WO2024033308A1

WO2024033308A1 - Methods for autonomous uplink transmit switching between multiple frequency bands, a related radio network node and a related wireless device

Info

Publication number: WO2024033308A1
Application number: PCT/EP2023/071831
Authority: WO
Inventors: Erik Lennart Bengtsson; Fredrik RUSEK
Original assignee: Sony Group Corporation; Sony Europe B.V.
Priority date: 2022-08-09
Filing date: 2023-08-07
Publication date: 2024-02-15

Abstract

A method is disclosed, performed by a radio network node, for enabling autonomous uplink transmit switching between multiple frequency bands configured for a wireless device, WD. The method comprises sending, to the WD, a signal indicative of a rule set to be used by the WD for determining a frequency band out of the multiple frequency bands for uplink transmission.

Description

METHODS FOR AUTONOMOUS UPLINK TRANSMIT SWITCHING BETWEEN MULTIPLE FREQUENCY BANDS, A RELATED RADIO NETWORK NODE AND A RELATED WIRELESS DEVICE

The present disclosure pertains to the field of wireless communications. The present disclosure relates to a method for enabling autonomous uplink transmit switching between multiple frequency bands configured for a wireless device, a related radio network node, a method for performing autonomous uplink transmit switching between multiple frequency bands configured for the WD, and a related wireless device.

BACKGROUND

In the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Rel 18, up to four uplink (UL) frequency bands will be supported for Uplink (UL) transmit switching at a wireless device (WD). It is, however, not yet decided how the WD is supposed to do the band selection. Different options are proposed, and they have different pros and cons. Typically, a radio network node instructs the WD every time it has to switch frequency bands for UL transmission using higher layer signaling and/or lower layer signaling.

Higher layer signaling is a slow method which can cause delays for rapidly changing channels and will likely not harvest the potential performance gain of having up to four frequency bands.

Lower layer signaling, such as Layer 1 (L1 ) signaling, on the other hand, requires more headroom and thus lowers the intrinsic capacity of having up to four frequency bands.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, there is a need for devices and methods for enabling autonomous uplink transmit switching between multiple frequency bands configured for a wireless device, which may mitigate, alleviate, or address the shortcomings existing and may provide a method for switching between frequency bands which overhead and dynamic behavior.

A method is disclosed, performed by a radio network node, for enabling autonomous uplink transmit switching between multiple frequency bands configured for a wireless device. The method comprises sending, to the wireless device, a signal indicative of a rule set to be used by the wireless device for determining a frequency band out of the multiple frequency bands for uplink transmission.

Further, a radio network node is provided, the radio network node comprising memory circuitry, processor circuitry, and a wireless interface, wherein the radio network node is configured to perform any of the methods disclosed herein and relating to the radio network node.

It is an advantage of the present disclosure that the radio network node can enable the WD to autonomously select one or more frequency bands out of the multiple frequency bands to transmit in UL based on the rule set transmitted from the radio network node. Thereby, the radio network node is no longer required to instruct the WD to perform each switch between the frequency bands, which reduces the signaling overhead. This further enables the WD to autonomously and dynamically switch between the frequency bands, based on the rule set transmitted by the radio network node. This can reduce the number of resources associated with switching and thus reduces the latency in the wireless communication network.

A method is disclosed, performed by a wireless device, for performing autonomous uplink transmit switching between multiple frequency bands configured for the wireless device. The method comprises receiving, from a radio network node, a signal indicative of a rule set to be used by the wireless device for determining a frequency band out of the multiple frequency bands for uplink transmission. The method comprises transmitting uplink transmissions on one or more frequency bands of the multiple frequency bands based on the rule set.

Further, a wireless device comprising memory circuitry, processor circuitry, and a wireless interface, wherein the wireless device is configured to perform any of the methods disclosed herein and relating to the wireless device.

It is an advantage of the present disclosure that the WD can autonomously select one or more frequency bands out of the multiple frequency bands to transmit in UL on based on the rule set transmitted from the radio network node. Thereby, the WD no longer has to await instructions from the radio network node explicitly instructing the WD to perform each switch between the frequency bands. Thereby, the signaling overhead can be reduced. This further enables the WD to autonomously and dynamically switch, based on the rule set transmitted by the radio node, between the frequency bands which can reduce the number of resources associated with switching and thus can reduce the latency in the wireless communication network.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other features and advantages of the present disclosure will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art by the following detailed description of examples thereof with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example wireless communication system comprising an example network node and an example wireless device according to this disclosure, Fig. 2 is a flow-chart illustrating an example method, performed in a radio network node, for enabling autonomous uplink transmit switching between multiple frequency bands configured for a wireless device according to this disclosure,

Fig. 3 is a flow-chart illustrating an example method, performed in a wireless device of a wireless communication system, for performing autonomous uplink transmit switching between multiple frequency bands configured for the WD according to this disclosure, Fig. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example radio network node according to this disclosure, and

Fig. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example wireless device according to this disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various examples and details are described hereinafter, with reference to the figures when relevant. It should be noted that the figures may or may not be drawn to scale and that elements of similar structures or functions are represented by like reference numerals throughout the figures. It should also be noted that the figures are only intended to facilitate the description of the examples. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the disclosure or as a limitation on the scope of the disclosure. In addition, an illustrated example needs not have all the aspects or advantages shown. An aspect or an advantage described in conjunction with a particular example is not necessarily limited to that example and can be practiced in any other examples even if not so illustrated, or if not so explicitly described. The figures are schematic and simplified for clarity, and they merely show details which aid understanding the disclosure, while other details have been left out. Throughout, the same reference numerals are used for identical or corresponding parts.

Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example wireless communication system 1 comprising an example core network node 600, an example radio network node 400 and an example wireless device (WD) 300, 300A according to this disclosure.

As discussed in detail herein, the present disclosure relates to a wireless communication system 1 comprising a cellular system, for example, a 3GPP wireless communication system.

A radio network node disclosed herein may refer to a radio access network (RAN) node operating in the radio access network, such as a base station, an evolved Node B, eNB, gNB in NR. In one or more examples, the RAN node is a functional unit which may be distributed in several physical units.

A core network (CN) node disclosed herein refers to a network node operating in the core network, such as in the Evolved Packet Core Network (EPC), and/or a 5G Core Network, 5GC. Examples of CN nodes in EPC include a Mobility Management Entity, MME.

In one or more examples, the RAN node is a functional unit which may be distributed in several physical units.

The wireless communication system 1 described herein may comprise one or more wireless devices 300, 300A, and/or one or more network nodes 400, such as one or more of: a base station, an eNB, a gNB and/or an access point.

A wireless device may refer to a mobile device and/or a user equipment, UE.

The radio network node 400 may be configured to communicate with the core network 600 node via a link 12, such as a wired link.

The wireless device 300, 300A may be configured to communicate with the network node 400 via a wireless link (or radio access link) 10, 10A. When the wireless device 300, 300A transmits to the radio network node 400 via the wireless link 10 it transmits in Uplink (UL). When the radio network node 400 transmits to the wireless device 300, 300A via the wireless link 10 it transmits in Downlink (DL).

In the 3GPP Rel 18, up to four bands, such as frequency bands, such as carriers, will be supported for UL transmit switching at a WD. In other words, the WD can be configured with up to four frequency bands that it can switch between for UL transmission. In 3GPP Rel. 17, the radio network node configures the WD to switch between two frequency bands configured for UL communication. However, an increase in the number of frequency bands may drastically increase the number of resources associated with performing the frequency band shift and thus the latency of the communication. There is also a possibility that the number of supported frequency bands may be increased in the future, which could lead to a further increase in latency.

To support dynamic uplink transmit switching among multiple frequency bands in a predictive manner, the current disclosure provides a solution where the radio network node communicates a set of rules to the WD defining what frequency carrier or carrier characteristics the WD should prioritize when switching frequency bands.

The mobile communications network, such as the radio network node, may define a rule set, such as one or more rules, and may configure the WD to apply the rule set for selecting the frequency band to transmit UL transmissions on. The radio network node may provide, such as send, the rule set to the WD using higher layer signaling, such as Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, while still enabling dynamic switching as the switching occasions may be defined by the rule set. The WD can then autonomously decide when to switch and which band to switch to, based on the rule set.

In one or more example methods, each frequency band is associated with one or more properties. The properties may be one or more of a carrier frequency of the frequency band, a bandwidth of the frequency band, and a Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) capability of the frequency bands. The MIMO capability can herein be seen as the capability to support MIMO communication. MIMO may be used to increase an overall bitrate of a transmission through transmission of multiple different data streams on multiple different antennas. The multiple different data streams may use the same resources in both frequency and time, separated only by the use of different spatial properties. The different frequency bands may have UL resources available in different time slots. In other words, not all frequency bands may have available UL resources in a specific time slot.

As previously mentioned, in 3GPP Rel 18, the WD can be configured with a plurality of bands, such as four frequency bands, that it can switch between for UL transmission. Each of these bands may be associated with a set of properties. The set of properties may comprise one or more properties. These properties may for example be one or more of a carrier frequency, a bandwidth, and a MIMO capability. A WD or a frequency band having MIMO capability can herein be seen as the WD and/or the frequency band supporting MIMO communication. The four bands may differ from each other by at least one property out of the set of properties.

For example, a WD may be configured with four bands A, B, C, D having the properties shown in Table 1 :

Table 1

As can be seen in the example shown in Table 1 the properties of the bands may differ in carrier frequencies and may or may not have a same bandwidth. One or more of the bands may support MIMO communication. In one or more example methods, two bands may have the same carrier frequency but may differ in the bandwidth and/or the MIMO capability.

In one or more example methods, the WD may transmit on two bands simultaneously, such as transmit one carrier in each band, if the WD is configured for dual carrier, such as MIMO operation. This may for example be the case when high carrier frequency is to be prioritized and there are UL resources available in band A and band B. As there is only one layer available in band B (indicated by band B not having MIMO capability) the WD may transmit one carrier in each of band A and band B.ln one or more example methods, the rule set may define that any UL opportunities (such as symbols with UL resources configured) in any band is to be used with a priority order. The priority order may in one or more examples be highest/lowest carrier frequency as possible, MIMO capability and bandwidth, such as highest/lowest bandwidth.

In one or more example methods, the priority order can be lowest carrier frequency as possible, MIMO capability and bandwidth, such as highest bandwidth. This means that the WD is to firstly transmit on the band having the lowest carrier frequency of the bands having available UL resources. In this case this would be band C. Since all of the bands in this example have different carrier frequencies, the priority order of the bands would follow the frequency order of the bands from lowest to highest. This example rule set would result in the following band priority order:

C, A, B, and D.

In one or more example methods, the rule set may define that the bandwidth, such as the highest bandwidth, has the highest priority, then MIMO capability and thereafter carrier frequency. The WD would look for the band having the highest bandwidth, which in this case would be band B or band D that both have a bandwidth of 100MHz. Since the MIMO capability has the second highest priority, the WD would look for the band out of band B and D having MIMO capability, which in this case would be band D. Band D would thus have a higher priority than band B. This example rule set would result in the following band priority order:

D, B, A, and C.

In one or more example methods, the rule set may define the priority order to be bandwidth, such as highest bandwidth, lowest frequency and MIMO capability. This example rule set would result in the following band priority order:

B, D, A, and C.

In one or more example methods, the rule set may explicitly define the priority order of the bands, such as a combination of multiple frequency bands, such as bands (A, A), (A,B), (B,C) etc., where each letter within the brackets, such as (A, A) represents a band allocation, such as a carrier allocation, for (in this example) up to two transmit channels. To support Single Input Single Output (SISO) operation on a single band, such as band “A”, the rule set may indicate a single band allocation by setting one of the positions within the bracket to “0”, such as (A,0).

In one or more example methods, the WD may confirm the priority order, such as send a confirmation message confirming the priority order, based on the WDs capabilities and/or limitations, such as if the WD does not support MIMO in one of the bands.

In one or more example methods, the radio network node may continuously update the rule set, such as based on current network conditions. Upon updating the rule set, the radio network node may send the updated rule set to the WD, such as via higher layer signaling.

Fig. 2 shows a flow diagram of an example method 100, performed by a radio network node according to the disclosure, for enabling autonomous uplink transmit switching between multiple frequency bands configured, such as preconfigured, for a WD. The radio network node is the radio network node disclosed herein, such as radio network node 400 of Fig. 1 , and Fig. 4. The method 100 comprises sending S101 , to the WD, a signal indicative of a rule set to be used by the WD for determining a frequency band out of the multiple frequency bands for uplink transmission. The WD may for example be configured to transmit in UL on a first frequency band and may switch, based on the rule set, to transmit in UL on a second frequency band of the multiple frequency bands for UL transmission.

Autonomous can herein be seen as the WD switching, such as switching between the multiple frequency bands, based on the rule set received from the radio network node, without explicit signaling from the radio network node for every switch. Uplink transmit switching can herein be seen as the WD switching the frequencies for transmission in the UL, such as from a first frequency band to a second frequency band of the multiple frequency bands.

In one or more example methods, the rule set is indicative of a priority order of the multiple frequency bands. The priority order of the bands may be indicated for SISO operation and or MIMO operation, such as for single frequency bands for SISO or combinations of frequency bands for MIMO. For SISO the rule set may for example indicate the priority order in the form of (A,0), (C,0), (D,0), (B,0), etc., where the 0 indicates that there is no second band allocation.

In one or more example methods, the rule set is indicative of a priority order of combinations of the multiple frequency bands. The rule set may for example be indicative of the combination of bands, such as a carrier allocation for up to two transmit channels, such as for MIMO operation. For MIMO operation the rule set may for example indicate the priority order in the form of (A, A), (C,B), (D,D), (B,A), etc.

In one or more example methods, the rule set is indicative of a priority order of the multiple frequency bands based on a set of properties associated with each frequency band. The set of properties may comprise one or more properties. The properties may for example be one or more of a carrier frequency, a bandwidth, and a MIMO capability. The rule set may indicate the priority order of the properties in the set of properties, such as whether the carrier frequency takes priority over the bandwidth, which in turn may take priority over the MIMO capability.

In one or more example methods, the signal is indicative of an activation of the rule set. In one or more example methods, the activation is one or more of a trigger or a duration.

The signal may for example indicate that the WD is to start transmitting in the UL using one or more of the frequency bands based on the rule set. The signal may, in one or more example methods, indicate that the WD is to transmit in the UL using one or more of the frequency bands based on the rule set for a duration, such as for a certain time and/or a certain number of time domain resources, such as slots or frames. Upon the duration ending, the WD may revert back to a non-priority based allocation method, such as to transmitting in UL according to a standard configuration and/or band.

In one or more example methods, the signal may indirectly indicate that the rule set is to be activated. In one or more example methods, the signal may indicate that the rule set is to be active from receipt of the signal, for example as soon as possible after receipt of the signal, or within a number of time units (such as symbols or frames) from when the signal was received. In one or more example methods, the signal points to a database comprising the rule set. A rule set, such as a limited set of rules, may for example be pre-defined (such as specified) and stored in a database. The signal may comprise a reference, such as an indication, to a certain rule of the pre-defined rule set, which may be signaled, such as configured, to the WD from the radio network node.

In one or more example methods, the signal itself contains the rule set. The radio network node may for example define a rule or rule set (such as a priority order of the bands). The radio network node may then explicitly share and/or configure the defined rule or rule set to the WD.

In one or more example methods, the signal may be transmitted using higher layer signaling, such as using RRC signaling.

Sending 101 in Fig. 2 corresponds to receiving S201 in Fig. 3.

In one or more example methods, the method comprises determining S103, based on the rule set, a frequency band out of the multiple frequency bands to be used for uplink reception. The radio network node may, in one or more example methods, apply the rule set to the multiple frequency bands configured for uplink transmission to determine which band the UE will transmit on and, therefore, the frequency band to receive upon.

In one or more example methods, the method comprises receiving S105 uplink transmissions on one or more frequency bands of the multiple frequency bands based on the rule set. The radio network node may receive in the uplink on the one or more of the multiple frequency bands configured for uplink transmissions received from the WD.

Fig. 3 shows a flow diagram of an example method 200, performed by a WD according to the disclosure, for performing autonomous uplink transmit switching between multiple frequency bands configured, such as preconfigured, for the WD. The WD is the WD disclosed herein, such as WD 300, 300A of Fig. 1 , and Fig. 5. The method 200 comprises receiving S201 , from a radio network node, a signal indicative of a rule set to be used by the WD for determining a frequency band out of the multiple frequency bands for uplink transmission. Autonomous can herein be seen as the WD switching, such as switching between the multiple frequency bands, based on the rule set received from the radio network node without receiving dedicated signaling from the radio network node for each switch. Uplink transmit switching can herein be seen as the WD switching the frequencies for transmission in the UL. The WD may for example be configured to transmit in UL on a first frequency band and may switch, based on the rule set, to transmit in UL on a second frequency band of the multiple frequency bands for UL transmission.

In one or more example methods, the rule set is indicative of a priority order of the multiple frequency bands. The priority order of the bands may be indicated for SISO operation and or MIMO operation, such as for single frequency bands for SISO or combinations of frequency bands for MIMO. For SISO the rule set may for example indicate the priority order in the form of (A,0), (C,0), (D,0), (B,0), etc., where the 0 indicates that there is no band allocation for a second carrier.

In one or more example methods, the signal is indicative of an activation of the rule set. In one or more example methods, the activation is one or more of a trigger or a duration of the rule set. The signal may for example indicate that the WD is to start transmitting in the UL using one or more of the frequency bands based on the rule set. The signal may, in one or more example methods, indicate that the WD is to transmit in the UL using one or more of the frequency bands based on the rule set for a duration, such as for a certain time and/or a certain number of time domain resources, such as slots or frames. Upon the duration ending, the WD may revert back to a non-priority based allocation method, such as to transmitting in UL according to a standard configuration and/or band.

In one or more example methods, the signal may indirectly indicate that the rule set is to be activated. In one or more example methods, the signal may indicate that the rule set is to be active from receipt of the signal, for example as soon as possible after receipt of the signal, or within a number of time units (such as symbols or frames) from when the signal was received.

In one or more example methods, the signal points to a database comprising the rule set. A rule set, such as a limited set of rules, may for example be pre-defined (such as specified) and stored in a database. The signal may comprise a reference, such as an indication, to a certain rule of the pre-defined rule set, which may be signaled, such as configured, to the WD from the radio network node.

In one or more example methods, the method comprises determining S203, based on the rule set, a frequency band out of the multiple frequency bands to be used for uplink transmission. The WD may, in one or more example methods, apply the rule set to the multiple frequency bands configured for uplink transmission to determine the frequency band to transmit upon.

The method 200 comprises transmitting S205 uplink transmissions on one or more frequency bands of the multiple frequency bands based on the rule set. The WD may transmit in the uplink on the one or more of the multiple frequency bands configured for uplink transmission by autonomously applying the rule set received from the radio network node. Fig. 4 shows a block diagram of an example radio network node 400 according to the disclosure. The radio network node 400 comprises memory circuitry 401 , processor circuitry 402, and a wireless interface 403. The radio network node 400 may be configured to perform any of the methods disclosed in Fig. 2. In other words, the radio network node 400 may be configured for enabling autonomous uplink transmit switching between multiple frequency bands configured for a WD.

The radio network node 400 is configured to communicate with a WD, such as the WD disclosed herein, using a wireless communication system.

The wireless interface 403 is configured for wireless communications via a wireless communication system, such as a 3GPP system, such as a 3GPP system supporting one or more of: New Radio, NR, Narrow-band loT, NB-loT, and Long Term Evolution - enhanced Machine Type Communication, LTE-M, millimeter-wave communications, such as millimeter-wave communications in licensed bands, such as device-to-device millimeter-wave communications in licensed bands.

The radio network node 400 is configured to send, for example, via the wireless interface 403, to the WD, a signal indicative of a rule set to be used by the WD for determining a frequency band, such as one or more frequency bands, out of the multiple frequency bands for uplink transmission.

Processor circuitry 402 is optionally configured to perform any of the operations disclosed in Fig. 2 . The operations of the radio network node 400 may be embodied in the form of executable logic routines (for example, lines of code, software programs, etc.) that are stored on a non-transitory computer readable medium (for example, memory circuitry 401 ) and are executed by processor circuitry 402).

Furthermore, the operations of the radio network node 400 may be considered a method that the radio network node 400 is configured to carry out. Also, while the described functions and operations may be implemented in software, such functionality may also be carried out via dedicated hardware or firmware, or some combination of hardware, firmware and/or software.

Memory circuitry 401 may be one or more of a buffer, a flash memory, a hard drive, a removable media, a volatile memory, a non-volatile memory, a random access memory (RAM), or other suitable device. In a typical arrangement, memory circuitry 401 may include a non-volatile memory for long term data storage and a volatile memory that functions as system memory for processor circuitry 402. Memory circuitry 401 may exchange data with processor circuitry 402 over a data bus. Control lines and an address bus between memory circuitry 401 and processor circuitry 402 also may be present (not shown in Fig. 4). Memory circuitry 401 is considered a non-transitory computer readable medium.

Memory circuitry 401 may be configured to store information, such as information indicative of the rule set, in a part of the memory.

Fig. 5 shows a block diagram of an example wireless device 300 according to the disclosure. The wireless device 300 comprises memory circuitry 301 , processor circuitry 302, and a wireless interface 303. The wireless device 300 may be configured to perform any of the methods disclosed in Fig. 3. In other words, the wireless device 300 may be configured for performing autonomous uplink transmit switching between multiple frequency bands configured for the WD.

The wireless device 300 is configured to communicate with a radio network node, such as the radio network node disclosed herein, using a wireless communication system.

The wireless device 300 is configured to receive (such as via the wireless interface 303), from the radio network node, a signal indicative of a rule set to be used by the WD for determining a frequency band, such as one or more frequency bands, out of the multiple frequency bands for uplink transmission.

The wireless device 300 is configured to transmit (such as via the wireless interface 303) uplink transmissions on one or more frequency bands of the multiple frequency bands based on the rule set.

The wireless interface 303 is configured for wireless communications via a wireless communication system, such as a 3GPP system, such as a 3GPP system supporting one or more of: New Radio, NR, Narrow-band loT, NB-loT, and Long Term Evolution - enhanced Machine Type Communication, LTE-M, millimeter-wave communications, such as millimeter-wave communications in licensed bands, such as device-to-device millimeter-wave communications in licensed bands. The wireless device 300 is optionally configured to perform any of the operations disclosed in Fig. 3 (such as any one or more of S201 , S203, S205). The operations of the wireless device 300 may be embodied in the form of executable logic routines (for example, lines of code, software programs, etc.) that are stored on a non-transitory computer readable medium (for example, memory circuitry 301 ) and are executed by processor circuitry 302).

Furthermore, the operations of the wireless device 300 may be considered a method that the wireless device 300 is configured to carry out. Also, while the described functions and operations may be implemented in software, such functionality may also be carried out via dedicated hardware or firmware, or some combination of hardware, firmware and/or software.

Memory circuitry 301 may be one or more of a buffer, a flash memory, a hard drive, a removable media, a volatile memory, a non-volatile memory, a random access memory (RAM), or other suitable device. In a typical arrangement, memory circuitry 301 may include a non-volatile memory for long term data storage and a volatile memory that functions as system memory for processor circuitry 302. Memory circuitry 301 may exchange data with processor circuitry 302 over a data bus. Control lines and an address bus between memory circuitry 301 and processor circuitry 302 also may be present (not shown in Fig. 5). Memory circuitry 301 is considered a non-transitory computer readable medium.

Memory circuitry 301 may be configured to store information, such as information indicative of the rule set, in a part of the memory.

Examples of methods and products (network node and wireless device) according to the disclosure are set out in the following items:

Item 1 . A method performed by a radio network node, for enabling autonomous uplink transmit switching between multiple frequency bands configured for a wireless device, WD, the method comprising: sending (S101 ), to the WD, a signal indicative of a rule set to be used by the WD for determining a frequency band out of the multiple frequency bands for uplink transmission. Item 2. The method according to Item 1 , wherein the rule set is indicative of a priority order of the multiple frequency bands.

Item 3. The method according to Item 1 or 2, wherein the rule set is indicative of a priority order of combinations of the multiple frequency bands.

Item 4. The method according to any one of the previous Items, wherein the rule set is indicative of a priority order of the multiple frequency bands based on a set of properties associated with each frequency band.

Item 5. The method according to any one of the previous Items, wherein the signal is indicative of an activation of the rule set.

Item 6. The method according to Item 5, wherein the activation is one or more of a trigger or a doration.

Item 7. The method according to any one of the previous Items, wherein the signal points to a database comprising the rule set.

Item 8. The method according to any one of the Items 1 to 6, wherein the signal itself contains the rule set.

Item 9. A method performed by a wireless device, WD, for performing autonomous uplink transmit switching between multiple frequency bands configured for the WD, the method comprising:

- receiving (S201), from a radio network node, a signal indicative of a rule set to be used by the WD for determining a frequency band out of the multiple frequency bands for uplink transmission, and transmitting (S205) uplink transmissions on one or more frequency bands of the multiple frequency bands based on the rule set.

Item 10. The method according to Item 9, wherein the rule set is indicative of a priority order of the multiple frequency bands.

Item 11 . The method according to Item 9 or 10, wherein the rule set is indicative of a priority order of combinations of the multiple frequency bands.

Item 12. The method according to any one of the Items 9 to 11 , wherein the rule set is indicative of a priority order of the multiple frequency bands based on a set of properties associated with each frequency band. Item 13. The method according to any one of the Items 9 to 12, wherein the signal is indicative of an activation of the rule set.

Item 14. The method according to Item 13, wherein the activation is one or more of a trigger or a duration.

Item 15. The method according to any one of the Items 9 to 14, wherein the method comprises:

- determining (S203), based on the rule set, a frequency band out of the multiple frequency bands for uplink transmission.

Item 16. The method according to any one of the Items 9 to 15, wherein the signal points to a database comprising the rule set.

Item 17. The method according to any one of the Items 9 to 15, wherein the signal itself contains the rule set.

Item 18. A radio network node comprising memory circuitry, processor circuitry, and a wireless interface, wherein the radio network node is configured to perform any of the methods according to any of Items 1 -8.

Item 19. A wireless device comprising memory circuitry, processor circuitry, and a wireless interface, wherein the wireless device is configured to perform any of the methods according to any of Items 9-17.

The use of the terms “first”, “second”, “third” and “fourth”, “primary”, “secondary”, “tertiary” etc. does not imply any particular order, but are included to identify individual elements. Moreover, the use of the terms “first”, “second”, “third” and “fourth”, “primary”, “secondary”, “tertiary” etc. does not denote any order or importance, but rather the terms “first”, “second”, “third” and “fourth”, “primary”, “secondary”, “tertiary” etc. are used to distinguish one element from another. Note that the words “first”, “second”, “third” and “fourth”, “primary”, “secondary”, “tertiary” etc. are used here and elsewhere for labelling purposes only and are not intended to denote any specific spatial or temporal ordering. Furthermore, the labelling of a first element does not imply the presence of a second element and vice versa. It may be appreciated that Figures 1 -5 comprise some circuitries or operations which are illustrated with a solid line and some circuitries, components, features, or operations which are illustrated with a dashed line. Circuitries or operations which are comprised in a solid line are circuitries, components, features or operations which are comprised in the broadest example. Circuitries, components, features, or operations which are comprised in a dashed line are examples which may be comprised in, or a part of, or are further circuitries, components, features, or operations which may be taken in addition to circuitries, components, features, or operations of the solid line examples. It should be appreciated that these operations need not be performed in order presented. Furthermore, it should be appreciated that not all of the operations need to be performed. The example operations may be performed in any order and in any combination. It should be appreciated that these operations need not be performed in order presented. Circuitries, components, features, or operations which are comprised in a dashed line may be considered optional.

Other operations that are not described herein can be incorporated in the example operations. For example, one or more additional operations can be performed before, after, simultaneously, or between any of the described operations.

Certain features discussed above as separate implementations can also be implemented in combination as a single implementation. Conversely, features described as a single implementation can also be implemented in multiple implementations separately or in any suitable sub-combination. Moreover, although features may be described above as acting in certain combinations, one or more features from a claimed combination can, in some cases, be excised from the combination, and the combination may be claimed as any subcombination or variation of any sub-combination

It is to be noted that the word "comprising" does not necessarily exclude the presence of other elements or steps than those listed.

It is to be noted that the words "a" or "an" preceding an element do not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements.

It should further be noted that any reference signs do not limit the scope of the claims, that the examples may be implemented at least in part by means of both hardware and software, and that several "means", "units" or "devices" may be represented by the same item of hardware.

The various example methods, devices, nodes and systems described herein are described in the general context of method steps or processes, which may be implemented in one aspect by a computer program product, embodied in a computer- readable medium, including computer-executable instructions, such as program code, executed by computers in networked environments. A computer-readable medium may include removable and non-removable storage devices including, but not limited to, Read Only Memory (ROM), Random Access Memory (RAM), compact discs (CDs), digital versatile discs (DVD), etc. Generally, program circuitries may include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc. that perform specified tasks or implement specific abstract data types. Computer-executable instructions, associated data structures, and program circuitries represent examples of program code for executing steps of the methods disclosed herein. The particular sequence of such executable instructions or associated data structures represents examples of corresponding acts for implementing the functions described in such steps or processes.

Although features have been shown and described, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the claimed disclosure, and it will be made obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the claimed disclosure. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than restrictive sense. The claimed disclosure is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents.

Claims

1 . A method performed by a radio network node, for enabling autonomous uplink transmit switching between multiple frequency bands configured for a wireless device, WD, the method comprising:

- sending (S101), to the WD, a signal indicative of a rule set to be used by the WD for determining a frequency band out of the multiple frequency bands for uplink transmission.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the rule set is indicative of a priority order of the multiple frequency bands.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the rule set is indicative of a priority order of combinations of the multiple frequency bands.

4. The method according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the rule set is indicative of a priority order of the multiple frequency bands based on a set of properties associated with each frequency band.

5. The method according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the signal is indicative of an activation of the rule set.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the activation is one or more of a trigger or a duration.

7. The method according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the signal points to a database comprising the rule set.

8. The method according to any one of the claims 1 to 6, wherein the signal itself contains the rule set.

9. A method performed by a wireless device, WD, for performing autonomous uplink transmit switching between multiple frequency bands configured for the WD, the method comprising:

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the rule set is indicative of a priority order of the multiple frequency bands.

1 1 . The method according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the rule set is indicative of a priority order of combinations of the multiple frequency bands.

12. The method according to any one of the claims 9 to 1 1 , wherein the rule set is indicative of a priority order of the multiple frequency bands based on a set of properties associated with each frequency band.

13. The method according to any one of the claims 9 to 12, wherein the signal is indicative of an activation of the rule set.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the activation is one or more of a trigger or a doration.

15. The method according to any one of the claims 9 to 14, wherein the method comprises:

16. The method according to any one of the claims 9 to 15, wherein the signal points to a database comprising the rule set.

17. The method according to any one of the claims 9 to 15, wherein the signal itself contains the rule set.

18. A radio network node comprising memory circuitry, processor circuitry, and a wireless interface, wherein the radio network node is configured to perform any of the methods according to any one of the claims 1 -8.

19. A wireless device comprising memory circuitry, processor circuitry, and a wireless interface, wherein the wireless device is configured to perform any of the methods according to any one of the claims 9-17.