WO2024074003A1

WO2024074003A1 - Method and apparatus for time domain resource indication in multi-cell scheduling scenario

Info

Publication number: WO2024074003A1
Application number: PCT/CN2023/076954
Authority: WO
Inventors: Haipeng Lei
Original assignee: Lenovo (Beijing) Limited
Priority date: 2023-02-17
Filing date: 2023-02-17
Publication date: 2024-04-11

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to methods and apparatuses for time domain resource indication in a multi-cell scheduling scenario. According to some embodiments of the disclosure, a UE may: receive, from a BS, a DCI format scheduling a first set of cells among a second set of cells configured for the UE by the BS, wherein the DCI format includes a field for indicating the first set of cells and time domain resource allocations for the first set of cells by pointing to a first entry of a TDRA list for multi-cell scheduling among the second set of cells; determine the first set of cells based on the field; and determine time domain resources on the first set of cells based on the field.

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TIME DOMAIN RESOURCE INDICATION IN MULTI-CELL SCHEDULING SCENARIO

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communication technology, and more particularly to time domain resource indication in a multi-cell scheduling scenario.

BACKGROUND

Wireless communication systems are widely deployed to provide various telecommunication services, such as telephony, video, data, messaging, broadcasts, and so on. Wireless communication systems may employ multiple access technologies capable of supporting communication with multiple users by sharing available system resources (e.g., time, frequency, and power) . Examples of wireless communication systems may include fourth generation (4G) systems, such as long-term evolution (LTE) systems, LTE-advanced (LTE-A) systems, or LTE-A Pro systems, and fifth generation (5G) systems, which may also be referred to as new radio (NR) systems.

In a wireless communication system, a base station (BS) and a user equipment (UE) may communicate via downlink (DL) channels and uplink (UL) channels. For example, a UE may monitor a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) in one or more search spaces. The PDCCH may carry downlink control information (DCI) , which may schedule uplink channels, such as a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) , or downlink channels, such as a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) .

Carrier aggregation (CA) technology may be used in a wireless communication system to, for example, increase data rates. For example, CA technology may refer to aggregating spectrum resources (e.g., carriers or cells) from the same frequency band or different frequency bands. In a CA scenario, multiple cells may be configured for a UE and DL or UL channels may be carried on one or more of the multiple cells.

There is a need for handling time domain resource assignment for uplink and downlink transmissions scheduled by a DCI in a CA scenario.

SUMMARY

Some embodiments of the present disclosure provide a user equipment (UE) . The UE may include a transceiver, and a processor coupled to the transceiver. The processor may be configured to: receive, from a base station (BS) , a downlink control information (DCI) format scheduling a first set of cells among a second set of cells configured for the UE by the BS, wherein the DCI format includes a field for indicating the first set of cells and time domain resource allocations (TDRAs) for the first set of cells by pointing to a first entry of a TDRA list for multi-cell scheduling among the second set of cells; determine the first set of cells based on the field; determine time domain resources on the first set of cells based on the field; and receive, from the BS, downlink transmissions on the determined time domain resources in the case that the DCI format schedules the downlink transmissions, or transmit, to the BS, uplink transmissions on the determined time domain resources in the case that the DCI format schedules the uplink transmissions.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, a size of the field is dependent on a number of entries in the TDRA list for multi-cell scheduling.

Some embodiments of the present disclosure provide a user equipment (UE) . The UE may include a transceiver, and a processor coupled to the transceiver. The processor may be configured to: receive, from a base station (BS) , a downlink control information (DCI) format scheduling a first set of cells among a second set of cells configured for the UE by the BS, wherein the DCI format includes a first field indicating the first set of cells and a second field indicating time domain resource allocations (TDRAs) for the first set of cells; determine the first set of cells based on the first field; determine time domain resources on the first set of cells based on the second field; and receive, from the BS, downlink transmissions on the determined time domain resources in the case that the DCI format schedules the downlink transmissions, or transmit, to the BS, uplink transmissions on the determined time domain resources in the case that the DCI format schedules the uplink transmissions.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the second field indicates a first entry from at least one entry included in a TDRA list for multi-cell scheduling among the second set of cells. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, each of the at least one entry includes a set of TDRA indexes for the second set of cells, and each TDRA index of the set of TDRA indexes corresponds to one cell of the second set of cells and indicates an entry of a TDRA list for single-cell scheduling for a corresponding cell of the second set of cells.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, a size of the second field is dependent on a number of entries in the TDRA list for multi-cell scheduling.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, a value of each TDRA index of the set of TDRA indexes is smaller than or equal to a maximum TDRA index of the TDRA list for single-cell scheduling for the corresponding cell of the second set of cells.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, in the case that the first set of cells includes a single cell, the second field indicates an entry of a TDRA list for single-cell scheduling for the single cell. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, in the case that the first set of cells includes two or more cells, the second field indicates a first entry from at least one entry included in a TDRA list for multi-cell scheduling among the second set of cells, wherein each of the at least one entry includes a set of TDRA indexes for the second set of cells, and each TDRA index of the set of TDRA indexes corresponds to one cell of the second set of cells and indicates an entry of a TDRA list for single-cell scheduling for a corresponding cell of the second set of cells.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, a size of the second field is dependent on a maximum number of entries in the TDRA list for multi-cell scheduling and entries in a TDRA list for single-cell scheduling for each of the second set of cells.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the second field indicates a TDRA index shared among the first set of cells, wherein for each cell of the first set of cells, the shared TDRA index indicates an entry of a TDRA list for single-cell scheduling for a corresponding cell of the first set of cells.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, a size of the second field is dependent on a maximum number of entries in TDRA lists for single-cell scheduling for the second set of cells.

Some embodiments of the present disclosure provide a BS. The BS may include a transceiver, and a processor coupled to the transceiver. The processor may be configured to: configure a second set of cells for a user equipment (UE) ; transmit, to the UE, a downlink control information (DCI) format for scheduling a first set of cells among the second set of cells and assigning time domain resources for the first set of cells, wherein the DCI format includes a field for indicating the first set of cells and the time domain resources by pointing to a first entry of a time domain resource allocation (TDRA) list for multi-cell scheduling among the second set of cells; and transmit, to the UE, downlink transmissions on the time domain resources in the case that the DCI format schedules the downlink transmissions, or receive, from the UE, uplink transmissions on the time domain resources in the case that the DCI format schedules the uplink transmissions.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the TDRA list for multi-cell scheduling includes at least one entry, each of which includes a set of TDRA indexes for the second set of cells, and each TDRA index of the set of TDRA indexes corresponds to one cell of the second set of cells.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the first entry includes a first number of applicable TDRA indexes for the first set of cells and a second number of inapplicable TDRA indexes for the remaining cells in the second set of cells.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, each of the first number of applicable TDRA indexes indicates an entry of a TDRA list for single-cell scheduling for a corresponding cell of the first set of cells.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, each TDRA index of the set of TDRA indexes indicates an entry of a TDRA list for single-cell scheduling for a corresponding cell of the second set of cells. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the TDRA list for single-cell scheduling includes one or more entries, at least one of which includes inapplicable TDRA information.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the first entry includes a set of TDRA indexes for the second set of cells, and the set of TDRA indexes includes a first number of TDRA indexes for the first set of cells and a second number of TDRA indexes for the remaining cells in the second set of cells. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, each of the first number of TDRA indexes indicates applicable TDRA information from a TDRA list for single-cell scheduling for a corresponding cell of the first set of cells, and each of the second number of TDRA indexes indicates inapplicable TDRA information from a TDRA list for single-cell scheduling for a corresponding cell of the remaining cells in the second set of cells.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the first entry includes a set of TDRA indexes for the second set of cells. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, in the case that a cell in the second set of cells is not scheduled by the DCI format, a corresponding TDRA index of the set of TDRA indexes indicates an inapplicable value or inapplicable TDRA information. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, in the case that a cell in the second set of cells is scheduled by the DCI format, a corresponding TDRA index of the set of TDRA indexes indicates an applicable value or applicable TDRA information.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, a value of each TDRA index of the set of TDRA indexes is smaller than or equal to a maximum TDRA index of a TDRA list for single-cell scheduling for the one cell of the second set of cells.

Some embodiments of the present disclosure provide a BS. The BS may include a transceiver, and a processor coupled to the transceiver. The processor may be configured to: configure a second set of cells for a user equipment (UE) ; transmit, to the UE, a downlink control information (DCI) format for scheduling a first set of cells among the second set of cells and assigning time domain resources for the first set of cells, wherein the DCI format includes a first field indicating the first set of cells and a second field indicating time domain resource allocations (TDRAs) for the first set of cells; and transmit, to the UE, downlink transmissions on the time domain resources in the case that the DCI format schedules the downlink transmissions, or receive, from the UE, uplink transmissions on the time domain resources in the case that the DCI format schedules the uplink transmissions.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the indicated entry is dependent on the shared TDRA index and the number of entries in the TDRA list for single-cell scheduling for the corresponding cell.

Some embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method performed by a UE. The method may include: receiving, from a BS, a DCI format scheduling a first set of cells among a second set of cells configured for the UE by the BS, wherein the DCI format includes a field for indicating the first set of cells and TDRAs for the first set of cells by pointing to a first entry of a TDRA list for multi-cell scheduling among the second set of cells; determining the first set of cells based on the field; determining time domain resources on the first set of cells based on the field; and receiving, from the BS, downlink transmissions on the determined time domain resources in the case that the DCI format schedules the downlink transmissions, or transmitting, to the BS, uplink transmissions on the determined time domain resources in the case that the DCI format schedules the uplink transmissions.

Some embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method performed by a UE. The method may include: receiving, from a BS, a DCI format scheduling a first set of cells among a second set of cells configured for the UE by the BS, wherein the DCI format includes a first field indicating the first set of cells and a second field indicating TDRAs for the first set of cells; determining the first set of cells based on the first field; determining time domain resources on the first set of cells based on the second field; and receiving, from the BS, downlink transmissions on the determined time domain resources in the case that the DCI format schedules the downlink transmissions, or transmitting, to the BS, uplink transmissions on the determined time domain resources in the case that the DCI format schedules the uplink transmissions.

Some embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method performed by a BS. The method may include: configuring a second set of cells for a UE; transmitting, to the UE, a DCI format for scheduling a first set of cells among the second set of cells and assigning time domain resources for the first set of cells, wherein the DCI format includes a field for indicating the first set of cells and the time domain resources by pointing to a first entry of a TDRA list for multi-cell scheduling among the second set of cells; and transmitting, to the UE, downlink transmissions on the time domain resources in the case that the DCI format schedules the downlink transmissions, or receiving, from the UE, uplink transmissions on the time domain resources in the case that the DCI format schedules the uplink transmissions.

Some embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method performed by a BS. The method may include: configuring a second set of cells for a UE; transmitting, to the UE, a DCI format for scheduling a first set of cells among the second set of cells and assigning time domain resources for the first set of cells, wherein the DCI format includes a first field indicating the first set of cells and a second field indicating TDRAs for the first set of cells; and transmitting, to the UE, downlink transmissions on the time domain resources in the case that the DCI format schedules the downlink transmissions, or receiving, from the UE, uplink transmissions on the time domain resources in the case that the DCI format schedules the uplink transmissions.

Some embodiments of the present disclosure provide an apparatus. According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the apparatus may include: at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon computer-executable instructions; at least one receiving circuitry; at least one transmitting circuitry; and at least one processor coupled to the at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium, the at least one receiving circuitry and the at least one transmitting circuitry, wherein the at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium and the computer executable instructions may be configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform a method according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

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

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of a wireless communication system in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate schematic diagrams of a DCI format scheduling a plurality of transmissions in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 4-7 illustrate flow charts of an exemplary procedure of wireless communications in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 8 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary apparatus in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

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

Reference will now be made in detail to some embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. To facilitate understanding, embodiments are provided under a specific network architecture (s) and new service scenarios, such as the 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) 5G (NR) , 3GPP long-term evolution (LTE) Release 8, and so on. It is contemplated that along with the developments of network architectures and new service scenarios, all embodiments in the present disclosure are also applicable to similar technical problems; and moreover, the terminologies recited in the present disclosure may change, which should not affect the principles of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of wireless communication system 100 in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

As shown in FIG. 1, wireless communication system 100 may include some UEs 101 (e.g., UE 101a and UE 101b) and a base station (e.g., BS 102) . Although a specific number of UEs 101 and BS 102 is depicted in FIG. 1, it is contemplated that any number of UEs and BSs may be included in the wireless communication system 100.

The UE (s) 101 may include computing devices, such as desktop computers, laptop computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs) , tablet computers, smart televisions (e.g., televisions connected to the Internet) , set-top boxes, game consoles, security systems (including security cameras) , vehicle on-board computers, network devices (e.g., routers, switches, and modems) , or the like. According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the UE (s) 101 may include a portable wireless communication device, a smart phone, a cellular telephone, a flip phone, a device having a subscriber identity module, a personal computer, a selective call receiver, or any other device that is capable of sending and receiving communication signals on a wireless network. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the UE (s) 101 includes wearable devices, such as smart watches, fitness bands, optical head-mounted displays, or the like. Moreover, the UE (s) 101 may be referred to as a subscriber unit, a mobile, a mobile station, a user, a terminal, a mobile terminal, a wireless terminal, a fixed terminal, a subscriber station, a user terminal, or a device, or described using other terminology used in the art. The UE (s) 101 may communicate with the BS 102 via uplink (UL) communication signals.

The BS 102 may be distributed over a geographical region. In certain embodiments of the present disclosure, the BS 102 may also be referred to as an access point, an access terminal, a base, a base unit, a macro cell, a Node-B, an evolved Node B (eNB) , a gNB, a Home Node-B, a relay node, or a device, or described using other terminology used in the art. The BS 102 is generally a part of a radio access network that may include one or more controllers communicably coupled to one or more corresponding BSs 102. The BS 102 may communicate with UE(s) 101 via downlink (DL) communication signals.

The wireless communication system 100 may be compatible with any type of network that is capable of sending and receiving wireless communication signals. For example, the wireless communication system 100 is compatible with a wireless communication network, a cellular telephone network, a time division multiple access (TDMA) -based network, a code division multiple access (CDMA) -based network, an orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) -based network, an LTE network, a 3GPP-based network, a 3GPP 5G network, a satellite communications network, a high-altitude platform network, and/or other communications networks.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the wireless communication system 100 is compatible with 5G NR of the 3GPP protocol. For example, BS 102 may transmit data using an orthogonal frequency division multiple (OFDM) modulation scheme on the DL and the UE (s) 101 may transmit data on the UL using a discrete Fourier transform-spread-orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (DFT-S-OFDM) or cyclic prefix-OFDM (CP-OFDM) scheme. More generally, however, the wireless communication system 100 may implement some other open or proprietary communication protocols, for example, WiMAX, among other protocols.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the BS 102 and UE (s) 101 may communicate using other communication protocols, such as the IEEE 802.11 family of wireless communication protocols. Further, in some embodiments of the present disclosure, the BS 102 and UE (s) 101 may communicate over licensed spectrums, whereas in some other embodiments, the BS 102 and UE (s) 101 may communicate over unlicensed spectrums. The present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the implementation of any particular wireless communication system architecture or protocol.

A communication technology (e.g., NR) may support a wide range of spectrums in different frequency ranges. For example, in the 5G Advanced market, it is expected that the availability of the spectrum will be increased, which is possibly due to re-farming the bands originally used for previous cellular generation networks. For example, for some low frequency bands of frequency range 1 (FR1) (e.g., 410 MHz -7125 MHz) , the available spectrum bands tend to be more fragmented and scattered with a narrower bandwidth. In addition, for bands of frequency range 2 (FR2) (e.g., 24250 MHz -52600 MHz) and some bands of FR1, the available spectrum may be wider such that an intra-band multi-carrier operation is necessary.

To meet different spectrum needs, it is important to ensure that these fragmented or scattered spectrum bands or spectrums with wider bandwidth are utilized in a more spectrum and power efficient and flexible manner, thereby providing higher throughput and decent coverage in the network.

For example, one motivation is to increase spectrum/power efficiency and flexibility on scheduling data over multiple cells including intra-band cells and inter-band cells. In some examples, scheduling mechanisms may only allow scheduling a single PUSCH or PDSCH on a single cell per a scheduling DCI. As more scattered spectrum bands or spectrums with wider bandwidth become available, it is advisable to allow simultaneous scheduling of multiple cells.

A communication system (e.g., NR) may be designed to support a maximum of 16 component carriers (CCs) in the case of carrier aggregation (CA) or a maximum of 32 CCs in the case of dual connectivity (DC) . In some embodiments of the present disclosure, in the case of CA, one DCI format can schedule at most one cell (e.g., carrier) by cross-cell (or cross-carrier) scheduling or self-scheduling. This requires much signaling overhead for PDCCHs to schedule DL transmissions (e.g., PDSCHs) or UL transmissions (e.g., PUSCHs) when the number of cells configured for a UE is large. To reduce signaling overhead, it would be beneficial to use a single DCI format to schedule multiple PDSCHs or PUSCHs on multiple cells configured for the UE, which is referred to as multi-cell scheduling in the context of the present disclosure. Meanwhile, a tradeoff between signaling overhead reduction and scheduling restriction has to be taken into account.

FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic diagram of a DCI format scheduling a plurality of transmissions in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, a plurality of CCs (e.g., including but not limited to CCs 231-234 in FIG. 2) may be configured for a UE. It should be understood that the sub-carrier spacings (SCSs) of the cells configured for a UE may be the same or different. Each of the plurality of CCs may correspond to a respective cell (e.g., serving cell) or carrier of the UE. Each cell (serving cell) may be associated with a (serving) cell index.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, instead of using separate DCI formats to respectively schedule a plurality of transmissions on a plurality of cells, a BS may transmit a single DCI format to schedule the plurality of transmissions on the plurality of cells. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, DCI format 211 may schedule transmissions 221-224 on CCs 231-234, where each CC carries a single transmission.

In some examples, transmissions 221-224 may be uplink transmissions, for example, uplink physical data channels such as PUSCHs. In some examples, transmissions 221-224 may be downlink transmissions, for example, downlink physical data channels such as PDSCHs.

In FIG. 2, the cell (i.e., CC 231) on which DCI format 211 is detected carries one (e.g., transmission 221) of the scheduled transmissions. This may be referred to as self-scheduling. Other transmissions (e.g., transmissions 222-224) of the scheduled transmissions are scheduled on cells different from the one (i.e., CC 231) on which DCI format 211 is detected. This may be referred to as cross-cell (or cross-carrier) scheduling.

Although in FIG. 2, DCI format 211 schedules a plurality of transmissions via both self-scheduling and cross-cell scheduling, it should be understood that a DCI format may schedule a plurality of transmissions via only cross-cell scheduling. FIG. 3 shows such an example. It also should be understood that a cell (e.g., a CC) scheduled by a DCI format may carry more than one transmission (e.g., PDSCHs or PUSCHs) in some other embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic diagram of a DCI format scheduling a plurality of transmissions in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, a plurality of CCs (e.g., including but not limited to CCs 331-335 in FIG. 3) may be configured for a UE. It should be understood that the sub-carrier spacings (SCSs) of the cells configured for a UE may be the same or different. Each of the plurality of CCs may correspond to a respective cell (e.g., serving cell) or carrier of the UE. Each cell (serving cell) may be associated with a (serving) cell index.

As shown in FIG. 3, DCI format 311 may be transmitted on CC 331, and schedule transmissions 321-324 on CCs 332-335, where each CC carries a single transmission. In some examples, transmissions 321-324 may be uplink transmissions, for example, uplink physical data channels such as PUSCHs. In some examples, transmissions 321-324 may be downlink transmissions, for example, downlink physical data channels such as PDSCHs.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, when a DCI format schedules a single transmission on a single cell (hereinafter, single-cell scheduling) , the DCI format may indicate the time domain resource (s) assigned on the scheduled cell for the scheduled transmission. For example, the time domain resource allocation for the single transmission (e.g., UL or DL) may be indicated by a TDRA field in the DCI format from a TDRA list (or TDRA table) . In some examples, this TDRA list (or TDRA table) may be configured per cell for PUSCH or PDSCH. In some examples, this TDRA list (or TDRA table) may be specifically configured per UL or DL bandwidth part (BWP) for PUSCH or PDSCH. For example, the TDRA list for PUSCH may be configured by RRC signaling (e.g., PUSCH-TimeDomainResourceAllocationList as specified in 3GPP specifications) . For example, the TDRA list for PDSCH may be configured by RRC signaling (e.g., PDSCH-TimeDomainResourceAllocationList as specified in 3GPP specifications) .

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, in the case of multi-cell scheduling, a DCI format may also include a single TDRA field to indicate the time domain resource allocation for all the cells co-scheduled by the DCI format.

In some embodiments, a new TDRA list (or table) may be designed for multi-cell scheduling. For example, the multi-cell scheduling DCI format may indicate the time domain resources assigned on the co-scheduled cells from this new TDRA list. However, since separate configurations for each of the co-scheduled cells (e.g., separate configurations for each UL or DL BWP for each of co-scheduled cells) should be provided to the UE, signaling overhead may be significant.

Embodiments of the present disclosure propose improved solutions for indicating the time domain resources in the case of multi-cell scheduling, which can reduce overhead. For example, it would be advantageous to reuse the TDRA list (or table) configured for single-cell scheduling in the case of multi-cell scheduling as single-cell scheduling is supported simultaneously with multi-cell scheduling and signaling overhead can be reduced.

On the other hand, before detecting a DCI format, a UE needs to know the exact payload size of the DCI format. Since the TDRA list (or table) design may have an impact on the DCI payload size, how to determine the payload size of the DCI format should also be resolved. For example, as will be described in the following text, the number of bits for the TDRA field (i.e., the size of the TDRA field) in a DCI format may be dependent on the number of entries in the TDRA list for multi-cell scheduling. For example, as will be described in the following text, in addition to indicating the time domain resources, the TDRA field may also indicate the co-scheduled cells. This may have an impact on the TDRA table design and co-scheduled cell indication, thereby impacting the DCI payload size.

More details on the embodiments of the present disclosure will be illustrated in the following text in combination with the appended drawings. It should be noted that the solutions of the present disclosure can be applied to both downlink transmissions (e.g., PDSCHs) and uplink transmissions (e.g., PUSCHs) scheduled by a DCI format.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, a BS may configure a set of cells (denoted as cell set #1) which can be used for multi-cell scheduling for a UE. For example, the BS may transmit a DCI to the UE, and the DCI may schedule one or more downlink transmissions (e.g., PDSCHs) or uplink transmissions (e.g., PUSCHs) on one or more cells of cell set #1.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, for each cell in cell set #1, a TDRA list for single-cell scheduling for a corresponding cell may be configured or preconfigured for the UE or predefined (e.g., in a standard) . For example, for each cell in cell set #1, RRC signaling may configure a TDRA list (e.g., PUSCH-TimeDomainResourceAllocationList or PDSCH-TimeDomainResourceAllocationList as specified in 3GPP specifications) for a corresponding cell for (e.g., UL or DL) single-cell scheduling.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, in the case that a single DCI format can schedule multiple cells for downlink or uplink transmission, the co-scheduled cells and the assigned time domain resources on the co-scheduled cells for the scheduled downlink or uplink transmission can be indicated by a TDRA field. In these embodiments, a single TDRA field can jointly indicate the cells scheduled by a DCI format and the assigned time domain resources for the scheduled cells. The DCI format does not need to include an indicator to specifically indicate the scheduled cells.

For example, a DCI format may schedule a set of cells (denoted as cell set #2) among cell set #1. A TDRA field (denoted as field #A) in the DCI format can indicate cell set #2 and time domain resource allocations for cell set #2 (e.g., the assigned time domain resources for cell set #2) .

From the perspective of a UE, in response to receiving a DCI format from a BS, it may determine cell set #2 and the assigned time domain resources on cell set #2 based on field #A in the DCI format. The UE may then receive, from the BS, downlink transmissions (e.g., PDSCHs) on the determined time domain resources in the case that the DCI format schedules the downlink transmissions, or transmit, to the BS, uplink transmissions (e.g., PUSCHs) on the determined time domain resources in the case that the DCI format schedules the uplink transmissions.

From the perspective of a BS, it may transmit a DCI format scheduling cell set #2 and assign time domain resources for cell set #2. Field #A in the DCI format may indicate cell set #2 and the time domain resources for cell set #2. The BS may then transmit, to the UE, downlink transmissions (e.g., PDSCHs) on the time domain resources in the case that the DCI format schedules the downlink transmissions, or receive, from the UE, uplink transmissions (e.g., PUSCHs) on the time domain resources in the case that the DCI format schedules the uplink transmissions.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, field #A may point to (or indicate) an entry of a TDRA list for multi-cell scheduling (denoted as TDRA list #A) among cell set #1. TDRA list #A may include at least one entry, each of which includes a set of TDRA indexes for cell set #1. Each TDRA index of the set of TDRA indexes corresponds to one cell of cell set #1. In some examples, TDRA list #A may be configured, predefined (e.g., in a standard) , or preconfigured for a UE.

The size of field #A may be dependent on the number of entries in TDRA list #A. For example, assuming that TDRA list #A includes N entries, field #A may requirebits for pointing out one entry from the N entries.

Various methods may be employed to implement TDRA list #A.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the set of TDRA indexes in each entry of TDRA list #A may include a number of applicable TDRA indexes (denoted as Z1) and a number of inapplicable TDRA indexes (denoted as Z2) . Denoting the number of cells in cell set #1 as Z, the value of Z1 or Z2 satisfies:
0 ≤ {Z1, Z2} ≤ Z, and
Z1+Z2 = Z.

In TDRA list #A, an applicable TDRA index corresponding to a cell indicates that the cell is scheduled and an inapplicable TDRA index corresponding to a cell indicates that the cell is not scheduled. In some examples, an applicable TDRA index can be an integer value larger than or equal to 0 and an inapplicable TDRA index can be an integer value smaller than 0 (e.g., -1) .

Each applicable TDRA index in TDRA list #A indicates an entry of a TDRA list for single-cell scheduling for a corresponding cell. For example, for each cell in cell set #1, a TDRA list for single-cell scheduling (denoted as TDRA list #B1) for a corresponding cell may be configured (e.g., via PUSCH-TimeDomainResourceAllocationList or PDSCH-TimeDomainResourceAllocationList as mentioned above) . TDRA list #B1 may include one or more entries which are indexed. The applicable TDRA indexes in TDRA list #A indicate the indexes of entries in TDRA list #B1.

TDRA lists #B1 for different cells may include different numbers of entries. Each TDRA index in an entry of TDRA list #A corresponding to a cell in cell set #1 may be smaller than or equal to the maximum TDRA index of the corresponding TDRA list #B1 for this cell.

For example, TDRA list #B1 may include multiple entries with each entry including a single {a start and length indicator value (SLIV) , mapping type, scheduling offset K2} for UL single-cell scheduling or a single {SLIV, mapping type, scheduling offset K0} for DL single-cell scheduling, wherein K2 may indicate an offset between a slot where the DCI format is transmitted and a slot where the scheduled UL transmission (e.g., PUSCH) is transmitted, and K0 may indicate an offset between a slot where the DCI format is transmitted and a slot where the scheduled DL transmission (e.g., PDSCH) is transmitted. In some embodiments, each entry in TDRA list #B1 may include applicable TDRA information, e.g., {SLIV, mapping type, scheduling offset K2 or K0} . In some examples, the start and length indicator value (SLIV) may be replaced with a start indicator (e.g., “S” ) and a length indicator (e.g., “L” ) .

For example, field #A may indicate a specific entry (denoted as entry #A1) from TDRA list #A, which may include a number of applicable TDRA indexes for cell set #2, and a number of inapplicable TDRA indexes for the remaining cells in cell set #1. Each of the number of applicable TDRA indexes may indicate an entry of a TDRA list for single-cell scheduling (e.g., TDRA list #B1) for a corresponding cell of cell set #2. The value of each TDRA index in entry #A1 is smaller than or equal to a maximum TDRA index of a TDRA list for single-cell scheduling (e.g., TDRA list #B1) for a corresponding cell.

From the perspective of a UE, in the case that a TDRA index of the set of TDRA indexes in entry #A1 is inapplicable, the UE would know that the cell corresponding to this inapplicable TDRA index is not scheduled by the DCI format. In the case that a TDRA index of the set of TDRA indexes in entry #A1 is applicable, the UE would know that the cell corresponding to this applicable TDRA index is scheduled by the DCI format.

From the perspective of a BS, when a cell in cell set #1 is not scheduled by the DCI format, the BS may select an entry in TDRA list #A which includes an inapplicable TDRA index corresponding to this cell. When a cell in cell set #1 is scheduled by the DCI format, the BS may select an entry in TDRA list #A which includes an applicable TDRA index corresponding to this cell.

For example, assuming that a UE is configured with four cells (denoted as cell #1 to cell #4) for multi-cell scheduling, the UE may be configured with a TDRA list for multi-cell scheduling among cell #1 to cell #4 as shown in following Table 1A. It should be understood that Table 1A is only for illustrative purposes, and should not be construed as limiting the embodiments of the present disclosure.

Table 1A: TDRA list for multi-cell scheduling

In Table 1A, each entry includes 4 TDRA indices with each TDRA index corresponding to one cell of cell #1 to cell #4. In Table 1A, an inapplicable TDRA index (e.g., -1) means that the corresponding cell is not scheduled and an applicable TDRA index (e.g., and so on, which may be integer values larger than or equal to 0) indicates the TDRA index of a TDRA list for single-cell scheduling for the corresponding cell.

For example, in entry “0” of Table 1A represents the TDRA index for cell #1 in the TDRA list specifically configured for cell #1 for single-cell scheduling, in entry “2” of Table 1A represents the TDRA index for cell #1 in the TDRA list specifically configured for cell #1 for single-cell scheduling, and so on. For example, in entry “0” of Table 1A represents the TDRA index for cell #2 in the TDRA list specifically configured for cell #2 for single-cell scheduling, in entry “2” of Table 1A represents the TDRA index for cell #2 in the TDRA list specifically configured for cell #2 for single-cell scheduling, and so on. For example, in entry “1” of Table 1A represents the TDRA index for cell #3 in the TDRA list specifically configured for cell #3 for single-cell scheduling, in entry “2” of Table 1A represents the TDRA index for cell #3 in the TDRA list specifically configured for cell #3 for single-cell scheduling, and so on. For example, in entry “1” of Table 1A represents the TDRA index for cell #4 in the TDRA list specifically configured for cell #4 for single-cell scheduling, in the third entry of Table 1A represents the TDRA index for cell #4 in the TDRA list specifically configured for cell #4 for single-cell scheduling, and so on.

For example, field #A in a DCI format may indicate an entry from Table 1A. For example, field #A indicating “1” may indicate entry “1” in Table 1A. In such case, cell #1 and cell #2 are not scheduled, the assigned time domain resources on cell #3 can be determined based onand the TDRA list configured for cell #3 for single-cell scheduling, and the assigned time domain resources on cell #4 can be determined based onand the TDRA list configured for cell #4 for single-cell scheduling.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, all TDRA indexes in each entry of TDRA list #A may be applicable. The total number of TDRA indexes in each entry of TDRA list #A may be equal to the number of cells in cell set #1.

Each TDRA index in an entry of TDRA list #A may indicate an entry of a TDRA list for single-cell scheduling for a corresponding cell. For example, for each cell in cell set #1, a TDRA list for single-cell scheduling (denoted as TDRA list #B2) for a corresponding cell may be configured (e.g., via PUSCH-TimeDomainResourceAllocationList or PDSCH-TimeDomainResourceAllocationList as mentioned above) . TDRA list #B2 may include one or more entries which are indexed. The TDRA indexes in TDRA list #A indicate the indexes of entries in TDRA list #B2.

TDRA lists #B2 for different cells may include different numbers of entries. Each TDRA index in an entry of TDRA list #A corresponding to a cell in cell set #1 may be smaller than or equal to the maximum TDRA index of the corresponding TDRA list #B2 for this cell.

In some examples, at least one entry in TDRA list #B2 includes inapplicable TDRA information. In some example, inapplicable TDRA information of an entry may mean that the entry indicates an integer value smaller than 0 (e.g., -1) . In some example, inapplicable TDRA information of an entry may mean that the entry indicates an invalid SLIV value or an inapplicable (e.g., minus) scheduling offset value (e.g., K2 or K0) . The remaining entries in TDRA list #B2 includes applicable TDRA information, for example, an applicable {SLIV, mapping type, scheduling offset K2} for UL single-cell scheduling or {SLIV, mapping type, scheduling offset K0}for DL single-cell scheduling.

For example, field #A may indicate a specific entry (denoted as entry #A2) from TDRA list #A, which may include a set of TDRA indexes for cell set #1. Each TDRA index of the set of TDRA indexes may indicate an entry of a TDRA list for single-cell scheduling (e.g., TDRA list #B2) for a corresponding cell of cell set #1. The value of each TDRA index in entry #A2 is smaller than or equal to a maximum TDRA index of a TDRA list for single-cell scheduling (e.g., TDRA list #B2) for a corresponding cell.

From the perspective of a UE, in the case that a TDRA index of the set of TDRA indexes in entry #A2 indicates inapplicable TDRA information (e.g., the indicated entry in a TDRA list #B2 for a corresponding cell includes inapplicable TDRA information) , the UE would know that the corresponding cell is not scheduled by the DCI format. In the case that a TDRA index of the set of TDRA indexes in entry #A2 indicates applicable TDRA information (e.g., the indicated entry in a TDRA list #B2 for a corresponding cell includes applicable TDRA information) , the UE would know that the corresponding cell is scheduled by the DCI format.

From the perspective of a BS, when a cell in cell set #1 is not scheduled by the DCI format, the BS may select an entry in TDRA list #A which indicates inapplicable TDRA information (e.g., the indicated entry in a corresponding TDRA list #B2 for this cell includes inapplicable TDRA information) . When a cell in cell set #1 is scheduled by the DCI format, the BS may select an entry in TDRA list #A which indicates applicable TDRA information (e.g., the indicated entry in a corresponding TDRA list #B2 for this cell includes applicable TDRA information) .

For example, assuming that a UE is configured with four cells (denoted as cell #1 to cell #4) for multi-cell scheduling, the UE may be configured with a TDRA list for multi-cell scheduling among cell #1 to cell #4 as shown in following Table 1B. It should be understood that Table 1B is only for illustrative purposes, and should not be construed as limiting the embodiments of the present disclosure.

Table 1B: TDRA list for multi-cell scheduling

In Table 1B, each entry includes 4 TDRA indices with each TDRA index corresponding to one cell of cell #1 to cell #4. In Table 1B, each TDRA index (e.g., and so on) is an integer value larger than or equal to 0 and indicates the TDRA index of a TDRA list for single-cell scheduling for the corresponding cell. Each TDRA index may point to an applicable {SLIV, mapping type, scheduling offset K0 or K2} or an inapplicable TDRA information.

For example, in entry “0” of Table 1B represents the TDRA index for cell #1 in the TDRA list specifically configured for cell #1 for single-cell scheduling, in entry “1” of Table 1B represents the TDRA index for cell #1 in the TDRA list specifically configured for cell #1 for single-cell scheduling, in entry “2” of Table 1B represents the TDRA index for cell #1 in the TDRA list specifically configured for cell #1 for single-cell scheduling, and so on. For example, in entry “0” of Table 1B represents the TDRA index for cell #2 in the TDRA list specifically configured for cell #2 for single-cell scheduling, in entry “1” of Table 1B represents the TDRA index for cell #2 in the TDRA list specifically configured for cell #2 for single-cell scheduling, in entry “2” of Table 1B represents the TDRA index for cell #2 in the TDRA list specifically configured for cell #2 for single-cell scheduling, and so on. For example, in entry “0” of Table 1B represents the TDRA index for cell #3 in the TDRA list specifically configured for cell #3 for single-cell scheduling, in entry “1” of Table 1B represents the TDRA index for cell #3 in the TDRA list specifically configured for cell #3 for single-cell scheduling, in entry “2” of Table 1B represents the TDRA index for cell #3 in the TDRA list specifically configured for cell #3 for single-cell scheduling, and so on. For example, in entry “0” of Table 1B represents the TDRA index for cell #4 in the TDRA list specifically configured for cell #4 for single-cell scheduling, in entry “1” of Table 1B represents the TDRA index for cell #4 in the TDRA list specifically configured for cell #4 for single-cell scheduling, in entry “2” of Table 1B represents the TDRA index for cell #4 in the TDRA list specifically configured for cell #4 for single-cell scheduling, and so on.

For example, field #A in a DCI format may indicate an entry from Table 1B. For example, field #A indicating “1” may indicate entry “1” in Table 1B. In such case, which cell (s) of cells #1 to #4 is scheduled may be based on whether indicates applicable or inapplicable TDRA information from the corresponding TDRA lists configured for cells #1 to #4 for single-cell scheduling. The assigned time domain resources on the scheduled cell (s) can be determined based on application TDRA information.

By adopting the above embodiments, the TDRA lists for single-cell scheduling for cell set #1 can be used for multi-cell scheduling, and thus signaling overhead is greatly reduced.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, in the case that a single DCI format can schedule multiple cells for downlink or uplink transmission, the DCI format may include a field indicating the co-scheduled cells and another field indicating time domain resource allocations for the co-scheduled cells.

For example, a DCI format may schedule a set of cells (denoted as cell set #2) among cell set #1 and may assign time domain resources for cell set #2. The DCI format may include a field (denoted as field #B1) indicating cell set #2 and a field (denoted as field #B2) indicating the time domain resource allocations (TDRAs) for cell set #2 (e.g., the assigned time domain resources for cell set #2) .

From the perspective of a UE, in response to receiving a DCI format from a BS, it may determine cell set #2 based on field #B1 in the DCI format and determine time domain resources on cell set #2 based on field #B2 in the DCI format. The UE may then receive, from the BS, downlink transmissions (e.g., PDSCHs) on the determined time domain resources in the case that the DCI format schedules the downlink transmissions, or transmit, to the BS, uplink transmissions (e.g., PUSCHs) on the determined time domain resources in the case that the DCI format schedules the uplink transmissions.

From the perspective of a BS, it may transmit a DCI format scheduling cell set #2 and assign time domain resources for cell set #2. Field #B1 in the DCI format may indicate cell set #2 and field #B2 in the DCI format may indicate the time domain resources for cell set #2. The BS may then transmit, to the UE, downlink transmissions (e.g., PDSCHs) on the time domain resources in the case that the DCI format schedules the downlink transmissions, or receive, from the UE, uplink transmissions (e.g., PUSCHs) on the time domain resources in the case that the DCI format schedules the uplink transmissions.

Various methods may be employed to implement field #B2.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, field #B2 may point to (or indicate) an entry in a TDRA list for multi-cell scheduling (denoted as TDRA list #A1) among cell set #1. TDRA list #A1 may include at least one entry, each of which includes a set of TDRA indexes for cell set #1. Each TDRA index of the set of TDRA indexes corresponds to one cell of cell set #1. For example, the number of TDRA indexes in each entry of TDRA list #A1 may be equal to the number of cells in cell set #1. In some examples, TDRA list #A1 may be configured, predefined (e.g., in a standard) , or preconfigured for a UE.

The size of field #B2 may be dependent on the number of entries in TDRA list #A1. For example, assuming that TDRA list #A1 includes N1 entries, field #B2 may requirebits for pointing out one entry from the N1 entries.

Each TDRA index in an entry of TDRA list #A1 may indicate an entry of a TDRA list for single-cell scheduling (e.g., TDRA list #B1) for a corresponding cell of cell set #1. For example, the TDRA indexes in TDRA list #A1 may indicate the indexes of entries in TDRA list #B1.

The TDRA list for single-cell scheduling (e.g., TDRA list #B1) for different cells may include different numbers of entries. Each TDRA index in an entry of TDRA list #A1 corresponding to a cell in cell set #1 may be smaller than or equal to the maximum TDRA index of the corresponding TDRA list #B1 for this cell.

In the above embodiments, as the co-scheduled cells among cell set #1 are indicated by field #B1 in the DCI format, all the TDRA indexes in TDRA list #A1 may be pointed to applicable TDRA information, for example, applicable {SLIV, mapping type, scheduling offset K0 or K2} . For example, each entry in the TDRA list for single-cell scheduling (e.g., TDRA list #B1) may include applicable TDRA information.

For example, assuming that a UE is configured with four cells (denoted as cell #1 to cell #4) for multi-cell scheduling, the UE may be configured with a TDRA list for multi-cell scheduling among cell #1 to cell #4 as shown in following Table 2. It should be understood that Table 2 is only for illustrative purposes, and should not be construed as limiting the embodiments of the present disclosure.

Table 2: TDRA list for multi-cell scheduling

In Table 2, each entry includes 4 TDRA indices with each TDRA index corresponding to one cell of cell #1 to cell #4. In Table 2, each TDRA index (e.g., and so on) is an integer value larger than or equal to 0 and indicates the TDRA index of a TDRA list for single-cell scheduling for the corresponding cell. Each TDRA index may point to an applicable {SLIV, mapping type, scheduling offset K0 or K2} .

For example, in entry “0” of Table 2 represents the TDRA index for cell #1 in the TDRA list specifically configured for cell #1 for single-cell scheduling, in entry “1” of Table 2 represents the TDRA index for cell #1 in the TDRA list specifically configured for cell #1 for single-cell scheduling, in entry “2” of Table 2 represents the TDRA index for cell #1 in the TDRA list specifically configured for cell #1 for single-cell scheduling, and so on. For example, in entry “0” of Table 2 represents the TDRA index for cell #2 in the TDRA list specifically configured for cell #2 for single-cell scheduling, in entry “1” of Table 2 represents the TDRA index for cell #2 in the TDRA list specifically configured for cell #2 for single-cell scheduling, in entry “2” of Table 2 represents the TDRA index for cell #2 in the TDRA list specifically configured for cell #2 for single-cell scheduling, and so on. For example, in entry “0” of Table 2 represents the TDRA index for cell #3 in the TDRA list specifically configured for cell #3 for single-cell scheduling, in entry “1” of Table 2 represents the TDRA index for cell #3 in the TDRA list specifically configured for cell #3 for single-cell scheduling, in entry “2” of Table 2 represents the TDRA index for cell #3 in the TDRA list specifically configured for cell #3 for single-cell scheduling, and so on. For example, in entry “0” of Table 2 represents the TDRA index for cell #4 in the TDRA list specifically configured for cell #4 for single-cell scheduling, in entry “1” of Table 2 represents the TDRA index for cell #4 in the TDRA list specifically configured for cell #4 for single-cell scheduling, in entry “2” of Table 2 represents the TDRA index for cell #4 in the TDRA list specifically configured for cell #4 for single-cell scheduling, and so on.

For example, field #B2 in a DCI format may indicate an entry from Table 2. For example, field #B2 indicating “1” may indicate entry “1” in Table 2. In such case, which cell (s) of cells #1 to #4 is scheduled may be based on field #B1 in the DCI format and the assigned time domain resources on the scheduled cell (s) may be determined based on field #B2. For example, assuming that field #B1 indicates that cells #1 and #2 are scheduled, then the time domain resources assigned on cells #1 and #2 are respectively determined based onandwhich indicate applicable TDRA information from the corresponding TDRA lists configured for cells #1 and #2 for single-cell scheduling.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the TDRA indication in field #B2 may be dynamically interpreted according to field #B1, i.e., the number of cells actually scheduled by a DCI format.

For example, in the case that cell set #2 only includes a single cell (denoted as cell #A) , field #B2 may indicate an entry of a TDRA list for single-cell scheduling (e.g., TDRA list #B1) for cell #A. For example, field #B2 may indicate the index of an entry in TDRA list #B1 for cell #A.

For example, in the case that cell set #2 includes two or more cells, field #B2 may indicate an entry in a TDRA list for multi-cell scheduling among cell set #1. The TDRA list for multi-cell scheduling may be TDRA list #A1 as described above. For example, the TDRA list for multi-cell scheduling may include at least one entry, each of which includes a set of TDRA indexes for cell set #1. Each TDRA index of the set of TDRA indexes corresponds to one cell of cell set #1. For example, the number of TDRA indexes in each entry of the TDRA list for multi-cell scheduling may be equal to the number of cells in cell set #1.

The size of field #B2 may be dependent on the maximum number of entries in the TDRA list for multi-cell scheduling (e.g., TDRA list #A1) and entries in a TDRA list for single-cell scheduling (e.g., TDRA list #B1) for each of cell set #1. For example, assuming that the TDRA list for multi-cell scheduling includes N2 entries, cell set #1 includes Z cells and the TDRA lists for single-cell scheduling for cell set #1 includes M1, M2, …, Mz entries, denoting N3 = Max {N2, M1, M2, …, Mz}, field #B2 may requirebits.

Each TDRA index in an entry of the TDRA list for multi-cell scheduling (e.g., TDRA list #A1) may indicate an entry of a TDRA list for single-cell scheduling (e.g., TDRA list #B1) for a corresponding cell of cell set #1. For example, the TDRA indexes in the TDRA list for multi-cell scheduling (e.g., TDRA list #A1) may indicate the indexes of entries in TDRA list #B1.

The TDRA list for single-cell scheduling (e.g., TDRA list #B1) for different cells may include different numbers of entries. Each TDRA index in an entry of the TDRA list for multi-cell scheduling (e.g., TDRA list #A1) corresponding to a cell in cell set #1 may be smaller than or equal to the maximum TDRA index of the corresponding TDRA list for single-cell scheduling (e.g., TDRA list #B1) for this cell.

In the above embodiments, as the co-scheduled cells among cell set #1 are indicated by field #B1 in the DCI format, all the TDRA indexes in the TDRA list for multi-cell scheduling may be pointed to applicable TDRA information, for example, applicable {SLIV, mapping type, scheduling offset K0 or K2} . For example, each entry in the TDRA list for single-cell scheduling (e.g., TDRA list #B1) may include applicable TDRA information.

For example, assuming that a UE is configured with four cells (denoted as cell #1 to cell #4) for multi-cell scheduling by a BS, the UE may be configured with a TDRA list for multi-cell scheduling among cell #1 to cell #4 as shown in above Table 2. The UE may receive a DCI format from the BS scheduling at least one cell of cell #1 to cell #4.

In some examples, in the case that field #B1 in the DCI format indicates a single cell (e.g., cell #2) is scheduled, field #B2 in the DCI format may indicate the index of an entry of a TDRA list for single-cell scheduling for cell #2, which may include applicable TDRA information. Thus, the UE would further determine the time domain resource on cell #2 based on field #B2.

In some examples, in the case that field #B1 in the DCI format indicates more than one cell is scheduled, field #B2 in the DCI format may indicate an entry from Table 2. For example, field #B2 indicating “2” may indicate entry “2” in Table 2. In such case, assuming that field #B1 indicates that cells #1 and #2 are scheduled, the time domain resources assigned on cells #1 and #2 are respectively determined based onandwhich may indicate applicable TDRA information from the corresponding TDRA lists configured for cells #1 and #2 for single-cell scheduling.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, field #B2 may indicate a TDRA index shared among cell set #2. For each cell of cell set #2, the shared TDRA index indicates an entry of a TDRA list for single-cell scheduling (e.g., TDRA list #B1) for a corresponding cell of the first set of cells.

For example, in the case that cell set #2 only includes a single cell (denoted as cell #B) , field #B2 may point to (indicate) an entry of a TDRA list for single-cell scheduling for cell #B. For example, field #B2 may indicate the index of an entry in TDRA list #B1 for cell #B.

For example, in the case that cell set #2 includes two or more cells, field #B2 may indicate a common TDRA index for cell set #2. That is, the common TDRA index may point to (indicate) the respective entry of a TDRA list for single-cell scheduling for each cell in cell set #2. For example, assuming that cell set #2 includes cell #C and cell #D, the common TDRA index in field #B2 may point to (indicate) an entry of TDRA list #B1 for cell #C and an entry of TDRA list #B1 for cell #D, which include applicable TDRA information for cell #C and cell #D.

The size of field #B2 may be dependent on the maximum number of entries in the TDRA list for single-cell scheduling (e.g., TDRA list #B1) for cell set #1. For example, assuming that cell set #1 includes Z cells and the TDRA lists for single-cell scheduling for cell set #1 includes M1, M2, …, Mz entries, denoting N4 = Max {M1, M2, …, Mz} , field #B2 may requirebits for pointing out one entry from the maximum N4 entries. The TDRA index indicated by field #B2 may be smaller than or equal to N4.

In some embodiments, the entry indicated by field #B2 for a certain cell may be dependent on the shared TDRA index (denoted as X) indicated by field #B2 and the number of entries (denoted as Mi) in the TDRA list for single-cell scheduling for this cell. For example, the entry indicated by field #B2 for a cell may be the entry with an index of “ (X mod Mi) ” .

FIG. 4 illustrates a flow chart of exemplary procedure 400 for wireless communications in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. Details described in all of the foregoing embodiments of the present disclosure are applicable for the embodiments shown in FIG. 4. In some examples, the procedure may be performed by a UE, for example, UE 101 in FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 4, in operation 411, the UE may receive, from a BS, a DCI format scheduling a first set of cells (e.g., cell set #2) among a second set of cells (e.g., cell set #1) configured for the UE by the BS, wherein the DCI format includes a field for indicating the first set of cells and TDRAs for the first set of cells by pointing to a first entry of a TDRA list for multi-cell scheduling among the second set of cells.

In operation 413, the UE may determine the first set of cells based on the field. In operation 415, the UE may determine time domain resources on the first set of cells based on the field. In operation 417, the UE may receive, from the BS, downlink transmissions on the determined time domain resources in the case that the DCI format schedules the downlink transmissions, or transmit, to the BS, uplink transmissions on the determined time domain resources in the case that the DCI format schedules the uplink transmissions.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the field may be field #A as described above. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the TDRA list for multi-cell scheduling may be TDRA list #A as described above.

For example, in some embodiments of the present disclosure, the TDRA list for multi-cell scheduling includes at least one entry, each of which includes a set of TDRA indexes for the second set of cells, and each TDRA index of the set of TDRA indexes corresponds to one cell of the second set of cells.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the first entry includes a first number of applicable TDRA indexes for the first set of cells and a second number of inapplicable TDRA indexes (e.g., -1) for the remaining cells in the second set of cells. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, each of the first number of applicable TDRA indexes indicates an entry of a TDRA list for single-cell scheduling for a corresponding cell of the first set of cells.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, each TDRA index of the set of TDRA indexes indicates an entry of a TDRA list for single-cell scheduling for a corresponding cell of the second set of cells. The TDRA list for single-cell scheduling includes one or more entries, at least one of which includes inapplicable TDRA information.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the first entry includes a set of TDRA indexes for the second set of cells, and the set of TDRA indexes includes a first number of TDRA indexes for the first set of cells and a second number of TDRA indexes for the remaining cells in the second set of cells. Each of the first number of TDRA indexes indicates applicable TDRA information from a TDRA list for single-cell scheduling for a corresponding cell of the first set of cells, and each of the second number of TDRA indexes indicates inapplicable TDRA information from a TDRA list for single-cell scheduling for a corresponding cell of the remaining cells in the second set of cells.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the first entry includes a set of TDRA indexes for the second set of cells. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, determining the first set of cells based on the field includes: for each cell of the second set of cells: in the case that a corresponding TDRA index of the set of TDRA indexes is inapplicable or indicates inapplicable TDRA information, determining that a corresponding cell is not scheduled by the DCI format; or in the case that the corresponding TDRA index of the set of TDRA indexes is applicable or indicates applicable TDRA information, determining that the corresponding cell is scheduled by the DCI format.

It should be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the sequence of the operations in exemplary procedure 400 may be changed and some of the operations in exemplary procedure 400 may be eliminated or modified, without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

FIG. 5 illustrates a flow chart of exemplary procedure 500 for wireless communications in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. Details described in all of the foregoing embodiments of the present disclosure are applicable for the embodiments shown in FIG. 5. In some examples, the procedure may be performed by a UE, for example, UE 101 in FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 5, in operation 511, the UE may receive, from a BS, a DCI format scheduling a first set of cells (e.g., cell set #2) among a second set of cells (e.g., cell set #1) configured for the UE by the BS, wherein the DCI format includes a first field indicating the first set of cells and a second field indicating TDRAs for the first set of cells.

In operation 513, the UE may determine the first set of cells based on the first field. In operation 515, the UE may determine time domain resources on the first set of cells based on the second field. In operation 517, the UE may receive, from the BS, downlink transmissions on the determined time domain resources in the case that the DCI format schedules the downlink transmissions, or transmit, to the BS, uplink transmissions on the determined time domain resources in the case that the DCI format schedules the uplink transmissions.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the first field and the second field may respectively be field #B1 and field #B2 as described above.

For example, in some embodiments of the present disclosure, the second field indicates a first entry from at least one entry included in a TDRA list for multi-cell scheduling among the second set of cells. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, each of the at least one entry includes a set of TDRA indexes for the second set of cells, and each TDRA index of the set of TDRA indexes corresponds to one cell of the second set of cells and indicates an entry of a TDRA list for single-cell scheduling for a corresponding cell of the second set of cells.

For example, the TDRA list for multi-cell scheduling and the TDRA list for single-cell scheduling may respectively be TDRA list #A1 and TDRA list #B1 as described above.

For example, in some embodiments of the present disclosure, in the case that the first set of cells includes a single cell, the second field indicates an entry of a TDRA list for single-cell scheduling for the single cell. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, in the case that the first set of cells includes two or more cells, the second field indicates a first entry from at least one entry included in a TDRA list for multi-cell scheduling among the second set of cells, wherein each of the at least one entry includes a set of TDRA indexes for the second set of cells, and each TDRA index of the set of TDRA indexes corresponds to one cell of the second set of cells and indicates an entry of a TDRA list for single-cell scheduling for a corresponding cell of the second set of cells.

For example, in some embodiments of the present disclosure, the second field indicates a TDRA index shared among the first set of cells, wherein for each cell of the first set of cells, the shared TDRA index indicates an entry of a TDRA list for single-cell scheduling for a corresponding cell of the first set of cells. For example, the TDRA list for single-cell scheduling may be TDRA list #B1 as described above.

It should be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the sequence of the operations in exemplary procedure 500 may be changed and some of the operations in exemplary procedure 500 may be eliminated or modified, without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

FIG. 6 illustrates a flow chart of exemplary procedure 600 for wireless communications in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. Details described in all of the foregoing embodiments of the present disclosure are applicable for the embodiments shown in FIG. 6. In some examples, the procedure may be performed by a BS, for example, BS 102 in FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 6, in operation 611, a BS may configure a second set of cells (e.g., cell set #1) for a UE. In operation 613, the BS may transmit, to the UE, a DCI format for scheduling a first set of cells (e.g., cell set #2) among the second set of cells and assigning time domain resources for the first set of cells, wherein the DCI format includes a field for indicating the first set of cells and the time domain resources by pointing to a first entry of a TDRA list for multi-cell scheduling among the second set of cells.

In operation 615, the BS may transmit, to the UE, downlink transmissions on the time domain resources in the case that the DCI format schedules the downlink transmissions, or receive, from the UE, uplink transmissions on the time domain resources in the case that the DCI format schedules the uplink transmissions.

It should be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the sequence of the operations in exemplary procedure 600 may be changed and some of the operations in exemplary procedure 600 may be eliminated or modified, without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

FIG. 7 illustrates a flow chart of exemplary procedure 700 for wireless communications in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. Details described in all of the foregoing embodiments of the present disclosure are applicable for the embodiments shown in FIG. 7. In some examples, the procedure may be performed by a BS, for example, BS 72 in FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 7, in operation 711, a BS may configure a second set of cells (e.g., cell set #1) for a UE. In operation 713, the BS may transmit, to the UE, a DCI format for scheduling a first set of cells (e.g., cell set #2) among the second set of cells and assigning time domain resources for the first set of cells, wherein the DCI format includes a first field indicating the first set of cells and a second field indicating TDRAs for the first set of cells.

In operation 715, the BS may transmit, to the UE, downlink transmissions on the time domain resources in the case that the DCI format schedules the downlink transmissions, or receive, from the UE, uplink transmissions on the time domain resources in the case that the DCI format schedules the uplink transmissions.

For example, in some embodiments of the present disclosure, the second field indicates a TDRA index shared among the first set of cells, wherein for each cell of the first set of cells, the shared TDRA index indicates an entry of a TDRA list for single-cell scheduling for a corresponding cell of the first set of cells.

It should be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the sequence of the operations in exemplary procedure 700 may be changed and some of the operations in exemplary procedure 700 may be eliminated or modified, without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

FIG. 8 illustrates a block diagram of exemplary apparatus 800 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 8, the apparatus 800 may include at least one processor 806 and at least one transceiver 802 coupled to the processor 806. The apparatus 800 may be a UE or a BS.

Although in this figure, elements such as the at least one transceiver 802 and processor 806 are described in the singular, the plural is contemplated unless a limitation to the singular is explicitly stated. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the transceiver 802 may be divided into two devices, such as a receiving circuitry and a transmitting circuitry. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the apparatus 800 may further include an input device, a memory, and/or other components.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the apparatus 800 may be a UE. The transceiver 802 and the processor 806 may interact with each other so as to perform the operations with respect to the UE described in FIGS. 1-7. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the apparatus 800 may be a BS. The transceiver 802 and the processor 806 may interact with each other so as to perform the operations with respect to the BS described in FIGS. 1-7.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the apparatus 800 may further include at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium.

For example, in some embodiments of the present disclosure, the non-transitory computer-readable medium may have stored thereon computer-executable instructions to cause the processor 806 to implement the method with respect to the UE as described above. For example, the computer-executable instructions, when executed, cause the processor 806 interacting with transceiver 802 to perform the operations with respect to the UE described in FIGS. 1-7.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the non-transitory computer-readable medium may have stored thereon computer-executable instructions to cause the processor 806 to implement the method with respect to the BS as described above. For example, the computer-executable instructions, when executed, cause the processor 806 interacting with transceiver 802 to perform the operations with respect to the BS described in FIGS. 1-7.

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

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

In this document, the terms "includes, " "including, " or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that includes a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element proceeded by "a, " "an, " or the like does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes the element. Also, the term "another" is defined as at least a second or more. The term "having" and the like, as used herein, are defined as "including. " Expressions such as "A and/or B" or "at least one of A and B" may include any and all combinations of words enumerated along with the expression. For instance, the expression "A and/or B" or "at least one of A and B" may include A, B, or both A and B. The wording "the first, " "the second" or the like is only used to clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present disclosure, but is not used to limit the substance of the present disclosure.

Claims

A user equipment (UE) , comprising:

a transceiver; and

a processor coupled to the transceiver, wherein the processor is configured to:

receive, from a base station (BS) , a downlink control information (DCI) format scheduling a first set of cells among a second set of cells configured for the UE by the BS, wherein the DCI format comprises a field for indicating the first set of cells and time domain resource allocations (TDRAs) for the first set of cells by pointing to a first entry of a TDRA list for multi-cell scheduling among the second set of cells;

determine the first set of cells based on the field;

determine time domain resources on the first set of cells based on the field; and

receive, from the BS, downlink transmissions on the determined time domain resources in the case that the DCI format schedules the downlink transmissions, or transmit, to the BS, uplink transmissions on the determined time domain resources in the case that the DCI format schedules the uplink transmissions.
The UE of Claim 1, wherein the TDRA list for multi-cell scheduling comprises at least one entry, each of which comprises a set of TDRA indexes for the second set of cells, and each TDRA index of the set of TDRA indexes corresponds to one cell of the second set of cells.
The UE of Claim 1, wherein the first entry comprises a first number of applicable TDRA indexes for the first set of cells and a second number of inapplicable TDRA indexes for the remaining cells in the second set of cells.
The UE of Claim 3, wherein each of the first number of applicable TDRA indexes indicates an entry of a TDRA list for single-cell scheduling for a corresponding cell of the first set of cells.
The UE of Claim 2, wherein each TDRA index of the set of TDRA indexes indicates an entry of a TDRA list for single-cell scheduling for a corresponding cell of the second set of cells; and

wherein the TDRA list for single-cell scheduling comprises one or more entries, at least one of which comprises inapplicable TDRA information.
The UE of Claim 1, wherein the first entry comprises a set of TDRA indexes for the second set of cells, and the set of TDRA indexes comprises a first number of TDRA indexes for the first set of cells and a second number of TDRA indexes for the remaining cells in the second set of cells; and

wherein each of the first number of TDRA indexes indicates applicable TDRA information from a TDRA list for single-cell scheduling for a corresponding cell of the first set of cells, and each of the second number of TDRA indexes indicates inapplicable TDRA information from a TDRA list for single-cell scheduling for a corresponding cell of the remaining cells in the second set of cells.
The UE of Claim 1, wherein the first entry comprises a set of TDRA indexes for the second set of cells, and determining the first set of cells based on the field comprises for each cell of the second set of cells:

in the case that a corresponding TDRA index of the set of TDRA indexes is inapplicable or indicates inapplicable TDRA information, determining that a corresponding cell is not scheduled by the DCI format; or

in the case that the corresponding TDRA index of the set of TDRA indexes is applicable or indicates applicable TDRA information, determining that the corresponding cell is scheduled by the DCI format.
The UE of Claim 2, wherein a value of each TDRA index of the set of TDRA indexes is smaller than or equal to a maximum TDRA index of a TDRA list for single-cell scheduling for the one cell of the second set of cells.
A user equipment (UE) , comprising:

a transceiver; and

a processor coupled to the transceiver, wherein the processor is configured to:

receive, from a base station (BS) , a downlink control information (DCI) format scheduling a first set of cells among a second set of cells configured for the UE by the BS, wherein the DCI format comprises a first field indicating the first set of cells and a second field indicating time domain resource allocations (TDRAs) for the first set of cells;

determine the first set of cells based on the first field;

determine time domain resources on the first set of cells based on the second field; and

receive, from the BS, downlink transmissions on the determined time domain resources in the case that the DCI format schedules the downlink transmissions, or transmit, to the BS, uplink transmissions on the determined time domain resources in the case that the DCI format schedules the uplink transmissions.
The UE of Claim 9, wherein the second field indicates a first entry from at least one entry included in a TDRA list for multi-cell scheduling among the second set of cells; and

wherein each of the at least one entry comprises a set of TDRA indexes for the second set of cells, and each TDRA index of the set of TDRA indexes corresponds to one cell of the second set of cells and indicates an entry of a TDRA list for single-cell scheduling for a corresponding cell of the second set of cells.
The UE of Claim 9, wherein in the case that the first set of cells comprises a single cell, the second field indicates an entry of a TDRA list for single-cell scheduling for the single cell; or

in the case that the first set of cells comprises two or more cells, the second field indicates a first entry from at least one entry included in a TDRA list for multi-cell scheduling among the second set of cells, wherein each of the at least one entry comprises a set of TDRA indexes for the second set of cells, and each TDRA index of the set of TDRA indexes corresponds to one cell of the second set of cells and indicates an entry of a TDRA list for single-cell scheduling for a corresponding cell of the second set of cells.
The UE of Claim 9, wherein the second field indicates a TDRA index shared among the first set of cells, wherein for each cell of the first set of cells, the shared TDRA index indicates an entry of a TDRA list for single-cell scheduling for a corresponding cell of the first set of cells.
The UE of Claim 12, wherein the indicated entry is dependent on the shared TDRA index and the number of entries in the TDRA list for single-cell scheduling for the corresponding cell.
A base station (BS) , comprising:

a transceiver; and

a processor coupled to the transceiver, wherein the processor is configured to:

configure a second set of cells for a user equipment (UE) ;

transmit, to the UE, a downlink control information (DCI) format for scheduling a first set of cells among the second set of cells and assigning time domain resources for the first set of cells, wherein the DCI format comprises a field for indicating the first set of cells and the time domain resources by pointing to a first entry of a time domain resource allocation (TDRA) list for multi-cell scheduling among the second set of cells; and

transmit, to the UE, downlink transmissions on the time domain resources in the case that the DCI format schedules the downlink transmissions, or receive, from the UE, uplink transmissions on the time domain resources in the case that the DCI format schedules the uplink transmissions.
The BS of Claim 14, wherein the TDRA list for multi-cell scheduling comprises at least one entry, each of which comprises a set of TDRA indexes for the second set of cells, and each TDRA index of the set of TDRA indexes corresponds to one cell of the second set of cells;

wherein each TDRA index of the set of TDRA indexes indicates an entry of a TDRA list for single-cell scheduling for a corresponding cell of the second set of cells; and

wherein the TDRA list for single-cell scheduling comprises one or more entries, at least one of which comprises inapplicable TDRA information.