WO2024087746A1

WO2024087746A1 - Configured grant transmission

Info

Publication number: WO2024087746A1
Application number: PCT/CN2023/107795
Authority: WO
Inventors: Xiaoying Xu; Ruixiang MA; Mingzeng Dai
Original assignee: Lenovo (Beijing) Limited
Priority date: 2023-07-17
Filing date: 2023-07-17
Publication date: 2024-05-02

Abstract

Various aspects of the present disclosure relate to network entities and methods for supporting CG transmission. In one aspect, a UE determines a first configuration of multiple CG TOs in a period of one of at least one CG configuration. In addition, the UE determines a second configuration of repetitions of CG transmissions. The first configuration and the second configuration are associated with the one of at least one CG configuration. In turn, the UE performs the repetitions of CG transmissions based on the first configuration and the second configuration. In this way, reliable and low latency transmission may be realized.

Description

CONFIGURED GRANT TRANSMISSION

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to wireless communications, and more specifically to an apparatus and a method for supporting configured grant (CG) transmission.

BACKGROUND

A wireless communications system may include one or multiple network communication devices, such as base stations, which may be otherwise known as an eNodeB (eNB) , a next-generation NodeB (gNB) , or other suitable terminology. Each network communication devices, such as a base station may support wireless communications for one or multiple user communication devices, which may be otherwise known as user equipment (UE) , or other suitable terminology. The wireless communications system may support wireless communications with one or multiple user communication devices by utilizing resources of the wireless communication system (e.g., time resources (e.g., symbols, slots, subframes, frames, or the like) or frequency resources (e.g., subcarriers, carriers) . Additionally, the wireless communications system may support wireless communications across various radio access technologies including third generation (3G) radio access technology, fourth generation (4G) radio access technology, fifth generation (5G) radio access technology, among other suitable radio access technologies beyond 5G (e.g., sixth generation (6G) ) .

Extended Reality (XR) , including augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) , as well as cloud gaming, presents a new promising category of connected devices, applications, and services. XR applications typically requires high throughput and low latency, and have a big packet size, variable data packet size and arrival jitter.

As a potential working area of release 18, XR-specific capacity improvements are a key feature. For example, to realize the low latency requirement and the big packet size, multiple CG transmission occasions (TOs) in a period of a single CG configuration are supported. In addition, to increase resource utilization, a UE may transmit a dynamic indication of unused CG TOs to a base station for resource reallocation for other purpose.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates to UEs and methods that support CG transmission. The UEs and methods may realize reliable and low latency transmission. In addition, the UEs and methods may increase resource utilization.

Some implementations of a UE described herein may include: determining a first configuration of multiple CG TOs in a period of one of at least one CG configuration; determining a second configuration of repetitions of CG transmissions, the first configuration and the second configuration being associated with the one of at least one CG configuration; and performing the repetitions of CG transmissions based on the first configuration and the second configuration.

In some implementations, the first configuration of multiple CG TOs comprises a first number of the multiple CG TOs in the period, the second configuration of repetitions comprises a second number of repetitions.

In some implementations, the UE is configured to perform the repetitions of CG transmissions by: determining repetition groups in the period based at least on the first number and the second number, each of the repetition groups comprising a repetition of at least one transmission block (TB) .

In some implementations, the UE is configured to perform the repetitions of CG transmissions by: determining the first number of repetition groups and the second number of CG TOs associated with each of the repetition groups, each of the repetition groups comprising the second number of repetitions of one transmission block (TB) , determining the second number of repetition groups and the first number of CG TOs associated with each of the repetition groups, each of the repetition groups comprising repetitions of at most the first number of TBs, determining a third number of repetition groups and the second number of CG TOs associated with each of the repetition groups, each of the repetition groups comprising the second number of repetitions of one TB, the third number being equal to the first number divided by the second number, or determining the second number of repetition groups and the third number of CG TOs associated with each of the repetition groups, each of the repetition groups comprises repetitions of at most the third number of TBs.

In some implementations, the repetition groups comprises a first repetition group and a second repetition group subsequent to the first repetition group. In some implementations, the UE is configured to determine the repetition groups by: determining the second repetition group based the first number, the second number and an end of transmission of the first repetition group.

In some implementations, the second configuration of repetitions comprises a second number of repetitions groups in the period, and the first configuration of multiple CG TOs comprises a fourth number of CG TOs associated with each of the repetition groups, and each of the repetition groups comprises repetitions of multiple transmission blocks (TBs) .

In some implementations, the UE is configured to perform the repetitions of CG transmissions by: determining the repetition groups based at least on the second number and the fourth number.

In some implementations, the UE is configured to perform the repetitions of CG transmissions by: determining a hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) process identity (HPID) based at least on the second number and the number of HARQ processes, the HPID being associated with one of the following: an initial transmission of the TB in one of the repetition groups, or one of the repetition groups.

In some implementations, the second configuration of repetitions comprises a first number of repetitions groups in the period, and the first configuration of multiple CG TOs comprises a fourth number of CG TOs associated with each of the repetition groups, and each of the repetition groups comprises a fourth number of repetitions of a single TB.

In some implementations, the UE is configured to perform the repetitions of CG transmissions by: determining the repetition groups based at least on the first number and the fourth number.

In some implementations, the UE is configured to perform the repetitions of CG transmissions by: determining a hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) process identity (HPID) based at least on the first number and the number of HARQ processes, the HPID being associated with one of the following: an initial transmission of the TB in one of the repetition groups, or one of the repetition groups.

In some implementations, the first configuration of multiple CG TOs comprises a first number of the multiple CG TOs in the period and a fourth number of CG TOs associated with each of repetition groups, and each of the repetition groups comprises repetitions of a single transmission block (TB) .

In some implementations, the UE is configured to perform the repetitions of CG transmissions by: determining the repetition groups based on the first number and the fourth number.

In some implementations, the UE is configured to perform the repetitions of CG transmissions by: determining a hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) process identity (HPID) based at least on the first number, the fourth number and the number of HARQ processes, the HPID being associated with one of the following: an initial transmission of the TB in one of the repetition groups, or one of the repetition groups.

In some implementations, the UE is configured to perform the repetitions of CG transmissions by: determining a hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) process identity (HPID) based at least on the first number, the second number and the number of HARQ processes, the HPID being associated with one of the following: an initial transmission of the TB in one of the repetition groups, or one of the repetition groups.

In some implementations, the UE is configured to perform the repetitions of CG transmissions by: based on determining that an initial transmission of a first transmission block (TB) overlaps a repetition of a transmission of a second transmission block (TB) in a CG TO in the period, performing the repetition of the transmission of the second TB in the CG TO.

In some implementations, the UE is configured to perform the repetitions of CG transmissions by: based on determining that an initial transmission of a first transmission block (TB) overlaps a repetition of a transmission of a second transmission block (TB) in a CG TO in the period, terminating the repetition of the transmission of the second TB in the CG TO.

In some implementations, the UE is configured to determine the second configuration of repetitions by: receiving downlink control information (DCI) via the transceiver from a base station; and determining the second configuration of repetitions based on the DCI.

In some implementations, the DCI indicates at least one of the following: a fifth number of repetitions for at least one transmission block (TB) in the period, a sixth number of slots used for repetition, or at least one TB, wherein repetitions of the at least one TB are to be performed in the period.

In some implementations, the DCI indicates the at least one TB by indicating a hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) process identity associated with each of the at least one TB.

In some implementations, the processor is further configured to: transmit indication information in a CG TO via the transceiver to a base station, the indication information indicating at least one unused CG TO among CG TOs for repetitions of the CG transmissions.

In some implementations, the processor is further configured to: transmit indication information in a CG TO via the transceiver to a base station, the indication information indicating at least one unused CG TO among CG TOs only for initial repetitions of the CG transmissions.

In some implementations, the processor is further configured to: determine indexes for the CG TOs in a time duration based on a predefined order; and determine the indication information based on the indexes.

Some implementations of a UE described herein may include: determining multiple CG TOs associated with multiple CG configurations; and transmitting, to a base station, indication information in a first CG TO among the multiple CG TOs, the indication information indicating at least one unused CG TO among the multiple CG TOs, the first CG TO being associated with one of the multiple CG configurations.

In some implementations, the UE is further configured to: determine indexes for the multiple CG TOs in a time duration based on a predefined order; and determine the indication information based on the indexes.

In some implementations, the predefined order based on at least one of the following: time resource indexes of the multiple CG TOs, frequency resource indexes of the multiple CG TOs, periodicity indexes of the multiple CG TOs, a number of CG TOs in a period of each of the multiple CG configurations, CG size indexes of the multiple CG TOs, priority indexes of the multiple CG TOs, indexes of the multiple CG configurations, or DMRS indexes of the multiple CG TOs.

In some implementations, the predefined order comprises at least one of the following: a first ascending order of time resource indexes of the multiple CG TOs, a second ascending order of frequency resource indexes of the multiple CG TOs, a third ascending order of periodicity indexes of the multiple CG TOs, a fourth descending order of the number of CG TOs in a period of each of the multiple CG configurations, a fifth descending order of CG size indexes of the multiple CG TOs, a sixth ascending order of priority indexes of the multiple CG TOs, a seventh ascending order of indexes of the multiple CG configurations, or an eighth order of demodulation reference signal (DMRS) indexes of the multiple CG TOs.

In some implementations, the multiple CG configurations comprises a first CG configuration and at least one second CG configuration, the first CG TO is associated with the first CG configuration, and the predefined order indicates that a first priority of the first CG configuration is higher than a second priority of the at least one second CG configuration.

In some implementations, the predefined order comprises a first predefined order of a first plurality of CG TOs associated with one of the multiple CG configurations, and the first predefined order comprises at least one of the following: a first ascending order of time resource indexes of the first plurality of CG TOs, or an eighth order of demodulation reference signal (DMRS) indexes of the first plurality of CG TOs.

In some implementations, the predefined order comprises a second predefined order of a second plurality of CG TOs associated with the at least one second CG configuration, and the second predefined order comprises at least one of the following: a first ascending order of time resource indexes of the second plurality of CG TOs, a second ascending order of frequency resource indexes of the second plurality of CG TOs, a third ascending order of periodicity indexes of the second plurality of CG TOs, a fourth descending order of the number of CG TOs in a period of each of the at least one second CG configuration, a fifth descending order of CG size indexes of the second plurality of CG TOs, a sixth ascending order of priority indexes of the second plurality of CG TOs, a seventh ascending order of indexes of the at least one second CG configuration, or an eighth order of demodulation reference signal (DMRS) indexes of the second plurality of CG TOs.

In some implementations, the indication information indicates at least one unused CG TO among the multiple CG TOs for repetitions of CG transmissions.

In some implementations, the indication information indicates at least one unused CG TO among the multiple CG TOs only for initial repetitions of CG transmissions.

It is to be understood that the summary section is not intended to identify key or essential features of embodiments of the present disclosure, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Other features of the present disclosure will become easily comprehensible through the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 illustrates an example of a wireless communications system that supports CG transmission in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure;

Fig. 2 illustrates a signaling chart illustrating an example process that supports CG transmission in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure;

Fig. 3 illustrates an example of a CG configuration in accordance with some implementations of the present disclosure;

Fig. 4 illustrates an example of a repetition based on a fixed TB group in accordance with some implementations of the present disclosure;

Fig. 5 illustrates examples of comparison of a repetition based on a fixed TB group with a repetition based on a flexible TB group in accordance with some implementations of the present disclosure;

Fig. 6 illustrates an example of a repetition based on a TB in accordance with some implementations of the present disclosure;

Fig. 7A illustrates an example of a repetition based on a TB in accordance with some implementations of the present disclosure;

Fig. 7B illustrates an example of a repetition based on a TB group in accordance with some implementations of the present disclosure;

Figs. 8A and 8B illustrate an example of HARQ process IDs in accordance with some implementations of the present disclosure, respectively;

Fig. 9 illustrates a signaling chart illustrating an example process that supports indication of unused CG TOs in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure;

Figs. 10A to 10E illustrate an example of the predefined order in accordance with some implementations of the present disclosure, respectively;

Fig. 11 illustrates an example of a device that supports CG transmission in accordance with some aspects of the present disclosure;

Fig. 12 illustrates an example of a device that supports indication of unused TOs in accordance with other aspects of the present disclosure;

Fig. 13 illustrates an example of a processor that supports CG transmission in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure;

Fig. 14 illustrates an example of a processor that supports indication of unused TOs in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure;

Fig. 15 illustrates a flowchart of a method that supports CG transmission in accordance with some aspects of the present disclosure; and

Fig. 16 illustrates a flowchart of a method that supports indication of unused TOs in accordance with other aspects of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Principles of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to some embodiments. It is to be understood that these embodiments are described only for the purpose of illustration and help those skilled in the art to understand and implement the present disclosure, without suggesting any limitation as to the scope of the disclosure. The disclosure described herein may be implemented in various manners other than the ones described below.

In the following description and claims, unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skills in the art to which this disclosure belongs.

References in the present disclosure to “one embodiment, ” “an example embodiment, ” “an embodiment, ” “some embodiments, ” and the like indicate that the embodiment (s) described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but it is not necessary that every embodiment includes the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment (s) . Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described.

It shall be understood that although the terms “first” and “second” or the like may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another element. For example, a first element could also be termed as a second element, and similarly, a second element could also be termed as a first element, without departing from the scope of embodiments. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the listed terms.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms “a” , “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” , “comprising” , “has” , “having” , “includes” and/or “including” , when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, elements, and/or components etc., but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components and/or combinations thereof.

Conventionally, to realize the low latency requirement and the big packet size, multiple CG TOs in a period of a single CG configuration are supported. To realize reliable and low latency transmission, repetition on a CG TO is preferred in the multiple CG TOs in the period of the single CG configuration. Therefore, how to support the repetition needs to be designed.

In view of the above, the present disclosure provides a solution that supports CG transmission. In this solution, a UE determines a first configuration of multiple CG TOs in a period of one of at least one CG configuration. In addition, the UE determines a second configuration of repetitions of CG transmissions. The first configuration and the second configuration are associated with the one of at least one CG configuration. In turn, the UE performs the repetitions of CG transmissions based on the first configuration and the second configuration. In this way, reliable and low latency transmission may be realized.

Aspects of the present disclosure are described in the context of a wireless communications system.

Fig. 1 illustrates an example of a wireless communications system 100 that supports CG transmission in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The wireless communications system 100 may include one at least one of network entities 102 (also referred to as network equipment (NE) ) , one or more terminal devices or UEs 104, a core network 106, and a packet data network 108. The wireless communications system 100 may support various radio access technologies. In some implementations, the wireless communications system 100 may be a 4G network, such as an LTE network or an LTE-advanced (LTE-A) network. In some other implementations, the wireless communications system 100 may be a 5G network, such as an NR network. In other implementations, the wireless communications system 100 may be a combination of a 4G network and a 5G network, or other suitable radio access technology including institute of electrical and electronics engineers (IEEE) 802.11 (Wi-Fi) , IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX) , IEEE 802.20. The wireless communications system 100 may support radio access technologies beyond 5G. Additionally, the wireless communications system 100 may support technologies, such as time division multiple access (TDMA) , frequency division multiple access (FDMA) , or code division multiple access (CDMA) , etc.

The network entities 102 may be collectively referred to as network entities 102 or individually referred to as a network entity 102.

The network entities 102 may be dispersed throughout a geographic region to form the wireless communications system 100. One or more of the network entities 102 described herein may be or include or may be referred to as a network node, a base station (BS) , a network element, a radio access network (RAN) node, a base transceiver station, an access point, a NodeB, an eNodeB (eNB) , a next-generation NodeB (gNB) , or other suitable terminology. A network entity 102 and a UE 104 may communicate via a communication link 110, which may be a wireless or wired connection. For example, a network entity 102 and a UE 104 may perform wireless communication (e.g., receive signaling, transmit signaling) over a Uu interface.

A network entity 102 may provide a geographic coverage area 112 for which the network entity 102 may support services (e.g., voice, video, packet data, messaging, broadcast, etc. ) for one or more UEs 104 within the geographic coverage area 112. For example, a network entity 102 and a UE 104 may support wireless communication of signals related to services (e.g., voice, video, packet data, messaging, broadcast, etc. ) according to one or multiple radio access technologies. In some implementations, a network entity 102 may be moveable, for example, a satellite associated with a non-terrestrial network. In some implementations, different geographic coverage areas 112 associated with the same or different radio access technologies may overlap, but the different geographic coverage areas 112 may be associated with different network entities 102. Information and signals described herein may be represented using any of a variety of different technologies and techniques. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may be referenced throughout the description may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, optical fields or particles, or any combination thereof.

The one or more UEs 104 may be dispersed throughout a geographic region of the wireless communications system 100. A UE 104 may include or may be referred to as a mobile device, a wireless device, a remote device, a remote unit, a handheld device, or a subscriber device, or some other suitable terminology. In some implementations, the UE 104 may be referred to as a unit, a station, a terminal, or a client, among other examples. Additionally, or alternatively, the UE 104 may be referred to as an internet-of-things (IoT) device, an internet-of-everything (IoE) device, or machine-type communication (MTC) device, among other examples. In some implementations, a UE 104 may be stationary in the wireless communications system 100. In some other implementations, a UE 104 may be mobile in the wireless communications system 100.

The one or more UEs 104 may be devices in different forms or having different capabilities. Some examples of UEs 104 are illustrated in Fig. 1. A UE 104 may be capable of communicating with various types of devices, such as the network entities 102, other UEs 104, or network equipment (e.g., the core network 106, the packet data network 108, a relay device, an integrated access and backhaul (IAB) node, or another network equipment) , as shown in Fig. 1. Additionally, or alternatively, a UE 104 may support communication with other network entities 102 or UEs 104, which may act as relays in the wireless communications system 100.

A UE 104 may also be able to support wireless communication directly with other UEs 104 over a communication link 114. For example, a UE 104 may support wireless communication directly with another UE 104 over a device-to-device (D2D) communication link. In some implementations, such as vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) deployments, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) deployments, or cellular-V2X deployments, the communication link 114 may be referred to as a sidelink. For example, a UE 104 may support wireless communication directly with another UE 104 over a PC5 interface.

A network entity 102 may support communications with the core network 106, or with another network entity 102, or both. For example, a network entity 102 may interface with the core network 106 through one or more backhaul links 116 (e.g., via an S1, N2, N2, or another network interface) . The network entities 102 may communicate with each other over the backhaul links 116 (e.g., via an X2, Xn, or another network interface) . In some implementations, the network entities 102 may communicate with each other directly (e.g., between the network entities 102) . In some other implementations, the network entities 102 may communicate with each other or indirectly (e.g., via the core network 106) . In some implementations, one or more network entities 102 may include subcomponents, such as an access network entity, which may be an example of an access node controller (ANC) . An ANC may communicate with the one or more UEs 104 through one or more other access network transmission entities, which may be referred to as a radio heads, smart radio heads, or transmission-reception points (TRPs) .

In some implementations, a network entity 102 may be configured in a disaggregated architecture, which may be configured to utilize a protocol stack physically or logically distributed among two or more network entities 102, such as an integrated access backhaul (IAB) network, an open radio access network (O-RAN) (e.g., a network configuration sponsored by the O-RAN Alliance) , or a virtualized RAN (vRAN) (e.g., a cloud RAN (C-RAN) ) . For example, a network entity 102 may include one or more of a central unit (CU) , a distributed unit (DU) , a radio unit (RU) , a RAN intelligent controller (RIC) (e.g., a near-real time RIC (Near-RT RIC) , a non-real time RIC (Non-RT RIC) ) , a service management and orchestration (SMO) system, or any combination thereof.

An RU may also be referred to as a radio head, a smart radio head, a remote radio head (RRH) , a remote radio unit (RRU) , or a transmission reception point (TRP) . One or more components of the network entities 102 in a disaggregated RAN architecture may be co-located, or one or more components of the network entities 102 may be located in distributed locations (e.g., separate physical locations) . In some implementations, one or more network entities 102 of a disaggregated RAN architecture may be implemented as virtual units (e.g., a virtual CU (VCU) , a virtual DU (VDU) , a virtual RU (VRU) ) .

Split of functionality between a CU, a DU, and an RU may be flexible and may support different functionalities depending upon which functions (e.g., network layer functions, protocol layer functions, baseband functions, radio frequency functions, and any combinations thereof) are performed at a CU, a DU, or an RU. For example, a functional split of a protocol stack may be employed between a CU and a DU such that the CU may support one or more layers of the protocol stack and the DU may support one or more different layers of the protocol stack. In some implementations, the CU may host upper protocol layer (e.g., a layer 3 (L3) , a layer 2 (L2) ) functionality and signaling (e.g., radio resource control (RRC) , service data adaption protocol (SDAP) , packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) ) . The CU may be connected to one or more DUs or RUs, and the one or more DUs or RUs may host lower protocol layers, such as a layer 1 (L1) (e.g., physical (PHY) layer) or an L2 (e.g., radio link control (RLC) layer, medium access control (MAC) layer) functionality and signaling, and may each be at least partially controlled by the CU 160.

Additionally, or alternatively, a functional split of the protocol stack may be employed between a DU and an RU such that the DU may support one or more layers of the protocol stack and the RU may support one or more different layers of the protocol stack. The DU may support one or multiple different cells (e.g., via one or more RUs) . In some implementations, a functional split between a CU and a DU, or between a DU and an RU may be within a protocol layer (e.g., some functions for a protocol layer may be performed by one of a CU, a DU, or an RU, while other functions of the protocol layer are performed by a different one of the CU, the DU, or the RU) .

A CU may be functionally split further into CU control plane (CU-CP) and CU user plane (CU-UP) functions. A CU may be connected to one or more DUs via a midhaul communication link (e.g., F1, F1-c, F1-u) , and a DU may be connected to one or more RUs via a fronthaul communication link (e.g., open fronthaul (FH) interface) . In some implementations, a midhaul communication link or a fronthaul communication link may be implemented in accordance with an interface (e.g., a channel) between layers of a protocol stack supported by respective network entities 102 that are in communication via such communication links.

The core network 106 may support user authentication, access authorization, tracking, connectivity, and other access, routing, or mobility functions. The core network 106 may be an evolved packet core (EPC) , or a 5G core (5GC) , which may include a control plane entity that manages access and mobility (e.g., a mobility management entity (MME) , an access and mobility management functions (AMF) ) and a user plane entity that routes packets or interconnects to external networks (e.g., a serving gateway (S-GW) , a packet data network (PDN) gateway (P-GW) , or a user plane function (UPF) ) . In some implementations, the control plane entity may manage non-access stratum (NAS) functions, such as mobility, authentication, and bearer management (e.g., data bearers, signal bearers, etc. ) for the one or more UEs 104 served by the one or more network entities 102 associated with the core network 106.

The core network 106 may communicate with the packet data network 108 over one or more backhaul links 116 (e.g., via an S1, N2, N2, or another network interface) . The packet data network 108 may include an application server 118. In some implementations, one or more UEs 104 may communicate with the application server 118. A UE 104 may establish a session (e.g., a protocol data unit (PDU) session, or the like) with the core network 106 via a network entity 102. The core network 106 may route traffic (e.g., control information, data, and the like) between the UE 104 and the application server 118 using the established session (e.g., the established PDU session) . The PDU session may be an example of a logical connection between the UE 104 and the core network 106 (e.g., one or more network functions of the core network 106) .

In the wireless communications system 100, the network entities 102 and the UEs 104 may use resources of the wireless communications system 100 (e.g., time resources (e.g., symbols, slots, subframes, frames, or the like) or frequency resources (e.g., subcarriers, carriers) ) to perform various operations (e.g., wireless communications) . In some implementations, the network entities 102 and the UEs 104 may support different resource structures. For example, the network entities 102 and the UEs 104 may support different frame structures. In some implementations, such as in 4G, the network entities 102 and the UEs 104 may support a single frame structure. In some other implementations, such as in 5G and among other suitable radio access technologies, the network entities 102 and the UEs 104 may support various frame structures (i.e., multiple frame structures) . The network entities 102 and the UEs 104 may support various frame structures based on one or more numerologies.

One or more numerologies may be supported in the wireless communications system 100, and a numerology may include a subcarrier spacing and a cyclic prefix. A first numerology (e.g., μ=0) may be associated with a first subcarrier spacing (e.g., 15 kHz) and a normal cyclic prefix. In some implementations, the first numerology (e.g., μ=0) associated with the first subcarrier spacing (e.g., 15 kHz) may utilize one slot per subframe. A second numerology (e.g., μ=1) may be associated with a second subcarrier spacing (e.g., 30 kHz) and a normal cyclic prefix. A third numerology (e.g., μ=2) may be associated with a third subcarrier spacing (e.g., 60 kHz) and a normal cyclic prefix or an extended cyclic prefix. A fourth numerology (e.g., μ=3) may be associated with a fourth subcarrier spacing (e.g., 120 kHz) and a normal cyclic prefix. A fifth numerology (e.g., μ=4) may be associated with a fifth subcarrier spacing (e.g., 240 kHz) and a normal cyclic prefix.

A time interval of a resource (e.g., a communication resource) may be organized according to frames (also referred to as radio frames) . Each frame may have a duration, for example, a 10 millisecond (ms) duration. In some implementations, each frame may include multiple subframes. For example, each frame may include 10 subframes, and each subframe may have a duration, for example, a 1 ms duration. In some implementations, each frame may have the same duration. In some implementations, each subframe of a frame may have the same duration.

Additionally or alternatively, a time interval of a resource (e.g., a communication resource) may be organized according to slots. For example, a subframe may include a number (e.g., quantity) of slots. The number of slots in each subframe may also depend on the one or more numerologies supported in the wireless communications system 100. For instance, the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth numerologies (i.e., μ=0, μ=1, μ=2, μ=3, μ=4) associated with respective subcarrier spacings of 15 kHz, 30 kHz, 60 kHz, 120 kHz, and 240 kHz may utilize a single slot per subframe, two slots per subframe, four slots per subframe, eight slots per subframe, and 16 slots per subframe, respectively. Each slot may include a number (e.g., quantity) of symbols (e.g., OFDM symbols) . In some implementations, the number (e.g., quantity) of slots for a subframe may depend on a numerology. For a normal cyclic prefix, a slot may include 14 symbols. For an extended cyclic prefix (e.g., applicable for 60 kHz subcarrier spacing) , a slot may include 12 symbols. The relationship between the number of symbols per slot, the number of slots per subframe, and the number of slots per frame for a normal cyclic prefix and an extended cyclic prefix may depend on a numerology. It should be understood that reference to a first numerology (e.g., μ=0) associated with a first subcarrier spacing (e.g., 15 kHz) may be used interchangeably between subframes and slots.

In the wireless communications system 100, an electromagnetic (EM) spectrum may be split, based on frequency or wavelength, into various classes, frequency bands, frequency channels, etc. By way of example, the wireless communications system 100 may support one or multiple operating frequency bands, such as frequency range designations FR1 (410 MHz –7.125 GHz) , FR2 (24.25 GHz –52.6 GHz) , FR3 (7.125 GHz –24.25 GHz) , FR4 (52.6 GHz –114.25 GHz) , FR4a or FR4-1 (52.6 GHz –71 GHz) , and FR5 (114.25 GHz –300 GHz) . In some implementations, the network entities 102 and the UEs 104 may perform wireless communications over one or more of the operating frequency bands. In some implementations, FR1 may be used by the network entities 102 and the UEs 104, among other equipment or devices for cellular communications traffic (e.g., control information, data) . In some implementations, FR2 may be used by the network entities 102 and the UEs 104, among other equipment or devices for short-range, high data rate capabilities.

FR1 may be associated with one or multiple numerologies (e.g., at least three numerologies) . For example, FR1 may be associated with a first numerology (e.g., μ=0) , which includes 15 kHz subcarrier spacing; a second numerology (e.g., μ=1) , which includes 30 kHz subcarrier spacing; and a third numerology (e.g., μ=2) , which includes 60 kHz subcarrier spacing. FR2 may be associated with one or multiple numerologies (e.g., at least 2 numerologies) . For example, FR2 may be associated with a third numerology (e.g., μ=2) , which includes 60 kHz subcarrier spacing; and a fourth numerology (e.g., μ=3) , which includes 120 kHz subcarrier spacing.

Fig. 2 illustrates a signaling chart illustrating an example process 200 that supports CG transmission in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, the process 200 will be described with reference to Fig. 1. The process 200 may involve the UE 104 and the network entity 102 in Fig. 1.

As shown in Fig. 2, the UE 104 determines 210 a first configuration of multiple CG TOs in a period of one of at least one CG configuration. The first configuration is associated with the one of at least one CG configuration. Hereinafter, a period of a CG configuration is also referred to as a “CG period” or “CG periodicity” for brevity. The “CG period” or “CG periodicity” is represented by P.

In addition, the UE 104 determines 220 a second configuration of repetitions of CG transmissions. The second configuration is associated with the one of at least one CG configuration.

In some implementations, the UE 104 may receive the first configuration and the second configuration from the network entity 102 via a radio resource control (RRC) signaling.

In some implementations, the UE 104 may receive the at least one CG configuration from the network entity 102 via the RRC signaling. The UE 104 may store the at least one CG configuration as configured uplink grant. In other words, when the at least one CG configuration is received by the UE 104, the at least one CG configuration is activated.

Alternatively, in some implementations, the UE 104 may receive the at least one CG configuration from the network entity 102 via the RRC signaling. The UE 104 may further receive downlink control information (DCI) via a layer 1 (L1) signalling. The DCI may indicate activation or deactivation of one or more of the the at least one CG configuration. If the DCI indicates activation of a CG configuration, the UE 104 may store the CG configuration as configured uplink grant. If the DCI indicates deactivation of a CG configuration, the UE 104 may clear the CG configuration.

In some implementations, each of the at least one CG configuration may comprise the first configuration of multiple CG TOs. In some implementations, the first configuration may comprise a first number of the multiple CG TOs in the CG period. Hereinafter, the first number is represented by N. This will be described with reference to Fig. 3.

Fig. 3 illustrates an example of a CG configuration in accordance with some implementations of the present disclosure.

In the example of Fig. 3, a CG configuration comprises the first configuration of multiple CG TOs. The first configuration comprises the first number of CG TOs in each CG period. For example, the first number (N) is equal to 4. The N CG TOs are comprised in N consecutive slots. Each of the N consecutive slots comprises one CG TO.

In some implementations, physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) may be used in each of N consecutive slots in each CG period. For example, an initial transmission or a retransmission of a transmission block (TB) may be performed on PUSCH in each of N consecutive slots in each CG period. Hereinafter, an initial transmission and a retransmission of a TB are collectively referred to as a repetition of a TB.

In some implementations, each of the at least one CG configuration may comprise a start symbol and length (SLIV) which is determined from time domain resource allocation (TDRA) . The SLIV may be used for each CG TO in each CG period. For example, the SLIV may be used for an initial CG TO in each CG period. For example, the UE 104 may determine, based on the SLIV, an initial CG TO 310 in a first CG period and an initial CG TO 320 in a second CG period. It shall be understood that the first CG period is equal to the second CG period.

In some implementations, each of the at least one CG configuration may comprise the CG period. For example, in the example of Fig. 3, the CG configuration comprises the first CG period or the second CG period.

In some implementations, different hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) process identities (HPIDs) are used for CG TOs in each CG period. For example, HPIDs which are equal to 0, 1, 2 and 3 are used for CG TOs in the first CG period and HPIDs which are equal to 4, 5, 6 and 7 are used for CG TOs in the second CG period.

In some implementations, each of the at least one CG configuration may comprise the second configuration of repetitions. In some implementations, the second configuration may comprise a second number of repetitions. Hereinafter, the second number is represented by K, where K≥1.

Alternatively or additionally, in some implementations, each of the at least one CG configuration may indicate a repetition type is a PUSCH repetition Type A or a repetition PUSCH Type B. Alternatively, the repetition type may be pre-defined.

In some implementations, in transport block (TB) repetition for uplink transmissions of PUSCH repetition Type A with a configured grant, for any RV sequence, the repetitions shall be terminated after transmitting K repetitions, or at the last TO among the K repetitions within the period P, or from the starting symbol of the repetition that overlaps with a PUSCH with the same HARQ process scheduled by DCI format 0_0, 0_1 or 0_2, whichever is reached first. In addition, the UE 104 shall terminate the repetition of a transport block in a PUSCH transmission if the UE 104 receives a DCI format 0_1 with DFI flag provided and set to '1', and if in this DCI the UE 104 detects ACK for the HARQ process corresponding to that transport block.

In some implementations, in TB repetition for uplink transmissions of PUSCH repetition Type A with a configured grant, the UE 104 is not expected to be configured with the time duration for the transmission of K repetitions larger than the time duration derived by the periodicity P. If the UE 104 determines that, for a TO, the number of symbols available for the PUSCH transmission in a slot is smaller than transmission duration L, the UE 104 does not transmit the PUSCH in the TO.

In some implementations, in TB repetition for uplink transmissions of PUSCH repetition Type B with a configured grant, for any RV sequence, the repetitions shall be terminated after transmitting K nominal repetitions, or at the last TO among the K nominal repetitions within the period P, or from the starting symbol of an actual repetition that overlaps with a PUSCH with the same HARQ process scheduled by DCI format 0_0, 0_1 or 0_2, whichever is reached first. The UE 104 is not expected to be configured with the time duration for the transmission of K nominal repetitions larger than the time duration derived by the periodicity P.

Alternatively or additionally, in some implementations, each of the at least one CG configuration may indicate a repetition CG PUSCH transmission with a CG in multiple CG TOs in a CG period has a higher priority than an initial CG PUSCH transmission in the CG period. For example, each of the at least one CG configuration may comprise an indicator which is represented by “repetition-basedPrioritization” . If the repetition-basedPrioritization is set to be TURE, it means the repetition CG PUSCH transmission with a CG in multiple CG TOs in a CG period has a higher priority than an initial CG PUSCH transmission in the CG period. This will be described later with reference to Figs. 7A and 7B.

Alternatively or additionally, in some implementations, each of the at least one CG configuration may indicate a repetition mode. Alternatively, the repetition mode may pre-defined. For example, the repetition mode may comprise one of the following: repetition based on a fixed TB group (also referred to as “repetition based on a TB group” ) , repetition based on TB, or repetition based on a flexible TB group. This will be described later with reference to Figs. 4 to 6, 7A and 7B.

In turn, the UE 104 performs 230, based on the first configuration and the second configuration, the repetitions of CG transmissions to the network entity 102.

With the process 200, by supporting the repetitions of CG transmissions in a CG period, reliable and low latency transmission may be realized.

In some implementations, in order to perform the repetitions of uplink transmissions, the UE 104 may determine repetition groups in a CG period based at least on the first number (N) and the second number (K) . Each of the repetition groups may comprise a repetition of at least a single TB. For example, each of the repetition groups may comprise one or more repetitions of a single TB. Alternatively, each of the repetition groups may comprise repetitions of multiple different TBs.

As described above, in some implementations, the repetition mode may comprise repetition based on a fixed TB group. This will be described with reference to Fig. 4.

Fig. 4 illustrates an example of a repetition based on a fixed TB group in accordance with some implementations of the present disclosure. In the example of Fig. 4, the UE 104 determines two repetition groups in a first CG period. Each of the two repetition groups comprises repetitions of TB#1 and TB#2.

In some implementations, if a repetition based on a fixed TB group is used, the first configuration of multiple CG TOs comprises the first number of CG TOs in each CG period (for example, in the first CG period in Fig. 4) . The second configuration of repetitions comprises the second number (K) of repetitions. For example, the first number (N) is equal to 2 and the second number (K) is equal to 2. In such implementations, the UE 104 may determine the second number (K) of repetition groups and the first number (N) of CG TOs associated with each of the repetition groups. Each of the repetition groups comprises repetitions of at most the first number (N) of TBs. For example, if the number of TBs in the first repetition group is number (L) , which is less than or equal to the first number (N) , each of the repetition groups comprises repetitions of the number (L) of TBs. In other words, the UE 104 may determine the number of repetition groups in a CG period to be the second number (K) , and determine the number of CG TOs associated with each of the repetition groups to be the first number.

The UE 104 may determine the first N consecutive CG TOs for initial transmission group (first repetition group) based on SLIV and N. For example, the UE 104 determines N×K consecutive slots for group repetition transmission in a CG period. The UE 104 may determine each CG TO in each slot in the CG period based on SLIV. The UE 104 may determine an initial (i.e., the first) CG TO in the CG period based on SLIV.

Alternatively, in some implementations, the second configuration of repetitions may comprise the second number of repetitions in the period, and the first configuration of multiple CG TOs may comprise a fourth number of CG TOs associated with each of repetition groups, and each of the repetition groups may comprise repetitions of multiple TBs. The UE 104 may determine the repetition groups based at least on the second number and the fourth number. For example, in the example of Fig. 4, the second number (K) may be equal to 2, and the fourth number may be equal to 2. The UE 104 may determine two repetition groups and two CG TOs associated with each of the two repetition groups.

In some implementations, the first configuration of multiple CG TOs comprises the first number of CG TOs in each CG period (for example, in the first CG period in Fig. 4) . The second configuration of repetitions comprises the second number (K) of repetitions. In such implementations, the UE 104 may determine the second number of repetition groups and the third number of CG TOs associated with each of the repetition groups. The third number is equal to the first number (N) divided by the second number (K) . Each of the repetition groups may comprise repetitions of at least the third number of TBs. For example, the first number (N) is equal to 4 and the second number (K) is equal to 2. The third number is equal to N/K which is equal to 2. The UE 104 may determine two repetition groups and two CG TOs associated with each of the two repetition groups.

The UE 104 may determine each CG TO in the CG period based on SLIV. Then, the UE 104 may determine the first consecutive two CG TOs for initial transmission. The UE 104 may determine every subsequent two CG TOs for a group repetition transmission.

It may be easy for the UE 104 to implement the repetition based on a fixed TB group (i.e., fixed TO group) . However, due to the variable data volume, if no TB#2 is available for transmission, the repetition is still delayed to the next repetition group. Due to the arrival jitter, if only TB#2 is available for transmission, the repetition of TB#2 is still delayed. Therefore, the repetition timing may be delayed. In order to reduce the delay, a repetition based on a flexible TB group (i.e., flexible TO group) may be used.

In some implementations, the repetition groups may comprise a first repetition group and a second repetition group subsequent to the first repetition group. If the repetition based on a flexible TB group (i.e., flexible TO group) is used, the UE 104 may determine the second repetition group based the first number, the second number and an end of transmission of the first repetition group. This will be described with reference to Fig. 5.

Fig. 5 illustrates examples of comparison of a repetition based on a fixed TB group with a repetition based on a flexible TB group in accordance with some implementations of the present disclosure.

In the examples of Fig. 5, the first configuration of multiple CG TOs may comprise the first number of the multiple CG TOs in the period, and the second configuration of repetitions may comprise the second number of repetitions. For example, the first number (N) is equal to 2 and the second number (K) is equal to 2. The UE 104 may determine a seventh number (L) of CG TOs associated with first repetition group according to the first number (N) of CG TOs and data volume available for transmission. The UE 104 may determine the second number (K) of repetition groups and a seventh number (L) of CG TOs associated with each of the repetition groups. L is equal to or less than N.

In examples (A) and (B) of Fig. 5, a repetition based on a fixed TB (i.e., fixed TO) is used. The UE 104 determines two repetition groups in a first CG period. Each of the two repetition groups comprises repetitions of TB#1 and TB#2.

In the example (A) of Fig. 5, due to the variable data volume, no TB#2 is available for transmission. Thus, the repetition of TB#1 is still delayed to the next repetition group.

In order to reduce the delay due to the variable data volume, a repetition based on a flexible TB group may be used, as shown in an example (C) of Fig. 5. In the example (C) of Fig. 5, the UE 104 may determine the second repetition group based the first number, the second number and an end of transmission of the first repetition group. For example, the first repetition group comprises a repetition 510 of TB#1, and the second repetition group comprises a repetition 512 of TB#1. The UE 104 determines the second repetition group based the first number, the second number and an end of transmission of the first repetition group. After the end of transmission of the repetition 510 of TB#1, the repetition 512 of TB#1 may be transmitted. Thus, the delay is reduced.

In the example (B) of Fig. 5, due to the arrival jitter, if only TB#2 is available for transmission, the repetition of TB#2 is still delayed.

In order to reduce the delay due to the arrival jitter, a repetition based on a flexible TB group may be used, as shown in an example (D) of Fig. 5. In the example (D) of Fig. 5, the UE 104 may determine the second repetition group based the first number, the second number and an end of transmission of the first repetition group. For example, the first repetition group comprises a repetition 520 of TB#2, and the second repetition group comprises a repetition 522 of TB#2. The UE 104 determines the second repetition group based the first number, the second number and an end of transmission of the first repetition group. That means the first repetition group has a flexible end with a CG TO. The second repetition group has a flexible start with a CG TO. After the end of transmission of the repetition 520 of TB#2, the repetition 522 of TB#2 may be transmitted. Thus, the delay is reduced.

In some implementations, if the repetition based on a flexible TB group is used, the UE 104 may indicate the CG TOs used for initial transmission or for (K-1) repetitions to the network entity 102, so that the network entity 102 can identify this is a repetition of a TB and is not initial transmission of another TB.

In some implementations, the UE 104 may use an indication in uplink control information (UCI) to indicate which TO is used for a repetition of which TB. For example, the indication may indicate a HPID associated with the TB. Additionally, the indication may indicate redundancy version. For example, in the example (C) of Fig. 5, when the UE 104 transmits the repetition 512 of TB#1, the UE 104 may transmit the indication which indicates HPID of 0 associated with TB#1. Thus, the network entity 102 can identify the repetition 512 of TB#1 instead of an initial transmission of TB#2 is received.

Alternatively, in some implementations, different HPIDs may be associated with different demodulation reference signals (DMRS) configuration. The UE 104 may use different DMRS configuration (e.g., DMRS port) to indicate different HPIDs. Each DMRS configuration is configured by the network entity 102. For example, HPID of 0 is associated with DMRS#1 and HPID of 1 is associated with DMRS#2.

For example, in the example (C) of Fig. 5, when the UE 104 transmits the repetition 512 of TB#1, the UE 104 may transmit DMRS#1. Thus, the network entity 102 can identify the repetition 512 of TB#1 instead of an initial transmission of TB#2 is received. For another example, in the example (D) of Fig. 5, when the UE 104 transmits the repetition 522 of TB#2, the UE 104 may transmit DMRS#2. Thus, the network entity 102 can identify the repetition 522 of TB#2 instead of an initial transmission of TB#1 is received.

As described above, in some implementations, the repetition mode may comprise repetition based on a TB. This will be described with reference to Fig. 6.

Fig. 6 illustrates an example of a repetition based on a TB in accordance with some implementations of the present disclosure. In the example of Fig. 6, the UE 104 determines two repetition groups in a first CG period. A first repetition group comprises repetitions of TB#1 and a second repetition group comprises repetitions of TB#2.

In some implementations, the first configuration of multiple CG TOs comprises the first number of CG TOs in each CG period (for example, in the first CG period in Fig. 6) . The second configuration of repetitions comprises the second number (K) of repetitions. For example, the first number (N) is equal to 4 and the second number (K) is equal to 2. In such implementations, the UE 104 may determine a third number of repetition groups and the second number of CG TOs associated with each of the repetition groups. The third number is equal to the first number divided by the second number. Each of the repetition groups comprises the second number of repetitions of a single TB. In other words, the UE 104 may determine the number of repetition groups in a CG period to be the first number divided by the second number (i.e., N/K) , determine the number of CG TOs associated with each of the repetition groups to be the second number (K) .

The UE 104 may determine each CG TO in a CG period based on SLIV and determine an initial (i.e., the first) CG TO in each group for initial transmission of a TB.

Alternatively, in some implementations, if a repetition based on a TB is used, the second configuration of repetitions may comprise the third number of repetitions groups in the period, and the first configuration of multiple CG TOs may comprise the second number of CG TOs associated with each of repetition groups. Each of the repetition groups may comprise repetitions of a single TB. The single TB in each repetition group may be different. The UE 104 may determine the repetition groups based at least on the third number and the second number. For example, in the example of Fig. 6, the third number (M) may be equal to 2, and the second number may be equal to 2. The UE 104 may determine two repetition groups and two CG TOs associated with each of the two repetition groups. The first repetition group comprises repetitions of TB#1 and the second repetition group comprises repetitions of TB#2.

In some implementations, the first configuration of multiple CG TOs comprises the first number of CG TOs in each CG period (for example, in the first CG period in Fig. 6) . The second configuration of repetitions comprises the second number (K) of repetitions. In such implementations, the UE 104 may determine the first number of repetition groups and the second number of CG TOs associated with each of the repetition groups. Each of the repetition groups comprises the second number of repetitions of a single TB. The single TB in each repetition group may be different. For example, the first number (N) is equal to 2 and the second number (K) is equal to 2. The UE 104 may determine two repetition groups in the first CG period and two CG TOs associated with each of the two repetition groups.

The UE 104 may determine each CG TO in the CG period for initial transmission of a TB based on SLIV. Then, the UE 104 may determine the (K-1) CG TOs after the initial CG TO for retransmission of the TB.

In some implementations, if the UE 104 may determine that an initial transmission of a first TB overlaps a repetition of a transmission of a second TB in a CG TO in a CG period, the UE 104 may perform the repetition of the transmission of the second TB with a CG TO. In other words, if an initial CG PUSCH transmission overlaps a repetition CG PUSCH transmission in a CG period, the repetition CG PUSCH transmission has a higher priority than the initial CG PUSCH transmission. In other words, the repetition CG PUSCH transmission prioritize the initial CG PUSCH transmission. This will be described with reference to Figs. 7A and 7B.

Fig. 7A illustrates an example of a repetition based on a TB in accordance with some implementations of the present disclosure. In the example of Fig. 7A, the first number (N) of CG TOs in each CG period (for example, in the first CG period in Fig. 7A) is equal to 4, and the second number (K) of repetitions is equal to 2.

In legacy, the UE 104 may determine that the N CG TOs are comprised in N consecutive slots. Each of the N consecutive slots comprises one CG TO. PUSCH may be used in each of N consecutive slots in each CG period. The UE 104 may also determine that different HPIDs are used for CG TOs in each CG period. For example, HPIDs which are equal to 0, 1, 2 and 3 are used for CG TOs in the first CG period and HPIDs which are equal to 4, 5, 6 and 7 are used for CG TOs in the second CG period if the number or HARQ process is equal to 8. For example, TB#1 is associated with a HPID which is equal to 0 and TB#2 is associated with a HPID which is equal to 1,

In some implementations of the present disclosure, if a repetition based on a TB is used, the UE 104 may determine that a CG TO 710 is used to transmit a repetition of TB#1. Thus, an initial transmission of TB#2 overlaps the repetition of a transmission of TB#1 in the CG TO 710. The UE 104 may perform the repetition of the transmission of TB#1 in the CG TO 710.

Fig. 7B illustrates an example of a repetition based on a TB group in accordance with some implementations of the present disclosure. In the example of Fig. 7B, the first number (N) of CG TOs in each CG period (for example, in the first CG period in Fig. 7B) is equal to 4, and the second number (K) of repetitions is equal to 2.

In legacy, the UE 104 may determine that the N CG TOs are comprised in N consecutive slots. Each of the N consecutive slots comprises one CG TO. PUSCH may be used in each of N consecutive slots in each CG period. The UE 104 may also determine that different HPIDs are used for CG TOs in each CG period. For example, HPIDs which are equal to 0, 1, 2 and 3 are used for CG TOs in the first CG period and HPIDs which are equal to 4, 5, 6 and 7 are used for CG TOs in the second CG period. For example, TB#1 is associated with a HPID which is equal to 0, TB#2 is associated with a HPID which is equal to 1, TB#3 is associated with a HPID which is equal to 2, TB#4 is associated with a HPID which is equal to 3.

In some implementations of the present disclosure, if a repetition based on a TB group is used, the UE 104 may determine that a CG TO 720 is used to transmit a repetition of TB#1 and a CG TO 722 is used to transmit a repetition of TB#2. Thus, an initial transmission of TB#3 overlaps the repetition of a transmission of TB#1 in the CG TO 720 and an initial transmission of TB#4 overlaps the repetition of a transmission of TB#2 in the CG TO 722. The UE 104 may perform the repetition of the transmission of TB#1 in the CG TO 720 and perform the repetition of the transmission of TB#2 in the CG TO 722.

In some implementations, the maximum number of transmissions of a TB within a bundle of the configured grant is given by REPETITION_NUMBER. If REPETITION_NUMBER > 1, after the first transmission within a bundle, at most REPETITION_NUMBER –1 HARQ retransmissions follow within the bundle. If the repetition CG PUSCH transmission within a bundle overlaps another initial/first CG PUSCH transmission in the CG periodicity, the repetition CG PUSCH transmission prioritize the initial CG PUSCH transmission.

In some implementations, for configured uplink grants not configured with cg-RetransmissionTimer, if a medium access control (MAC) entity of the UE 104 is configured configured with lch-basedPrioritization, (and if a medium access control (MAC) entity of the UE 104 is configured with intraCG-Prioritization) and if there is overlapping PUSCH duration of at least two configured uplink grants whose priorities are equal, the repetition CG PUSCH transmission prioritize the initial CG PUSCH transmission.

In some implementations, for configured uplink grants not configured with cg-RetransmissionTimer, if a medium access control (MAC) entity of the UE 104 is not configured with lch-basedPrioritization, (and if a medium access control (MAC) entity of the UE 104 is configured with intraCG-Prioritization, ) and if there is overlapping PUSCH duration of at least two configured uplink grants, the repetition CG PUSCH transmission prioritize the initial CG PUSCH transmission.

In some implementations, for configured uplink grants not configured with cg-RetransmissionTimer, if the MAC entity is configured with repetition- basedPrioritization and if a medium access control (MAC) entity of the UE 104 is configured with lch-basedPrioritization, if there is overlapping PUSCH duration of at least two configured uplink grants whose priorities are equal, the prioritized uplink grant is repetition CG grant.

In some implementations, if the MAC entity is not configured with lch-basedPrioritization and/or repetition-basedPrioritization and if there is overlapping PUSCH duration of at least two configured uplink grants, it is up to UE implementation to choose one of the configured uplink grants.

In some implementations, in PUSCH repetition Type A or PUSCH repetition Type B, if an initial CG PUSCH transmission overlaps a repetition CG PUSCH transmission in a CG period, the repetition CG PUSCH transmission has a higher priority than the initial CG PUSCH transmission.

Alternatively, in some implementations, if the UE 104 determines that an initial transmission of a first TB overlaps a repetition of a transmission of a second TB in a CG TO in the period, the UE 104 terminates the repetition of the transmission of the second TB in the CG TO.

For example, the UE 104 is not expected to be configured with PUSCH repetition Type A with a CG PUSCH in case of multiple CG TOs in a CG period of a CG configuration, where N>1. Only PUSCH repetition Type B for this kind of CG configuration is supported to configure to the UE 104. For example, the UE 104 is not expected to be configured with the time duration for the transmission of K nominal repetitions larger than the time duration between the two consecutive CG TOs in a CG period.

In some implementations, the UE 104 may receive downlink control information (DCI) from the network entity 102. In turn, the UE 104 may determine the second configuration of repetitions based on the DCI.

For an example, if the UE 104 is configured with PUSCH repetition Type A with a CG PUSCH in case of multiple CG TOs in a CG period of a CG configuration, where N>1, repetition CG transmission with PUSCH repetition Type A is only scheduled based on DCI.

In some implementations, the DCI may indicate an index to be used to indicate a fifth number of repetitions for at least one TB in the period. The index may be in a table configured by RRC signalling, and the index is corresponding to a fifth number of repetitions. Alternatively, in some implementations, the fifth number of repetitions for at least one TB in the period may be configured by an RRC signalling. For example, the fifth number may be equal to the first number (N) .

Alternatively or additionally, in some implementations, the DCI may indicate a sixth number of slots used for repetition and/or indicate at least one TB for repetition, wherein repetitions of the at least one TB are to be performed in the period. For example, the sixth number may be less than the first number (N) and the DCI may indicate at least one TB, wherein repetitions of the at least one TB are to be performed in the sixth number of slots.

In some implementations, the DCI may indicate the at least one TB by indicating a HPID associated with each of the at least one TB, wherein repetitions of the at least one TB are to be performed in the period.

In some implementations, the DCI may indicate the at least one TB by indicating a bitmap, each bit in the bitmap is associated with one of the at least one TB, and repetitions of the at least one TB are to be performed in the period.

In some implementations, to support the repetition and avoid wasting some reserved HARQ process ID for the multiple CG TOs in a CG period, the UE 104 may determine a HARQ process ID for each of the multiple CG TOs.

As described above, in some implementations, the first configuration of multiple CG TOs comprises the first number of CG TOs in each CG period. The second configuration of repetitions comprises the second number (K) of repetitions. In such implementations, the UE 104 may determine the first number of repetition groups and the second number of CG TOs associated with each of the repetition groups. Each of the repetition groups comprises the second number of repetitions of a single TB.

In such implementations, the UE 104 may determine a HARQ process ID for a CG TO based at least on the first number and the number of HARQ processes. The HARQ process ID may be associated with one of the following: an initial transmission of a TB in one of the repetition groups, or one of the repetition groups. This will be described with reference to Fig. 8A.

Fig. 8A illustrates an example of HARQ process IDs in accordance with some implementations of the present disclosure. In the example of Fig. 8A, the first number (N) is equal to 2 and the second number (K) is equal to 2. The number of HARQ processes is represented by “nrofH ARQ-Processes” and is equal to 8 or 4. The UE 104 may determine two repetition groups in each of a first CG period and a second CG period and two CG TOs associated with each of the two repetition groups. The UE 104 may determine a HARQ process ID for a CG TO based at least on the first number (N) and the number of HARQ processes. The HARQ process ID may be associated with one of the following: an initial transmission of a TB in one of the repetition groups, or one of the repetition groups.

In some implementations, the HARQ process ID for an initial (i.e., the first) CG TO in a CG period is determined based on the legacy CG procedure when cg-RetransmissionTimer is not configured, and applying the following formula, whichever is applicable. For example, the HARQ process ID for an initial (i.e., the first) CG TO 810 in the first CG period may be determined based on the following:

· HARQ Process ID = [N*floor ( (CURRENT_symbol ) /periodicity) ] modulo nrofHARQ-Processes, or

· HARQ Process ID = [N*floor ( (CURRENT_symbol ) /periodicity) ] modulo nrofHARQ-Processes + harq-ProcID-Offset2,

· where N represents the first number, CURRENT_symbol represents a time domain location of the initial CG TO (for example, the initial CG TO 810) .

In some implementations, the HARQ process ID for the remaining configured and (valid) repetition group in the CG period is determined by incrementing the HARQ process ID for the preceding repetition group in the CG period by one with module operation with “nrofH ARQ-Processes” or module operation with (nrofHARQ-Processes + harq-ProcID-Offset2) , whichever applicable.

It shall be noted that a configured CG TO is invalid if the CG TO is dropped due to collision with DL symbol (s) indicated by tdd-UL-DL-ConfigurationCommon or tdd-UL-DL-ConfigurationDedicated or SSB.

As described above, in some implementations, the first configuration of multiple CG TOs comprises the first number of CG TOs in each CG period. The second configuration of repetitions comprises the second number (K) of repetitions. In such implementations, the UE 104 may determine the third number of repetition groups and the second number of CG TOs associated with each of the repetition groups. The third number is equal to the first number divided by the second number. Each of the repetition groups comprises the second number of repetitions of a single TB.

In such implementations, the UE 104 may determine a HARQ process ID for a CG TO based at least on the first number, the second number and the number of HARQ processes. The HARQ process ID may be associated with one of the following: an initial transmission of a TB in one of the repetition groups, or one of the repetition groups. This will be described with reference to Fig. 8B.

Fig. 8B illustrates an example of HARQ process IDs in accordance with some implementations of the present disclosure. In the example of Fig. 8B, the first number (N) is equal to 4 and the second number (K) is equal to 2. The number of HARQ processes is represented by “nrofH ARQ-Processes” and is equal to 8 or 4. The third number (represented by M) is equal to the first number divided by the second number. That is, the third number (M) is equal to 2. The UE 104 may determine two repetition groups in each of a first CG period and a second CG period and two CG TOs associated with each of the two repetition groups. The UE 104 may determine a HARQ process ID for a CG TO based at least on the first number (N) , the second number (K) and the number of HARQ processes. The HARQ process ID may be associated with one of the following: an initial transmission of a TB in one of the repetition groups, or one of the repetition groups.

In some implementations, the HARQ process ID for an initial (i.e., the first) CG TO in a CG period is determined based on the legacy CG procedure when cg-RetransmissionTimer is not configured, and applying the following formula, whichever is applicable. For example, the HARQ process ID for an initial (i.e., the first) CG TO 820 in the first CG period may be determined based on the following:

· HARQ Process ID = [M*floor ( (CURRENT_symbol ) /periodicity) ] modulo nrofHARQ-Processes, or

· HARQ Process ID = [M*floor ( (CURRENT_symbol ) /periodicity) ] modulo nrofHARQ-Processes + harq-ProcID-Offset2,

· M represents the third number which is equal to the first number divided by the second number (i.e., N/K) .

In some implementations, in a first option, the HARQ process ID for the remaining configured and (valid) repetition group in the period is determined by incrementing the HARQ process ID for the preceding repetition group in the period by one with module operation with “nrofH ARQ-Processes” or module operation with (nrofHARQ-Processes + harq-ProcID-Offset2) , whichever applicable.

Alternatively, in some implementations, in a second option, the HARQ process ID for the configured and (valid) CG TO for initial transmission in each remaining repetition group in the period is determined by incrementing the HARQ process ID for the preceding PUSCH in the period by one with module operation with “nrofH ARQ-Processes” or module operation with (nrofHARQ-Processes + harq-ProcID-Offset2) , whichever applicable.

For example, as shown in Fig. 8B, the CG TO 810 is used for an initial transmission of TB#1, a CG TO 820 is used for an initial transmission of TB#2, the CG TO 830 is used for an initial transmission of TB#3, and the CG TO 840 is used for an initial transmission of TB#4. A HARQ process ID for the CG TO 820 may be determined by incrementing the HARQ process ID for the CG TO 810 by one with module operation with “nrofH ARQ-Processes” or module operation with (nrofHARQ-Processes + harq-ProcID-Offset2) , a HARQ process ID for the CG TO 830 may be determined by incrementing the HARQ process ID for the CG TO 820 by one with module operation with “nrofH ARQ-Processes” or module operation with (nrofHARQ-Processes + harq-ProcID-Offset2) , and so on.

The second option is different from the first option in that the UE 104 determines the HPID for the CG PUSCHs for initial transmission instead. The UE 104 determines the configured and (valid) CG PUSCHs for initial/start/first transmission based on repetition number K and N in a CG period assuming one TB per PUSCH, and K CG PUSCH occasions in each group.

In some implementations, the HARQ process ID for an initial (i.e., the first) CG TO in a period is determined based on the legacy CG procedure when cg-RetransmissionTimer is not configured, and applying the following formula, whichever is applicable. For example, the HARQ process ID for an initial (i.e., the first) CG TO in a CG period may be determined based on the following:

· HARQ Process ID = [N*floor ( (CURRENT_symbol ) /periodicity) ] modulo (nrofHARQ-Processes/the number of repetitions) , or

· HARQ Process ID = [N*floor ( (CURRENT_symbol ) /periodicity) ] modulo (nrofHARQ-Processes/the number of repetitions) + harq-ProcID-Offset2,

· where N represents the first number.

In some implementations, the HARQ process ID for the remaining configured and (valid) repetition group in the period is determined by incrementing the HARQ process ID for the preceding repetition group in the period by one with module operation with “nrofH ARQ-Processes” or module operation with (nrofHARQ-Processes + harq-ProcID-Offset2) , whichever applicable.

In some implementations, to reduce the preconfigured UL resource waste, the UE 104 may transmit, to the network entity 102, indication information indicating at least one unused CG TO in multiple CG configurations in one CG TO in one CG configuration. Thus, it can be earlier for the network entity 102 to be aware of the more unused resources and reallocate the resources for other purpose. This will be described with reference to Fig. 9.

Fig. 9 illustrates a signaling chart illustrating an example process 900 that supports indication of unused CG TOs in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, the process 900 will be described with reference to Fig. 1. The process 900 may involve the UE 104 and the network entity 102 in Fig. 1.

As shown in Fig. 9, the UE 104 determines 910 multiple CG TOs associated with multiple CG configurations.

In turn, the UE 104 transmits 920, to the network entity 102, indication information in a first CG TO among the multiple CG TOs. The indication information indicates at least one unused CG TO among the multiple CG TOs. The first CG TO is associated with one of the multiple CG configurations. Hereinafter, an unused CG TO is also referred to as a UTO.

In some implementations, the UE 104 transmits 920, to the network entity 102, uplink control information (UCI) comprising the indication information indicating at least one unused CG TO. Hereinafter, the UCI comprising the indication information indicating at least one unused CG TO is referred to as “UTO-UCI” for brevity.

In some implementations, the UE 104 may be allowed to configure multiple active CG configurations in the same MAC entity, same cell or same bandwidth part (BWP) . If the UE 104 supports the UCI in one CG TO associated with a CG configuration for more than one CG configurations, the CG configuration and other CG configuration may be at least in same MAC entity, same cell or same BWP.

In some implementations, the at least one unused CG TO to be indicated in the UCI and the first CG TO carrying the UCI may be elegant to map the data from the same LCH (s) , or the same LCH priorities. Alternatively, the at least one unused CG TO to be indicated in the UCI and the first CG TO carrying the UCI may has same or different priority.

In some implementations, the UE 104 may receive a UTO-UCI configuration from the network entity 102. The UTO-UCI configuration is used to configure dynamic UCI in one CG TO associated with a CG configuration for more than one CG configurations for the UE 104. For example, a CG configuration #1 may be enabled by configuration of an RRC parameter to transmit the UTO-UCI in the first CG TO for CG configurations #1, #2 and #3. The first CG TO is associated with the CG configuration #1.

In this way, when the UTO-UCI transmitted in the first CG TO indicates an unused CG TO#2 associated with the CG configuration #2, the network entity 102 may know the unused CG TO#2 earlier than second UTO-UCI transmitted in a second CG TO associated with the CG configuration #2, which indicates the unused CG TO#2. This gives more processing time for the network entity 102 to decode the UTO-UCI for the unused CG TO#2 and hence earlier to allocate unused PUSCH resources to other UEs.

In some implementations, the UTO-UCI provides a bitmap where a bit corresponds to a CG TO within a time duration. The bit indicates whether the CG TO is “unused” . When a CG TO is indicated as “unused” , the UE 104 is not allowed to transmit a TB on that CG TO.

For example, the number of bits in the bitmap is Nu which is configured, the UTO-UCI indicates the Nu consecutive and valid unused CG TOs, starting with UTO_offset from the end of the transmitted CG PUSCH. UTO_offset may be 0 or a preconfigured value.

In some implementations, the multiple CG TOs are in a time duration. The time duration may be referred to as a UTO-period, which may be the same as or different from a CG period.

For example, the UTO-UCI indicates the Nu consecutive and valid unused CG PUSCH TOs in the UTO-period starting from the first of the CG PUSCH in a CG period and end of the UTO-Period. UTO_offset may be 0 or a preconfigured value.

For example, the UTO-UCI indicates the Nu consecutive and valid unused CG TOs in the UTO-period, starting time of the first period of UTO periodicity starts at the same starting time of the first period of the CG configuration and UTO_offset from the end of the transmitted CG PUSCH and end of the UTO-period. UTO_offset may be 0 or a preconfigured value.

For example, the UTO-UCI indicates the Nu consecutive and valid unused CG TOs in the UTO-period starting with UTO_offset from the end of the transmitted CG PUSCH and end of the UTO-period. UTO_offset may be 0 or a preconfigured value.

In some implementations, the UE 104 may determine indexes for the multiple CG TOs in the time duration based on a predefined order.

The UE 104 may determine indexes for the multiple CG TOs in the time duration based on at least one of the following:

- time resource indexes of the multiple CG TOs,

- frequency resource indexes of the multiple CG TOs,

- periodicity indexes of the multiple CG TOs,

- a number of CG TOs in a period of each of the multiple CG configurations,

- CG size indexes of the multiple CG TOs,

- priority indexes of the multiple CG TOs,

- indexes of the multiple CG configurations, or

- DMRS indexes of the multiple CG TOs.

In some implementations, the predefined order may comprise at least one of the following:

- a first ascending order of time resource indexes of the multiple CG TOs,

- a second ascending/descending order of frequency resource indexes of the multiple CG TOs,

- a third ascending order of periodicity indexes of the multiple CG TOs,

- a fourth descending order of the number of CG TOs in a period of each of the multiple CG configurations,

- a fifth descending order of CG size indexes of the multiple CG TOs,

- a sixth ascending order of priority indexes of the multiple CG TOs,

- a seventh ascending order of indexes of the multiple CG configurations, or

- an eighth order of DMRS indexes of the multiple CG TOs.

In some implementations, a priority of a CG TO is determined as TS 38.321. For example, for the MAC entity configured with lch-basedPrioritization, a priority of an uplink grant is determined by the highest priority among priorities of the logical channels that are multiplexed (i.e. the MAC PDU to transmit is already stored in the HARQ buffer) or have data available that can be multiplexed (i.e. the MAC PDU to transmit is not stored in the HARQ buffer) in the MAC PDU, according to the mapping restrictions as described in clause 5.4.3.1.2.

In turn, the UE 104 may determine the indication information based on the indexes.

For example, the UE 104 may set UTO-UCI_i based on the indexes for all CG POs in the time duration. The UTO-UCI_i represents a field which indicates the UTO status for an index i for a CG TO, where i is ascending order of the indexes for all CG POs in the time duration, for the CG configurations configured supporting UTO-UCI and the UTO-UCI of which is elegant to report together. Each bit is corresponding to an index for a CG TO. For example, the UTO-UCI_i field is set to 1 to indicate that the CG TO with the index i shall be unused.

Figs. 10A to 10E illustrate an example of the predefined order in accordance with some implementations of the present disclosure, respectively.

In the examples of Figs. 10A to 10E, the multiple CG configurations comprises a CG configuration #1 and a CG configuration #2. The UTO-UCI will be transmitted in the first CG TO. The first CG TO is associated with the CG configuration #1.

In the examples of Figs. 10A to 10E, the numbers 1, 2, 3…7 refer to indexes for CG TOs in a UTO-period.

In the example of Fig. 10A, the predefined order comprises the sixth ascending order of priority indexes of the multiple CG TOs. A first priority of a CG configuration#1 is higher than a second priority of a CG configuration#2. That is, a first priority index of the CG configuration#1 is less than a second priority index of the CG configuration#2.

In the example of Fig. 10B, the predefined order comprises a combination of the first ascending order of time resource indexes of the multiple CG TOs and the sixth ascending order of priority indexes of the multiple CG TOs. A first priority of a CG configuration#1 is equal to a second priority of a CG configuration#2. That is, a first priority index of the CG configuration#1 is equal to a second priority index of the CG configuration#1. Thus, according to the first ascending order of time resource indexes, the UE 104 determines indexes for CG TOs associated with the CG configuration#1 and the CG configuration#2 in a UTO-period.

In the example of Fig. 10C, the predefined order comprises the third ascending order of periodicity indexes of the multiple CG TOs. A first period of a CG configuration#1 is less than a second period of a CG configuration#2. That is, a first period index of the CG configuration#1 is less than a second period index of the CG configuration#2.

In the example of Fig. 10D, the predefined order comprises the fourth descending order of the number of CG TOs in a period of each of the multiple CG configurations. The period may be a CG period of each CG configuration or UTO-period. A first number of CG TOs associated with a CG configuration#1 in a UTO-period is equal to 4, and a second number of CG TOs associated with a CG configuration#2 in the UTO-period is equal to 3. Thus, the first number is greater than the second number.

In the example of Fig. 10E, the predefined order comprises the first ascending order of time resource indexes of the multiple CG TOs.

In some implementations, the predefined order comprises the fifth descending order of CG size indexes of the multiple CG TOs. For example, the CG size may be a size of each of CG TOs associated with a CG configuration. Alternatively, the CG size may be a total size of all CG TOs associated with a CG configuration in the time duration. The time duration may be a CG period of each CG configuration or a UTO-period.

In some implementations, considering the bits number in a bitmap of the UTO-UCI is very limited. If the number of consecutive and valid unused CG TOs to be indicated in the UTO-UCI is more than bits number in the UTO-UCI, the UE 104 needs to prioritize unused CG TOs in the UTO-UCI.

In some implementations, the multiple CG configurations comprises a first CG configuration and at least one second CG configuration. The first CG TO is associated with the first CG configuration, and the predefined order indicates that a first priority of the first CG configuration is higher than a second priority of the at least one second CG configuration. This will be described with reference to Fig. 10F.

In the examples of Fig. 10F, the predefined order indicates that a first priority of the CG configuration #1 is higher than a priority of the CG configuration #2. Thus, the UE 104 orders CG TOs associated with the CG configuration #1 carrying the UTO-UCI with the highest priority. That is to say, the valid CG TOs associated with the CG configuration #1 is always ordered in time index first.

For example, a bitmap of the UTO-UCI comprises 4 bits. The CG configuration #1 is configured to carry the UTO-UCI for the CG configuration #1 and the CG configuration #2. If there is remaining bits after using 4 (right most) bits for the CG configuration #1, using the remaining bits for the CG configuration #2. Bitmap 1111 indicates 4 unused CG TOs associated with the CG configuration #1 in the UTO-period.

In some implementations, the predefined order comprises a first predefined order of a first plurality of CG TOs associated with one of the multiple CG configurations. The first predefined order comprises at least one of the following: a first ascending order of time resource indexes of the first plurality of CG TOs, or an eighth order of DMRS indexes of the first plurality of CG TOs.

In some implementations, the multiple CG configurations comprises a first CG configuration and at least one second CG configuration. The first CG TO is associated with the first CG configuration, and the predefined order indicates that a first priority of the first CG configuration is higher than a second priority of the at least one second CG configuration. In such implementations, the predefined order comprises a second predefined order of a second plurality of CG TOs associated with the at least one second CG configuration. The second predefined order comprises at least one of the following:

- a first ascending order of time resource indexes of the second plurality of CG TOs,

- a second ascending order of frequency resource indexes of the second plurality of CG TOs,

- a third ascending order of periodicity indexes of the second plurality of CG TOs,

- a fourth ascending order of the number of CG TOs in a period of each of the at least one second CG configuration,

- a fifth descending order of CG size indexes of the second plurality of CG TOs,

- a sixth ascending order of priority indexes of the second plurality of CG TOs,

- a seventh ascending order of indexes of the at least one second CG configuration, or

- an eighth order of demodulation reference signal (DMRS) indexes of the second plurality of CG TOs.

In some implementations, if the multiple CG TOs of at least one of CG configurations is configured with repetition operation, the UE 104 may determine indexes for the CG TOs in a time duration based on a predefined order. In turn, the UE 104 may determine the indication information based on the indexes and transmit the indication information in a CG TO to a base station 102. The indication information indicates the at least one unused CG TO among CG TOs for all repetition (s) of CG transmission (s) .

In some implementations, if the multiple CG TOs of at least one of CG configurations is configured with repetition operation, the UE 104 may determine indexes for the CG TOs in a time duration based on a predefined order. In turn, the UE 104 may determine the indication information based on the indexes and transmit the indication information in a CG TO to a base station 102. The indication information indicates the at least one unused CG TO among CG TOs for initial repetition (s) (i.e., initial transmission (s) ) of CG transmission (s) .

In some implementations, the processes described with reference to Figs. 2 to 8B may be performed in combination with the processes described with reference to Figs. 9 to 10F.

In some implementations, the UE 104 may transmit indication information in a CG TO to the base station 102. The indication information indicates at least one unused CG TO among CG TOs in a time duration for repetitions (i.e., not only initial repetitions but also non-initial repetitions) of the CG transmissions. This will be described with reference to Fig. 4.

As shown in Fig. 4, CG TOs for all repetitions of the CG transmissions may comprise two CG TOs for two repetitions in the first repetition group and two CG TOs for two repetitions in the second repetition group. The indication information may indicate at least one unused CG TO among the four CG TOs.

In some implementations, the UE 104 may transmit indication information in a CG TO to the base station 102. The indication information indicates at least one unused CG TO among CG TOs in a time duration only for initial repetitions (i.e., initial transmissions) of the CG transmissions. This will be described with reference to Fig. 6.

As shown in Fig. 6, CG TOs for initial repetitions (i.e., initial transmissions) of the CG transmissions may comprise a CT TO 610 for an initial repletion of TB#1 in the first repetition group and a CT TO 620 for an initial repletion of TB#2 in the second repetition group.

In some implementations, the UE 104 may determine indexes for the CG TOs in a time duration based on a predefined order and determine the indication information based on the indexes. For example, the time duration may be the same as or different from the first CG period in Fig. 4 or Fig. 6. The predefined order may comprise at least one of the following: a first ascending order of time resource indexes of the first plurality of CG TOs, or an eighth order of DMRS indexes of the CG TOs.

In some implementations, the UTOs indicated by the UTO-UCI in a second repetition of CG transmission may be considered as same as the UTOs indicated by the UTO-UCI in a first repetition of CG transmission. For example, the UTO-UCI multiplexed in a first repetition of TB#1 and a second repetition of TB#2 is same.

Fig. 11 illustrates an example of a device 1100 that supports CG transmission in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The device 1100 may be an example of UE 104 as described herein. The device 1100 may support wireless communication with one or more network entities 102, UEs 104, or any combination thereof. The device 1100 may include components for bi-directional communications including components for transmitting and receiving communications, such as a processor 1102, a memory 1104, a transceiver 1106, and, optionally, an I/O controller 1108. These components may be in electronic communication or otherwise coupled (e.g., operatively, communicatively, functionally, electronically, electrically) via one or more interfaces (e.g., buses) .

The processor 1102, the memory 1104, the transceiver 1106, or various combinations thereof or various components thereof may be examples of means for performing various aspects of the present disclosure as described herein. For example, the processor 1102, the memory 1104, the transceiver 1106, or various combinations or components thereof may support a method for performing one or more of the operations described herein.

In some implementations, the processor 1102, the memory 1104, the transceiver 1106, or various combinations or components thereof may be implemented in hardware (e.g., in communications management circuitry) . The hardware may include a processor, a digital signal processor (DSP) , an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) , a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof configured as or otherwise supporting a means for performing the functions described in the present disclosure. In some implementations, the processor 1102 and the memory 1104 coupled with the processor 1102 may be configured to perform one or more of the functions described herein (e.g., executing, by the processor 1102, instructions stored in the memory 1104) .

For example, the processor 1102 may support wireless communication at the device 1100 in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. The processor 1102 may be configured to operable to support a means for performing the following: determining a first configuration of multiple CG TOs in a period of one of at least one CG configuration; determining a second configuration of repetitions of CG transmissions, the first configuration and the second configuration being associated with the one of at least one CG configuration; and performing the repetitions of CG transmissions based on the first configuration and the second configuration.

The processor 1102 may include an intelligent hardware device (e.g., a general-purpose processor, a DSP, a CPU, a microcontroller, an ASIC, an FPGA, a programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic component, a discrete hardware component, or any combination thereof) . In some implementations, the processor 1102 may be configured to operate a memory array using a memory controller. In some other implementations, a memory controller may be integrated into the processor 1102. The processor 1102 may be configured to execute computer-readable instructions stored in a memory (e.g., the memory 1104) to cause the device 1100 to perform various functions of the present disclosure.

The memory 1104 may include random access memory (RAM) and read-only memory (ROM) . The memory 1104 may store computer-readable, computer-executable code including instructions that, when executed by the processor 1102 cause the device 1100 to perform various functions described herein. The code may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium such as system memory or another type of memory. In some implementations, the code may not be directly executable by the processor 1102 but may cause a computer (e.g., when compiled and executed) to perform functions described herein. In some implementations, the memory 1104 may include, among other things, a basic I/O system (BIOS) which may control basic hardware or software operation such as the interaction with peripheral components or devices.

The I/O controller 1108 may manage input and output signals for the device 1100. The I/O controller 1108 may also manage peripherals not integrated into the device M02. In some implementations, the I/O controller 1108 may represent a physical connection or port to an external peripheral. In some implementations, the I/O controller 1108 may utilize an operating system such as or another known operating system. In some implementations, the I/O controller 1108 may be implemented as part of a processor, such as the processor 1106. In some implementations, a user may interact with the device 1100 via the I/O controller 1108 or via hardware components controlled by the I/O controller 1108.

In some implementations, the device 1100 may include a single antenna 1110. However, in some other implementations, the device 1100 may have more than one antenna 1110 (i.e., multiple antennas) , including multiple antenna panels or antenna arrays, which may be capable of concurrently transmitting or receiving multiple wireless transmissions. The transceiver 1106 may communicate bi-directionally, via the one or more antennas 1110, wired, or wireless links as described herein. For example, the transceiver 1106 may represent a wireless transceiver and may communicate bi-directionally with another wireless transceiver. The transceiver 1106 may also include a modem to modulate the packets, to provide the modulated packets to one or more antennas 1110 for transmission, and to demodulate packets received from the one or more antennas 1110. The transceiver 1106 may include one or more transmit chains, one or more receive chains, or a combination thereof.

A transmit chain may be configured to generate and transmit signals (e.g., control information, data, packets) . The transmit chain may include at least one modulator for modulating data onto a carrier signal, preparing the signal for transmission over a wireless medium. The at least one modulator may be configured to support one or more techniques such as amplitude modulation (AM) , frequency modulation (FM) , or digital modulation schemes like phase-shift keying (PSK) or quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) . The transmit chain may also include at least one power amplifier configured to amplify the modulated signal to an appropriate power level suitable for transmission over the wireless medium. The transmit chain may also include one or more antennas 1110 for transmitting the amplified signal into the air or wireless medium.

A receive chain may be configured to receive signals (e.g., control information, data, packets) over a wireless medium. For example, the receive chain may include one or more antennas 1110 for receive the signal over the air or wireless medium. The receive chain may include at least one amplifier (e.g., a low-noise amplifier (LNA) ) configured to amplify the received signal. The receive chain may include at least one demodulator configured to demodulate the receive signal and obtain the transmitted data by reversing the modulation technique applied during transmission of the signal. The receive chain may include at least one decoder for decoding the processing the demodulated signal to receive the transmitted data.

Fig. 12 illustrates an example of a device 1200 that supports indication of unused CG TOs in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The device 1200 may be an example of a UE 104 as described herein. The device 1200 may support wireless communication with one or more network entities 102, UEs 104, or any combination thereof. The device 1200 may include components for bi-directional communications including components for transmitting and receiving communications, such as a processor 1202, a memory 1204, a transceiver 1206, and, optionally, an I/O controller 1208. These components may be in electronic communication or otherwise coupled (e.g., operatively, communicatively, functionally, electronically, electrically) via one or more interfaces (e.g., buses) .

The processor 1202, the memory 1204, the transceiver 1206, or various combinations thereof or various components thereof may be examples of means for performing various aspects of the present disclosure as described herein. For example, the processor 1202, the memory 1204, the transceiver 1206, or various combinations or components thereof may support a method for performing one or more of the operations described herein.

In some implementations, the processor 1202, the memory 1204, the transceiver 1206, or various combinations or components thereof may be implemented in hardware (e.g., in communications management circuitry) . The hardware may include a processor, a digital signal processor (DSP) , an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) , a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof configured as or otherwise supporting a means for performing the functions described in the present disclosure. In some implementations, the processor 1202 and the memory 1204 coupled with the processor 1202 may be configured to perform one or more of the functions described herein (e.g., executing, by the processor 1202, instructions stored in the memory 1204) .

For example, the processor 1202 may support wireless communication at the device 1200 in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. The processor 1202 may be configured to operable to support a means for performing the following: determining multiple CG TOs associated with multiple CG configurations; and transmitting, to a base station, indication information in a first CG TO among the multiple CG TOs, the indication information indicating at least one unused CG TO among the multiple CG TOs, the first CG TO being associated with one of the multiple CG configurations.

The processor 1202 may include an intelligent hardware device (e.g., a general-purpose processor, a DSP, a CPU, a microcontroller, an ASIC, an FPGA, a programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic component, a discrete hardware component, or any combination thereof) . In some implementations, the processor 1202 may be configured to operate a memory array using a memory controller. In some other implementations, a memory controller may be integrated into the processor 1202. The processor 1202 may be configured to execute computer-readable instructions stored in a memory (e.g., the memory 1204) to cause the device 1200 to perform various functions of the present disclosure.

The memory 1204 may include random access memory (RAM) and read-only memory (ROM) . The memory 1204 may store computer-readable, computer-executable code including instructions that, when executed by the processor 1202 cause the device 1200 to perform various functions described herein. The code may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium such as system memory or another type of memory. In some implementations, the code may not be directly executable by the processor 1202 but may cause a computer (e.g., when compiled and executed) to perform functions described herein. In some implementations, the memory 1204 may include, among other things, a basic I/O system (BIOS) which may control basic hardware or software operation such as the interaction with peripheral components or devices.

The I/O controller 1208 may manage input and output signals for the device 1200. The I/O controller 1208 may also manage peripherals not integrated into the device M02. In some implementations, the I/O controller 1208 may represent a physical connection or port to an external peripheral. In some implementations, the I/O controller 1208 may utilize an operating system such as or another known operating system. In some implementations, the I/O controller 1208 may be implemented as part of a processor, such as the processor 1206. In some implementations, a user may interact with the device 1200 via the I/O controller 1208 or via hardware components controlled by the I/O controller 1208.

In some implementations, the device 1200 may include a single antenna 1210. However, in some other implementations, the device 1200 may have more than one antenna 1210 (i.e., multiple antennas) , including multiple antenna panels or antenna arrays, which may be capable of concurrently transmitting or receiving multiple wireless transmissions. The transceiver 1206 may communicate bi-directionally, via the one or more antennas 1210, wired, or wireless links as described herein. For example, the transceiver 1206 may represent a wireless transceiver and may communicate bi-directionally with another wireless transceiver. The transceiver 1206 may also include a modem to modulate the packets, to provide the modulated packets to one or more antennas 1210 for transmission, and to demodulate packets received from the one or more antennas 1210. The transceiver 1206 may include one or more transmit chains, one or more receive chains, or a combination thereof.

A transmit chain may be configured to generate and transmit signals (e.g., control information, data, packets) . The transmit chain may include at least one modulator for modulating data onto a carrier signal, preparing the signal for transmission over a wireless medium. The at least one modulator may be configured to support one or more techniques such as amplitude modulation (AM) , frequency modulation (FM) , or digital modulation schemes like phase-shift keying (PSK) or quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) . The transmit chain may also include at least one power amplifier configured to amplify the modulated signal to an appropriate power level suitable for transmission over the wireless medium. The transmit chain may also include one or more antennas 1210 for transmitting the amplified signal into the air or wireless medium.

A receive chain may be configured to receive signals (e.g., control information, data, packets) over a wireless medium. For example, the receive chain may include one or more antennas 1210 for receive the signal over the air or wireless medium. The receive chain may include at least one amplifier (e.g., a low-noise amplifier (LNA) ) configured to amplify the received signal. The receive chain may include at least one demodulator configured to demodulate the receive signal and obtain the transmitted data by reversing the modulation technique applied during transmission of the signal. The receive chain may include at least one decoder for decoding the processing the demodulated signal to receive the transmitted data.

Fig. 13 illustrates an example of a processor 1300 that supports CG transmission in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The processor 1300 may be an example of a processor configured to perform various operations in accordance with examples as described herein. The processor 1300 may include a controller 1302 configured to perform various operations in accordance with examples as described herein. The processor 1300 may optionally include at least one memory 1304, such as L1/L2/L3 cache. Additionally, or alternatively, the processor 1300 may optionally include one or more arithmetic-logic units (ALUs) 1300. One or more of these components may be in electronic communication or otherwise coupled (e.g., operatively, communicatively, functionally, electronically, electrically) via one or more interfaces (e.g., buses) .

The processor 1300 may be a processor chipset and include a protocol stack (e.g., a software stack) executed by the processor chipset to perform various operations (e.g., receiving, obtaining, retrieving, transmitting, outputting, forwarding, storing, determining, identifying, accessing, writing, reading) in accordance with examples as described herein. The processor chipset may include one or more cores, one or more caches (e.g., memory local to or included in the processor chipset (e.g., the processor 1300) or other memory (e.g., random access memory (RAM) , read-only memory (ROM) , dynamic RAM (DRAM) , synchronous dynamic RAM (SDRAM) , static RAM (SRAM) , ferroelectric RAM (FeRAM) , magnetic RAM (MRAM) , resistive RAM (RRAM) , flash memory, phase change memory (PCM) , and others) .

The controller 1302 may be configured to manage and coordinate various operations (e.g., signaling, receiving, obtaining, retrieving, transmitting, outputting, forwarding, storing, determining, identifying, accessing, writing, reading) of the processor 1300 to cause the processor 1300 to support various operations in accordance with examples as described herein. For example, the controller 1302 may operate as a control unit of the processor 1300, generating control signals that manage the operation of various components of the processor 1300. These control signals include enabling or disabling functional units, selecting data paths, initiating memory access, and coordinating timing of operations.

The controller 1302 may be configured to fetch (e.g., obtain, retrieve, receive) instructions from the memory 1304 and determine subsequent instruction (s) to be executed to cause the processor 1300 to support various operations in accordance with examples as described herein. The controller 1302 may be configured to track memory address of instructions associated with the memory 1304. The controller 1302 may be configured to decode instructions to determine the operation to be performed and the operands involved. For example, the controller 1302 may be configured to interpret the instruction and determine control signals to be output to other components of the processor 1300 to cause the processor 1300 to support various operations in accordance with examples as described herein. Additionally, or alternatively, the controller 1302 may be configured to manage flow of data within the processor 1300. The controller 1302 may be configured to control transfer of data between registers, arithmetic logic units (ALUs) , and other functional units of the processor 1300.

The memory 1304 may include one or more caches (e.g., memory local to or included in the processor 1300 or other memory, such RAM, ROM, DRAM, SDRAM, SRAM, MRAM, flash memory, etc. In some implementation, the memory 1304 may reside within or on a processor chipset (e.g., local to the processor 1300) . In some other implementations, the memory 1304 may reside external to the processor chipset (e.g., remote to the processor 1300) .

The memory 1304 may store computer-readable, computer-executable code including instructions that, when executed by the processor 1300, cause the processor 1300 to perform various functions described herein. The code may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium such as system memory or another type of memory. The controller 1302 and/or the processor 1300 may be configured to execute computer-readable instructions stored in the memory 1304 to cause the processor 1300 to perform various functions. For example, the processor 1300 and/or the controller 1302 may be coupled with or to the memory 1304, the processor 1300, the controller 1302, and the memory 1304 may be configured to perform various functions described herein. In some examples, the processor 1300 may include multiple processors and the memory 1304 may include multiple memories. One or more of the multiple processors may be coupled with one or more of the multiple memories, which may, individually or collectively, be configured to perform various functions herein.

The one or more ALUs 1300 may be configured to support various operations in accordance with examples as described herein. In some implementation, the one or more ALUs 1300 may reside within or on a processor chipset (e.g., the processor 1300) . In some other implementations, the one or more ALUs 1300 may reside external to the processor chipset (e.g., the processor 1300) . One or more ALUs 1300 may perform one or more computations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division on data. For example, one or more ALUs 1300 may receive input operands and an operation code, which determines an operation to be executed. One or more ALUs 1300 be configured with a variety of logical and arithmetic circuits, including adders, subtractors, shifters, and logic gates, to process and manipulate the data according to the operation. Additionally, or alternatively, the one or more ALUs 1300 may support logical operations such as AND, OR, exclusive-OR (XOR) , not-OR (NOR) , and not-AND (NAND) , enabling the one or more ALUs 1300 to handle conditional operations, comparisons, and bitwise operations.

The processor 1300 may support wireless communication in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. The processor 1300 may be configured to or operable to support a means for determining a first configuration of multiple CG TOs in a period of one of at least one CG configuration; determining a second configuration of repetitions of CG transmissions, the first configuration and the second configuration being associated with the one of at least one CG configuration; and performing the repetitions of CG transmissions based on the first configuration and the second configuration.

Fig. 14 illustrates an example of a processor 1400 that supports indication of unused CG TOs in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The processor 1400 may be an example of a processor configured to perform various operations in accordance with examples as described herein. The processor 1400 may include a controller 1402 configured to perform various operations in accordance with examples as described herein. The processor 1400 may optionally include at least one memory 1404, such as L1/L2/L3 cache. Additionally, or alternatively, the processor 1400 may optionally include one or more arithmetic-logic units (ALUs) 1400. One or more of these components may be in electronic communication or otherwise coupled (e.g., operatively, communicatively, functionally, electronically, electrically) via one or more interfaces (e.g., buses) .

The processor 1400 may be a processor chipset and include a protocol stack (e.g., a software stack) executed by the processor chipset to perform various operations (e.g., receiving, obtaining, retrieving, transmitting, outputting, forwarding, storing, determining, identifying, accessing, writing, reading) in accordance with examples as described herein. The processor chipset may include one or more cores, one or more caches (e.g., memory local to or included in the processor chipset (e.g., the processor 1400) or other memory (e.g., random access memory (RAM) , read-only memory (ROM) , dynamic RAM (DRAM) , synchronous dynamic RAM (SDRAM) , static RAM (SRAM) , ferroelectric RAM (FeRAM) , magnetic RAM (MRAM) , resistive RAM (RRAM) , flash memory, phase change memory (PCM) , and others) .

The controller 1402 may be configured to manage and coordinate various operations (e.g., signaling, receiving, obtaining, retrieving, transmitting, outputting, forwarding, storing, determining, identifying, accessing, writing, reading) of the processor 1400 to cause the processor 1400 to support various operations in accordance with examples as described herein. For example, the controller 1402 may operate as a control unit of the processor 1400, generating control signals that manage the operation of various components of the processor 1400. These control signals include enabling or disabling functional units, selecting data paths, initiating memory access, and coordinating timing of operations.

The controller 1402 may be configured to fetch (e.g., obtain, retrieve, receive) instructions from the memory 1404 and determine subsequent instruction (s) to be executed to cause the processor 1400 to support various operations in accordance with examples as described herein. The controller 1402 may be configured to track memory address of instructions associated with the memory 1404. The controller 1402 may be configured to decode instructions to determine the operation to be performed and the operands involved. For example, the controller 1402 may be configured to interpret the instruction and determine control signals to be output to other components of the processor 1400 to cause the processor 1400 to support various operations in accordance with examples as described herein. Additionally, or alternatively, the controller 1402 may be configured to manage flow of data within the processor 1400. The controller 1402 may be configured to control transfer of data between registers, arithmetic logic units (ALUs) , and other functional units of the processor 1400.

The memory 1404 may include one or more caches (e.g., memory local to or included in the processor 1400 or other memory, such RAM, ROM, DRAM, SDRAM, SRAM, MRAM, flash memory, etc. In some implementation, the memory 1404 may reside within or on a processor chipset (e.g., local to the processor 1400) . In some other implementations, the memory 1404 may reside external to the processor chipset (e.g., remote to the processor 1400) .

The memory 1404 may store computer-readable, computer-executable code including instructions that, when executed by the processor 1400, cause the processor 1400 to perform various functions described herein. The code may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium such as system memory or another type of memory. The controller 1402 and/or the processor 1400 may be configured to execute computer-readable instructions stored in the memory 1404 to cause the processor 1400 to perform various functions. For example, the processor 1400 and/or the controller 1402 may be coupled with or to the memory 1404, the processor 1400, the controller 1402, and the memory 1404 may be configured to perform various functions described herein. In some examples, the processor 1400 may include multiple processors and the memory 1404 may include multiple memories. One or more of the multiple processors may be coupled with one or more of the multiple memories, which may, individually or collectively, be configured to perform various functions herein.

The one or more ALUs 1400 may be configured to support various operations in accordance with examples as described herein. In some implementation, the one or more ALUs 1400 may reside within or on a processor chipset (e.g., the processor 1400) . In some other implementations, the one or more ALUs 1400 may reside external to the processor chipset (e.g., the processor 1400) . One or more ALUs 1400 may perform one or more computations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division on data. For example, one or more ALUs 1400 may receive input operands and an operation code, which determines an operation to be executed. One or more ALUs 1400 be configured with a variety of logical and arithmetic circuits, including adders, subtractors, shifters, and logic gates, to process and manipulate the data according to the operation. Additionally, or alternatively, the one or more ALUs 1400 may support logical operations such as AND, OR, exclusive-OR (XOR) , not-OR (NOR) , and not-AND (NAND) , enabling the one or more ALUs 1400 to handle conditional operations, comparisons, and bitwise operations.

The processor 1400 may support wireless communication in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. The processor 1400 may be configured to or operable to support a means for performing the following: determining multiple CG TOs associated with multiple CG configurations; and transmitting, to a base station, indication information in a first CG TO among the multiple CG TOs, the indication information indicating at least one unused CG TO among the multiple CG TOs, the first CG TO being associated with one of the multiple CG configurations.

Fig. 15 illustrates a flowchart of a method 1500 that supports CG transmission in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of the method 1500 may be implemented by a device or its components as described herein. For example, the operations of the method 1500 may be performed by a UE 104 as described herein. In some implementations, the device may execute a set of instructions to control the function elements of the device to perform the described functions. Additionally, or alternatively, the device may perform aspects of the described functions using special-purpose hardware.

At 1510, the method may include determining a first configuration of multiple CG TOs in a period of one of at least one CG configuration. The operations of 1510 may be performed in accordance with examples as described herein. In some implementations, aspects of the operations of 1510 may be performed by a device as described with reference to Fig. 1.

At 1520, the method may include determining a second configuration of repetitions of CG transmissions. The first configuration and the second configuration are associated with the one of at least one CG configuration. The operations of 1520 may be performed in accordance with examples as described herein. In some implementations, aspects of the operations of 1520 may be performed by a device as described with reference to Fig. 1.

At 1530, the method may include performing the repetitions of CG transmissions based on the first configuration and the second configuration. The operations of 1530 may be performed in accordance with examples as described herein. In some implementations, aspects of the operations of 1530 may be performed by a device as described with reference to Fig. 1.

Fig. 16 illustrates a flowchart of a method 1600 that supports indication of unused CG TOs in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of the method 1600 may be implemented by a device or its components as described herein. For example, the operations of the method 1600 may be performed by a UE 104 as described herein. In some implementations, the device may execute a set of instructions to control the function elements of the device to perform the described functions. Additionally, or alternatively, the device may perform aspects of the described functions using special-purpose hardware.

At 1610, the method may include determining multiple CG TOs associated with multiple CG configurations. The operations of 1610 may be performed in accordance with examples as described herein. In some implementations, aspects of the operations of 1610 may be performed by a device as described with reference to Fig. 1.

At 1620, the method may include transmitting, to a base station, indication information in a first CG TO among the multiple CG TOs. The indication information indicates at least one unused CG TO among the multiple CG TOs. The first CG TO is associated with one of the multiple CG configurations. The operations of 1620 may be performed in accordance with examples as described herein. In some implementations, aspects of the operations of 1620 may be performed by a device as described with reference to Fig. 1.

It should be noted that the methods described herein describes possible implementations, and that the operations and the steps may be rearranged or otherwise modified and that other implementations are possible. Further, aspects from two or more of the methods may be combined.

The various illustrative blocks and components described in connection with the disclosure herein may be implemented or performed with a general-purpose processor, a DSP, an ASIC, a CPU, an FPGA or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but in the alternative, the processor may be any processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices (e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration.

The functions described herein may be implemented in hardware, software executed by a processor, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software executed by a processor, the functions may be stored on or transmitted over as one or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium. Other examples and implementations are within the scope of the disclosure and appended claims. For example, due to the nature of software, functions described herein may be implemented using software executed by a processor, hardware, firmware, hardwiring, or combinations of any of these. Features implementing functions may also be physically located at various positions, including being distributed such that portions of functions are implemented at different physical locations.

Computer-readable media includes both non-transitory computer storage media and communication media including any medium that facilitates transfer of a computer program from one place to another. A non-transitory storage medium may be any available medium that may be accessed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer. By way of example, non-transitory computer-readable media may include RAM, ROM, electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM) , flash memory, compact disk (CD) ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other non-transitory medium that may be used to carry or store desired program code means in the form of instructions or data structures and that may be accessed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer, or a general-purpose or special-purpose processor.

As used herein, including in the claims, an article “a” before an element is unrestricted and understood to refer to “at least one” of those elements or “one or more” of those elements. The terms “a, ” “at least one, ” “one or more, ” and “at least one of one or more” may be interchangeable. As used herein, including in the claims, “or” as used in a list of items (e.g., a list of items prefaced by a phrase such as “at least one of” or “one or more of” or “one or both of” ) indicates an inclusive list such that, for example, a list of at least one of A, B, or C means A or B or C or AB or AC or BC or ABC (i.e., A and B and C) . Also, as used herein, the phrase “based on” shall not be construed as a reference to a closed set of conditions. For example, an example step that is described as “based on condition A” may be based on both a condition A and a condition B without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In other words, as used herein, the phrase “based on” shall be construed in the same manner as the phrase “based at least in part on. Further, as used herein, including in the claims, a “set” may include one or more elements.

The description herein is provided to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make or use the disclosure. Various modifications to the disclosure will be apparent to a person having ordinary skill in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other variations without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Thus, the disclosure is not limited to the examples and designs described herein but is to be accorded the broadest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

A user equipment (UE) , comprising:

a processor; and

a transceiver coupled to the processor,

wherein the processor is configured to:

determine a first configuration of multiple configured grant (CG) transmission occasions (TOs) in a period of one of at least one CG configuration;

determine a second configuration of repetitions of CG transmissions, the first configuration and the second configuration being associated with the one of at least one CG configuration; and

perform the repetitions of CG transmissions based on the first configuration and the second configuration.
The UE of claim 1, wherein the first configuration of multiple CG TOs comprises a first number of the multiple CG TOs in the period, the second configuration of repetitions comprises a second number of repetitions.
The UE of claim 2, wherein the processor is configured to perform the repetitions of CG transmissions by:

determining repetition groups in the period based at least on the first number and the second number, each of the repetition groups comprising a repetition of at least one transmission block (TB) .
The UE of claim 2 and 3, wherein the processor is configured to perform the repetitions of CG transmissions by:

determining the first number of repetition groups and the second number of CG TOs associated with each of the repetition groups, each of the repetition groups comprising the second number of repetitions of one transmission block (TB) ,

determining the second number of repetition groups and the first number of CG TOs associated with each of the repetition groups, each of the repetition groups comprising repetitions of at most the first number of TBs,

determining a third number of repetition groups and the second number of CG TOs associated with each of the repetition groups, each of the repetition groups comprising the second number of repetitions of one TB, the third number being equal to the first number divided by the second number, or

determining the second number of repetition groups and the third number of CG TOs associated with each of the repetition groups, each of the repetition groups comprises repetitions of at most the third number of TBs.
The UE of claim 2, wherein the repetition groups comprises a first repetition group and a second repetition group subsequent to the first repetition group; and

wherein the processor is configured to determine the repetition groups by:

determining the second repetition group based the first number, the second number and an end of transmission of the first repetition group.
The UE of claim 4 or 5, wherein the processor is configured to perform the repetitions of CG transmissions by:

determining a hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) process identity (HPID) based at least on the second number and the number of HARQ processes, the HPID being associated with one of the following:

an initial transmission of the TB in one of the repetition groups, or

one of the repetition groups.
The UE of claim 3, wherein the processor is configured to perform the repetitions of CG transmissions by:

determining a hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) process identity (HPID) based at least on the first number, the second number and the number of HARQ processes, the HPID being associated with one of the following:

an initial transmission of the TB in one of the repetition groups, or

one of the repetition groups.
The UE of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to perform the repetitions of CG transmissions by:

based on determining that an initial transmission of a first transmission block (TB) overlaps a repetition of a transmission of a second transmission block (TB) in a CG TO in the period, performing the repetition of the transmission of the second TB in the CG TO.
The UE of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to perform the repetitions of CG transmissions by:

based on determining that an initial transmission of a first transmission block (TB) overlaps a repetition of a transmission of a second transmission block (TB) in a CG TO in the period, terminating the repetition of the transmission of the second TB in the CG TO.
The UE of claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the processor is further configured to:

transmit indication information in a CG TO via the transceiver to a base station, the indication information indicating at least one unused CG TO among CG TOs for repetitions of the CG transmissions.
The UE of claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the processor is further configured to:

transmit indication information in a CG TO via the transceiver to a base station, the indication information indicating at least one unused CG TO among CG TOs only for initial repetitions of the CG transmissions.
The UE of claim 10 or 11, wherein the processor is further configured to:

determine indexes for the CG TOs in a time duration based on a predefined order; and

determine the indication information based on the indexes.
A user equipment (UE) , comprising:

a processor; and

a transceiver coupled to the processor,

wherein the processor is configured to:

determine multiple configured grant (CG) transmission occasions (TOs) associated with multiple CG configurations; and

transmit, via the transceiver to a base station, indication information in a first CG TO among the multiple CG TOs, the indication information indicating at least one unused CG TO among the multiple CG TOs, the first CG TO being associated with one of the multiple CG configurations.
The UE of claim 13, wherein the processor is further configured to:

determine indexes for the multiple CG TOs in a time duration based on a predefined order; and

determine the indication information based on the indexes.
The UE of claim 14, wherein the predefined order based on at least one of the following:

time resource indexes of the multiple CG TOs,

frequency resource indexes of the multiple CG TOs,

periodicity indexes of the multiple CG TOs,

a number of CG TOs in a period of each of the multiple CG configurations,

CG size indexes of the multiple CG TOs,

priority indexes of the multiple CG TOs,

indexes of the multiple CG configurations, or

DMRS indexes of the multiple CG TOs.
The UE of claim 14 or 15, wherein the predefined order comprises at least one of the following:

a first ascending order of time resource indexes of the multiple CG TOs,

a second ascending order of frequency resource indexes of the multiple CG TOs,

a third ascending order of periodicity indexes of the multiple CG TOs,

a fourth descending order of the number of CG TOs in a period of each of the multiple CG configurations,

a fifth descending order of CG size indexes of the multiple CG TOs,

a sixth ascending order of priority indexes of the multiple CG TOs,

a seventh ascending order of indexes of the multiple CG configurations, or

an eighth order of demodulation reference signal (DMRS) indexes of the multiple CG TOs.
The UE of claim 14, wherein the multiple CG configurations comprises a first CG configuration and at least one second CG configuration, the first CG TO is associated with the first CG configuration, and the predefined order indicates that a first priority of the first CG configuration is higher than a second priority of the at least one second CG configuration.
The UE of claim 14 or 17, wherein the predefined order comprises a first predefined order of a first plurality of CG TOs associated with one of the multiple CG configurations, and the first predefined order comprises at least one of the following:

a first ascending order of time resource indexes of the first plurality of CG TOs, or

an eighth order of demodulation reference signal (DMRS) indexes of the first plurality of CG TOs.
The UE of claim 17, wherein the predefined order comprises a second predefined order of a second plurality of CG TOs associated with the at least one second CG configuration, and the second predefined order comprises at least one of the following:

a first ascending order of time resource indexes of the second plurality of CG TOs,

a second ascending order of frequency resource indexes of the second plurality of CG TOs,

a third ascending order of periodicity indexes of the second plurality of CG TOs,

a fourth descending order of the number of CG TOs in a period of each of the at least one second CG configuration,

a fifth descending order of CG size indexes of the second plurality of CG TOs,

a sixth ascending order of priority indexes of the second plurality of CG TOs,

a seventh ascending order of indexes of the at least one second CG configuration, or

an eighth order of demodulation reference signal (DMRS) indexes of the second plurality of CG TOs.
The UE of claim 13, wherein the indication information indicates at least one unused CG TO among the multiple CG TOs for repetitions of CG transmissions.