be performed in any suitable order than described below:

Step 501

This step corresponds to step 301 in fig. 3. The network node 101 determines a maximum combined transmission power P max coop that all UEs 105 in the group 108 of UEs 105 together are allowed to use in UL transmissions to the network node 101 .

The determining may be triggered for example when the group 108 is created or when the group 108 moves to a new cell.

The maximum combined transmission power P_max coop may be determined to be at least substantially, e.g. with some tolerance, the same as allowed for a single UE 105 that has a highest first maximum transmission power Pmaxjegacy among all UEs 105 in the group 108 of UEs 105.

The maximum combined transmission power P_max coop may be determined to be higher than for a single UE 105 that has a highest first maximum power among all UEs 105 in the group 108 of UEs 105.

Step 502

This step corresponds to step 302 in fig. 3. The network node 101 provides, to a coordinator UE 105_1 in the group 108 of UEs 105, information indicating the maximum combined transmission power Pmax_coo_P.

Step 503

This step corresponds to step 303 in fig. 3. The network node 101 may determine, based on the maximum combined transmission power Pmax_coo_P, a transmission power sharing scheme for all UEs 105 in the group 108 of UEs 105. The power sharing scheme may comprise a second maximum transmission power Pmax. new for each UE 105 in the group 108 of UEs 105, including the coordinator UE 105_1 . The second maximum transmission power Pmax, new may replace the first maximum transmission power Pmaxjegacy.

The second maximum transmission power Pmax. new may be:

• An equal split of the maximum combined transmission power P max coop between all UEs 105 in the group 108 of UEs 105; or

• An unequal distribution of the maximum combined transmission power P_max_coo_P among the UEs 105 in the group 108 of UEs 105 based on one or more parameters.

Step 504

This step corresponds to step 304 in fig. 3. The network node 101 may provide information indicating the second maximum transmission power Pmax. new to each UE 105 in the group 108 of UEs 105 via the coordinator UE 105_1 .

The method described above will now be described seen from the perspective of the coordinator UE 105_1 . Fig. 6 is a flowchart describing the present method in the coordinator UE 105_1 for handling transmission power in a communications network 100. The coordinator UE 105_1 is comprised in a group 108 of UEs 105. Each UE 105 in the group 108 of UEs 105 are configured to perform UL transmissions with a respective first maximum transmission power Pmaxjegacy. The method comprises at least one of the following steps to be performed by the coordinator UE 105_1 , which steps may be performed in any suitable order than described below:

Step 601

This step corresponds to step 302 in fig. 3. The coordinator UE 105_1 , from a network node 101 , information indicating a maximum combined transmission power P_max_coo_P that all UEs 105 in the group 108 of UEs 105 together are allowed to use in UL transmissions to the network node 101 .

Step 602

This step corresponds to step 303 and step 304 in fig. 3. The coordinator UE 105_1 , obtains a power sharing scheme for all UEs 105 in the group 108 of UEs 105. The power sharing scheme is based on the maximum combined transmission power P_max_coo_P. The power sharing scheme comprises a second maximum transmission power Pmax. new for each UE 105 in the group 108 of UEs 105. The second maximum transmission power Pmax, new replaces the first maximum transmission power Pmaxjegacy.

The power sharing scheme may be obtained by receiving the power sharing scheme from the network node 101 which has determined the power sharing scheme.

The power sharing scheme may be obtained by the coordinator UE 105_1 determining the power sharing scheme based on the maximum combined transmission power P max coop.

Seo 603

This step corresponds to step 304 in fig. 3. The coordinator UE 105_1 , provides, to each UE 105 in the group 108 of UEs 105, information indicating their respective second maximum transmission power P_max, new.

The information indicating the respective second maximum transmission power Pmax. new may comprise:

• a first value being the second maximum transmission power P_max, new used for UL transmission, and

• a second value being a direct maximum transmission power P_max_direct for direct UL transmission.

The method described above will now be described seen from the perspective of the UE 105. Fig. 7 is a flowchart describing the present method in the UE 105_2, 105_3, 105_4 for handling transmission power in a communications network 100. The UE 105_2, 105_3, 105_4 is comprised in a group 108 of UEs 105. The UE 105_2, 105_3, 105_4 is configured to perform UL transmission with a first maximum transmission power Pmaxjegacy. The method comprises at least one of the following steps to be performed by the UE 105_2, 105_3, 105_4, which steps may be performed in any suitable order than described below:

Step 701

This step corresponds to step 304 in fig. 3. The UE 105_2, 105_3, 105_4 obtains, from a coordinator UE 105_1 in the group 108 UEs 105, information indicating a second maximum transmission power Pmax. new that the UE 105_2, 105_3, 105_4 is allowed to use in uplink transmissions to a network node 101. The second maximum transmission power Pmax, new replaces the first maximum transmission power Pmaxjegacy.

The information indicating the second maximum transmission power Pmax. new may comprise:

• a first value being the second maximum transmission power P_max, _new used for UL transmissions, and

• a second value being a direct maximum transmission power Pmax_direct for direct UL transmissions.

Step 702

This step corresponds to step 305 in fig.3. The UE 105_2, 105_3, 105_4 may determine, based on the first and second value, which transmission type to use for transmission, wherein the transmission type is UL cooperative transmission or direct UL transmission.

Step 703

This step corresponds to step 306 in fig.3. The UE 105_2, 105_3, 105_4 performs UL transmissions to the network node 101 according to the second maximum transmission power P max, new-

To perform the method steps shown in fig. 5 for for handling transmission power in a communications network 100, the network node 101 comprises an arrangement as shown in fig. 8a and/or fig. 8b. The network node 101 is arranged to communicate with one or more UE 105 in a group 108 of UE 105. Each UE in the group 108 of UEs 105 may be configured to perform UL transmissions with a respective first maximum transmission power P max legacy-

The network node 101 is arranged to, e.g. by means of a determining unit 801 , determine a maximum combined transmission power P max coop that all UEs 105 in the group 108 of UEs 105 together are allowed to use in UL transmissions to the network node 101 .The maximum combined transmission power P max coop may be used by all UEs 105 in the group 108 of UEs 105 which are configured with a first maximum transmission power Pmaxjegacy that is higher than the maximum combined transmission power Pmax_coo_P. The maximum combined transmission power P_max coop may be determined to be at least substantially, e.g. with some tolerance, the same as allowed for a single UE 105 that has a highest first maximum transmission power Pmaxjegacy among all UEs 105 in the group 108 of UEs 105. The determining unit 801 may also be referred to as a determining module, a determining means, a determining circuit, means for determining etc. The determining unit 801 may be a processor 810 of the network node 101 or comprised in the processor 810 of the network node 101 .

The network node 101 is arranged to, e.g. by means of a providing unit 803, provide, to a coordinator UE 105_1 in the group 108 of UEs 105, information indicating the maximum combined transmission power P max coop. The providing unit 803 may also be referred to as a providing module, a providing means, a providing circuit, means for providing etc. The providing unit 803 may be a processor 810 of the network node 101 or comprised in the processor 810 of the network node 101 .

The network node 101 is arranged to, e.g. by means of the determining unit 801 , determine, based on the maximum combined transmission power P_max_coo_P, a transmission power sharing scheme for all UEs 105 in the group 108 of UEs 105. The power sharing scheme may comprise a second maximum transmission power P_max, new for each UE 105 in the group 108 of UEs 105, including the coordinator UE 105_1 . The second maximum transmission power P_max, new may replace the first maximum transmission power Pmaxjegacy. The second maximum transmission power P_max, new may be:

• An unequal distribution of the maximum combined transmission power Pmax_coo_P among the UEs 105 in the group 108 of UEs 105 based on one or more parameters.

The network node 101 is arranged to, e.g. by means of the providing unit 803, provide information indicating the second maximum transmission power P_max, new to each UE 105 in the group 108 of UEs 105 via the coordinator UE 105_1 .

The present mechanism for handling transmission power in a communications network 100 may be implemented through one or more processors, such as a processor 810 in the network node arrangement depicted in fig.8a and/or 8b, together with computer program code for performing the functions described herein. The processor may be for example a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) processor, Field-programmable gate array (FPGA) processor or microprocessor. The program code mentioned above may also be provided as a computer program product, for instance in the form of a data carrier carrying computer program code for performing the present disclosure herein when being loaded into the network node 101 . One such carrier may be in the form of a CD ROM disc. It is however feasible with other data carriers such as a memory stick. The computer program code can be provided as pure program code on a server and downloaded to the network node 101 .

Fig. 8a and fig. 8b depict two different examples in panels a) and b), respectively, of the arrangement that the network node 101 may comprise. The network node 101 may comprise the following arrangement depicted in fig. 8a.

The present disclosure related to the network node 101 may be implemented through one or more processors, such as the processor 810 in the network node 101 depicted in fig. 8a, together with computer program code for performing the functions and actions described herein. A processor, as used herein, may be understood to be a hardware component. The program code mentioned above may also be provided as a computer program product, for instance in the form of a data carrier carrying computer program code for performing the present disclosure when being loaded into the network node 101. One such carrier may be in the form of a CD ROM disc. It is however feasible with other data carriers such as a memory stick. The computer program code may be provided as pure program code on a server and downloaded to the network node 101 .

The network node 101 may comprise a memory 813 comprising one or more memory units. The memory 813 is arranged to be used to store obtained information, store data, configurations, schedulings, and applications etc. to perform the methods herein when being executed in the network node 101 .

The network node 101 may receive information from, e.g. the coordinator UE 105_1 , the other UEs in the group 108, through a receiving port 815. The receiving port 1005 may be, for example, connected to one or more antennas in network node 101 . The network node 101 may receive information from another structure in the communications system 100 through the receiving port 815. Since the receiving port 815 may be in communication with the processor 810, the receiving port 815 may then send the received information to the processor 810. The receiving port 815 may also be configured to receive other information.

The processor 810 in the UE 105 may be configured to transmit or send information to e.g. coordinator UE 105_1 , the other UEs in the group 108 or another structure in the communications system 100, through a sending port 818, which may be in communication with the processor 810, and the memory 813.

The UE 105 may comprise the determining unit 801 , the providing unit 803, and other unit(s) 805 etc.

Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that the determining unit 801 , the providing unit 803, and other unit(s) 805 described above may refer to a combination of analogue and digital circuits, and/or one or more processors configured with software and/or firmware, e.g., stored in memory, that, when executed by the one or more processors such as the processor 1001 , perform as described above. One or more of these processors, as well as the other digital hardware, may be comprised in a single Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), or several processors and various digital hardware may be distributed among several separate components, whether individually packaged or assembled into a System-on-a-Chip (SoC).

The different units 801-805 described above may be implemented as one or more applications running on one or more processors such as the processor 810.

Thus, the methods described herein for the network node 101 may be respectively implemented by means of a computer program 820 product, comprising instructions, i.e., software code portions, which, when executed on at least one processor 1001 , cause the at least one processor 810 to carry out the actions described herein, as performed by the network node 101 . The computer program 820 product may be stored on a computer-readable storage medium 823. The computer-readable storage medium 823, having stored thereon the computer program 820, may comprise instructions which, when executed on at least one processor 810, cause the at least one processor 810 to carry out the actions described herein, as performed by the network node 101 . The computer- readable storage medium 823 may be a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, such as a CD ROM disc, or a memory stick. The computer program 820 product may be stored on a carrier containing the computer program 820 just described, wherein the carrier is one of an electronic signal, optical signal, radio signal, or the first computer- readable storage medium 823, as described above.

The network node 101 may comprise a communication interface configured to facilitate communications between the network node 101 and other nodes or devices, e.g., the coordinator UE 105_1 , the other UEs 105 in the group 108, or another structure. The interface may comprise a transceiver configured to transmit and receive radio signals over an air interface in accordance with a suitable standard.

The network node 101 may comprise the following arrangement depicted in fig. 8b. The network node 101 may comprise a processing circuitry 825, e.g., one or more processors such as the processor 810, in the network node 101 and the memory 813. The network node 101 may also comprise a radio circuitry 828, which may comprise e.g., the receiving port 815 and the sending port 818. The processing circuitry 825 may be configured to, or operable to, perform the method actions according to figs. 3-5 in a similar manner as that described in relation to fig. 8a. The radio circuitry 828 may be configured to set up and maintain at least a wireless connection with the network node 101 . Circuitry may be understood herein as a hardware component.

Hence, the present disclosure also relates to the network node 101 operative to operate in the communications system 100. The network node 101 may comprise the processing circuitry 825 and the memory 813. The memory 813 comprises instructions executable by the processing circuitry 825. The network node 101 is operative to perform the actions described herein in relation to the network node 101 , e.g., in figs. 3-5.

To perform the method steps shown in fig. 6 and/or fig. 7 for for handling transmission power in a communications network 100, the UE comprises an arrangement as shown in fig. 9a and/or fig. 9b. The UE 105 may be the coordinator UE 105_1 or any of the other UEs 105 comprised in the group 108. The UER 105 is comprised in a group 108 of UEs 105. Each UE 105 in the group 108 of UEs 105 are configured to perform UL transmissions with a respective first maximum transmission power Pmaxjegacy.

The UE 105, e.g. the coordinator UE 105_1 , is arranged to, e.g. by means of an obtaining unit 901 , obtain from a network node 101 , information indicating a maximum combined transmission power P max coop that all UEs 105 in the group 108 of UEs 105 together are allowed to use in UL transmissions to the network node 101 . The obtaining unit 901 may also be referred to as an obtaining module, an obtaining means, an obtaining circuit, means for obtaining etc. The obtaining unit 901 may be a processor 915 of the UE 105 or comprised in the processor 915 of the UE 105.

The UE 105, e.g. the coordinator UE 105_1 , is arranged to, e.g. by means of the obtaining unit 901 , obtain a power sharing scheme for all UEs 105 in the group 108 of UEs 105. The power sharing scheme is based on the maximum combined transmission power P max coop.

The power sharing scheme comprises a second maximum transmission power P_max, new for each UE 105 in the group 108 of UEs 105. The second maximum transmission power Pmax, new replaces the first maximum transmission power Pmaxjegacy. The power sharing scheme may be obtained by receiving the power sharing scheme from the network node 101 which has determined the power sharing scheme. The power sharing scheme may be obtained by the coordinator UE 105_1 determining the power sharing scheme based on the maximum combined transmission power P_max_coo_P.

The UE 105, e.g. the coordinator UE 105_1 , is arranged to, e.g. by means of a providing unit 903, provide, to each UE 105 in the group 108 of UEs 105, information indicating their respective second maximum transmission power P_max, new. The information indicating the respective second maximum transmission power may comprise:

• a first value being the second maximum transmission power P_max, _new used for UL transmission, and

The providing unit 903 may also be referred to as a providing module, a providing means, a providing circuit, means for providing etc. The providing unit 903 may be the processor 915 of the UE 105 or comprised in the processor 915 of the UE 105.

The UE 105, e.g. the UE 105_2, 105_3, 105_4 in the group 108 that are not the coordinator UE 105_1 , is arranged to, e.g. by means of the obtaining unit 901 , obtain, from a coordinator UE 105_1 in the group 108 UEs 105, information indicating a second maximum transmission power P_max, _new that the UE 105_2, 105_3, 105_4 is allowed to use in uplink transmissions to a network node 101. The second maximum transmission power Pmax, new replaces the first maximum transmission power Pmaxjegacy. The information indicating the second maximum transmission power P_max, new may comprise:

• a second value being a direct maximum transmission power P_max_direct for direct UL transmissions.

The UE 105, e.g. the UE 105_2, 105_3, 105_4 in the group 108 that are not the coordinator UE 105_1 , may be arranged to, e.g. by means of a determining unit 905, determine, based on the first and second value, which transmission type to use for transmission. The transmission type is UL cooperative transmission or direct UL transmission. The determining unit 905 may also be referred to as a determining module, a determining means, a determining circuit, means for determining etc. The determining unit 905 may be the processor 915 of the UE 105 or comprised in the processor 915 of the UE 105.

The UE 105, e.g. the UE 105_2, 105_3, 105_4 in the group 108 that are not the coordinator UE 105_1 , is arranged to, e.g. by means of a performing unit 908, perform UL transmissions to the network node 101 according to the second maximum transmission power P_max, new. The performing unit 908 may also be referred to as a performing module, a performing means, a performing circuit, means for performing etc. The performing unit 908 may be the processor 915 of the UE 105 or comprised in the processor 915 of the UE 105.

The present mechanism for handling transmission power in a communications network 100 may be implemented through one or more processors, such as a processor 915 in the UE arrangement depicted in fig.9a and/or 9b, together with computer program code for performing the functions described herein. The processor may be for example a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) processor, Field- programmable gate array (FPGA) processor or microprocessor. The program code mentioned above may also be provided as a computer program product, for instance in the form of a data carrier carrying computer program code for performing the present disclosure herein when being loaded into the UE 105. One such carrier may be in the form of a CD ROM disc. It is however feasible with other data carriers such as a memory stick. The computer program code can be provided as pure program code on a server and downloaded to the UE 105.

Figs. 9a and fig. 9b depict two different examples in panels a) and b), respectively, of the arrangement that the UE 105 may comprise. The UE 105 may comprise the following arrangement depicted in fig.9a.

The present disclosure associated with the UE 105 may be implemented through one or more processors, such as a processor 915 in the UE 105 depicted in fig. 9a, together with computer program code for performing the functions and actions described herein. A processor, as used herein, may be understood to be a hardware component. The program code mentioned above may also be provided as a computer program product, for instance in the form of a data carrier carrying computer program code for performing the present disclosure when being loaded into the UE 105. One such carrier may be in the form of a CD ROM disc. It is however feasible with other data carriers such as a memory stick. The computer program code may be provided as pure program code on a server and downloaded to the UE 105.

The UE 105 may comprise a memory 918 comprising one or more memory units. The memory 918 is arranged to be used to store obtained information, store data, configurations, schedulings, and applications etc. to perform the methods herein when being executed in the UE 105.

The UE 105 may receive information from, e.g., the network node 101 , other UEs 105 in the group 108, through a receiving port 920. The receiving port 920 may be, for example, connected to one or more antennas in UE 105. The UE 105 may receive information from another structure in the communications system 100 through the receiving port 920. Since the receiving port 920 may be in communication with the processor 915, the receiving port 920 may then send the received information to the processor 915. The receiving port 920 may also be configured to receive other information.

The processor 915 in the UE 105 may be configured to transmit or send information to e.g., the network node 101 , to other UEs 105 in the group 108, or another structure in the communications system 100, through a sending port 923, which may be in communication with the processor 915, and the memory 918.

The network node 101 may comprise the obtaining unit 901 , the providing unit 903, the determining unit 905, the performing unit 908, other unit(s) 910 etc.

Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that the obtaining unit 901 , the providing unit 903, the determining unit 905, the performing unit 908, other unit(s) 910 etc described above may refer to a combination of analog and digital circuits, and/or one or more processors configured with software and/or firmware, e.g., stored in memory, that, when executed by the one or more processors such as the processor 2001 , perform as described above. One or more of these processors, as well as the other digital hardware, may be comprised in a single Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), or several processors and various digital hardware may be distributed among several separate components, whether individually packaged or assembled into a System-on-a-Chip (SoC).

Also, the different units 901-910 described above may be implemented as one or more applications running on one or more processors such as the processor 915.

Thus, the methods described herein for the UE 105 may be respectively implemented by means of a computer program 930 product, comprising instructions, i.e. , software code portions, which, when executed on at least one processor 915, cause the at least one processor 915 to carry out the actions described herein, as performed by the UE 105. The computer program 930 product may be stored on a computer-readable storage medium 935. The computer-readable storage medium 935, having stored thereon the computer program 915, may comprise instructions which, when executed on at least one processor 915, cause the at least one processor 915 to carry out the actions described herein, as performed by the UE 105. The computer-readable storage medium 935 may be a non- transitory computer-readable storage medium, such as a CD ROM disc, or a memory stick. The computer program 930 product may be stored on a carrier containing the computer program 930 just described, wherein the carrier is one of an electronic signal, optical signal, radio signal, or the second computer-readable storage medium 935, as described above. The UE 105 may comprise a communication interface configured to facilitate communications between the UE 105 and other nodes or devices, e.g., the network node 101 , other UEs 105 in the group 108, or another structure. The interface may, for example, comprise a transceiver configured to transmit and receive radio signals over an air interface in accordance with a suitable standard.

The UE 105 may comprise the following arrangement depicted in fig.9b. The UE 105 may comprise a processing 940, e.g., one or more processors such as the processor 915, in the UE 105 and the memory 918. The UE 105 may also comprise a radio circuitry 943, which may comprise e.g., the receiving port 920 and the sending port 923. The processing circuitry 940 may be configured to, or operable to, perform the method actions according to one or more of figs. 3-7 in a similar manner as that described in relation to fig. 9a. The radio circuitry 943 may be configured to set up and maintain at least a wireless connection with the UE 105. Circuitry may be understood herein as a hardware component.

The UE 105 may be operative to operate in the communications system 100. The UE 105 may comprise the processing circuitry 940 and the memory 918. The memory 918 comprises instructions executable by the processing circuitry 940. The UE 105 is operative to perform the actions described herein in relation to the UE 105, e.g., in one or more of figs. 3-7.

Further Extensions and Variations

A telecommunication network may be connected via an intermediate network to a host computer.

With reference to fig. 10, a communication system comprises telecommunication network 3210 such as the communications system 100, for example, a 3GPP-type cellular network, which comprises access network 3211 , such as a radio access network, and core network 3214. Access network 3211 comprises a plurality of network nodes 105. For example, base stations 3212a, 3212b, 3212c, such as NBs, eNBs, gNBs or other types of wireless access points, each defining a corresponding coverage area 3213a, 3213b, 3213c. Each base station 3212a, 3212b, 3212c is connectable to core network 3214 over a wired or wireless connection 3215. A plurality of user equipments, such as the UE 105 may be comprised in the communications system 100. In fig. 10, a first UE 3291 located in coverage area 3213c is configured to wirelessly connect to, or be paged by, the corresponding base station 3212c. A second UE 3292 in coverage area 3213a is wirelessly connectable to the corresponding base station 3212a. While a plurality of UEs 3291 , 3292 are illustrated in this example, it is equally applicable to a situation where a sole UE is in the coverage area or where a sole UE is connecting to the corresponding base station 3212. Any of the UEs 3291 , 3292 may be considered examples of the UE 105.

Telecommunication network 3210 is itself connected to host computer 3230, which may be embodied in the hardware and/or software of a standalone server, a cloud- implemented server, a distributed server or as processing resources in a server farm. Host computer 3230 may be under the ownership or control of a service provider or may be operated by the service provider or on behalf of the service provider. Connections 3221 and 3222 between telecommunication network 3210 and host computer 3230 may extend directly from core network 3214 to host computer 3230 or may go via an optional intermediate network 3220. Intermediate network 3220 may be one of, or a combination of more than one of, a public, private or hosted network; intermediate network 3220, if any, may be a backbone network or the Internet; in particular, intermediate network 3220 may comprise two or more sub-networks (not shown).

The communication system of fig. 10 as a whole enables connectivity between the connected UEs 3291 , 3292 and host computer 3230. The connectivity may be described as an Over-The-Top (OTT) connection 3250. Host computer 3230 and the connected UEs 3291 , 3292 are configured to communicate data and/or signaling via OTT connection 3250, using access network 3211 , core network 3214, any intermediate network 3220 and possible further infrastructure (not shown) as intermediaries. OTT connection 3250 may be transparent in the sense that the participating communication devices through which OTT connection 3250 passes are unaware of routing of uplink and downlink communications. For example, base station 3212 may not or need not be informed about the past routing of an incoming downlink communication with data originating from host computer 3230 to be forwarded (e.g., handed over) to a connected UE 3291 . Similarly, base station 3212 need not be aware of the future routing of an outgoing uplink communication originating from the UE 3291 towards the host computer 3230. In relation to figs. 11-15 which are described next, it may be understood that the base station may be considered an example of the network node 101 .

Fig. 11 illustrates an example of host computer communicating via a network node 101 with a UE 105 over a partially wireless connection.

The UE 105 and the network node 101 , e.g., a base station and host computer discussed in the preceding paragraphs will now be described with reference to fig. 11 . In communication system 3330, such as the communications system 100, host computer 3310 comprises hardware 3315 comprising communication interface 3316 configured to set up and maintain a wired or wireless connection with an interface of a different communication device of communication system 3300. Host computer 3310 comprises processing circuitry 3318, which may have storage and/or processing capabilities. In particular, processing circuitry 3318 may comprise one or more programmable processors, application-specific integrated circuits, field programmable gate arrays or combinations of these (not shown) adapted to execute instructions. Host computer 3310 comprises software 3311 , which is stored in or accessible by host computer 3310 and executable by processing circuitry 3318. Software 3311 comprises host application 3312. Host application 3312 may be operable to provide a service to a remote user, such as UE 3330 connecting via OTT connection 3350 terminating at UE 3330 and host computer 3310. In providing the service to the remote user, host application 3312 may provide user data which is transmitted using OTT connection 3350.

Communication system 3300 comprises the network node 101 exemplified in fig. 11 as a base station 3320 provided in a telecommunication system and comprising hardware 3325 enabling it to communicate with host computer 3310 and with UE 3330. Hardware 3325 may comprise communication interface 3326 for setting up and maintaining a wired or wireless connection with an interface of a different communication device of communication system 3300, as well as radio interface 3327 for setting up and maintaining at least wireless connection 3370 with the UE 105, exemplified in fig. 11 as a UE 3330 located in a coverage area served by base station 3320. Communication interface 3326 may be configured to facilitate connection 3360 to host computer 3310. Connection 3360 may be direct, or it may pass through a core network (not shown in fig. 11 ) of the telecommunication system and/or through one or more intermediate networks outside the telecommunication system. Hardware 3325 of base station 3320 comprises processing circuitry 3328, which may comprise one or more programmable processors, application-specific integrated circuits, field programmable gate arrays or combinations of these (not shown) adapted to execute instructions. Base station 3320 has software 3321 stored internally or accessible via an external connection.

Communication system 3300 comprises UE 3330 already referred to. It’s hardware 3335 may comprise radio interface 3337 configured to set up and maintain wireless connection 3370 with a base station serving a coverage area in which UE 3330 is currently located. Hardware 3335 of UE 3330 comprises processing circuitry 3338, which may comprise one or more programmable processors, application-specific integrated circuits, field programmable gate arrays or combinations of these (not shown) adapted to execute instructions. UE 3330 comprises software 3331 , which is stored in or accessible by UE 3330 and executable by processing circuitry 3338. Software 3331 comprises client application 3332. Client application 3332 may be operable to provide a service to a human or non-human user via UE 3330, with the support of host computer 3310. In host computer 3310, an executing host application 3312 may communicate with the executing client application 3332 via OTT connection 3350 terminating at UE 3330 and host computer 3310. In providing the service to the user, client application 3332 may receive request data from host application 3312 and provide user data in response to the request data. OTT connection 3350 may transfer both the request data and the user data. Client application 3332 may interact with the user to generate the user data that it provides.

It is noted that host computer 3310, base station 3320 and UE 3330 illustrated in fig. 11 may be similar or identical to host computer 3230, one of base stations 3212a, 3212b, 3212c and one of UEs 3291 , 3292 of fig. 10, respectively. This is to say, the inner workings of these entities may be as shown in fig. 11 and independently, the surrounding network topology may be that of fig. 10.

In fig. 11 , OTT connection 3350 has been drawn abstractly to illustrate the communication between host computer 3310 and UE 3330 via base station 3320, without explicit reference to any intermediary devices and the precise routing of messages via these devices. Network infrastructure may determine the routing, which it may be configured to hide from UE 3330 or from the service provider operating host computer 3310, or both. While OTT connection 3350 is active, the network infrastructure may take decisions by which it dynamically changes the routing, e.g. based on load balancing consideration or reconfiguration of the network.

There may be a wireless connection 3370 between UE 3330 and base station 3320. The present disclosure improves the performance of OTT services provided to UE 3330 using OTT connection 3350, in which wireless connection 3370 forms the last segment. The present disclosure may improve the spectrum efficiency, and latency, and thereby provide benefits such as reduced user waiting time, better responsiveness and extended battery lifetime.

A measurement procedure may be provided for the purpose of monitoring data rate, latency and other factors on which the present disclosure improves. There may be an optional network functionality for reconfiguring OTT connection 3350 between host computer 3310 and UE 3330, in response to variations in the measurement results. The measurement procedure and/or the network functionality for reconfiguring OTT connection 3350 may be implemented in software 3311 and hardware 3315 of host computer 3310 or in software 3331 and hardware 3335 of UE 3330, or both. Sensors (not shown) may be deployed in or in association with communication devices through which OTT connection 3350 passes; the sensors may participate in the measurement procedure by supplying values of the monitored quantities exemplified above or supplying values of other physical quantities from which software 3311 , 3331 may compute or estimate the monitored quantities. The reconfiguring of OTT connection 3350 may comprise message format, retransmission settings, preferred routing etc.; the reconfiguring need not affect base station 3320, and it may be unknown or imperceptible to base station 3320. Such procedures and functionalities may be known and practiced in the art. Measurements may involve proprietary UE signaling facilitating host computer 3310’s measurements of throughput, propagation times, latency and the like. The measurements may be implemented in that software 3311 and 3331 causes messages to be transmitted, in particular empty or dummy messages, using OTT connection 3350 while it monitors propagation times, errors etc.

Fig. 12 illustrates an example of methods implemented in a communication system comprising a host computer, a base station and a UE 105. Fig. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system. The communication system comprises a host computer, a base station and a UE 105 which may be those described with reference to fig. 10 and fig. 11. For simplicity of the present disclosure, only drawing references to fig. 12 will be comprised in this section. In step 3410, the host computer provides user data. In substep 3411 (which may be optional) of step 3410, the host computer provides the user data by executing a host application. In step 3420, the host computer initiates a transmission carrying the user data to the UE. In step 3430 (which may be optional), the base station transmits, to the UE 105, the user data which was carried in the transmission that the host computer initiated. In step 3440 (which may also be optional), the UE executes a client application associated with the host application executed by the host computer.

Fig. 13 illustrates methods implemented in a communication system comprising a host computer, a base station and a UE 105. Fig. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system. The communication system comprises a host computer, a base station and a UE 105 which may be those described with reference to fig. 10 and fig. 11 . For simplicity of the present disclosure, only drawing references to fig. 13 will be comprised in this section. In step 3510 of the method, the host computer provides user data. In an optional substep (not shown) the host computer provides the user data by executing a host application. In step 3520, the host computer initiates a transmission carrying the user data to the UE 105. The transmission may pass via the base station. In step 3530 (which may be optional), the UE 105 receives the user data carried in the transmission.

Fig. 14 illustrates methods implemented in a communication system comprising a host computer, a base station and a UE 105. Fig. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system. The communication system comprises a host computer, a network node 101 and a UE 105 which may be those described with reference to fig. 10 and fig. 11. For simplicity of the present disclosure, only drawing references to fig. 14 will be comprised in this section. In step 3610 (which may be optional), the UE 105 receives input data provided by the host computer. Additionally, or alternatively, in step 3620, the UE 105 provides user data. In substep 3621 (which may be optional) of step 3620, the UE 105 provides the user data by executing a client application. In substep 3611 (which may be optional) of step 3610, the UE 105 executes a client application which provides the user data in reaction to the received input data provided by the host computer. In providing the user data, the executed client application may consider user input received from the user. Regardless of the specific way the user data was provided, the UE 105 initiates, in substep 3630 (which may be optional), transmission of the user data to the host computer. In step 3640 of the method, the host computer receives the user data transmitted from the UE 105.

Fig. 15 illustrates methods implemented in a communication system comprising a host computer, a base station and a UE 105. Fig. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system. The communication system comprises a host computer, a base station and a UE 105 which may be those described with reference to fig. 10 and fig. 11 . For simplicity of the present disclosure, only drawing references to fig. 15 will be comprised in this section. In step 3710 (which may be optional), the base station receives user data from the UE 105. In step 3720 (which may be optional), the base station initiates transmission of the received user data to the host computer. In step 3730 (which may be optional), the host computer receives the user data carried in the transmission initiated by the base station.

The present disclosure may be summarized as follows:

A base station is configured to communicate with a UE 105. The base station comprises a radio interface and processing circuitry configured to perform one or more of the actions described herein as performed by the network node 101 .

A communication system 100 comprises a host computer, and the communication system 100 comprises:

• processing circuitry configured to provide user data; and

• a communication interface configured to forward the user data to a cellular network for transmission to a UE 105,

• wherein the cellular network comprises a network node 101 having a radio interface and processing circuitry, the base station’s processing circuitry configured to perform one or more of the actions described herein as performed by the network node 101.

The communication system 100 may comprise the network node 101 .

The communication system 100 may comprise the UE 105. The UE 105 is configured to communicate with the network node 101. The communication system 101 , wherein:

• the processing circuitry of the host computer is configured to execute a host application, thereby providing the user data; and

• the UE 105 comprises processing circuitry configured to execute a client application associated with the host application.

A method implemented in a network node 101. The method comprises one or more of the actions described herein as performed by the network node 101 .

A method implemented in a communication system 100 comprising a host computer, a base station and a UE 105, the method comprising:

• at the host computer, providing user data; and

• at the host computer, initiating a transmission carrying the user data to the UE 105 via a cellular network comprising the network node 101 , wherein the network node 101 performs one or more of the actions described herein as performed by the network node 101.

The method may comprise:

• at the network node 101 , transmitting the user data.

The user data may be provided at the host computer by executing a host application, and the method may comprise:

• at the UE 105, executing a client application associated with the host application.

A UE 105 configured to communicate with a network node 101 . The UE 105 comprises a radio interface and processing circuitry configured to perform one or more of the actions described herein as performed by the UE 105.

A communication system 100 comprises a host computer. The communication system 100 comprises:

• processing circuitry configured to provide user data; and

• a communication interface configured to forward user data to a cellular network for transmission to a UE 105, wherein the UE 105 comprises a radio interface and processing circuitry, the UE’s processing circuitry configured to perform one or more of the actions described herein as performed by the UE 105.

The communication system 100 may comprise the UE 105.

The communication system 100, wherein the cellular network comprises a network node 101 configured to communicate with the UE 105.

The communication system 100, wherein:

• the UE’s processing circuitry is configured to execute a client application associated with the host application.

A method implemented in a UE 105, comprising one or more of the actions described herein as performed by the UE 105.

A method implemented in a communication system 100 comprising a host computer, a network node 101 and a UE 105, the method comprising:

• at the host computer, providing user data; and

• at the host computer, initiating a transmission carrying the user data to the UE 105 via a cellular network comprising the base station, wherein the UE 105 performs one or more of the actions described herein as performed by the UE 105.

The method may comprise:

• at the UE 105, receiving the user data from the network node 101 .

A UE 105 configured to communicate with a network node 101 , the UE 105 comprising a radio interface and processing circuitry configured to perform one or more of the actions described herein as performed by the UE 105.

A communication system 100 comprising a host computer comprising:

• a communication interface configured to receive user data originating from a transmission from a UE 105 to a network node 101 , wherein the UE 105 comprises a radio interface and processing circuitry, the UE’s processing circuitry configured to: perform one or more of the actions described herein as performed by the UE 105.

The communication system 100 may comprise the UE 105.

The communication system 100 may comprise the network node 101 , wherein the network node 101 comprises a radio interface configured to communicate with the UE 105 and a communication interface configured to forward to the host computer the user data carried by a transmission from the UE 105 to the base station.

The communication system 100, wherein:

• the processing circuitry of the host computer is configured to execute a host application; and

• the UE’s processing circuitry is configured to execute a client application associated with the host application, thereby providing the user data.

The communication system 100, wherein:

• the processing circuitry of the host computer is configured to execute a host application, thereby providing request data; and

• the UE’s processing circuitry is configured to execute a client application associated with the host application, thereby providing the user data in response to the request data.

The method may comprise:

• providing user data; and

• forwarding the user data to a host computer via the transmission to the network node 101.

A method implemented in a communication system 100 comprising a host computer, a network node 101 and a UE 105, the method comprising: • at the host computer, receiving user data transmitted to the network node 101 from the UE 105, wherein the UE 105 performs one or more of the actions described herein as performed by the UE 105.

The method may comprise:

• at the UE 105, providing the user data to the network node 101.

The method may comprise:

• at the UE 105, executing a client application, thereby providing the user data to be transmitted; and

• at the host computer, executing a host application associated with the client application.

The method may comprise:

• at the UE 105, executing a client application; and

• at the UE 105, receiving input data to the client application, the input data being provided at the host computer by executing a host application associated with the client application,

• wherein the user data to be transmitted is provided by the client application in response to the input data.

A network node 101 configured to communicate with a UE 105, the network node 101 comprising a radio interface and processing circuitry configured to perform one or more of the actions described herein as performed by the network node 101 .

A communication system 100 comprising a host computer comprising a communication interface configured to receive user data originating from a transmission from a UE 105 to a base station, wherein the network node 101 comprises a radio interface and processing circuitry, the base station’s processing circuitry configured to perform one or more of the actions described herein as performed by the network node 101 .

The communication system 100 may comprise the network node 101 .

The communication system 100 may comprise the UE 105, wherein the UE 105 is configured to communicate with the network node 101 . The communication system 100 wherein:

• the processing circuitry of the host computer is configured to execute a host application;

• the UE 105 is configured to execute a client application associated with the host application, thereby providing the user data to be received by the host computer.

A method implemented in a network node 101 , comprising one or more of the actions described herein as performed by any of the network node 101 .

A method implemented in a communication system comprising a host computer, a network node 101 and a UE 105, the method comprising:

• at the host computer, receiving, from the network node 101 , user data originating from a transmission which the base station has received from the UE 105, wherein the UE 105 performs one or more of the actions described herein as performed by the UE 105.

The method may comprise:

• at the network node 101 , receiving the user data from the UE 105.

The method may comprise:

• at the network node 101 , initiating a transmission of the received user data to the host computer.

Summarized, the present disclosure relates to UE Power Distribution for Cooperative transmissions. The interference created by UEs 105 in a group 108 doing cooperative transmission is controlled and the allowable UL power is distributed among the UEs 105 in the group 108 used for UL cooperative transmissions. The UE 105 may be allowed to do direct UL transmission, i.e. not cooperative transmission, with a higher power than is normally allowed for a single UE 105.

Generally, all terms used herein are to be interpreted according to their ordinary meaning in the relevant technical field, unless a different meaning is clearly given and/or is implied from the context in which it is used. All references to a/an/the element, apparatus, component, means, step, etc. are to be interpreted openly as referring to at least one instance of the element, apparatus, component, means, step, etc., unless explicitly stated otherwise. The steps of any methods disclosed herein do not have to be performed in the exact order disclosed, unless a step is explicitly described as following or preceding another step and/or where it is implicit that a step must follow or precede another step.

In general, the usage of “first”, “second”, “third”, “fourth”, and/or “fifth” herein may be understood to be an arbitrary way to denote different elements or entities and may be understood to not confer a cumulative or chronological character to the nouns they modify, unless otherwise noted, based on context.

The present disclosure is not limited to the above. Various alternatives, modifications and equivalents may be used. Therefore, disclosure herein should not be taken as limiting the scope. A feature may be combined with one or more other features.

The term “at least one of A and B” should be understood to mean “only A, only B, or both A and B.”, where A and B are any parameter, number, indication used herein etc.

It should be emphasized that the term “comprises/comprising” when used in this specification is taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components, but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof. It should also be noted that the words “a” or “an” preceding an element do not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements.

The term “configured to” used herein may also be referred to as “arranged to”, “adapted to”, “capable of’ or “operative to”.

The steps of the methods may be performed in another order than the order in which they appear herein.

Claims

1. A method performed by a network node (101) for handling transmission power in a communications network (100), the network node (101) is arranged to communicate with one or more User Equipments, UE (105) in a group (108) of UEs (105), the method comprising: determining (301 , 501) a maximum combined transmission power that all UEs (105) in the group (108) of UEs (105) together are allowed to use in uplink, UL, transmissions to the network node (101); and providing (302, 502), to a coordinator UE (105_1) in the group (108) of UEs (105), information indicating the maximum combined transmission power.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein each UE in the group (108) of UEs (105) are configured to perform UL transmissions with a respective first maximum transmission power, and wherein the method comprises: determining (303, 503), based on the maximum combined transmission power, a transmission power sharing scheme for all UEs (105) in the group (108) of UEs (105), wherein the power sharing scheme comprises a second maximum transmission power for each UE (105) in the group (108) of UEs (105), wherein the second maximum transmission power replaces the first maximum transmission power; and providing (304, 504) information indicating the second maximum transmission power to each UE (105) in the group (108) of UEs (105) via the coordinator UE (105_1).

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the second maximum transmission power is:

• an equal split of the maximum combined transmission power between all UEs (105) in the group (108) of UEs (105); or

• an unequal distribution of the maximum combined transmission power among the UEs (105) in the group (108) of UEs (105) based on one or more parameters.

4. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the maximum combined transmission power is determined to be at least substantially the same as allowed for a single UE (105) that has a highest first maximum transmission power among all UEs (105) in the group (108) of UEs (105).

RECTIFIED SHEET (RULE 91 ) ISA/EP

5. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the maximum combined transmission power is determined to be higher than for a single UE (105) that has a highest first maximum power among all UEs (105) in the group (108) of UEs (105).

6. A method performed by a coordinator UE (105_1) for handling transmission power in a communications network (100), wherein the coordinator UE (105_1) is comprised in a group (108) of UEs (105), wherein each UE (105) in the group (108) of UEs (105) are configured to perform UL transmissions with a respective first maximum transmission power, the method comprising: obtaining (302, 601), from a network node (101), information indicating a maximum combined transmission power that all UEs (105) in the group (108) of UEs (105) together are allowed to use in uplink, UL, transmissions to the network node (101); obtaining (303, 304, 602) a power sharing scheme for all UEs (105) in the group of UEs (105), wherein the power sharing scheme is based on the maximum combined transmission power, wherein the power sharing scheme comprises a second maximum transmission power for each UE (105) in the group (108) of UEs (105), wherein the second maximum transmission power replaces the first maximum transmission power; and providing (304, 603), to each UE (105) in the group (108) of UEs (105), information indicating their respective second maximum transmission power.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the power sharing scheme is obtained by receiving the power sharing scheme from the network node (101) which has determined the power sharing scheme.

8. The method according to claim 6, wherein the power sharing scheme is obtained by the coordinator UE (105_1 ) determining the power sharing scheme based on the maximum combined transmission power.

9. The method according to any of claims 6-8, wherein the information indicating the respective second maximum transmission power comprises:

• a first value being the second maximum transmission power used for UL transmission, and

RECTIFIED SHEET (RULE 91 ) ISA/EP • a second value being a direct maximum transmission power for direct UL transmission.

10. A method performed by a UE (105_2, 105_3, 105_4) for handling transmission power in a communications network (100), wherein the UE (105_2, 105_3, 105_4) is comprised in a group (108) of UEs (105), wherein the UE (105_2, 105_3, 105_4) is configured to perform uplink, UL, transmission with a first maximum transmission power, the method comprising: obtaining (304, 701), from a coordinator UE (105_1) in the group (108) of UEs (105), information indicating a second maximum transmission power that the UE (105_2, 105_3) is allowed to use in uplink transmissions to a network node (101), wherein the second maximum transmission power replaces the first maximum transmission power; and performing (306, 703) UL transmissions to the network node (101) according to the second maximum transmission power.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the information indicating the second maximum transmission power comprises:

• a first value being the second maximum transmission power used for UL transmissions, and

• a second value being a direct maximum transmission power for direct UL transmissions.

12. The method according to claim 11, comprising: determining (305, 702), based on the first and second value, which transmission type to use for transmission, wherein the transmission type is UL cooperative transmission or direct UL transmission.

13. A network node (101) for handling transmission power in a communications network (100), the network node (101) is arranged to communicate with one or more User Equipments, UE (105) in a group (108) of UEs (105), network node (101) is arranged to:

RECTIFIED SHEET (RULE 91 ) ISA/EP determine a maximum combined transmission power that all UEs (105) in the group (108) of UEs (105) together are allowed to use in uplink, UL, transmissions to the network node (101); and to provide, to a coordinator UE (105_1) in the group (108) of UEs (105), information indicating the maximum combined transmission power.

14. The network node (101) according to claim 13, wherein each UE in the group (108) of UEs (105) are configured to perform UL transmissions with a respective first maximum transmission power, and wherein the network node (101) is arranged to: determine, based on the maximum combined transmission power, a transmission power sharing scheme for all UEs (105) in the group (108) of UEs (105), wherein the power sharing scheme comprises a second maximum transmission power for each UE (105) in the group (108) of UEs (105), wherein the second maximum transmission power replaces the first maximum transmission power; and to provide information indicating the second maximum transmission power to each UE (105) in the group (108) of UEs (105) via the coordinator UE (105_1).

15. The network node (101) according to claim 14, wherein the second maximum transmission power is:

16. The network node (101) according to any claims 14-15, wherein the maximum combined transmission power is determined to be at least substantially the same as allowed for a single UE (105) that has a highest first maximum transmission power among all UEs (105) in the group (108) of UEs (105).

17. The network node (101) according to any of claims 13-16, wherein the maximum combined transmission power is determined to be higher than for a single UE (105) that has a highest first maximum power among all UEs (105) in the group (108) of UEs (105).

18. A coordinator UE (105_1 ) for handling transmission power in a communications network (100), wherein the coordinator UE (105_1) is comprised in a group (108) of UEs

RECTIFIED SHEET (RULE 91 ) ISA/EP (105), wherein each UE (105) in the group (108) of UEs (105) are configured to perform UL transmissions with a respective first maximum transmission power, wherein the coordinator UE (105_1) is arranged to: obtain, from a network node (101), information indicating a maximum combined transmission power that all UEs (105) in the group (108) of UEs (105) together are allowed to use in uplink, UL, transmissions to the network node (101); obtain a power sharing scheme for all UEs (105) in the group (108) of UEs (105), wherein the power sharing scheme is based on the maximum combined transmission power, wherein the power sharing scheme comprises a second maximum transmission power for each UE (105) in the group (108) of UEs (105), wherein the second maximum transmission power replaces the first maximum transmission power; and to provide, to each UE (105) in the group (108) of UEs (105), information indicating their respective second maximum transmission power.

19. The coordinator UE (105_1) according to claim 18, wherein the power sharing scheme is obtained by receiving the power sharing scheme from the network node (101) which has determined the power sharing scheme.

20. The coordinator UE (105_1) according to claim 18, wherein the power sharing scheme is obtained by the coordinator UE (105_1) determining the power sharing scheme based on the maximum combined transmission power.

21. The coordinator UE (105_1) according to any of claims 18-20, wherein the information indicating the respective second maximum transmission power comprises:

• a second value being a direct maximum transmission power for direct UL transmission.

22. A UE (105_2, 105_3, 105_4) for handling transmission power in a communications network (100), wherein the UE (105_2, 105_3, 105_4) is comprised in a group (108) of UEs (105), wherein the UE (105_2, 105_3, 105_4) is configured to perform uplink, UL, transmission with a first maximum transmission power, the UE (105_2, 105_3, 105_4) is arranged to:

RECTIFIED SHEET (RULE 91 ) ISA/EP obtain, from a coordinator UE (105_1 ) in the group (108) of UEs (105), information indicating a second maximum transmission power that the UE (105_2, 105_3) is allowed to use in uplink transmissions to a network node (101), wherein the second maximum transmission power replaces the first maximum transmission power; and to perform UL transmissions to the network node (101) according to the second maximum transmission power.

23. The UE (105_2, 105_3, 105_4) according to claim 22, wherein the information indicating the second maximum transmission power comprises:

24. The UE (105_2, 105_3, 105_4) according to claim 23, arranged to: determine, based on the first and second value, which transmission type to use for transmission, wherein the transmission type is UL cooperative transmission or direct UL transmission.

25. A computer program comprising instructions which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out the method according to any one of claims 1-5.

26. A carrier comprising the computer program of claim 25, wherein the carrier is one of an electronic signal, optical signal, radio signal or computer readable storage medium.

27. A computer program comprising instructions which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out the method according to any one of claims 6-11.

28. A carrier comprising the computer program of claim 27, wherein the carrier is one of an electronic signal, optical signal, radio signal or computer readable storage medium.

RECTIFIED SHEET (RULE 91 ) ISA/EP

29. A computer program comprising instructions which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out the method according to any one of claims 10-12.

30. A carrier comprising the computer program of claim 31 , wherein the carrier is one of an electronic signal, optical signal, radio signal or computer readable storage medium.

RECTIFIED SHEET (RULE 91 ) ISA/EP