WO2025256802A1

WO2025256802A1 - Signal reception

Info

Publication number: WO2025256802A1
Application number: PCT/EP2025/060961
Authority: WO
Inventors: Karri Markus Ranta-Aho; Cássio Barboza RIBEIRO; Johannes HEJSELBAEK; Matthew Baker; Hartmut Wilhelm
Original assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy
Current assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy
Priority date: 2024-06-10
Filing date: 2025-04-23
Publication date: 2025-12-18
Anticipated expiration: 2026-12-10
Also published as: GB202408254D0; GB2641736A

Abstract

Embodiments relate to an apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform receiving signals, from a network node, within a first frequency range in a first mode The first frequency range contains at least two non-contiguous frequency blocks for containing signals transmitted by the network node separated by at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node. The apparatus is further caused to perform receiving signals, from the network node, within a second frequency range in a second mode. The second frequency range is contained within the first frequency range. The second frequency range comprises a contiguous frequency block of the at least two non-contiguous frequency blocks and excludes the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node. The apparatus is further caused to perform obtaining an indication that the apparatus is to change from the first mode to the second mode and adjusting the apparatus from the first mode to the second mode in response to obtaining the indication that the apparatus is to change from the first mode to the second mode.

Description

SIGNAL RECEPTION

TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

Various example embodiments relate to signal reception and signal transmission.

BACKGROUND

User equipment may be configured to receive signals transmitted by a network node in a wireless communication network. The user equipment may receive unwanted signals that were not transmitted by the network node. It would be desirable to mitigate the effects of such unwanted signals.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The scope of protection sought for various example embodiments of the invention is set out by the independent claims. The example embodiments and features, if any, described in this specification that do not fall under the scope of the independent claims are to be interpreted as examples useful for understanding various embodiments of the invention.

According to various, but not necessarily all, example embodiments of the invention there is provided an apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that when executed by the at least one processor cause the apparatus at least to perform: receiving signals, from a network node, within a first frequency range in a first mode, the first frequency range containing at least one frequency block for containing signals transmitted by the network node and at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node; receiving signals, from the network node, within a second frequency range in a second mode, the second frequency range being contained within the first frequency range and excluding the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node; obtaining an indication that the apparatus is to change from the first mode to the second mode; and adjusting the apparatus from the first mode to the second mode in response to obtaining the indication that the apparatus is to change from the first mode to the second mode. In some example embodiments, the apparatus is further caused to perform: determining at least one of the following: an indication of a signal level; and an indication of an error rate of signals received from the network node.

In some example embodiments, a plurality of indications of a signal level are determined. In some example embodiments, a plurality of indications of an error rate of signals received from the network node are determined.

In some example embodiments, the apparatus is further caused to perform: obtaining an indication of the first frequency range and an indication of the at least one frequency block for containing signals transmitted by the network node; and optionally determining the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node based on the indication of the first frequency range and the indication of the at least one frequency block for containing signals transmitted by the network node, wherein the determining the indication of the signal level relates to at least a portion of the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node.

In some example embodiments, the apparatus is caused to perform: receiving an indication of the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node.

In some example embodiments, obtaining the indication that the apparatus is to change from the first mode to the second mode comprises at least one of the following: determining that a criterion has been met; and receiving, from the network node, the indication that the apparatus is to change from the first mode to the second mode.

In some example embodiments, the received indication that the apparatus is to change from the first mode to the second mode from the network node comprises an instruction to adjust the apparatus from the first mode to the second mode.

In some example embodiments, the received indication from the network node that the apparatus is to change from the first mode to the second mode consists in or comprises information indicating that the apparatus needs to receive signals in the second frequency range.

In some example embodiments, the received indication from the network node that the apparatus is to change from the first mode to the second mode comprises information indicating a bandwidth part (BWP) within the second frequency range over which further signals from the network node will be transmitted.

In some example embodiments, the received indication that the apparatus is to change from the first mode to the second mode from the network node comprises an indication of an adjustment by the network node from a first scheduling mode in which the network node is configured to transmit signals over the at least one frequency block for containing transmissions by the network node to a second scheduling mode in which the network node is configured to transmit signals over a bandwidth part within the second frequency range.

In some example embodiments, in response to receiving the indication that the apparatus is to change from the first mode to the second mode, the apparatus is further configured to perform: transmitting an acknowledgment to the network node.

In some example embodiments, when obtaining the indication that the apparatus is to change from the first mode to the second mode comprises determining that the criterion has been met, the determining that the criterion has been met is based on at least one of the following: the indication of the signal level; and the indication of the error rate.

In some example embodiments, when obtaining the indication that the apparatus is to change from the first mode to the second mode comprises determining that the criterion has been met, the apparatus is further caused to perform: transmitting to the network node an indication of the adjustment of the apparatus from the first mode to the second mode.

In some example embodiments, the apparatus is further caused to perform: transmitting to the network node at least one of the following: an indication of the signal level; and an indication of the error rate. In some example embodiments, the apparatus is further caused to perform: obtaining an indication that the apparatus is to change from the second mode to the first mode; and adjusting the apparatus from the second mode to the first mode in response to obtaining the indication that the apparatus is to change from the second mode to the first mode.

In some example embodiments, the apparatus is caused to perform: transmitting to the network node at least one of the following: an indication of the signal level; and an indication of the error rate. In some example embodiments, the apparatus is caused to perform: receiving from the network node an indication that the apparatus is to change from the second mode to the first mode.

In some example embodiments, adjusting the apparatus between the first mode and the second mode comprises adjusting a filter of the apparatus between a first state in which signals received within the first frequency range are passed and a second state in which only signals received within the second frequency range are passed.

In some example embodiments, the apparatus is further caused to perform: receiving, from the network node, at least one of the following: an indication of the first frequency range; an indication of the second frequency range; an indication of the at least one frequency block for containing signals transmitted by the network node; an indication of the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node; and an indication of at least one frequency block in which the apparatus is to measure a signal level.

In some example embodiments, the apparatus comprises a user equipment. In some example embodiments, the apparatus comprises a terminal device.

According to various, but not necessarily all, example embodiments of the invention there is provided an apparatus comprising: means for receiving signals, from a network node, within a first frequency range in a first mode, the first frequency range containing at least one frequency block for containing signals transmitted by the network node and at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node; means for receiving signals, from the network node, within a second frequency range in a second mode, the second frequency range being contained within the first frequency range and excluding the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node; means for obtaining an indication that the apparatus is to change from the first mode to the second mode; and means for adjusting the apparatus from the first mode to the second mode in response to obtaining the indication that the apparatus is to change from the first mode to the second mode.

The means may perform the optional features set out in relation to the apparatus mentioned above.

The processor, memory, and example algorithms, encoded as instructions, program, or code, may be the means for providing or causing the performance of the operation.

According to various, but not necessarily all, example embodiments of the invention there is provided an apparatus comprising: circuitry configured to perform receiving signals, from a network node, within a first frequency range in a first mode, the first frequency range containing at least one frequency block for containing signals transmitted by the network node and at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node; circuitry configured to perform receiving signals, from the network node, within a second frequency range in a second mode, the second frequency range being contained within the first frequency range and excluding the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node; circuitry configured to perform obtaining an indication that the apparatus is to change from the first mode to the second mode; and circuitry configured to perform adjusting the apparatus from the first mode to the second mode in response to obtaining the indication that the apparatus is to change from the first mode to the second mode.

The circuitry may be configured perform the optional features set out in relation to the apparatus mentioned above.

According to various, but not necessarily all, example embodiments of the invention there is provided an apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that when executed by the at least one processor cause the apparatus at least to perform: transmitting signals, to a user equipment, within at least one frequency block for containing signals transmitted by the apparatus in a first scheduling mode, the at least one frequency block for containing signals transmitted by the apparatus being contained within a first frequency range in which the user equipment is configured to receive signals in a first mode, the first frequency range further containing at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the apparatus; transmitting signals, to the user equipment, within a bandwidth part contained within the at least one frequency block for containing signals transmitted by the apparatus in a second scheduling mode, the bandwidth part being contained within a second frequency range in which the user equipment is configured to receive signals in a second mode, the second frequency range being contained within the first frequency range and excluding the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the apparatus; obtaining an indication of an adjustment of the user equipment from the first mode to the second mode; and adjusting the apparatus from the first scheduling mode to the second scheduling mode in response to obtaining the indication of the adjustment of the user equipment from the first mode to the second mode.

In some example embodiments, the apparatus is further caused to perform at least one of the following: transmitting to the user equipment an indication for the user equipment to receive signals within the first frequency range; and transmitting to the user equipment an indication of the adjustment by the apparatus from the first scheduling mode to the second scheduling mode.

In some example embodiments, obtaining the indication of the adjustment of the user equipment from the first mode to the second mode comprises at least one of the following: receiving, from the user equipment, the indication of the adjustment of the user equipment from the first mode to the second mode; and determining that a criterion has been met. In some example embodiments, when obtaining the indication comprises determining that a criterion has been met, the determining that the criterion has been met is based on at least one of the following: an indication of a signal level; an indication of an error rate of signals received by the user equipment from the apparatus; an indication of an error rate of signals received by the apparatus from the user equipment.

In some example embodiments, the apparatus is further caused to perform at least one of the following: if the determining that the criterion has been met is based on the indication of the error rate of signals received by the apparatus from the user equipment, determining the indication of the error rate of signals received by the apparatus from the user equipment; and receiving from the user equipment at least one of the following: if the determining that the criterion has been met is based on the indication of the signal level, the indication of the signal level; and if the determining that the criterion has been met is based on the indication of the error rate of signals received by the user equipment from the apparatus, the indication of the error rate of signals received by the user equipment from the apparatus.

In some example embodiments, the apparatus is further caused to perform: obtaining an indication of an adjustment of the user equipment from the second mode to the first mode; and adjusting the apparatus from the second scheduling mode to the first scheduling mode in response to obtaining the indication of the adjustment of the user equipment from the second mode to the first mode.

In some example embodiments, the apparatus is further caused to perform: transmitting to the user equipment at least one of the following: an indication of the first frequency range; an indication of the second frequency range; an indication of the bandwidth part; an indication of the at least one frequency block for containing signals transmitted by the apparatus; an indication of the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the apparatus; and an indication of at least one frequency block in which the user equipment is to measure a signal level.

In some example embodiments, the apparatus is further caused to perform: transmitting retransmissions to the user equipment in the bandwidth part.

In some example embodiments, the apparatus comprises a network node. In some example embodiments, the network node comprises at least one of the following: a base station, an access node, a gNodeB/gNB, and an eNodeB.

According to various, but not necessarily all, example embodiments of the invention there is provided an apparatus comprising: means for transmitting signals, to a user equipment, within at least one frequency block for containing signals transmitted by the apparatus in a first scheduling mode, the at least one frequency block for containing signals transmitted by the apparatus being contained within a first frequency range in which the user equipment is configured to receive signals in a first mode, the first frequency range further containing at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the apparatus; means for transmitting signals, to the user equipment, within a bandwidth part contained within the at least one frequency block for containing signals transmitted by the apparatus in a second scheduling mode, the bandwidth part being contained within a second frequency range in which the user equipment is configured to receive signals in a second mode, the second frequency range being contained within the first frequency range and excluding the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the apparatus; means for obtaining an indication of an adjustment of the user equipment from the first mode to the second mode; and means for adjusting the apparatus from the first scheduling mode to the second scheduling mode in response to obtaining the indication of the adjustment of the user equipment from the first mode to the second mode.

The means may perform the optional features set out in relation to the apparatus mentioned above. The processor, memory, and example algorithms, encoded as instructions, program, or code, may be the means for providing or causing the performance of the operation.

According to various, but not necessarily all, example embodiments of the invention there is provided an apparatus comprising: circuitry configured to perform transmitting signals, to a user equipment, within at least one frequency block for containing signals transmitted by the apparatus in a first scheduling mode, the at least one frequency block for containing signals transmitted by the apparatus being contained within a first frequency range in which the user equipment is configured to receive signals in a first mode, the first frequency range further containing at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the apparatus; circuitry configured to perform transmitting signals, to the user equipment, within a bandwidth part contained within the at least one frequency block for containing signals transmitted by the apparatus in a second scheduling mode, the bandwidth part being contained within a second frequency range in which the user equipment is configured to receive signals in a second mode, the second frequency range being contained within the first frequency range and excluding the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the apparatus; circuitry configured to perform obtaining an indication of an adjustment of the user equipment from the first mode to the second mode; and circuitry configured to perform adjusting the apparatus from the first scheduling mode to the second scheduling mode in response to obtaining the indication of the adjustment of the user equipment from the first mode to the second mode.

According to various, but not necessarily all, example embodiments of the invention there is provided a method performed by a user equipment, the method comprising: receiving signals, from a network node, within a first frequency range in a first mode, the first frequency range containing at least one frequency block for containing signals transmitted by the network node and at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node; receiving signals, from the network node, within a second frequency range in a second mode, the second frequency range being contained within the first frequency range and excluding the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node; obtaining an indication that the user equipment is to change from the first mode to the second mode; and adjusting the user equipment from the first mode to the second mode in response to obtaining the indication that the user equipment is to change from the first mode to the second mode.

In some example embodiments, the method further comprises: determining at least one of the following: an indication of a signal level; and an indication of an error rate of signals received from the network node.

In some example embodiments, the method further comprises: obtaining an indication of the first frequency range and an indication of the at least one frequency block for containing signals transmitted by the network node; and determining the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network based on the indication of the first frequency range and the indication of the at least one frequency block for containing signals transmitted by the network node, wherein the determining the indication of the signal level relates to at least a portion of the at least one frequency block for containing signals transmitted by the network node.

In some example embodiments, obtaining the indication that the user equipment is to change from the first mode to the second mode comprises at least one of the following: determining that a criterion has been met; and receiving, from the network node, the indication that the user equipment is to change from the first mode to the second mode.

In some example embodiments, when obtaining the indication that the user equipment is to change from the first mode to the second mode comprises determining that the criterion has been met, the determining that the criterion has been met is based on at least one of the following: the indication of the signal level; and the indication of the error rate.

In some example embodiments, the method further comprises: when obtaining the indication that the user equipment is to change from the first mode to the second mode comprises determining that the criterion has been met, the method further comprises: transmitting to the network node an indication of the adjustment of the user equipment from the first mode to the second mode.

In some example embodiments, the method further comprises: transmitting to the network node at least one of the following: an indication of the signal level; and an indication of the error rate.

In some example embodiments, the method further comprises: obtaining an indication that the user equipment is to change from the second mode to the first mode; and adjusting the user equipment from the second mode to the first mode in response to obtaining the indication that the user equipment is to change from the second mode to the first mode.

In some example embodiments, adjusting the user equipment between the first mode and the second mode comprises adjusting a filter of the user equipment between a first state in which signals received within the first frequency range are passed and a second state in which only signals received within the second frequency range are passed.

In some example embodiments, the method further comprises: receiving, from the network node, at least one of the following: an indication of the first frequency range; an indication of the second frequency range; an indication of the at least one frequency block for containing signals transmitted by the network node; an indication of the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node; and an indication of at least one frequency block in which the apparatus is to measure a signal level.

According to various, but not necessarily all, example embodiments of the invention there is provided a computer program comprising instructions which, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following: receiving signals, from a network node, within a first frequency range in a first mode, the first frequency range containing at least one frequency block for containing signals transmitted by the network node and at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node; receiving signals, from the network node, within a second frequency range in a second mode, the second frequency range being contained within the first frequency range and excluding the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node; obtaining an indication that the user equipment is to change from the first mode to the second mode; and adjusting the user equipment from the first mode to the second mode in response to obtaining the indication that the user equipment is to change from the first mode to the second mode.

The instructions may be for performing the optional features set out in relation to the method mentioned above.

According to various, but not necessarily all, example embodiments of the invention there is provided a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions stored thereon for performing at least the following: receiving signals, from a network node, within a first frequency range in a first mode, the first frequency range containing at least one frequency block for containing signals transmitted by the network node and at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node; receiving signals, from the network node, within a second frequency range in a second mode, the second frequency range being contained within the first frequency range and excluding the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node; obtaining an indication that the user equipment is to change from the first mode to the second mode; and adjusting the user equipment from the first mode to the second mode in response to obtaining the indication that the user equipment is to change from the first mode to the second mode.

According to various, but not necessarily all, example embodiments of the invention there is provided a method performed by a network node, the method comprising: transmitting signals, to a user equipment, within at least one frequency block for containing signals transmitted by the network node in a first scheduling mode, the at least one frequency block for containing signals transmitted by the network node being contained within a first frequency range in which the user equipment is configured to receive signals in a first mode, the first frequency range further containing at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node; transmitting signals, to the user equipment, within a bandwidth part contained within the at least one frequency block for containing signals transmitted by the network node in a second scheduling mode, the bandwidth part being contained within a second frequency range in which the user equipment is configured to receive signals in a second mode, the second frequency range being contained within the first frequency range and excluding the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node; obtaining an indication of an adjustment of the user equipment from the first mode to the second mode; and adjusting the network node from the first scheduling mode to the second scheduling mode in response to obtaining the indication of the adjustment of the user equipment from the first mode to the second mode.

In some example embodiments, the method further comprises at least one of the following: transmitting to the user equipment an indication for the user equipment to receive signals within the first frequency range; and transmitting to the user equipment an indication of the adjustment by the apparatus from the first scheduling mode to the second scheduling mode.

In some example embodiments, the obtaining the indication of the adjustment of the user equipment from the first mode to the second mode comprises at least one of the following: receiving, from the user equipment, the indication of the adjustment of the user equipment from the first mode to the second mode; and determining that a criterion has been met.

In some example embodiments, when obtaining the indication comprises determining that a criterion has been met, the determining that the criterion has been met is based on at least one of the following: an indication of a signal level; an indication of an error rate of signals received by the user equipment from the network node; an indication of an error rate of signals received by the apparatus from the user equipment.

In some example embodiments, the method further comprises at least one of the following: if the determining that the criterion has been met is based on the indication of the error rate of signals received by the network node from the user equipment, determining the indication of the error rate of signals received by the network node from the user equipment; and receiving from the user equipment at least one of the following: if the determining that the criterion has been met is based on the indication of the signal level, the indication of the signal level; and if the determining that the criterion has been met is based on the indication of the error rate of signals received by the user equipment from the network node, the indication of the error rate of signals received by the user equipment from the network node.

In some example embodiments, the method further comprises: obtaining an indication of an adjustment of the user equipment from the second mode to the first mode; and adjusting the network node from the second scheduling mode to the first scheduling mode in response to obtaining the indication of the adjustment of the user equipment from the second mode to the first mode.

In some example embodiments, the method further comprises: transmitting to the user equipment at least one of the following: an indication of the first frequency range; an indication of the second frequency range; an indication of the bandwidth part; an indication of the at least one frequency block for containing signals transmitted by the network node; an indication of the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node; and an indication of at least one frequency block for in which the user equipment is to measure a signal level.

In some example embodiments, the method further comprises: transmitting retransmissions to the user equipment in the bandwidth part. According to various, but not necessarily all, example embodiments of the invention there is provided a computer program comprising instructions which, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following: transmitting signals, to a user equipment, within at least one frequency block for containing signals transmitted by the network node in a first scheduling mode, the at least one frequency block for containing signals transmitted by the network node being contained within a first frequency range in which the user equipment is configured to receive signals in a first mode, the first frequency range further containing at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node; transmitting signals, to the user equipment, within a bandwidth part contained within the at least one frequency block for containing signals transmitted by the network node in a second scheduling mode, the bandwidth part being contained within a second frequency range in which the user equipment is configured to receive signals in a second mode, the second frequency range being contained within the first frequency range and excluding the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node; obtaining an indication of an adjustment of the user equipment from the first mode to the second mode; and adjusting the network node from the first scheduling mode to the second scheduling mode in response to obtaining the indication of the adjustment of the user equipment from the first mode to the second mode.

According to various, but not necessarily all, example embodiments of the invention there is provided a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions stored thereon for performing at least the following: transmitting signals, to a user equipment, within at least one frequency block for containing signals transmitted by the network node in a first scheduling mode, the at least one frequency block for containing signals transmitted by the network node being contained within a first frequency range in which the user equipment is configured to receive signals in a first mode, the first frequency range further containing at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node; transmitting signals, to the user equipment, within a bandwidth part contained within the at least one frequency block for containing signals transmitted by the network node in a second scheduling mode, the bandwidth part being contained within a second frequency range in which the user equipment is configured to receive signals in a second mode, the second frequency range being contained within the first frequency range and excluding the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node; obtaining an indication of an adjustment of the user equipment from the first mode to the second mode; and adjusting the network node from the first scheduling mode to the second scheduling mode in response to obtaining the indication of the adjustment of the user equipment from the first mode to the second mode.

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According to various, but not necessarily all, example embodiments of the invention there is provided an apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that when executed by the at least one processor cause the apparatus at least to perform: receiving signals, from a network node, within a first frequency range in a first mode, the first frequency range containing at least two non-contiguous frequency blocks for containing signals transmitted by the network node separated by at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node; receiving signals, from the network node, within a second frequency range in a second mode, the second frequency range being contained within the first frequency range, the second frequency range comprising a contiguous frequency block of the at least two non-contiguous frequency blocks and excluding the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node; obtaining an indication that the apparatus is to change from the first mode to the second mode; and adjusting the apparatus from the first mode to the second mode in response to obtaining the indication that the apparatus is to change from the first mode to the second mode.

In some example embodiments, the second frequency range excludes at least one contiguous frequency block of the at least two non-contiguous frequency blocks. In some example embodiments, the apparatus is further caused to perform: determining at least one of the following: an indication of a signal level; and an indication of an error rate of signals received from the network node.

In some example embodiments, the apparatus is further caused to perform: obtaining an indication of the first frequency range and an indication of the at least two non-contiguous frequency blocks; and determining the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node based on the indication of the first frequency range and the indication of the at least two non-contiguous frequency blocks, wherein the determining the indication of the signal level relates to at least a portion of the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node.

In some example embodiments, the apparatus is further caused to perform: transmitting to the network node at least one of the following: an indication of the signal level; and an indication of the error rate. In some example embodiments, the apparatus receives an instruction to change from the first mode to the second mode from the network node.

In some example embodiments, the apparatus is further caused to perform: obtaining an indication that the apparatus is to change from the second mode to the first mode; and adjusting the apparatus from the second mode to the first mode in response to obtaining the indication that the apparatus is to change from the second mode to the first mode.

In some example embodiments, the apparatus is further caused to perform: receiving, from the network node, at least one of the following: an indication of the first frequency range; an indication of the second frequency range; an indication of the at least two non-contiguous frequency blocks for containing signals transmitted by the network node; an indication of the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node; and an indication of at least one frequency block in which the apparatus is to measure a signal level.

According to various, but not necessarily all, example embodiments of the invention there is provided an apparatus comprising: means for receiving signals, from a network node, within a first frequency range in a first mode, the first frequency range containing at least two non-contiguous frequency blocks for containing signals transmitted by the network node separated by at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node; means for receiving signals, from the network node, within a second frequency range in a second mode, the second frequency range being contained within the first frequency range, the second frequency range comprising a contiguous frequency block of the at least two non-contiguous frequency blocks and excluding the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node; means for obtaining an indication that the apparatus is to change from the first mode to the second mode; and means for adjusting the apparatus from the first mode to the second mode in response to obtaining the indication that the apparatus is to change from the first mode to the second mode.

According to various, but not necessarily all, example embodiments of the invention there is provided an apparatus comprising: circuitry configured to perform receiving signals, from a network node, within a first frequency range in a first mode, the first frequency range containing at least two non-contiguous frequency blocks for containing signals transmitted by the network node separated by at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node; circuitry configured to perform receiving signals, from the network node, within a second frequency range in a second mode, the second frequency range being contained within the first frequency range, the second frequency range comprising a contiguous frequency block of the at least two non-contiguous frequency blocks and excluding the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node; circuitry configured to perform obtaining an indication that the apparatus is to change from the first mode to the second mode; and circuitry configured to perform adjusting the apparatus from the first mode to the second mode in response to obtaining the indication that the apparatus is to change from the first mode to the second mode.

According to various, but not necessarily all, example embodiments of the invention there is provided an apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that when executed by the at least one processor cause the apparatus at least to perform: transmitting signals, to a user equipment, within at least two non-contiguous frequency blocks for containing signals transmitted by the apparatus separated by at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the apparatus in a first scheduling mode, the at least two non-contiguous frequency blocks and the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the apparatus being contained within a first frequency range in which the user equipment is configured to receive signals in a first mode; transmitting signals, to the user equipment, within a contiguous frequency block of the at least two non-contiguous frequency blocks in a second scheduling mode, the contiguous frequency block being contained within a second frequency range in which the user equipment is configured to receive signals in a second mode, the second frequency range being contained within the first frequency range and excluding the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the apparatus; obtaining an indication of an adjustment of the user equipment from the first mode to the second mode; and adjusting the apparatus from the first scheduling mode to the second scheduling mode in response to obtaining the indication of the adjustment of the user equipment from the first mode to the second mode.

In some example embodiments, the apparatus is further caused to perform at least one of the following: transmitting to the user equipment an indication for the user equipment to receive signals within the first frequency range; transmitting to the user equipment an indication of the adjustment by the apparatus from the first scheduling mode to the second scheduling mode; and transmitting to the user equipment an indication to determine a signal level.

In some example embodiments, when the apparatus determines that a criterion has been met, the apparatus performs: transmitting to the user equipment an indication to change from the first mode to the second mode.

In some example embodiments, the apparatus is further caused to perform: transmitting to the user equipment at least one of the following: an indication of the first frequency range; an indication of the second frequency range; an indication of the contiguous frequency block; an indication of the at least two non-contiguous frequency blocks for containing signals transmitted by the apparatus; an indication of the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the apparatus; and an indication of at least one frequency block in which the user equipment is to measure a signal level.

In some example embodiments, the apparatus performs: transmitting another configuration message to the user equipment (e.g., an indication of the second frequency range) when the network node changes from the first scheduling mode to the second scheduling mode.

In some example embodiments, the apparatus is further caused to perform: transmitting retransmissions to the user equipment in the contiguous frequency block.

According to various, but not necessarily all, example embodiments of the invention there is provided an apparatus comprising: means for transmitting signals, to a user equipment, within at least two noncontiguous frequency blocks for containing signals transmitted by the apparatus separated by at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the apparatus in a first scheduling mode, the at least two non-contiguous frequency blocks and the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the apparatus being contained within a first frequency range in which the user equipment is configured to receive signals in a first mode; means for transmitting signals, to the user equipment, within a contiguous frequency block of the at least two non-contiguous frequency blocks in a second scheduling mode, the contiguous frequency block being contained within a second frequency range in which the user equipment is configured to receive signals in a second mode, the second frequency range being contained within the first frequency range and excluding the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the apparatus; means for obtaining an indication of an adjustment of the user equipment from the first mode to the second mode; and means for adjusting the apparatus from the first scheduling mode to the second scheduling mode in response to obtaining the indication of the adjustment of the user equipment from the first mode to the second mode.

According to various, but not necessarily all, example embodiments of the invention there is provided an apparatus comprising: circuitry configured to perform transmitting signals, to a user equipment, within at least two non-contiguous frequency blocks for containing signals transmitted by the apparatus separated by at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the apparatus in a first scheduling mode, the at least two non-contiguous frequency blocks and the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the apparatus being contained within a first frequency range in which the user equipment is configured to receive signals in a first mode; circuitry configured to perform transmitting signals, to the user equipment, within a contiguous frequency block of the at least two non-contiguous frequency blocks in a second scheduling mode, the contiguous frequency block being contained within a second frequency range in which the user equipment is configured to receive signals in a second mode, the second frequency range being contained within the first frequency range and excluding the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the apparatus; circuitry configured to perform obtaining an indication of an adjustment of the user equipment from the first mode to the second mode; and circuitry configured to perform adjusting the apparatus from the first scheduling mode to the second scheduling mode in response to obtaining the indication of the adjustment of the user equipment from the first mode to the second mode.

According to various, but not necessarily all, example embodiments of the invention there is provided a method performed by a user equipment, the method comprising: receiving signals, from a network node, within a first frequency range in a first mode, the first frequency range containing at least two non-contiguous frequency blocks for containing signals transmitted by the network node separated by at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node; receiving signals, from the network node, within a second frequency range in a second mode, the second frequency range being contained within the first frequency range, the second frequency range comprising a contiguous frequency block of the at least two non-contiguous frequency blocks and excluding the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node; obtaining an indication that the user equipment is to change from the first mode to the second mode; and adjusting the user equipment from the first mode to the second mode in response to obtaining the indication that the user equipment is to change from the first mode to the second mode.

In some example embodiments, the method further comprises: obtaining an indication of the first frequency range and an indication of the at least two non-contiguous frequency blocks; and determining the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node based on the indication of the first frequency range and the indication of the at least two non-contiguous frequency blocks, wherein the determining the indication of the signal level relates to at least a portion of the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node.

In some example embodiments, obtaining the indication that the apparatus is to change from the first mode to the second mode comprises at least one of the following: determining that a criterion has been met; and receiving, from the network node, the indication that the user equipment is to change from the first mode to the second mode. In some example embodiments, when obtaining the indication that the user equipment is to change from the first mode to the second mode comprises determining that the criterion has been met, the determining that the criterion has been met is based on at least one of the following: the indication of the signal level; and the indication of the error rate.

In some example embodiments, when obtaining the indication that the user equipment is to change from the first mode to the second mode comprises determining that the criterion has been met, the method further comprises: transmitting to the network node an indication of the adjustment of the user equipment from the first mode to the second mode.

In some example embodiments, the method comprises the user equipment receiving an instruction to change from the first mode to the second mode from the network node.

In some example embodiments, the method further comprises: receiving, from the network node, at least one of the following: an indication of the first frequency range; an indication of the second frequency range; an indication of the at least two non-contiguous frequency blocks for containing signals transmitted by the network node; an indication of the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node; and an indication of at least one frequency block in which the user equipment is to measure a signal level.

According to various, but not necessarily all, example embodiments of the invention there is provided a computer program comprising instructions which, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following: receiving signals, from a network node, within a first frequency range in a first mode, the first frequency range containing at least two non-contiguous frequency blocks for containing signals transmitted by the network node separated by at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node; receiving signals, from the network node, within a second frequency range in a second mode, the second frequency range being contained within the first frequency range, the second frequency range comprising a contiguous frequency block of the at least two non-contiguous frequency blocks and excluding the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node; obtaining an indication that the user equipment is to change from the first mode to the second mode; and adjusting the user equipment from the first mode to the second mode in response to obtaining the indication that the user equipment is to change from the first mode to the second mode.

According to various, but not necessarily all, example embodiments of the invention there is provided a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions stored thereon for performing at least the following: receiving signals, from a network node, within a first frequency range in a first mode, the first frequency range containing at least two non-contiguous frequency blocks for containing signals transmitted by the network node separated by at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node; receiving signals, from the network node, within a second frequency range in a second mode, the second frequency range being contained within the first frequency range, the second frequency range comprising a contiguous frequency block of the at least two non-contiguous frequency blocks and excluding the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node; obtaining an indication that the user equipment is to change from the first mode to the second mode; and adjusting the user equipment from the first mode to the second mode in response to obtaining the indication that the user equipment is to change from the first mode to the second mode.

According to various, but not necessarily all, example embodiments of the invention there is provided a method performed by a network node, the method comprising: transmitting signals, to a user equipment, within at least two non-contiguous frequency blocks for containing signals transmitted by the network node separated by at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node in a first scheduling mode, the at least two non-contiguous frequency blocks and the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node being contained within a first frequency range in which the user equipment is configured to receive signals in a first mode; transmitting signals, to the user equipment, within a contiguous frequency block of the at least two non-contiguous frequency blocks in a second scheduling mode, the contiguous frequency block being contained within a second frequency range in which the user equipment is configured to receive signals in a second mode, the second frequency range being contained within the first frequency range and excluding the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node; obtaining an indication of an adjustment of the user equipment from the first mode to the second mode; and adjusting the network node from the first scheduling mode to the second scheduling mode in response to obtaining the indication of the adjustment of the user equipment from the first mode to the second mode.

In some example embodiments, the method further comprises at least one of the following: transmitting to the user equipment an indication for the user equipment to receive signals within the first frequency range; transmitting to the user equipment an indication of the adjustment by the network node from the first scheduling mode to the second scheduling mode; and transmitting to the user equipment an indication to determine a signal level.

In some example embodiments, obtaining the indication of the adjustment of the user equipment from the first mode to the second mode comprises at least one of the following: receiving, from the user equipment, the indication of the adjustment of the user equipment from the first mode to the second mode; and determining that a criterion has been met.

In some example embodiments, when obtaining the indication comprises determining that a criterion has been met, the determining that the criterion has been met is based on at least one of the following: an indication of a signal level; an indication of an error rate of signals received by the user equipment from the network node; an indication of an error rate of signals received by the network node from the user equipment.

In some example embodiments, when the network node determines that a criterion has been met, the method comprises: transmitting to the user equipment an indication to change from the first mode to the second mode. In some example embodiments, the method further comprises: obtaining an indication of an adjustment of the user equipment from the second mode to the first mode; and adjusting the network node from the second scheduling mode to the first scheduling mode in response to obtaining the indication of the adjustment of the user equipment from the second mode to the first mode.

In some example embodiments, the method further comprises: transmitting to the user equipment at least one of the following: an indication of the first frequency range; an indication of the second frequency range; an indication of the contiguous frequency block; an indication of the at least two non-contiguous frequency blocks for containing signals transmitted by the network node; an indication of the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node; and an indication of at least one frequency block in which the user equipment is to measure a signal level.

In some example embodiments, the method further comprises: transmitting another configuration message to the user equipment (e.g., an indication of the second frequency range) when the network node changes from the first scheduling mode to the second scheduling mode.

In some example embodiments, the method further comprises: transmitting retransmissions to the user equipment in the contiguous frequency block.

According to various, but not necessarily all, example embodiments of the invention there is provided a computer program comprising instructions which, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following: transmitting signals, to a user equipment, within at least two non-contiguous frequency blocks for containing signals transmitted by the network node separated by at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node in a first scheduling mode, the at least two non-contiguous frequency blocks and the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node being contained within a first frequency range in which the user equipment is configured to receive signals in a first mode; transmitting signals, to the user equipment, within a contiguous frequency block of the at least two non-contiguous frequency blocks in a second scheduling mode, the contiguous frequency block being contained within a second frequency range in which the user equipment is configured to receive signals in a second mode, the second frequency range being contained within the first frequency range and excluding the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node; obtaining an indication of an adjustment of the user equipment from the first mode to the second mode; and adjusting the network node from the first scheduling mode to the second scheduling mode in response to obtaining the indication of the adjustment of the user equipment from the first mode to the second mode.

According to various, but not necessarily all, example embodiments of the invention there is provided a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions stored thereon for performing at least the following: transmitting signals, to a user equipment, within at least two non-contiguous frequency blocks for containing signals transmitted by the network node separated by at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node in a first scheduling mode, the at least two non-contiguous frequency blocks and the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node being contained within a first frequency range in which the user equipment is configured to receive signals in a first mode; transmitting signals, to the user equipment, within a contiguous frequency block of the at least two non-contiguous frequency blocks in a second scheduling mode, the contiguous frequency block being contained within a second frequency range in which the user equipment is configured to receive signals in a second mode, the second frequency range being contained within the first frequency range and excluding the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node; obtaining an indication of an adjustment of the user equipment from the first mode to the second mode; and adjusting the network node from the first scheduling mode to the second scheduling mode in response to obtaining the indication of the adjustment of the user equipment from the first mode to the second mode. The instructions may be for performing the optional features set out in relation to the method mentioned above.

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According to various, but not necessarily all, example embodiments of the invention there is provided an apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that when executed by the at least one processor cause the apparatus at least to perform: receiving signals, from a network node, within a first frequency range in a first mode, the first frequency range containing a carrier bandwidth for signals transmitted by the network node and at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node; receiving signals, from the network node, within a second frequency range in a second mode, the second frequency range being contained within the first frequency range and excluding the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node; obtaining an indication that the apparatus is to change from the first mode to the second mode; and adjusting the apparatus from the first mode to the second mode in response to obtaining the indication that the apparatus is to change from the first mode to the second mode.

In some example embodiments, the second frequency range excludes at least a portion of the carrier bandwidth.

In some example embodiments, the apparatus is further caused to perform: determining at least one of the following: an indication of a signal level; and an indication of an error rate of signals received from the network node.

In some example embodiments, the apparatus is further caused to perform: obtaining an indication of the first frequency range and an indication of the carrier bandwidth; and determining the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node based on the indication of the first frequency range and the indication of the carrier bandwidth, wherein the determining the indication of the signal level relates to at least a portion of the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node.

In some example embodiments, the apparatus is further caused to perform: transmitting to the network node at least one of the following: an indication of the signal level; and an indication of the error rate.

In some example embodiments, the apparatus receives an instruction to change from the first mode to the second mode from the network node.

In some example embodiments, the apparatus is further caused to perform: obtaining an indication that the apparatus is to change from the second mode to the first mode; and adjusting the apparatus from the second mode to the first mode in response to obtaining the indication that the apparatus is to change from the second mode to the first mode. In some example embodiments, adjusting the apparatus between the first mode and the second mode comprises adjusting between using a first filter of the apparatus which passes signals received within the first frequency range and using a second filter of the apparatus which only passes signals received within the second frequency range.

In some example embodiments, the first and second filters have preset pass bandwidths. The preset pass bandwidth of the first filter may pass signals within the carrier bandwidth used by the network node and also at least one frequency block which may contain unwanted signals. The second filter is used as a fallback filter when interference from unwanted signals in the at least one frequency block becomes intolerable.

In some example embodiments, the apparatus is further caused to perform: receiving, from the network node, at least one of the following: an indication of the first frequency range; an indication of the second frequency range; an indication of the carrier bandwidth; an indication of the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node; and an indication of at least one frequency block in which the apparatus is to measure a signal level.

According to various, but not necessarily all, example embodiments of the invention there is provided an apparatus comprising: means for receiving signals, from a network node, within a first frequency range in a first mode, the first frequency range containing a carrier bandwidth for signals transmitted by the network node and at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node; means for receiving signals, from the network node, within a second frequency range in a second mode, the second frequency range being contained within the first frequency range and excluding the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node; means for obtaining an indication that the apparatus is to change from the first mode to the second mode; and means for adjusting the apparatus from the first mode to the second mode in response to obtaining the indication that the apparatus is to change from the first mode to the second mode.

According to various, but not necessarily all, example embodiments of the invention there is provided an apparatus comprising: circuitry configured to perform receiving signals, from a network node, within a first frequency range in a first mode, the first frequency range containing a carrier bandwidth for signals transmitted by the network node and at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node; circuitry configured to perform receiving signals, from the network node, within a second frequency range in a second mode, the second frequency range being contained within the first frequency range and excluding the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node; circuitry configured to perform obtaining an indication that the apparatus is to change from the first mode to the second mode; and circuitry configured to perform adjusting the apparatus from the first mode to the second mode in response to obtaining the indication that the apparatus is to change from the first mode to the second mode.

According to various, but not necessarily all, example embodiments of the invention there is provided an apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that when executed by the at least one processor cause the apparatus at least to perform: transmitting signals, to a user equipment, within a carrier bandwidth for containing signals transmitted by the apparatus in a first scheduling mode, the carrier bandwidth being contained within a first frequency range in which the user equipment is configured to receive signals in a first mode, the first frequency range further containing at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the apparatus; transmitting signals, to the user equipment, within a bandwidth part in a second scheduling mode, the bandwidth part being contained within a second frequency range in which the user equipment is configured to receive signals in a second mode, the second frequency range being contained within the first frequency range and excluding the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the apparatus; obtaining an indication of an adjustment of the user equipment from the first mode to the second mode; and adjusting the apparatus from the first scheduling mode to the second scheduling mode in response to obtaining the indication of the adjustment of the user equipment from the first mode to the second mode.

In some example embodiments, the bandwidth part, BWP, is contained within the carrier bandwidth.

In some example embodiments, when obtaining the indication comprises determining that a criterion has been met, the determining that the criterion has been met is based on at least one of the following: an indication of a signal level; an indication of an error rate of signals received by the user equipment from the apparatus; an indication of an error rate of signals received by the apparatus from the user equipment.

In some example embodiments, the apparatus is further caused to perform: transmitting to the user equipment at least one of the following: an indication of the first frequency range; an indication of the second frequency range; an indication of the bandwidth part; an indication of the carrier bandwidth; an indication of the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the apparatus; and an indication of at least one frequency block in which the user equipment is to measure a signal level. In some example embodiments, the apparatus performs: transmitting another configuration message to the user equipment (e.g., an indication of the second frequency range) when the network node changes from the first scheduling mode to the second scheduling mode.

According to various, but not necessarily all, example embodiments of the invention there is provided an apparatus comprising: means for transmitting signals, to a user equipment, within a carrier bandwidth for containing signals transmitted by the apparatus in a first scheduling mode, the carrier bandwidth being contained within a first frequency range in which the user equipment is configured to receive signals in a first mode, the first frequency range further containing at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the apparatus; means for transmitting signals, to the user equipment, within a bandwidth part in a second scheduling mode, the bandwidth part being contained within a second frequency range in which the user equipment is configured to receive signals in a second mode, the second frequency range being contained within the first frequency range and excluding the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the apparatus; means for obtaining an indication of an adjustment of the user equipment from the first mode to the second mode; and means for adjusting the apparatus from the first scheduling mode to the second scheduling mode in response to obtaining the indication of the adjustment of the user equipment from the first mode to the second mode.

According to various, but not necessarily all, example embodiments of the invention there is provided an apparatus comprising: circuitry configured to perform transmitting signals, to a user equipment, within a carrier bandwidth for containing signals transmitted by the apparatus in a first scheduling mode, the carrier bandwidth being contained within a first frequency range in which the user equipment is configured to receive signals in a first mode, the first frequency range further containing at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the apparatus; circuitry configured to perform transmitting signals, to the user equipment, within a bandwidth part in a second scheduling mode, the bandwidth part being contained within a second frequency range in which the user equipment is configured to receive signals in a second mode, the second frequency range being contained within the first frequency range and excluding the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the apparatus; circuitry configured to perform obtaining an indication of an adjustment of the user equipment from the first mode to the second mode; and circuitry configured to perform adjusting the apparatus from the first scheduling mode to the second scheduling mode in response to obtaining the indication of the adjustment of the user equipment from the first mode to the second mode.

According to various, but not necessarily all, example embodiments of the invention there is provided a method performed by a user equipment, the method comprising: receiving signals, from a network node, within a first frequency range in a first mode, the first frequency range containing a carrier bandwidth for signals transmitted by the network node and at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node; receiving signals, from the network node, within a second frequency range in a second mode, the second frequency range being contained within the first frequency range and excluding the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node; obtaining an indication that the user equipment is to change from the first mode to the second mode; and adjusting the user equipment from the first mode to the second mode in response to obtaining the indication that the user equipment is to change from the first mode to the second mode. In some example embodiments, the second frequency range excludes at least a portion of the carrier bandwidth.

In some example embodiments, the method further comprises: obtaining an indication of the first frequency range and an indication of the carrier bandwidth; and determining the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node based on the indication of the first frequency range and the indication of the carrier bandwidth, wherein the determining the indication of the signal level relates to at least a portion of the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node.

In some example embodiments, when obtaining the indication that the user equipment is to change from the first mode to the second mode comprises determining that the criterion has been met, the method further comprises: transmitting to the network node an indication of the adjustment of the user equipment from the first mode to the second mode. In some example embodiments, the method further comprises transmitting to the network node at least one of the following: an indication of the signal level; and an indication of the error rate.

In some example embodiments, the user equipment receives an instruction to change from the first mode to the second mode from the network node.

In some example embodiments, adjusting the user equipment between the first mode and the second mode comprises adjusting from using a first filter of the user equipment which passes signals received within the first frequency range to using a second filter of the user equipment which only passes signals received within the second frequency range.

According to various, but not necessarily all, example embodiments of the invention there is provided a computer program comprising instructions which, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following: receiving signals, from a network node, within a first frequency range in a first mode, the first frequency range containing a carrier bandwidth for signals transmitted by the network node and at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node; receiving signals, from the network node, within a second frequency range in a second mode, the second frequency range being contained within the first frequency range and excluding the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node; obtaining an indication that the apparatus is to change from the first mode to the second mode; and adjusting the apparatus from the first mode to the second mode in response to obtaining the indication that the apparatus is to change from the first mode to the second mode. The instructions may be for performing the optional features set out in relation to the method mentioned above.

According to various, but not necessarily all, example embodiments of the invention there is provided a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions stored thereon for performing at least the following: receiving signals, from a network node, within a first frequency range in a first mode, the first frequency range containing a carrier bandwidth for signals transmitted by the network node and at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node; receiving signals, from the network node, within a second frequency range in a second mode, the second frequency range being contained within the first frequency range and excluding the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node; obtaining an indication that the apparatus is to change from the first mode to the second mode; and adjusting the apparatus from the first mode to the second mode in response to obtaining the indication that the apparatus is to change from the first mode to the second mode.

According to various, but not necessarily all, example embodiments of the invention there is provided a method performed by a network node, the method comprising: transmitting signals, to a user equipment, within a carrier bandwidth for containing signals transmitted by the apparatus in a first scheduling mode, the carrier bandwidth being contained within a first frequency range in which the user equipment is configured to receive signals in a first mode, the first frequency range further containing at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node; transmitting signals, to the user equipment, within a bandwidth part in a second scheduling mode, the bandwidth part being contained within a second frequency range in which the user equipment is configured to receive signals in a second mode, the second frequency range being contained within the first frequency range and excluding the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node; obtaining an indication of an adjustment of the user equipment from the first mode to the second mode; and adjusting the network node from the first scheduling mode to the second scheduling mode in response to obtaining the indication of the adjustment of the user equipment from the first mode to the second mode.

In some example embodiments, the method further comprises at least one of the following: transmitting to the user equipment an indication for the user equipment to receive signals within the first frequency range; and transmitting to the user equipment an indication of the adjustment by the network node from the first scheduling mode to the second scheduling mode.

In some example embodiments, when the network node determines that a criterion has been met, the method further comprises: transmitting to the user equipment an indication to change from the first mode to the second mode.

In some example embodiments, the method further comprises: transmitting to the user equipment at least one of the following: an indication of the first frequency range; an indication of the second frequency range; an indication of the bandwidth part; an indication of the carrier bandwidth; an indication of the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node; and an indication of at least one frequency block in which the user equipment is to measure a signal level.

In some example embodiments, the method comprises: transmitting another configuration message to the user equipment (e.g., an indication of the second frequency range) when the network node changes from the first scheduling mode to the second scheduling mode. In some example embodiments, the method further comprises: transmitting retransmissions to the user equipment in the bandwidth part.

According to various, but not necessarily all, example embodiments of the invention there is provided a computer program comprising instructions which, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following: transmitting signals, to a user equipment, within a carrier bandwidth for containing signals transmitted by the apparatus in a first scheduling mode, the carrier bandwidth being contained within a first frequency range in which the user equipment is configured to receive signals in a first mode, the first frequency range further containing at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the apparatus; transmitting signals, to the user equipment, within a bandwidth part in a second scheduling mode, the bandwidth part being contained within a second frequency range in which the user equipment is configured to receive signals in a second mode, the second frequency range being contained within the first frequency range and excluding the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the apparatus; obtaining an indication of an adjustment of the user equipment from the first mode to the second mode; and adjusting the apparatus from the first scheduling mode to the second scheduling mode in response to obtaining the indication of the adjustment of the user equipment from the first mode to the second mode.

According to various, but not necessarily all, example embodiments of the invention there is provided a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions stored thereon for performing at least the following: transmitting signals, to a user equipment, within a carrier bandwidth for containing signals transmitted by the apparatus in a first scheduling mode, the carrier bandwidth being contained within a first frequency range in which the user equipment is configured to receive signals in a first mode, the first frequency range further containing at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the apparatus; transmitting signals, to the user equipment, within a bandwidth part in a second scheduling mode, the bandwidth part being contained within a second frequency range in which the user equipment is configured to receive signals in a second mode, the second frequency range being contained within the first frequency range and excluding the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the apparatus; obtaining an indication of an adjustment of the user equipment from the first mode to the second mode; and adjusting the apparatus from the first scheduling mode to the second scheduling mode in response to obtaining the indication of the adjustment of the user equipment from the first mode to the second mode.

Further particular and preferred aspects are set out in the accompanying independent and dependent claims. Features of the dependent claims may be combined with features of the independent claims as appropriate, and in combinations other than those explicitly set out in the claims.

Where an apparatus feature is described as being operable to provide a function, it will be appreciated that this includes an apparatus feature which provides that function or which is adapted or configured to provide that function.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Some example embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate exemplary block diagrams of a single and a double receiver chain, respectively;

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate the filters of the receiver chains of Figs. 1 A and 1 B, respectively;

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate the receiving mechanism of the receiver chain of Fig. 1B and a receiving mechanism according to an embodiment, respectively;

FIG. 4 illustrates a timeline of events according to an embodiment;

FIG. 5 illustrates a receiving mechanism according to an embodiment;

FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary system comprising apparatus according to an embodiment;

FIG. 7 illustrates steps in methods according to an embodiment;

FIG. 8 illustrates steps in methods according to an embodiment; and

FIG. 9 illustrates steps in methods according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before discussing the example embodiments in any more detail, first an overview will be provided.

The frequency spectrum for wireless communication systems is split into a plurality of frequency bands, for example, 5G and LTE bands. These frequency bands are typically split into a plurality of channels (also referred to as frequency blocks, each channel/frequency block usually containing a carrier). Each channel may be licensed to a particular operator. A conventional receiver of a user equipment (UE) comprises a band filter configured to pass signals within a desired frequency band. The UE further comprises a channel filter usually configured to pass signals within the channel that it operates in and that is licensed to the operator of the network which the user equipment belongs to.

In some scenarios, the channel filter of the user equipment may pass some frequencies which are not reserved for the operator of the channel(s) of interest to the user equipment. In this case, unwanted signals may be received which can degrade the quality of the received wanted signals. For example, where the operator occupies, in a frequency band, non-contiguous carriers being separated by a carrier occupied by another operator, if the user equipment has a single channel filter covering a frequency range spanning each of the carriers of interest to the user equipment , signals on the intervening carrier may cause interference at the user equipment. One solution to this problem is implementing two channel filters at the user equipment. One channel filter passes signals received in a first contiguous set of frequency blocks licensed to the operator and a second channel filter passes signals received in a second contiguous set of frequency blocks licensed to the operator. In this way, the UE can avoid receiving the unwanted signals on the intervening carrier. However, this solution requires additional hardware in the UE which may increase the complexity and the cost of the UE. Embodiments aim to overcome the above-identified problem without requiring two receiving channel filters in a UE. Embodiments may achieve this by using an adjustable channel filter which, in a first mode, is configured to receive signals across the full frequency range of the frequency blocks licensed to the operator (encompassing the intervening channel). The UE and/or the network node monitor for signs indicative that unwanted signals within the intervening channel are causing an intolerable level of interference at which point the adjustable channel filter is adjusted to a second mode in which it only passes signals received within a contiguous set of frequency blocks licensed to the operator, thereby excluding the intervening channel containing the unwanted signals. The contiguous set of frequency blocks may be just one frequency block. In the second mode, the UE may receive signals with less interference compared to if it was in the first mode. When the estimated or expected level of interference that the UE would be exposed to in the first mode is reduced to a tolerable level, the UE may switch back to the first mode such that signals can be received from the network node over the licensed spectrum of the operator within the frequency band. In this way, operation of a network over intra-band non-contiguous channels may be provided without the need for two channel filters at a UE. The network node which transmits the signals to the UE is similarly configured in that it should only transmit signals within the narrow contiguous portion of the licensed spectrum when the UE is in the second receiving mode.

In another scenario, a UE may have one channel filter that is adjustable between multiple predetermined settings with different passband bandwidths. However, the operator’s licensed frequency spectrum may not exactly match an existing bandwidth setting of the channel filter. Embodiments propose utilising a bandwidth setting for the channel filter which is larger than and which encompasses the bandwidth licensed to the operator so that the network can transmit over the full range of licensed spectrum. However, this means that unwanted signals falling outside of the licensed bandwidth but within the channel filter passband may cause interference. Embodiments propose that when the interference reaches an intolerable level, the channel filter is adjusted to one of the narrower preset bandwidths which is completely contained within the licensed bandwidth part of the operator. The network node will be adjusted accordingly to transmit within a narrower bandwidth part which is contained within the narrower preset filter bandwidth of the UE. The bandwidth part used for transmissions by the network node may be the same as or narrower than the narrower preset receiving bandwidth used by the UE. In this way, the UE can avoid receiving the unwanted signals.

According to some example embodiments of the invention, there is a transmission from a transmitter to a receiver which comprises a safer (i.e. more reliable) option and a riskier (i.e. less reliable) option. It may or may not be possible to use both options in parallel. Under favourable conditions, using the riskier option or both options may improve the throughput. The riskier option or, if possible, both options are used under favourable conditions, and the communication is designed so that, if the conditions become unfavourable, the connection seamlessly continues by using the safer option. Example embodiments may relate to the following numbered use cases:

1. Fragmented carriers in the DL (sometimes referred to herein as the noncontiguous spectrum scenario). Between >2 non-contiguous CCs in an operating band that a UE may receive using a single RX chain with a sufficiently wide RX channel filter to cover all CCs, a strong signal from another operator's network can cause severe ACI or blocking. A mitigation according to some example embodiments may be to change the UE's assignment of radio resources to only one of the CCs and to reconfigure the UE's RX BW and centre frequency to just this CC.

2. Irregular BW (larger channel BW method) (sometimes referred to herein as the spectrum mismatch scenario). In this case, the UE does not support a channel filter BW that matches the network's transmission BW configuration. If the UE uses too wide an RX channel filter, an adjacent channel on at least one side may fall into the passband of the UE's RX channel filter, potentially causing severe ACI. A mitigation according to some example embodiments is to reduce the UE's RX BW to the UE's next narrower supported RX BW so that the ACI falls into the UE RX channel filter's stop band.

3. Sub-Band Non-Overlapping Full Duplex (SBFD). Assuming the network configures at least one DL slot and several SBFD slots per frame, and a UE at the cell edge may initially monitor both kinds of slots for DL transmissions to it. There is a risk that the UE gets severely desensitized in SBFD slots by crosslink interference (CLI) from another UE transmitting in the vicinity during the SBFD slots in the UL sub-band of the same channel. Depending on the UE's automatic gain control (AGC) implementation, this CLI may reduce the UE's RX gain even in subsequent slots so much that the UE loses coverage. A mitigation according to some example embodiments is to make the UE listen only to DL slots.

4. Dynamic TDD. Assuming that, in a geographical area and operating band, there are in a frame:

- slots that are used only for the DL,

- slots that are used only for the UL, and

- flexible slots that can be used for either direction.

Similarly to the previous use case, a UE at the cell edge may initially monitor both DL and flexible slots for DL transmissions to it. There is a risk that the UE gets desensitized in a flexible slot by CLI from another UE transmitting during the flexible slot in the same operating band to a different cell. Depending on the UE's AGC implementation, this CLI may reduce the UE's RX gain even in subsequent slots so much that the UE loses coverage. A mitigation according to some example embodiments is to make the UE listen only to DL slots.

5. DL CA between licensed and unlicensed bands. In the unlicensed band, the UE's reception may suffer from co-channel interference (CCI) which the UE is exposed to but which has such a low level at the network node (e.g., a base station (BS)) that it is below a threshold for the network's listen before talk (LBT) check. The very high BLER in the unlicensed band may increase the DL latency. A mitigation according to example embodiment is to send the entire DL traffic to the UE only in the licensed band. To increase the UE's talk time, the CA with the unlicensed band may be discontinued so that no more energy is wasted on receiving in the unlicensed band.

In a CA, the CCs use separate block sequence numbers (BSNs). Retransmissions of blocks must be in the CC of the initial transmission. If the transmission cannot progress anymore in a CC e.g. because of interference, the transmission on this CC needs to be aborted, resulting in additional latency for resuming the transmission on another CC.

Some example embodiments aim to mitigate the interference with low impact on the latency.

If a CC of a CA cannot be used any longer so that the CA with this CC must be discontinued, e.g., in use case 1 because of fatal ACI in the passband of the UE's single RX chain, or in use case 5 because of too much CCI in an overloaded unlicensed frequency range that the network uses in CA with a licensed carrier, then, on the discontinued CC, some initial transmissions of a block and, if the sequence of acknowledged blocks is not contiguous, also all successfully transmitted blocks after the first gap between positive acknowledgements may be lost. This loss shall be avoided, the more so as it increases the latency.

Generally, embodiments propose that the UE is configured to perform:

1) receiving signals, from a network node, within a first frequency range in a first mode, the first frequency range containing at least one frequency block for containing signals transmitted by the network node and at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node; and 2) receiving signals, from the network node, within a second frequency range in a second mode, the second frequency range being contained within the first frequency range and excluding the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node.

When the UE obtains an indication that it is to change from the first mode to the second mode, the UE can adjust from the first mode to the second mode.

At the network side, embodiments propose that the network node is configured to perform:

1) transmitting signals, to a user equipment, within at least one frequency block for containing signals transmitted by the network node in a first scheduling mode, the at least one frequency block for containing signals transmitted by the network node being contained within a first frequency range in which the user equipment is configured to receive signals in a first mode, the first frequency range further containing at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node; and

2) transmitting signals, to the user equipment, within a bandwidth part contained within the at least one frequency block for containing signals transmitted by the network node in a second scheduling mode, the bandwidth part being contained within a second frequency range in which the user equipment is configured to receive signals in a second mode, the second frequency range being contained within the first frequency range and excluding the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node.

When the network node obtains an indication of an adjustment of the user equipment from the first mode to the second mode, the network node can adjust from the first scheduling mode to the second scheduling mode.

Further embodiments are discussed below in relation to the specific scenarios.

Non-Contiquous Spectrum

The 3^rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) categorizes carrier aggregation in three different categories:

1. Intra-band contiguous spectrum: where the multiple carriers (frequency blocks) are adjacent to each other in frequency and can be received with a single receiver. 2. Intra-band non-contiguous spectrum: where the multiple carriers (frequency blocks) are within the same frequency band, but not adjacent to each other. Another operator may occupy a spectrum block in between the aggregated carriers. Each carrier of the aggregated carriers may be referred to as a component carrier.

3. Inter-band: where the multiple carriers aggregated belong to different frequency bands.

Intra-band contiguous carrier aggregation can be advantageous to the UE radio frequency (RF) architecture if the summed bandwidth of the adjacent carriers is within the capabilities of the receiver. In this case, it may be possible to receive signals over all the carriers with a single receiver (Rx) chain. Fig. 1A shows a conventional block diagram of a receiver chain for a single contiguous block of spectrum. The component blocks of the receiver chain are defined as:

• Band filter: A fixed analogue RF filter that passes through a full bandwidth of one frequency band.

• LNA: A fixed-gain Low-Noise Amplifier.

• Channel filter: A configurable (typically analogue) filter that passes through the wanted carrier (i.e. spectrum block) of the band after down-conversion.

• VGA: Variable Gain Amplifier that Automatic Gain Control loop adjusts to maintain the ADC input at a wanted level suitable for the ADC output to represent the wanted signal with the full dynamic range of the ADC.

• ADC: Analogue-to-Digital Converter.

Such a single receiver chain RF architecture may be simpler and cheaper than an RF architecture with two receiver chains in which separate RF blocks are used for noncontiguous carriers as discussed in relation to Fig. 1 B below.

The spectrum holdings of the different operators are in most cases the result of auctions held by national spectrum regulators. These auctions are highly competitive and the resulting spectrum blocks licensed to different operators may not always be the most efficient. For example, the spectrum blocks may be distributed. In other words, the spectrum blocks may be non-adjacent or non-contiguous across the frequency band and/or not devisable with the available LTE/NR channel bandwidths. In TS 38.101-1 clause 5.4.1 , the nominal channel spacing is defined and in clause 5.4A.1 it is specified that all carrier aggregations between two NR component carriers in different sub-blocks with a larger frequency offset than the nominal channel spacing shall be treated as intra-band non-contiguous carrier aggregation. In some cases, the national regulators encourage the operators to swap spectrum among themselves to overcome potential issues. However, many operators refuse to swap any spectrum possibly to avoid any competitor gaining an advantage. As a result, the operators need to consider mechanisms which enable use of intra-band non-contiguous carrier aggregation to efficiently utilize their spectrum.

Intra-band non-contiguous carrier aggregation has the drawback that in order to guarantee protection against interference from signals within the unwanted spectrum block between the two wanted spectrum blocks, it may be necessary to receive the two wanted spectrum blocks separately. Hence, duplication of some hardware blocks in the UE receiver may be required adding to the complexity and resources required in the UE RF architecture.

The conventional approach for dealing with non-contiguous carrier aggregation uses a double or split receiver chain. Fig. 1 B shows an example block diagram of a double or split receiver chain for two non-contiguous blocks of spectrum within the same frequency band. The receiver chain comprises additional hardware blocks, such as the second channel filter, which are required to receive the non-contiguous spectrum blocks. In some instances, the down-conversion block is also duplicated.

Each frequency block (or each contiguous set of frequency blocks) within the noncontiguous aggregated carriers takes up one Rx chain within the UE. If there are multiple intervening frequency blocks licensed to other operators, a separate receiving chain would be required for each contiguous section of the operator’s licensed spectrum. Therefore, there is a practical restriction on the maximum number of aggregated frequency blocks based on the receiver chain of a UE using this approach. As a result, at present, operators may be limited in their use of their licensed spectrum based on what the UEs in the market/field can support. Naturally, UE vendors would prefer to keep complexity and costs down so it would be beneficial if the UE could handle non-contiguous carrier aggregation without needing additional components.

The difference between the two UE RF architectures shown in Figs. 1A and 1 B is further illustrated in Figs. 2A and 2B. Fig. 2A shows how, in the case of a single receiver chain as in Fig. 1A, the band filter selects/passes the full spectrum of the frequency band and the configurable channel filter selects the wanted frequency block within the band for further processing. Fig. 2B shows how, in the case of a split receiver chain as in Fig. 1 B, the band filter selects the full spectrum of the frequency band and the two configurable channel filters each select one frequency block of the two noncontiguous spectrum blocks, respectively, for further processing.

Fig. 2A and Fig. 2B show that the band filter is wider than and contains the channel filter(s) because the band filter passes signals contained within the overall “fixed” or predetermined frequency band (e.g. an operating band or, in FDD, the DL band of it) while the channel filter separates out the (frequency) spectrum block used by an operator within that band. In some cases, for some UE architectures, the band filter spans multiple of the 3GPP defined LTE and/or NR bands. It will be appreciated that embodiments disclosed herein may therefore not be limited to non-contiguous intraband carrier aggregation but may relate to the case of inter-band carrier aggregation for the aggregation of component carriers for which the same band filter is used. Regardless of whether some adjacent frequency bands are combined or not, the channel filter may be needed in the UE implementation to correctly receive signals over the non-contiguous spectrum blocks licensed to an operator.

Fig. 3A shows the conventional receiving mechanism having two channel filters for passing a respective wanted frequency block. In this case, the unwanted spectrum block is positioned between the wanted signal blocks and so it does not pass through the channel filters. Note that the network node transmitting signals to the UE in this example embodiment is a base station (BTS). The base station is configured to transmit signals within the two wanted frequency blocks (component carriers CC1 and CC2). The intervening spectrum block may be licensed to a different operator and so may contain unwanted signals. The base station BTS does not transmit signals in this portion of the spectrum.

Fig. 3B shows a receiving mechanism according to an embodiment which comprises a single Rx chain approach where the unwanted spectrum block passes through the channel filter in a first receiving mode (sometimes referred to as the first mode) and reaches the variable gain amplifier.

In the first mode, the UE is configured to receive signals from a network node (the base station, BTS) within a first frequency range 1. The first frequency range contains the at least two wanted non-contiguous frequency blocks for use by the network node and at least one frequency block not for use by the network node. In other words, the bandwidth of the single channel filter in the first mode is configured to span across a wide frequency range 1 that covers both the wanted non-contiguous frequency blocks and the unwanted block located between the wanted blocks. In essence, the receiver sees a single wide-band carrier where the middle part comprising the unwanted frequency block is not going to carry any information for the UE (i.e. it can be ignored by the UE).

The downside of the first receiving mode is that if signals are received from another operator’s base station within the unwanted frequency block with a significantly higher Rx power than the UE’s own operator’s wanted signals (e.g., when the interfering operator’s BTS is close by and the UE’s own operator’s BTS is far away), the interfering operator’s high Rx power will drive the AGC set point for the variable gain amplifier and the wanted signal will see insufficient amplification before the AD conversion. As a result, there may be a degradation in the quality of wanted signal or the wanted signals may vanish into quantization noise of the AD conversion. In other words, if the other operator’s unwanted frequency block’s Rx level clearly exceeds the UE’s own operator’s frequency blocks’ signal levels:

• the wanted signal will degrade in quality and or vanish in ADC quantization noise due to the limited dynamic range of the AD conversion and the digital domain processing after the ADC; and

• the OFDM processing of the wanted signal is sensitive to the adjacent channel interference which can be a problem in its own right (in particular if the unwanted carrier is not subcarrier grid aligned with and time-synchronized to the wanted carriers) and the interference levels increase when the unwanted carrier’s power relative to the wanted carriers’ powers increases.

To overcome the above-identified problems, the UE may switch to a second receiving mode (sometimes referred to as the second mode). In the second mode, the UE is configured to receive signals from the network node within a second frequency range. The second frequency range comprises one or more contiguous frequency blocks of the at least two non-contiguous frequency blocks. Therefore, it excludes the at least one intervening frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node and which may contain unwanted signals.

The UE may be configured to adjust its reception mode in response to obtaining an indication that the UE is to change from the first mode to the second mode, or vice versa. In some example embodiments, the determination for the UE to change modes is made by the network node in a network centric approach and the UE obtains the indication to change by receiving the indication from the network node. In some example embodiments, the determination for the UE to change modes is made by the UE in a UE centric approach.

The determination to adjust the reception mode may be made when an unwanted middle block signal Rx level significantly exceeds the Rx level of at least one wanted frequency block. In this case, the UE changes its channel filter Rx BWand location to the second mode such that the filter only passes signals within the second frequency range covering one of the two non-contiguous spectrum blocks. Note that where there is more than one frequency block on either side of the unwanted frequency block, the second frequency range may cover a contiguous set of the multiple wanted spectrum blocks.

The adjustment from the first receiving mode to the second receiving mode of the UE may be triggered by any suitable criterion being met. In some example embodiments, the criterion may relate to determining whether an intolerable level of interference is being caused by signals in the unwanted frequency block. In some example embodiments, the criterion is met when an indication of the level of interference meets or exceeds a threshold. This determination may be based on measurements or estimations made by the UE. The criterion may be predetermined. The criterion may be chosen by the operator.

The UE may perform the reverse process changing from the second reception mode to the first reception mode. In some example embodiments, the UE adapts its channel filter Rx BW and location to cover the whole/first frequency range again (covering the two wanted frequency spectrum blocks and the unwanted frequency spectrum block) when the unwanted middle block signal Rx level does not significantly exceed the wanted frequency blocks’ Rx levels. It will be appreciated that the adjustment from the second receiving mode to the first receiving mode of the UE may be triggered by any suitable criterion being met. In some embodiments, the criterion relates to determining when a level of interference, caused by signals in the unwanted frequency block, is tolerable. In some example embodiments, the criterion may be met when an indication of the level of interference meets or falls below a threshold. The criterion may be the same as or different to the criterion used for entering the second receiving mode. In some example embodiments, where there are multiple intermediate unwanted blocks, the wider/first frequency range may cover all the wanted and intermediate unwanted spectrum blocks.

In some example embodiments, in the network centric approach, when the UE is configured in the first mode (i.e. , the wide-band mode), the network node configures the UE to determine at least one of an indication of a signal level and an indication of an error rate/probability of signals received from the network node. The network node may configure the UE by instructing the UE to measure a signal level and/or an error rate. The UE may additionally be instructed to report its measurements or the determined indication(s) to the network node based on meeting a condition which may be specified in the instructions. The UE may be similarly configured when it is in the second mode for the reverse process, i.e., the network node may configure the UE for an adjustment of the UE from the second mode to the first mode. In some example embodiments, the UE measures sub-band received signal strength indications (RSSI) for signals contained within the unwanted frequency block. In some example embodiments, the UE additionally measures the RSSI for signals contained within the one or more of the wanted frequency blocks and. Alternatively, a known signal like SSB may be measured on the unwanted frequency block and additionally, in some example embodiments, on one or more of the wanted frequency blocks. The results of the measurements may be reported to the network node (e.g., a gNB) when a condition is met, e.g., when the middle block Rx level exceeds the wanted block’s Rx level + a configurable threshold.

The network node then reconfigures the UE to the second mode (i.e., the narrow-band mode) when the criterion is met (e.g., when the middle (unwanted frequency) block RX level exceeds the one or more wanted frequency block’s Rx level + a configurable threshold), so that the channel filter of the UE will only pass signals within one of the wanted frequency blocks. In some example embodiments, the criterion is fulfilled by the UE sending a conditional report to the network node, i.e., the UE would not have sent the report if the criterion had not been fulfilled. Note that the criterion used by the network node may not depend on reported information from the UE. Instead, it may relate to an error rate of signals received at the network node from the UE. To reconfigure the UE, the network node may transmit any suitable indication that the UE is to change modes. For example, the indication may be an explicit instruction or an indication of the second frequency range. In response to deciding to reconfigure the UE, the network node itself swaps from a first (initial) scheduling mode in which data transmissions are scheduled within both wanted frequency blocks (i.e. , over component carriers CC1 and CC2) to a second scheduling mode in which data transmissions are scheduled within just one wanted frequency block (e.g., over component carrier CC1) which is the same frequency block within which the UE is configured to receive signals in the second mode. The network node may change to the second scheduling mode before or after instructing the UE to change reception modes. In some example embodiments, once the determination is made to instruct the UE to change from the first receiving mode to the second receiving mode, the base station schedules further data transmissions only over one of the wanted frequency blocks within which the UE can receive signals in the second reception mode. It will be appreciated that the change to the second scheduling mode may not be instantaneous since the UE’s change to the second receiving mode may take time and so there may be no point in scheduling DL data to the UE which, because of an ongoing Rx channel filter reconfiguration, can temporarily not receive signals from the network node.

In some example embodiments, for the reverse process, when the UE is configured in the second mode (narrow-band mode), the network node configures the UE to determine or estimate at least one of an indication of a signal level and an indication of an error rate/probability of signals received from the network node. For example, the UE may be configured to measure sub-band RSSI for signals contained within the unwanted frequency block. In some example embodiments, the UE additionally measures RSSI for signals contained within the one or more of the wanted frequency blocks. Alternatively, a known signal like SSB may be measured on the unwanted frequency block and, in some example embodiments, one or more of the wanted frequency blocks. The results of the measurements are reported to the network node (e.g., a gNB) when the middle block Rx level is below the wanted block’s Rx level + a configurable threshold. The network node may then reconfigure the UE to the first mode (wide-band mode) based on the measurements so that the UE's channel filter will pass signals within both of the wanted frequency blocks (and the unwanted frequency block between the two). Note that the decision by the network node may or may not be based on measurements received from the UE. The network node itself proceeds to take both wanted frequency blocks into account when scheduling further data transmissions - i.e., it changes from the second scheduling mode to the first scheduling mode. In some example embodiments, retransmissions sent by the network node to the UE may always be scheduled over the one or more contiguous frequency blocks passed by the UE receiving filter in the second mode regardless of whether the network node is in the first scheduling mode or the second scheduling mode. This means that retransmissions are transmitted over frequencies which the user equipment may be able to receive in both receiving modes, thereby potentially improving the reliability of the retransmissions.

In some example embodiments, in the UE centric approach, the UE is provided with information on the frequency location and bandwidth of the wanted frequency blocks. The UE then monitors the Rx levels of signals contained within the unwanted frequency block and additionally, in some example embodiments, signals contained within at least one of the wanted frequency blocks. The same mechanisms described above in relation to the network centric approach above may be used. For example, the measurements may be based on RSSI or SSB on the unwanted frequency block.

The UE autonomously adapts its channel filter from the first mode to the second mode when a criterion is met based on the UE measurements. For example, the channel filter adaptation in the UE centric approach may be based on the same conditions as in the network centric approach for sending a report to the network node as discussed above. In some example embodiments, the UE determines which of the wanted frequency blocks to adapt its channel filter to in the second mode. The determination may be based on:

• a predetermined wanted block for the second mode;

• the UE is preconfigured by the network node (e.g., a gNB) to exclude wanted blocks according to a priority order; or

• the UE follows a rule whose result can be deterministically derived independently at both the UE and the network node (e.g., the gNB) to determine which wanted block(s) to adapt its channel filter to, e.g. the widest n wanted frequency blocks, or the wanted frequency blocks containing SSB; or

• the UE follows a one-sided rule that can only be executed at the UE, and signals the result to the network node (e.g., the gNB), e.g., the wanted frequency block(s) with the highest Rx level or SI NR, or the wanted frequency block(s) that would result in the lowest power consumption in the UE. In this instance, the UE indicates to the network node (either prior to adaptation, or after the adaptation) that it is adjusting its channel filter setup. In some example embodiments, both the UE and the network node are capable of making the decision to change the UE from the first receiving mode to the second receiving mode. This may be advantageous, for example, when the interference is so great that the UE fails to receive the indication from the network node that the UE is to change from the first mode to the second mode. In this instance, an autonomous decision to change modes can be made by the UE.

In some example embodiments, the two wanted spectrum blocks are configured as two separate cells. In this instance, additional configuration information is sent from the network node to the UE indicating that the two carriers can be received with a single wide-band receiver (in the first mode). The UE may use the received configuration information to configure the channel filter of the UE. Each wanted spectrum block houses its own CORESET for PDCCH reception as well as the SSB. The UE may configure the channel filter to receive signals within only one of the two cells in the second mode when the middle-block interference is harmful and it would configure the channel filter to receive signals in the wide-band in the first mode when the middleblock interference does not prevent or inhibit this. This setup may be directly applicable also to UEs comprising two DL channel filters for the non-contiguous intra-band carrier aggregation setup.

In some example embodiments, the two wanted spectrum blocks are configured as a single wide-band cell. In this instance, one of the two wanted spectrum blocks, preferably the widest, fully confines the CORESET for PDCCH reception as well as the SSB. If a UE using the wide-band channel filter in the first mode has the possibility to autonomously reduce its channel filter bandwidth (BW) to this spectrum block without prior notice to the network node, the network node may send retransmissions only inside this spectrum block. The rationale behind this is that if a connection combines a safer and a riskier link - this may also apply to a combination of licensed and unlicensed spectrum - retransmissions are preferably sent on the safer link. In this embodiment, the UE configures the channel filter in the second mode to receive only within the spectrum block with the CORESET for PDCCH reception and the SSB when the middle-block interference is harmful, and it configures the channel filter in the first mode to receive in the wide-band when the middle-block interference does not prevent or inhibit this. This setup can also operate the second spectrum block without any SSB or CORESET for UEs which use two DL channel filters for the non-contiguous intra- band carrier aggregation setup. The second spectrum block would then be an SSB- less SCell and it would be cross-carrier scheduled from the other spectrum block. Alternatively, for these UEs, a regular CA setup may be used so that each spectrum block has its own SSB and is self-scheduled in which case the two spectrum blocks would support all “legacy UEs”. Note that cross-carrier scheduling may be used for some legacy UEs which would then employ separate receiver chains and use more hardware than the new UEs. New UEs may process the combination of the component carriers (CCs) in the DL as a single but fragmented carrier. In the UL, some UEs may be configured to use one CC and other UEs may be configured to use the other CC.

In some example embodiments, the network node ensures, either by scheduling or by configuration, that there are never any transmissions on the middle unwanted block and that any unwanted emission requirements for the gap are met.

In some embodiments, the metric or criterion used (by the user equipment or the network node) to determine when the channel filter reconfiguration should happen is based on at least one of the following:

• Observed block-error-rate: If BLER goes up or exceeds a threshold, that may be an indication of harmful interference.

• Block (Sub-band) CQI: If CQI for the sub-band closest to the middle block is estimated to be clearly worse than the CQI farthest away from the middle block, that may be an indication of harmful interference.

• Power or Power Spectral Density (PSD): If the observed power or PSD on the middle block exceeds that of the wanted CC or is very high in absolute terms, that may be an indication of harmful interference. An example of such an indication of harmful interference may be that the observed power or PSD on the middle block in absolute terms or the difference to the observed power or PSD of at least one of the wanted frequency blocks exceeds a threshold.

In the example embodiments discussed below, the following numbering of example use cases as first set out above is used:

1. Fragmented carriers in the DL (sometimes referred to herein as the noncontiguous spectrum scenario)

2. Irregular BW (larger channel BW method) (sometimes referred to herein as the spectrum mismatch scenario)

3. Sub-Band Non-Overlapping Full Duplex (SBFD)

4. Dynamic TDD

5. DL CA between licensed and unlicensed bands Fig. 4 illustrates another example embodiment relating to use case 1. A particularly unfavourable case of interference is assumed, and some optional features for the mitigation of the interference are included in this example embodiment. Fig. 4 shows a diagram having a frequency axis, f, and a time axis, t, comprising the points in time to to fc.

In an operating band, a network operator may, for example, have 2 spectrum blocks of 10 MHz each with a gap of 10 MHz in between. The network uses both spectrum blocks for 10 MHz wide CCs from the same BS. Their combination may be referred to as the first radio resources. A UE, in this operating band, may not have the resources for receiving two CCs separately but may support a 30 MHz wide RX channel BW and can be configured to use this 30 MHz wide RX channel BW so that both CCs are covered. This is referred to as the first mode. The CC at the lower frequency may be the UE's primary cell. It may be used for retransmissions and for signalling which is indispensable for the link stability. It may also be used for a part of or all initial transmissions and is referred to as the second radio resources. Before the configuration to the first mode, taking effect at ti , the UE is instructed to receive in the operating band only the primary cell (second radio resources) if the combined reception of both CCs in the 30 MHz wide frequency range fails - this reduced reception is referred to as the second mode. This instruction happens between to and ti. The network may use a special form of CA with a joint block sequence numbering for both CCs, allowing for all data blocks (i.e. also those whose initial transmission was in the operator's upper frequency block) to be retransmitted on the second radio resources (CC at the lower frequency). Initially, from ti to t2, the reception works, but then suddenly, there might be, due a large path loss between the UE and the BS serving it and a small path loss to an interferer- typically another operator's BS transmitting in the gap between the CCs - huge interference in the form of ACI. The UE cannot receive anything from the first radio resources, the 2 CCs, any longer. Hence the UE may not even receive any longer UL grants, allowing for transmitting reports about the link quality and ACK/NACK messages. The transmission may be stalled in both directions. The network detects that there are no longer UL transmissions from the UE. Although the network cannot know the cause, just in case that the reason is the use of the first radio resources (i.e. the wide BW) in which the UE is configured to receive, the network then ends at t₃ the CA, uses only the primary cell and signals this change from the first to the second radio resources to the UE which, however, cannot receive this signalling. Autonomously, the UE checks whether, from a level distribution in the received BW of the first radio resources, it looks as if receiving the primary cell (second radio resources) instead of the 30 MHz (first radio resources) would mitigate the poor link quality. Since this is the case and since the reception is stalled for so long that a latency target requires a mitigation, the UE changes at t4 to receiving the primary cell (second radio resources). The UE notifies the network about the change by UL transmission at ts when, after changing the received radio resources to the second radio resources, it receives UL grants again. However, it may not do so if, before sending this notification, the UE receives a message from the network about the same change in the network of the DL radio resources used for the communication with the UE. Meanwhile, the network sends retransmissions for the data blocks for which it has already sent initial transmissions, signalling such as UL grants and the information about the changed mode. The network may do so for at least as long as it may take for the UE to autonomously change its configuration to receiving the second radio resources, to receive UL grants, to send a report or a message to the network and for the network to receive it. Once the network receives again UL transmissions from the UE, the network will adapt the content of its DL transmission accordingly. The communication is no longer stalled but continues seamlessly from where it was interrupted by the interference.

The possibility on either side - BS and UE - to autonomously change from the first to the second radio resources for their DL communication and signal, if possible, this change to the respective other party, is combined with sending retransmissions for the first radio resources and indispensable signalling on the second radio resources so that an unnecessary change to using only the second radio resources by any one party may not be not fatal.

Note that what the first and second radio resources are for each of the numbered use cases identified above is discussed in table 1 below. In the rightmost column, parameters are proposed which may be assessed for deciding whether to change from using the first radio resources for the DL communication between the BS and the UE to the second radio resources - i.e. , switching from the first mode to the second mode. For example, in the first use case of table 1 (non-contiguous spectrum), there is an option of first radio resources that uses a non-contiguous intra-band CA with a UE RX filter that has only one wide passband. If there is too strong interference between the carriers, there is a fallback to an option of second radio resources which limits the UE's RX BW to one of the DL CCs.

Table 1 : Use cases, their radio resources and their parameters for triggering a mode change.

Spectrum Mismatch

Further example embodiments relating to the spectrum mismatch scenario (use case 2) will now be described.

An operator's licensed spectrum may not match any of the existing (‘regular’) channel filter bandwidths (BWs) of the UE (cf. 3GPP TR 38.844). For example, the operator may have a 7 MHz wide licensed spectrum which is in between existing UE channel filter BWs of 5 MHz and 10 MHz.

Embodiments propose to use in the DL a UE channel filter BWthat is larger than the operator's licensed spectrum such that the network node may configure in the DL a carrier using the entirety of the licensed bandwidth. In the example above, this means that the UE preferably uses the 10 MHz DL channel filter which would encompass the 7 MHz wide carrier. However, this means that the UE DL channel filter will pass signals which fall outside of the licensed spectrum but within a portion of the spectrum of an adjacent operator. To address this, embodiments propose implementing a similar solution as for the non-contiguous carrier aggregation in that the UE may switch to a second receiving mode which does not permit reception of signals within the spectrum part of the adjacent operator.

Fig. 5 shows a receiving mechanism according to an embodiment. The network node is configured to transmit signals in a first scheduling mode within a carrier bandwidth 11a which may be the licensed spectrum of the operator. The term ‘carrier bandwidth’ may refer, for example, to the bandwidth of a carrier or a channel or to the network node’s transmission bandwidth configuration, i.e. , the bandwidth in which the network node is configured to transmit. The carrier bandwidth may include guard bands. In a first receiving mode, the UE uses a DL channel filter having a preset pass bandwidth 10a (sometimes referred to as the first frequency range) which is larger than and contains the carrier bandwidth 11a used for transmissions from the network node. However, Fig. 5 shows how the pass band 10a of the filter also passes two frequency blocks which do not contain signals from the network node. Instead, there are unwanted signals 12 in these locations which may cause interference with the signals transmitted by the network node. If a criterion is met, the UE is configured to change to a second receiving mode in which the UE utilizes a smaller preset bandwidth 10b of its DL channel filter. The receiving bandwidth 10b of the second mode is contained within the wider bandwidth 10a of the first receiving mode and excludes the unwanted signals 12. To ensure signals from the network node are still received by the UE when the UE is in the second receiving mode, the network node changes for the DL communication with this UE from the first scheduling mode to a second scheduling mode in which signals are transmitted over a narrower bandwidth, the bandwidth part 11b (sometimes referred to as DL bandwidth part). The bandwidth part (BWP) 11b of the second scheduling mode is contained within the second frequency range 10b (sometimes referred to as preset bandwidth or receiving bandwidth). Like the non-contiguous carrier aggregation scenario discussed above, the decision to adjust the UE between modes may be taken autonomously by the UE and/or by the network node. Moreover, the decision may be based on meeting a criterion. In this respect, the processes discussed above in relation to the non-contiguous carrier aggregation scenario apply here.

In other words, in the spectrum mismatch scenario, initially, the network node may be configured to transmit signals within the DL carrier bandwidth 11a which, including guard bands, should be completely inside the operator's spectrum or may be the entirety of the licensed spectrum. For the case that a UE needs to adjust to the second receiving mode as a fallback configuration, the network node may signal to the UE the DL bandwidth part 11b of the network node's second scheduling mode and/or a DL channel bandwidth which may be a regular channel bandwidth of the UE that is smaller than the carrier bandwidth 11a and that the UE may use as the receiving bandwidth 10b for its DL channel filter configuration. The DL BWP 11 b for the fallback to the second scheduling mode is contained completely inside the DL carrier bandwidth 11a and is contained completely inside the UE's receiving BW 10b in the second receiving mode.

In some example embodiments, for DL packets, a criterion is defined based on the ratio of missing positive acknowledgements at the network node (e.g., a gNB) (which may count negative as well as expected but missing acknowledgements). If the criterion is met (e.g., a threshold reached or exceeded) for acknowledgements from such a UE, the network node (e.g., the gNB) switches for the communication with that UE to the second scheduling mode with the DL BWP 11b and notifies the UE. The UE can receive signals within the DL BWP 11b even if it still uses the wider DL filter channel 10a. Furthermore, in some example embodiments, when a criterion for an error rate on the UE's side is met (e.g., a threshold is reached or exceeded) and the UE still uses the DL channel filter BW 10a, the UE autonomously switches to the second receiving mode in which it may use the DL channel filter BW 10b such that it may receive signals within the DL BWP 11b and exclude the unwanted signals 12. The UE may notify the network node of this change. The switching may take a little bit of time and thus result in a gap between the end of one receiving mode and the beginning of the other receiving mode.

In some example embodiments, the criteria are designed such that the network node’s, (e.g., a gNB's) criterion is usually triggered first. For example, acknowledgements lost in the UL make the criterion fulfilled earlier at the network node (e.g., the gNB) than at the UE. However, if the UE cannot receive blocks for it from the network node (e.g., the gNB) anymore because the UE already uses the second receiving mode with the channel filter BW 10b and the network node still transmits signals over the full width of the DL carrier bandwidth 11a, the missing acknowledgements from the UE will make the network node also switch to using the DL BWP 11b in the second scheduling mode as a fallback configuration.

In some example embodiments, for simplicity, there may be no mechanism to increase the DL BW back to the original DL carrier bandwidth 11a from the BWP 11b during an ongoing data transfer. In some example embodiments, the network node may command again using the earlier DL carrier bandwidth.

In some example embodiments, UE measurements indicating to the network node whether there is adjacent channel interference (ACI)/blocking are used to help determine whether to change receiving mode. For example, the UE may transmit indications of any measurements taken by the UE to the network node such that the network node can use the indications to determine if a criterion for instructing the UE to change receiving mode is met. This may be applicable to the spectrum mismatch scenario and the non-contiguous carrier aggregation scenario.

In summary, embodiments propose providing a fallback reception and transmission scheme to overcome potential problems with interference caused by unwanted signals. Providing such a fallback may avoid severe network planning or end user impact.

In some example embodiments, UEs supporting the fallback may be required:

• in the sensitivity limited case, to meet the throughput requirement according to the transmission BW configuration of the DL carrier bandwidth 11a, and

• in the case of ACI/blocking, to meet the throughput requirement according to the (compared with the DL carrier BW 11a) next smaller regular channel BWas receiving BW 10b.

Apparatus

Fig. 6 illustrates an exemplary system comprising apparatus according to embodiments in a wireless communication network. The apparatus may be configured to carry out the methods according to embodiments disclosed herein. The apparatus include a user equipment 410 and a network entity 420 (a network node). The user equipment 410 may be within a cell provided and controlled by the network entity 420 such that the network entity 420 can transmit signals to the user equipment 410.

The user equipment 410 comprises at least one memory 412 which may store instructions executable by at least one processor 411 of the user equipment 411. The user equipment 411 may comprise a transceiver 413 for transmission and reception of radio signals. The user equipment refers to any mobile end or terminal device that may be capable of wireless communication. By way of example rather than limitation, user equipment UE may also be referred to as a communication device, a terminal device, a Mobile Station (MS). The user equipment may include, but is not limited to, a mobile phone, a cellular phone, a smart phone, a tablet, a wearable terminal device, a personal digital assistant (PDA) , vehicle-mounted wireless terminal devices, smart devices etc.

The network node 420 comprises at least one memory 422 which may store instructions executable by at least one processor 421 of the network node 420. The network node 420 may comprise a transceiver 423 for transmission and reception of radio signals. The network node may refer to at least one of the following non-limiting examples: an access node, a base station, a gNodeB and an eNodeB.

It will be appreciated that the user equipment 410 and the network node 420 may comprise any other suitable means or circuitry configured to perform the steps of methods according to embodiments disclosed herein.

According to an aspect of the disclosure, there is provided an apparatus configured at least to perform: receiving signals, from a network node, within a first frequency range in a first mode, the first frequency range containing at least one frequency block for containing signals transmitted by the network node and at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node; receiving signals, from the network node, within a second frequency range in a second mode, the second frequency range being contained within the first frequency range and excluding the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node; obtaining an indication that the apparatus is to change from the first mode to the second mode; and adjusting the apparatus from the first mode to the second mode in response to obtaining the indication that the apparatus is to change from the first mode to the second mode.

In this way, if signals from the network node are interfered with by unwanted signals within the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node, the apparatus may be adjusted from the first mode to the second mode such that the apparatus is no longer configured to receive signals within the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node where the interference is originating from. It will be appreciated that there is a trade-off between reducing the size of the frequency range in which the apparatus is configured to receive signals from the network node and reducing or avoiding interference.

In this context, a frequency range is a frequency interval defined between two frequency values. The frequency range may comprise one or more frequency blocks. In this context, a frequency block is a contiguous set of frequency resources. In some example embodiments, a frequency block may additionally include at least one of the following: guard bands and loT carriers (e.g., NB-loT). In some instances, a frequency block may be one or more carriers. In some instances, a frequency block may be one or more frequency channels. In some instances, the frequency block may be a subblock. A subblock is a carrier aggregated contiguous set of blocks. Multiple frequency blocks are contiguous if they are arranged ‘end-to-end’ such that they form a continuous set of frequency resources. Frequency blocks are non-contiguous if they are not arranged ‘end-to-end’. For example, non-contiguous blocks for signals transmitted by a network node may be separated by a frequency block operated by a different operator. The non-contiguous frequency blocks and the frequency block operated by a different operator may all be contained within a frequency range. In some example embodiments, the first and second frequency ranges may be first and second receiving channel bandwidths that the UE can use.

In some example embodiments, the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node is for containing unwanted signals. In some example embodiments, the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node can contain unwanted signals. In some example embodiments, the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node is reserved for or assigned to unwanted signals. In some example embodiments, the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node is occupied by signals from network nodes operated by one or more different operators to the at least one frequency block for containing signals transmitted by the network node. In some example embodiments, the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node comprises a set of frequency resources in which the network node is not assigned carriers or channels.

The at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node may be outside the at least one frequency block for containing signals transmitted by the network node. In other words, they do not overlap. The at least one frequency block for containing signals transmitted by the network node may be wider than and contain the second frequency range. A part of the at least one frequency block for containing signals transmitted by the network node may be excluded in the second frequency range.

As described in relation to further example embodiments below, obtaining the indication may include: 1) determining at the apparatus autonomously that a criterion has been met based on measurements taken and/or estimates made by the apparatus, or 2) receiving from the network node an indication that the apparatus is to change from the first mode to the second mode (e.g., an instruction to adjust the apparatus from the first to the second mode).

It will be appreciated that a frequency block may be referred to as a frequency spectrum block, a spectrum block or simply a block.

The signal level may provide an indication of an interference level for the signals from the network node caused by unwanted signals within the at least one frequency block not containing network node transmissions.

The signal level may include a signal level within one or more of the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node. Additionally, the signal level may include a signal level within one or more of the at least one frequency block for containing signals transmitted by the network node. In other words, indications of more than one signal level may be determined such that a signal level within both the at least one frequency block for containing signals transmitted by the network node and the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node may be monitored.

The apparatus (e.g., a UE) may get the information about where to perform measurements from information received from the network node relating to: 1. the first frequency range,

2. the second frequency range and/or

3. the at least one frequency block for containing signals transmitted by the network node.

The UE should make a measurement at least in:

• 1 ,

• 1 without 2,

• 1 without 3, or

• one or more other frequency ranges indicated by the network node for interference measurements inside the first frequency range.

In this way, the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node is included. In some example embodiments, if the signal level is high enough to potentially cause a desensitization, another signal level may be determined too so that a comparison becomes possible. For example:

• a signal level reflecting the wanted signal plus the interference (‘interference’ referring here to the interference from the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node) versus a signal level reflecting the wanted signal or a part of it,

• an interference related level versus a level related to the wanted signal or a part of it,

• a level reflecting the wanted signal and the interference versus an interference related level.

Depending on what the UE reports, such a comparison can be performed at the UE or at the network node.

Examples for the signal levels using the numbering for where the UE may perform measurements:

• Level reflecting the wanted signal plus the interference: 1

• Level reflecting the wanted signal: 3

• Level reflecting a part of the wanted signal: 2

• Interference related level: 1 without 3

An indication of a signal level may comprise an indication of at least one of the following: power, power spectral density (PSD), received signal strength indication (RSSI), reference signal received power (RSRP) and reference signal received quality (RSRQ).

The indication of the error rate provides an indication of the rate or probability that there is an error with messages from the network node. This may be that signals are not received from the network node, that messages are not decoded correctly or that bits are not detected correctly.

In some example embodiments, the determining the indication of the signal level or the error rate comprises measuring an indication of a signal level or error rate, respectively. In some example embodiments, the determining the indication of the signal level or the error rate comprises estimating an indication of a signal level or error rate, respectively. The determined indication may be the same or different to the measured or estimated indication and may be based on the measured or estimated indication.

In some example embodiments, the apparatus is caused to perform: receiving an indication of the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node. This indication may be a difference between the first frequency range and the at least one frequency block for containing signals transmitted by the network node.

It will be appreciated that the apparatus may determine which frequencies are prone to interference by receiving from the network node an indication of the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node. However, if the UE does not receive such an indication and therefore does not know which frequencies are prone to interference (i.e. , the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node), the apparatus may make a determination or assumption based on the difference between the first frequency range (which may be a known reception bandwidth of the user equipment) and the at least one frequency block for containing signals transmitted by the network node (which may be indicated to the apparatus by the network node). Using this information, the apparatus may ensure appropriate measurements or estimates are made within at least a portion of the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node to determine an indication of the interference caused by any unwanted signals within the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node. This may be particularly advantageous for the UE centric approach. Obtaining the indication of the first frequency range and/or the at least one frequency block for containing signals transmitted by the network node may comprise the apparatus being caused to perform: receiving the indication from the network node or retrieving the indication from a data store of the apparatus. When the apparatus obtains indications of both the first frequency range and the at least one frequency block for containing signals transmitted by the network node, the apparatus may compare the two to determine the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node.

In other words, the apparatus may autonomously determine that it should swap from the first mode to the second mode based on a criterion. The criterion may relate to assessing when there is an unacceptable level of interference originating from the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node. In some cases, the determination to swap from the first mode to the second mode may be performed by the network node. In this case, the apparatus must receive an indication of this determination such that the apparatus knows to change modes. Note that it is possible for both the apparatus and the network node to be capable of making the decision. This may be advantageous, for example, when the interference is so great that the apparatus fails to receive the indication that the apparatus is to change from the first mode to the second mode from the network node. In this instance, an autonomous decision to change modes can be made by the apparatus.

In some example embodiments, the received indication from the network node that the apparatus is to change from the first mode to the second mode comprises information indicating a bandwidth part (BWP) within the second frequency range over which further signals from the network node will be transmitted. In this context, a BWP is a part of a bandwidth. In this instance, the BWP may be a part of the bandwidth in which the network node may transmit signalling and schedule other signals to the UE - i.e. a part of the at least one frequency block for containing signals transmitted by the network node. In some example embodiments, in response to receiving the indication that the apparatus is to change from the first mode to the second mode, the apparatus is further configured to perform: transmitting an acknowledgment to the network node. In other words, the apparatus may acknowledge the received indication, i.e. indicate to the network node that it has received the indication.

In other words, the apparatus may autonomously determine that it should swap from the first mode to the second mode based on whether the indication of the signal level and/or the indication of the error rate fulfil the criterion.

In this way, the apparatus may report an adjustment by the apparatus to the network node so that the network is aware of the new receiving mode of the apparatus.

The apparatus may also transmit an indication of an imminent reception gap if applicable and/or the (absolute or relative) time when the apparatus will be ready to receive in the second mode. This may be done in the same or in different transmissions.

In this way, the apparatus may report an indication of the signal level and/or an indication of the error rate to the network node. In some example embodiments, this comprises reporting the measurements taken by the apparatus. In some example embodiments, the network node may base its determination of whether to instruct the apparatus to adjust from the first mode to the second mode on the reported information. Note, however, that the network node may also determine whether to instruct the apparatus to change from the first mode to the second mode based on a criterion which does not depend on the measurements or estimates taken by the apparatus. For example, the network node may base its decision on transmissions from the apparatus that the network node expects but does not receive (e.g., because the apparatus cannot receive the permissions for transmitting to the network node any longer).

It will be appreciated that the indication(s) transmitted to the network node may be the same or different to the indications used by the apparatus to determine if a criterion has been met. If the apparatus (e.g., a UE) supports both a UE centric and a network centric approach, a different processing may apply to the measured/estimated values for the autonomous mode change on the one hand and the reporting to the network node on the other hand. The indication(s) transmitted to the network node may be based on the indications determined by the apparatus for its own determination whether a criterion has been met. The indication(s) transmitted to the network node may be based on measurements or estimates made by the apparatus.

The teachings which relate to the adjustment of the apparatus from the first mode to the second mode may generally also be applicable to the adjustment of the apparatus from the second mode to the first mode. For example, the decision to change from the second mode to the first mode may be made autonomously by the apparatus or by the network node. In some example embodiments, the decision to change from the second mode to the first mode may be based on a determination by the apparatus or by the network node that a criterion has been met. The criterion may relate to assessing when there is likely to be an acceptable level of interference originating from the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node. In some example embodiments, the apparatus is caused to perform: transmitting to the network node at least one of the following: an indication of the signal level; and an indication of the error rate. In some example embodiments, the apparatus is caused to perform: receiving from the network node an indication that the apparatus is to change from the second mode to the first mode. It will be appreciated that, whilst the network node is scheduling signals within the second frequency range (in the second scheduling mode), it may not be advantageous for the apparatus to autonomously switch to the first mode. Accordingly, the apparatus may be configured to wait to receive from the network node an indication to change from the second mode to the first mode.

This may be implemented using an adjustable bandpass filter. Alternatively, this may be implemented using an adjustable low-pass filter. Additionally, a local oscillator (LO) or numerically controlled oscillator (NCO) frequency may be shifted to provide the adjustment between the first and second modes.

The indication of the first frequency range may comprise an indication of the at least one frequency block for containing signals transmitted by the network node. It may be up to the apparatus to choose the exact position of the first frequency range, but the apparatus may not be able to avoid receiving also in at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node.

If the network signals the bandwidth (BW)/location of the at least one frequency block for containing signals transmitted by the network node, the apparatus (e.g., a UE) may be able to find out the first frequency range or at least options for it, e.g. based on the smallest sufficiently wide RX (channel) BW the UE supports and the locations that it supports for this BW. Similarly, the UE may be able to find out the second frequency range, e.g. based on the largest RX (channel) BWthe UE supports that fits entirely in the at least one frequency block for containing signals transmitted by the network node, on the location of crucial signalling (e.g. SSB, CORESET for PDCCH reception).

If the UE can only determine either the first or the second frequency range from the indication of the at least one frequency block for containing signals transmitted by the network node, the other frequency range may be signalled. Of course, in some example embodiments, the first and the second frequency ranges are signalled directly.

Signalling an indication of the second frequency range to the apparatus may allow the apparatus to determine the second frequency range in advance of the second mode being adopted by the apparatus.

According to another aspect of the disclosure, there is provided an apparatus configured at least to perform: transmitting signals, to a user equipment, within at least one frequency block for containing signals transmitted by the apparatus in a first scheduling mode, the at least one frequency block for containing signals transmitted by the apparatus being contained within a first frequency range in which the user equipment is configured to receive signals in a first mode, the first frequency range further containing at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the apparatus; transmitting signals, to the user equipment, within a bandwidth part contained within the at least one frequency block for containing signals transmitted by the apparatus in a second scheduling mode, the bandwidth part being contained within a second frequency range in which the user equipment is configured to receive signals in a second mode, the second frequency range being contained within the first frequency range and excluding the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the apparatus; obtaining an indication of an adjustment of the user equipment from the first mode to the second mode; and adjusting the apparatus from the first scheduling mode to the second scheduling mode in response to obtaining the indication of the adjustment of the user equipment from the first mode to the second mode.

In this way, if signals from the apparatus are interfered with at the user equipment by unwanted signals within the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the apparatus, in response to an adjustment of the user equipment to a narrow reception mode, the apparatus may be adjusted from the first scheduling mode to the second scheduling mode such that the apparatus is configured to only transmit signals within the bandwidth part falling within the narrower receiving bandwidth of the user equipment. The at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the apparatus may, for example, be another operator’s frequency channel or a part of it that overlaps with the first frequency range.

In this context, a BWP is a part of a bandwidth. In this instance, the BWP may be a part of the bandwidth in which the apparatus may transmit signalling and schedule other signals to the UE - i.e. a part of the at least one frequency block for containing signals transmitted by the network node. The bandwidth part may be a contiguous portion of the frequency resources contained within the at least one frequency block for containing signals transmitted by the apparatus. In some example embodiments, the bandwidth part comprises a UE specific channel bandwidth contained within the at least one frequency block for containing signals transmitted by the apparatus.

As described in relation to further example embodiments below, obtaining the indication may include: 1) receipt of an indication from the UE that it has, is or will autonomously adjust from the first mode to the second mode, or 2) a determination by the apparatus that a criterion has been met so it should transmit an indication to that UE that it should adjust from the first mode to the second mode (i.e. the adjustment of the UE may not have happened yet but, from the perspective of the apparatus, future transmissions should now be performed in the second scheduling mode so the apparatus may change its scheduling mode before the UE changes its own reception mode).

It will be appreciated that the indication of the adjustment of the user equipment from the first mode to the second mode may relate to a future adjustment - i.e. the network might change its scheduling mode shortly before the UE has changed its reception mode. In some example embodiments, the apparatus is further caused to perform at least one of the following: transmitting to the user equipment an indication for the user equipment to receive signals within the first frequency range; and transmitting to the user equipment an indication of the adjustment by the apparatus from the first scheduling mode to the second scheduling mode.

The apparatus may configure the UE to be in the first mode by sending a command to the UE to configure itself appropriately. The indication may leave some freedom to the UE to determine exactly where to place the first frequency range, e.g., its receiving bandwidth. The first range should comprise resources for containing signals transmitted by the network node and may comprise resources not containing signals transmitted by the network node.

The apparatus may send a message to the UE informing the UE of the change to the second scheduling mode. If the adjustment is taking place after sending the message to the UE, the network may indicate in this message to the UE the time of the change to the second scheduling mode. The apparatus may indicate to the UE to change to the second mode. For example, the indication may be a command to the UE to receive signals in the second frequency range or in the bandwidth part.

In other words, the apparatus may receive from the user equipment an indication that the user equipment has autonomously decided to change from the first mode to the second mode. By the time this indication is received by the apparatus, the adjustment of the user equipment may have finished, may be ongoing, or may be scheduled to begin. Note that it may take some time for the user equipment to make the adjustment if a LO frequency change is involved and may result in an interruption. In some cases, the apparatus may make the determination itself that the UE should change from the first mode to the second mode based on a criterion. In some example embodiments, when obtaining the indication comprises determining that a criterion has been met, the determining that the criterion has been met is based on at least one of the following: an indication of a signal level; an indication of an error rate of signals received by the user equipment from the apparatus; an indication of an error rate of signals received by the apparatus from the user equipment.

The signal level may provide an indication of an interference level for the signals sent by the apparatus to the UE caused by signals within the at least one frequency block not containing network node transmissions.

The signal level may include a signal level within one or more of the at least one frequency block for signals transmitted by the apparatus. Additionally or alternatively, the signal level may include a signal level within one or more of the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the apparatus. In other words, a signal level within either or both of the blocks for transmissions by the apparatus and the blocks not for transmissions by the apparatus may be considered.

The indication of the error rate of signals received by the user equipment from the apparatus provides an indication of the rate or probability that there is an error with messages at the UE sent by the apparatus. This may be that signals are not received from the apparatus at the UE or that messages are not decoded correctly.

The indication of the error rate of signals received by the apparatus from the UE provides an indication of the rate or probability that there is an error with messages at the apparatus sent by the UE. This may be that signals are not received from the UE at the apparatus or that messages are not decoded correctly. An error with messages at the apparatus sent by the UE may comprise messages that, e.g. in response to messages sent earlier by the apparatus to the UE, are expected but not received at the apparatus.

The error rate of signals received by the apparatus from the user equipment may be based on a lack of or failed reception of ACK and/or NACK messages at the apparatus from the user equipment. In some example embodiments, the error rate is based on not receiving messages that the UE was expected to send but did not arrive at the apparatus, for example, messages from the UE in response to messages sent by the apparatus previously.

The teachings which relate to the adjustment of the apparatus from the first scheduling mode to the second scheduling mode may generally also be applicable to the adjustment of the apparatus from the second scheduling mode to the first scheduling mode. For example, the decision to change from the second scheduling mode to the first scheduling mode may be based on a determination by the apparatus that a criterion has been met. The criterion may relate to assessing when there is likely to be an acceptable level of interference originating from the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node.

In this way, the user equipment may obtain knowledge of one or more of: the indication of the first frequency range; the indication of the second frequency range; the indication of the at least one frequency block for containing signals transmitted by the apparatus; the indication of the bandwidth part; the indication of the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the apparatus; and the indication of at least one frequency block in which the user equipment is to measure a signal level. In some example embodiments, the apparatus is further caused to perform: transmitting to the user equipment an indication of at least one frequency block in which the user equipment is to determine a signal level, where determining the signal level comprises at least one of the following: measuring the signal level, and estimating the signal level.

The indication about the bandwidth part and/or the second frequency range may be transmitted to the UE when the UE is initially configured to start receiving signals within the first frequency range. This may enable the UE to autonomously change to the second mode and may also be useful for determining an interference related signal level by the UE.

Transmitting all retransmissions in the bandwidth part of the second scheduling mode regardless of whether the apparatus is in the first scheduling mode or the second scheduling mode for the initial transmissions means that retransmissions are transmitted over frequencies which the user equipment may be able to receive in both modes, thereby potentially improving the reliability of the retransmissions. More specifically, this ensures that a UE may at least receive the retransmissions even before the apparatus limits the scheduling of its initial transmissions to the bandwidth part of the second scheduling mode. If the apparatus does not receive reports with positive or negative acknowledgements from the UE, the apparatus may send preemptive retransmissions. This can limit the latency of the DL transmission in the case of an autonomously deciding UE when it needs to change from the first mode to the second mode.

In some example embodiments, crucial information/signalling may always be sent in the second frequency range or in the BWP. For example, information and signalling needed for a stable radio link may be deemed crucial.

Non-Contiguous Spectrum

The advantages and definitions described above may also be applicable to the noncontiguous spectrum scenario. According to an aspect of the disclosure, there is provided an apparatus configured at least to perform: receiving signals, from a network node, within a first frequency range in a first mode, the first frequency range containing at least two non-contiguous frequency blocks for containing signals transmitted by the network node separated by at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node; receiving signals, from the network node, within a second frequency range in a second mode, the second frequency range being contained within the first frequency range, the second frequency range comprising a contiguous frequency block of the at least two non-contiguous frequency blocks and excluding the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node; obtaining an indication that the apparatus is to change from the first mode to the second mode; and adjusting the apparatus from the first mode to the second mode in response to obtaining the indication that the apparatus is to change from the first mode to the second mode.

Currently, apparatus, such as a user equipment, may use two channel filters in order to receive signals within non-contiguous carriers. However, this requires additional hardware in the apparatus which may not always be present. Advantageously, embodiments propose an apparatus which may operate in a first mode in which signals are received within a frequency range spanning the at least two non-contiguous frequency blocks such that non-contiguous carriers may be received, for example, using one wide channel filter. If signals from the network node are interfered with by unwanted signals within the intervening frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node, the apparatus may change to a second mode in which the apparatus is only configured to receive signals within a contiguous frequency block which excludes the intervening frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node. In this way, signals may be received from the network node with reduced interference. The apparatus may swap back to the first mode when the potential interference is lower.

In some example embodiments, the apparatus is further caused to perform: determining at least one of the following: an indication of a signal level; and an indication of an error rate of signals received from the network node. The determination(s) may be made in response to receipt of an indication to perform the determination(s) from the network node.

According to another aspect, there is provided an apparatus configured at least to perform: transmitting signals, to a user equipment, within at least two non-contiguous frequency blocks for containing signals transmitted by the apparatus separated by at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the apparatus in a first scheduling mode, the at least two non-contiguous frequency blocks and the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the apparatus being contained within a first frequency range in which the user equipment is configured to receive signals in a first mode; transmitting signals, to the user equipment, within a contiguous frequency block of the at least two non-contiguous frequency blocks in a second scheduling mode, the contiguous frequency block being contained within a second frequency range in which the user equipment is configured to receive signals in a second mode, the second frequency range being contained within the first frequency range and excluding the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the apparatus; obtaining an indication of an adjustment of the user equipment from the first mode to the second mode; and adjusting the apparatus from the first scheduling mode to the second scheduling mode in response to obtaining the indication of the adjustment of the user equipment from the first mode to the second mode.

In this way, if signals from the apparatus are interfered with at the user equipment by unwanted signals within the intervening frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the apparatus, in response to an adjustment of the user equipment to a narrow reception mode, the apparatus may be adjusted from the first scheduling mode to the second scheduling mode such that the apparatus is configured to only transmit signals within a contiguous frequency block of the at least two non-contiguous frequency blocks which falls within the narrower receiving bandwidth of the user equipment.

Spectrum Mismatch

The advantages and definitions described above may also be applicable to the spectrum mismatch scenario. According to an aspect of the disclosure, there is provided an apparatus configured at least to perform: receiving signals, from a network node, within a first frequency range in a first mode, the first frequency range containing a carrier bandwidth for signals transmitted by the network node and at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node; receiving signals, from the network node, within a second frequency range in a second mode, the second frequency range being contained within the first frequency range and excluding the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node; obtaining an indication that the apparatus is to change from the first mode to the second mode; and adjusting the apparatus from the first mode to the second mode in response to obtaining the indication that the apparatus is to change from the first mode to the second mode.

It was recognised that an operator may have licensed spectrum which does not exactly align with the current bandwidths which an apparatus, such as a user equipment, is configured to receive within, e.g., the preset bandwidths of an adjustable channel filter. Embodiments propose using a wide receiving bandwidth in the first mode to allow data to be sent by the network node to the apparatus across the full width of the operator’s licensed spectrum. If interference becomes too great due to unwanted signals in the portion(s) of the receiving bandwidth which are not licensed to the operator, the apparatus may switch to the second mode in which a narrower receiving bandwidth is used which may be completely contained within the licensed spectrum of the operator. In this way, interference due to unwanted signals in the frequency blocks which do not contain signals transmitted by the network node can be mitigated.

The determination(s) may be made in response to receipt of an indication to perform the determination(s) from the network node.

According to another aspect of the disclosure, there is provided an apparatus configured at least to perform: transmitting signals, to a user equipment, within a carrier bandwidth for containing signals transmitted by the apparatus in a first scheduling mode, the carrier bandwidth being contained within a first frequency range in which the user equipment is configured to receive signals in a first mode, the first frequency range further containing at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the apparatus; transmitting signals, to the user equipment, within a bandwidth part in a second scheduling mode, the bandwidth part being contained within a second frequency range in which the user equipment is configured to receive signals in a second mode, the second frequency range being contained within the first frequency range and excluding the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the apparatus; obtaining an indication of an adjustment of the user equipment from the first mode to the second mode; and adjusting the apparatus from the first scheduling mode to the second scheduling mode in response to obtaining the indication of the adjustment of the user equipment from the first mode to the second mode.

In this way, if signals from the apparatus are interfered with at the user equipment by unwanted signals within the frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the apparatus (but still within the receiving bandwidth of the user equipment), in response to an adjustment of the user equipment to a narrow reception mode, the apparatus may be adjusted from the first scheduling mode to the second scheduling mode such that the apparatus is configured to only transmit signals within the bandwidth part falling within the narrower receiving bandwidth of the user equipment.

Methods

Fig. 7 illustrates steps in methods according to an embodiment.

The left-hand flow diagram of Fig. 7 shows steps in a method performed by a user equipment.

In step S10a, the method comprises receiving signals, from a network node, within a first frequency range in a first mode. The first frequency range contains at least one frequency block for containing signals transmitted by the network node and at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node. In step S20a, the method comprises obtaining an indication that the UE is to change from the first mode to a second mode.

In step S30a, the method comprises adjusting the UE from the first mode to the second mode in response to obtaining the indication that the UE is to change from the first mode to the second mode.

In step S40a, the method comprises receiving signals, from the network node, within a second frequency range in the second mode. The second frequency range is contained within the first frequency range and excludes the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node.

The right-hand flow diagram of Fig. 7 shows steps in a method performed by a network node.

In step S10b, the method comprises transmitting signals, to a user equipment, within at least one frequency block for containing signals transmitted by the network node in a first scheduling mode. The at least one frequency block for containing signals transmitted by the network node is contained within a first frequency range in which the user equipment is configured to receive signals in a first mode. The first frequency range further contains at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node.

In step S20b, the method comprises obtaining an indication of an adjustment of the user equipment from the first mode to the second mode.

In step S30b, the method comprises adjusting the network node from the first scheduling mode to a second scheduling mode in response to obtaining the indication of the adjustment of the user equipment from the first mode to the second mode.

In step S40b, the method comprises transmitting signals, to the user equipment, within a bandwidth part contained within the at least one frequency block for containing signals transmitted by the network node in the second scheduling mode. The bandwidth part is contained within a second frequency range in which the user equipment is configured to receive signals in a second mode. The second frequency range is contained within the first frequency range and excludes the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node. Fig. 8 illustrates steps in methods according to an embodiment.

The left-hand flow diagram of Fig. 8 shows steps in a method performed by a user equipment.

In step S100a, the method comprises receiving signals, from a network node, within a first frequency range in a first mode. The first frequency range contains at least two non-contiguous frequency blocks for containing signals transmitted by the network node separated by at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node.

In step S200a, the method comprises obtaining an indication that the user equipment is to change from the first mode to a second mode.

In step S300a, the method comprises adjusting the user equipment from the first mode to the second mode in response to obtaining the indication that the user equipment is to change from the first mode to the second mode.

In step S400a, the method comprises receiving signals, from the network node, within a second frequency range in the second mode. The second frequency range is contained within the first frequency range. The second frequency range comprises a contiguous frequency block of the at least two non-contiguous frequency blocks and excludes the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node.

The right-hand flow diagram of Fig. 8 shows steps in a method performed by a network node.

In step 100b, the method comprises transmitting signals, to a user equipment, within at least two non-contiguous frequency blocks for containing signals transmitted by the network node separated by at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node in a first scheduling mode. The at least two noncontiguous frequency blocks and the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node are contained within a first frequency range in which the user equipment is configured to receive signals in a first mode. In step S200b, the method comprises obtaining an indication of an adjustment of the user equipment from the first mode to a second mode.

In step S300b, the method comprises, adjusting the network node from the first scheduling mode to the second scheduling mode in response to obtaining the indication of the adjustment of the user equipment from the first mode to the second mode.

In step S400b, the method comprises transmitting signals, to the user equipment, within a contiguous frequency block of the at least two non-contiguous frequency blocks in a second scheduling mode, the contiguous frequency block being contained within a second frequency range in which the user equipment is configured to receive signals in a second mode, the second frequency range being contained within the first frequency range and excluding the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node.

Fig. 9 illustrates steps in methods according to an embodiment.

The left-hand flow diagram of Fig. 9 shows steps in a method performed by a user equipment.

In step S1000a, the method comprises receiving signals, from a network node, within a first frequency range in a first mode. The first frequency range contains at least one frequency block for containing signals transmitted by the network node and at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node.

In step S2000a, the method comprises obtaining an indication that the user equipment is to change from the first mode to a second mode.

In step S3000a, the method comprises adjusting the user equipment from the first mode to the second mode in response to obtaining the indication that the user equipment is to change from the first mode to the second mode.

In step S4000a, the method comprises receiving signals, from the network node, within a second frequency range in the second mode. The second frequency range is contained within the first frequency range and excludes the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node. The right-hand flow diagram of Fig. 9 shows steps in a method performed by a network node.

In step S1000b, the method comprises transmitting signals, to a user equipment, within at least one frequency block for containing signals transmitted by the network node in a first scheduling mode. The at least one frequency block for containing signals transmitted by the network node is contained within a first frequency range in which the user equipment is configured to receive signals in a first mode. The first frequency range further contains at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node.

In step S2000b, the method comprises obtaining an indication of an adjustment of the user equipment from the first mode to a second mode.

In step S3000b, the method comprises adjusting the network node from the first scheduling mode to a second scheduling mode in response to obtaining the indication of the adjustment of the user equipment from the first mode to the second mode.

In step S4000b, the method comprises transmitting signals, to the user equipment, within a bandwidth part contained within the at least one frequency block for containing signals transmitted by the network node in the second scheduling mode. The bandwidth part is contained within a second frequency range in which the user equipment is configured to receive signals in the second mode. The second frequency range is contained within the first frequency range and excludes the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node.

Further aspects and example embodiments useful for understanding the invention are described below.

According to an aspect, there is provided a method for a wireless transmission of data packets by a transmitter (e.g., a network node) to a receiver (e.g., a UE), using

• a forward link

- with an option of first radio resources and

- with an option of second radio resources which are comprised in the first radio resources, wherein using only the second radio resources is on average or under unfavourable interference conditions more reliable than using the first radio resources, and

• a reverse link by which the transmitter receives at least feedback information from the receiver about the arrival of the data packets, wherein the transmitter signals radio resource related parameters to the receiver that enable determining the first radio resources and the second radio resources, and wherein the transmitter transmits

• all signalling that is indispensable for the link stability and

• when using the option of the second radio resources, all retransmissions on the second radio resources to the receiver.

As indicated above, the transmitter may be a network node (e.g., a base station, gNB), the receiver a UE, the forward link being the downlink, the reverse link being the uplink. By “reliable” it is to be understood that the data packets transmitted, have a higher probability of arriving within an acceptable latency. The transmitter signalling radio resource related parameters to the receiver is not limited to dedicated signalling. When the transmitter transmits all retransmissions on the second radio resources to the receiver, this also includes retransmissions for data blocks initially transmitted in the first radio resources outside the second radio resources in order to avoid too large latency, e.g. by a call drop or too many unsuccessful retransmissions.

In some example embodiments, the transmitter transmits at least all retransmissions fulfilling a delay criterion on the second radio resources to the receiver.

If the receiver autonomously changes to the option of the second radio resources while the transmitter still uses the option of the first radio resources, this will ensure that sooner or later, the receiver will get the needed retransmissions. The purpose is to avoid too large latency, caused e.g. by too many unsuccessful retransmissions outside the second radio resources or even a call drop.

In some example embodiments, the retransmissions fulfilling the delay criterion comprise the transmission of incremental redundancy if the delay criterion is fulfilled.

In some example embodiments, a retransmission fulfils the delay criterion if the time offset between its transmission and a corresponding initial transmission is at least or exceeds a delay threshold. In some example embodiments, the at least all retransmissions fulfilling a delay criterion are all retransmissions.

In some example embodiments, the delay criterion is that the retransmission is the n-th retransmission or a later retransmission with n being a natural number greater than 1.

In some example embodiments, the transmitter sends pre-emptive retransmissions of the oldest unacknowledged data blocks on the second radio resources.

In some example embodiments, the transmitter signals radio resource related parameters to the receiver that enable determining the second radio resources before the receiver is configured to using the first radio resources.

As discussed above, signalling radio resource related parameters to the receiver is not to be misunderstood as limited to dedicated signalling. If this signalling was while the receiver already uses the option of the first radio resources and if interference prevented the reception of the signalling, the receiver would not know the second radio resources and thus not be able to autonomously change to the option of the second radio resources.

In some example embodiments, the transmitter uses common block sequence numbers for aggregated carriers.

In some example embodiments, when the option of the first radio resources is used, the transmitter changes, depending on at least one criterion, to using the second instead of the first radio resources and signals the use of the second radio resources to the receiver, the at least one criterion comprising at least one of: a number of transmitted data packets for whose reception no positive acknowledgement has been received although the positive acknowledgement would have already been received in an error-free communication, a recent fraction of transmitted data packets for whose reception no positive acknowledgement has been received although the positive acknowledgement would have already been received in an error-free communication, missing reports from the receiver that, in the case of an error-free communication, the transmitter would have already received, one or more unfavourable reports from the receiver related to a link quality, a PSD for the transmission to the receiver already being at least close to a maximum value that the transmitter configures, a robust modulation and coding scheme being already in use for the transmission to the receiver, a number of MIMO streams used for the transmission to the receiver being already low.

When signalling the use of the second radio resources to the receiver, if the change to the option of the second radio resources is in the future, a point in time may be included in the signalling, telling the receiver when the change will take effect.

In relation to the fraction of transmitted data packets for whose reception no positive acknowledgement has been received, the transmitter may refer this to the data packets that have been initially transmitted outside the second radio resources. Thus, if the receiver switches to the second mode and the corresponding indication does not arrive at the transmitter, the transmitter will nevertheless change to the second radio resources because of the unacknowledged data packets.

In relation to the missing reports from the receiver, if the receiver does not receive any longer the permission to transmit something on the reverse link because signalling fails on the forward link, the receiver may not send ACK/NACK messages or link quality related reports to the transmitter. The transmitter's criterion may not just be a limit in terms of number of such ‘overdue’ reports. The criterion may also or alternatively relate to the time, e.g., with respect to the latency in the light of the oldest missing acknowledgement and a latency target.

In some example embodiments, the one or more unfavourable report from the receiver related to the link quality indicates a bad link quality or a link quality degradation that a change to the first radio resources could mitigate.

In some example embodiments, the one or more unfavourable report from the receiver related to the link quality indicates a significant link quality impairment by interference that is received when the first radio resources are used but not or to a significantly lower extent when the second radio resources are used.

In some example embodiments, when the option of the first radio resources is used, the transmitter changes to using the second instead of the first radio resources for the transmission to the receiver based on an indication from the receiver about a change to using the option of the second radio resources. The transmitter may also send an acknowledgement for the indication to the receiver so that the receiver knows that there is no need to retransmit it.

In some example embodiments, the first radio resources occupy a wider frequency range than the second radio resources. 'Range' is meant here in the sense of optionally also including at least frequency blocks occupied by wanted signals in a noncontiguous frequency allocation.

In some example embodiments, the wireless transmission has a pattern in the time domain including time intervals which can be grouped according to the link directions occurring in an operating band and a geographical area into:

- first time intervals used for the forward link and the reverse link, second time intervals used only for the forward link, and

- third time intervals used only for the reverse link, and wherein the second radio resources use only second time intervals and wherein the first radio resources use also first time intervals.

The time interval may comprise at least one slot.

In some example embodiments, the transmitter may be configured for signalling a permission to the receiver for autonomously changing to the option of the second radio resources, and the receiver may be configured for receiving this signalling.

According to an aspect, there is provided a method for a wireless reception of data packets from a transmitter (e.g., a network node) by a receiver (e.g., a UE), using

• a forward link

- with an option of first radio resources and

• a reverse link by which the receiver transmits at least feedback information to the transmitter about the arrival of the data packets wherein the receiver receives radio resource related parameters from the transmitter that are suitable for determining the first and the second radio resources and wherein the receiver, when experiencing a bad link quality while using the option of the first radio resources, measures or estimates at least one parameter related to a potential cause⁴ of the bad link quality.

In use cases 1 and 2, the UE uses the (too) wide RX BWwhen the option of the first radio resources is in use (the ‘first mode’). Under favourable conditions, using the option of the first radio resources allows for a higher throughput than using the option of the second radio resources. In use cases 1 and 2, the UE uses the (too) narrow RX BWwhen the option of the second radio resources is in use, limiting the frequency range for the DL transmission to the UE to less than in the previous option (the ‘second mode’).

The feedback information may comprise at least ACK/NACK messages, i.e. an indication about successful reception, but preferably also link quality information, e.g. addressing the question of whether using an RX BW that is wider than the first radio resources seems to degrade the link quality.

The cause of the bad link quality may, for example, be:

• low S/N or

• low C/l or interference that is considerably stronger when using the option of the first radio resources than when using the option of the second radio resources.

In some example embodiments, the at least one parameter relates to at least one of a level of a signal or of a part of a signal, a level of a wanted signal or of a part of a wanted signal, a level of an unwanted signal or of a part of an unwanted signal, referred to as interference (hence interference level is a level of an unwanted signal or a level of a part of an unwanted signal.), an error rate of a wanted signal, an error rate of a part of a wanted signal, an error probability (e.g., ‘soft values’ in the receiver’s detection indicate an error probability) of a wanted signal, an error probability of a part of a wanted signal, a time elapsed since a last successful reception of a payload data block for the receiver, a time elapsed since a last successful reception of a signalling. In some example embodiments, the level refers to a power or a power spectral density.

In some example embodiments, at least two parameters of the at least one parameter are compared and wherein a result of the comparison is related to a link quality when using the option of the second radio resources. The link quality may refer to an absolute link quality or a link quality relative to the bad link quality. Since the parameters may be compared when using the option of the first radio resources, the link quality may be an expected link quality, e.g. an estimated link quality.

In some example embodiments, the receiver uses common block sequence numbers for aggregated carriers.

In some example embodiments, when using the comparison, wherein using the option of the first radio resources increases, compared with the option of the second radio resources, the risk of receiving interference that significantly increases an error rate of the second radio resources, wherein, when the option of the first radio resources is used, the receiver changes, depending on at least one criterion, to receiving according to the option of the second radio resources instead of the option of the first radio resources, wherein the receiver uses the at least one parameter and/or the result of the comparison for the at least one criterion.

The risk of receiving interference that significantly increases an error rate may be, for example, if:

• the reception according to the option of the first radio resources results in also receiving a frequency range outside the first radio resources including their guard bands so that unwanted signals, in particular unwanted carriers or parts thereof, can easily cause adjacent channel interference because they are not sufficiently suppressed by a filter, or

• the reception according to the option of the first radio resources results in also receiving time intervals with so high an interference level that the receiver's AGC reduces the analogue gain and thus degrades the receiver sensitivity so much that the bad RX sensitivity degrades the reception of the second radio resources although the interference on the second radio resources is sufficiently low.

This means that the receiver may not be able to receive the signalling on the second radio resources as long as it uses the option of the first radio resources and the interference is present. Hence, in order not to have a call drop, the receiver must be able to autonomously decide to change to using the option of the second radio resources.

In some example embodiments, when the option of the first radio resources is used, the receiver changes to using the second instead of the first radio resources based on an indication from the transmitter about a change to using only the second radio resources. The receiver may send an acknowledgement for the indication to the transmitter so that the transmitter knows that there is no need to retransmit the indication.

In some example embodiments, the receiver uses the at least one parameter and/or the result of the comparison for the feedback information. When sending a report to the transmitter, the receiver may, at least in the case of bad link quality, prioritize a link quality related report over an ACK/NACK message. This helps keep the latency sufficiently low if a change to the second mode is more useful than retransmissions in the first mode at a bad link quality.

In some example embodiments, the receiver signals the use of the option of the second radio resources to the transmitter. The signalling may not always be possible (e.g. if the UE does not receive an UL grant). Hence the autonomous fallback is needed on the transmitter side, too. The signalling may be after, during or before the mode change, except for the first case potentially with an absolute or relative indication of when the UE will be ready to receive in the second mode. (Since there may be a reception gap for changing the RX filter BW and potentially the centre frequency, the signalling may indicate the beginning and/or the end of the change, maybe also the duration.)

In some example embodiments, a wider receiver BW is needed for the option of the first radio resources than for the option of the second radio resources. In some example embodiments, the wider receiver BW that is used for receiving the first radio resources comprises at least one frequency range outside the first radio resources including their guard bands.

In some example embodiments, the wireless transmission has a pattern in the time domain including time intervals which can be grouped according to the link directions occurring in an operating band and a geographical area into

The time intervals may comprise, for example, at least one slot.

In some example embodiments, an AGC of the receiver distinguishes between the first and the second time intervals.

During the first time intervals, there is a risk of CLI. This means that in the vicinity of the receiving UE (receiver), there can be a UE transmitting in the same operating band (interferer). Due to a low coupling loss, this may result in a high input level at the receiving UE, requiring its AGC to operate at low analogue gain to avoid saturation. The operation at a low analogue gain may, because of the associated high noise figure, desensitize the reception also during the second time intervals. Hence even if the AGC needs to operate at low analogue gain during the first time intervals, it should ideally allow for a different gain control setting during the second time intervals, e.g. by separate level measurements during the first and the second time intervals and corresponding separate gain settings.

A person of skill in the art would readily recognize that steps of various abovedescribed methods can be performed by programmed computers. Herein, some embodiments are also intended to cover program storage devices, e.g., digital data storage media, which are machine or computer readable and encode machineexecutable or computer-executable programs of instructions, wherein said instructions perform some or all of the steps of said above-described methods. The program storage devices may be, e.g., digital memories, magnetic storage media such as a magnetic disks and magnetic tapes, hard drives, or optically readable digital data storage media. The embodiments are also intended to cover computers programmed to perform said steps of the above-described methods. The tern non-transitory as used herein, is a limitation of the medium itself (i.e. , tangible, not a signal) as opposed to a limitation on data storage persistency (e.g. RAM vs ROM).

As used in this application, the term “circuitry” may refer to one or more or all of the following:

(a) hardware-only circuit implementations (such as implementations in only analog and/or digital circuitry) and

(b) combinations of hardware circuits and software, such as (as applicable):

(i) a combination of analog and/or digital hardware circuit(s) with software/firmware and

(ii) any portions of hardware processor(s) with software (including digital signal processor(s)), software, and memory(ies) that work together to cause an apparatus, such as a mobile phone or server, to perform various functions) and

(c) hardware circuit(s) and or processor(s), such as a microprocessor(s) or a portion of a microprocessor(s), that requires software (e.g., firmware) for operation, but the software may not be present when it is not needed for operation.

This definition of circuitry applies to all uses of this term in this application, including in any claims. As a further example, as used in this application, the term circuitry also covers an implementation of merely a hardware circuit or processor (or multiple processors) or portion of a hardware circuit or processor and its (or their) accompanying software and/or firmware. The term circuitry also covers, for example and if applicable to the particular claim element, a baseband integrated circuit or processor integrated circuit for a mobile device or a similar integrated circuit in server, a cellular network device, or other computing or network device.

As used herein, “at least one of the following: <a list of two or more elements>” and “at least one of <a list of two or more elements>” and similar wording, where the list of two or more elements are joined by “and” or “or”, mean at least any one of the elements, or at least any two or more of the elements, or at least all the elements.

The ordering of method steps set out above may not be critical or fixed and the exact ordering of the steps may be varied as appropriate. Although example embodiments of the present invention have been described in the preceding paragraphs with reference to various examples, it should be appreciated that modifications to the examples given can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as claimed.

Features described in the preceding description may be used in combinations other than the combinations explicitly described.

Although functions have been described with reference to certain features, those functions may be performable by other features whether described or not.

Although features have been described with reference to certain embodiments, those features may also be present in other embodiments whether described or not.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

List of Abbreviations

3GPP 3^rd Generation Partnership Project

ACI Adjacent Channel Interference

ACK positive acknowledgement of a received data block

AD Analogue-to-Digital

ADC AD Converter/Conversion

AGC Automatic Gain Control

BLER Block Error Rate

BS Base Station

BSN Block Sequence Number

BTS Base Transceiver Station (base station)

BW Bandwidth

BWP Bandwidth Part

CA Carrier Aggregation

CC Component Carrier

CCI Co-Channel Interference CLI Cross-Link Interference (from TX of a BS to RX of another BS, or TX of a UE to RX of another UE)

CQI Channel Quality Indicator

DL Downlink

FDD Frequency Division Duplex gNB 5G Node B (base station)

LBT Listen Before Talk

LNA Low Noise Amplifier

MCS Modulation and Coding Scheme

NACK negative acknowledgement of a data block (used if it was not or unsuccessfully received)

OFDM Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing

PDCCH Physical Downlink Control Channel

PDSCH Physical Downlink Shared Channel

PSD Power Spectral Density

RAN Radio Access Network

RSSI Received Signal Strength Indication

Rx Receiver, Receive, Reception

SBFD Sub-Band non-overlapping Full Duplex

SI Study Item

SSB Synchronization Signal and PBCH Block

TR Technical Report

TSG Technical Specification Group

TX Transmission, Transmitter, Transmit

UE User Equipment

UL Uplink

VGA Variable Gain Amplifier

WID Work Item Description

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that when executed by the at least one processor cause the apparatus at least to perform: receiving signals, from a network node, within a first frequency range in a first mode, the first frequency range containing at least two non-contiguous frequency blocks for containing signals transmitted by the network node separated by at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node; receiving signals, from the network node, within a second frequency range in a second mode, the second frequency range being contained within the first frequency range, the second frequency range comprising a contiguous frequency block of the at least two non-contiguous frequency blocks and excluding the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node; obtaining an indication that the apparatus is to change from the first mode to the second mode; and adjusting the apparatus from the first mode to the second mode in response to obtaining the indication that the apparatus is to change from the first mode to the second mode.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is further caused to perform: determining at least one of the following: an indication of a signal level; and an indication of an error rate of signals received from the network node.

3. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the apparatus is further caused to perform: obtaining an indication of the first frequency range and an indication of the at least two non-contiguous frequency blocks; and determining the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node based on the indication of the first frequency range and the indication of the at least two non-contiguous frequency blocks, wherein the determining the indication of the signal level relates to at least a portion of the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node.

4. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein obtaining the indication that the apparatus is to change from the first mode to the second mode comprises at least one of the following: determining that a criterion has been met; and receiving, from the network node, the indication that the apparatus is to change from the first mode to the second mode.

5. An apparatus according to claim 4 when dependent on claim 2, wherein, when obtaining the indication that the apparatus is to change from the first mode to the second mode comprises determining that the criterion has been met, the determining that the criterion has been met is based on at least one of the following: the indication of the signal level; and the indication of the error rate.

6. An apparatus according to claim 4 or claim 5, wherein, when obtaining the indication that the apparatus is to change from the first mode to the second mode comprises determining that the criterion has been met, the apparatus is further caused to perform: transmitting to the network node an indication of the adjustment of the apparatus from the first mode to the second mode.

7. An apparatus according to claim 2 or any one of claims 3 to 6 when dependent on claim 2, wherein the apparatus is further caused to perform: transmitting to the network node at least one of the following: an indication of the signal level; and an indication of the error rate.

8. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus is further caused to perform: obtaining an indication that the apparatus is to change from the second mode to the first mode; and adjusting the apparatus from the second mode to the first mode in response to obtaining the indication that the apparatus is to change from the second mode to the first mode.

9. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein adjusting the apparatus between the first mode and the second mode comprises adjusting a filter of the apparatus between a first state in which signals received within the first frequency range are passed and a second state in which only signals received within the second frequency range are passed.

10. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus is further caused to perform: receiving, from the network node, at least one of the following: an indication of the first frequency range; an indication of the second frequency range; an indication of the at least two non-contiguous frequency blocks for containing signals transmitted by the network node; an indication of the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node; and an indication of at least one frequency block in which the apparatus is to measure a signal level.

11. An apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that when executed by the at least one processor cause the apparatus at least to perform: transmitting signals, to a user equipment, within at least two non-contiguous frequency blocks for containing signals transmitted by the apparatus separated by at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the apparatus in a first scheduling mode, the at least two non-contiguous frequency blocks and the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the apparatus being contained within a first frequency range in which the user equipment is configured to receive signals in a first mode; transmitting signals, to the user equipment, within a contiguous frequency block of the at least two non-contiguous frequency blocks in a second scheduling mode, the contiguous frequency block being contained within a second frequency range in which the user equipment is configured to receive signals in a second mode, the second frequency range being contained within the first frequency range and excluding the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the apparatus; obtaining an indication of an adjustment of the user equipment from the first mode to the second mode; and adjusting the apparatus from the first scheduling mode to the second scheduling mode in response to obtaining the indication of the adjustment of the user equipment from the first mode to the second mode.

12. An apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the apparatus is further caused to perform at least one of the following: transmitting to the user equipment an indication for the user equipment to receive signals within the first frequency range; transmitting to the user equipment an indication of the adjustment by the apparatus from the first scheduling mode to the second scheduling mode; and transmitting to the user equipment an indication to determine a signal level.

13. An apparatus according to claim 11 or claim 12, wherein obtaining the indication of the adjustment of the user equipment from the first mode to the second mode comprises at least one of the following: receiving, from the user equipment, the indication of the adjustment of the user equipment from the first mode to the second mode; and determining that a criterion has been met.

14. An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein, when obtaining the indication comprises determining that a criterion has been met, the determining that the criterion has been met is based on at least one of the following: an indication of a signal level; an indication of an error rate of signals received by the user equipment from the apparatus; an indication of an error rate of signals received by the apparatus from the user equipment.

15. An apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the apparatus is further caused to perform at least one of the following: if the determining that the criterion has been met is based on the indication of the error rate of signals received by the apparatus from the user equipment, determining the indication of the error rate of signals received by the apparatus from the user equipment; and receiving from the user equipment at least one of the following: if the determining that the criterion has been met is based on the indication of the signal level, the indication of the signal level; and if the determining that the criterion has been met is based on the indication of the error rate of signals received by the user equipment from the apparatus, the indication of the error rate of signals received by the user equipment from the apparatus.

16. An apparatus according to any one of claims 11 to 15, wherein the apparatus is further caused to perform: obtaining an indication of an adjustment of the user equipment from the second mode to the first mode; and adjusting the apparatus from the second scheduling mode to the first scheduling mode in response to obtaining the indication of the adjustment of the user equipment from the second mode to the first mode.

17. An apparatus according to any one of claims 11 to 16, wherein the apparatus is further caused to perform: transmitting to the user equipment at least one of the following: an indication of the first frequency range; an indication of the second frequency range; an indication of the contiguous frequency block; an indication of the at least two non-contiguous frequency blocks for containing signals transmitted by the apparatus; an indication of the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the apparatus; and an indication of at least one frequency block in which the user equipment is to measure a signal level.

18. An apparatus according to any one of claims 11 to 17, wherein the apparatus is further caused to perform: transmitting retransmissions to the user equipment in the contiguous frequency block.

19. A method performed by a user equipment, the method comprising: receiving signals, from a network node, within a first frequency range in a first mode, the first frequency range containing at least two non-contiguous frequency blocks for containing signals transmitted by the network node separated by at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node; receiving signals, from the network node, within a second frequency range in a second mode, the second frequency range being contained within the first frequency range, the second frequency range comprising a contiguous frequency block of the at least two non-contiguous frequency blocks and excluding the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node; obtaining an indication that the user equipment is to change from the first mode to the second mode; and adjusting the user equipment from the first mode to the second mode in response to obtaining the indication that the user equipment is to change from the first mode to the second mode.

20. A method performed by a network node, the method comprising: transmitting signals, to a user equipment, within at least two non-contiguous frequency blocks for containing signals transmitted by the network node separated by at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node in a first scheduling mode, the at least two non-contiguous frequency blocks and the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node being contained within a first frequency range in which the user equipment is configured to receive signals in a first mode; transmitting signals, to the user equipment, within a contiguous frequency block of the at least two non-contiguous frequency blocks in a second scheduling mode, the contiguous frequency block being contained within a second frequency range in which the user equipment is configured to receive signals in a second mode, the second frequency range being contained within the first frequency range and excluding the at least one frequency block not containing signals transmitted by the network node; obtaining an indication of an adjustment of the user equipment from the first mode to the second mode; and adjusting the network node from the first scheduling mode to the second scheduling mode in response to obtaining the indication of the adjustment of the user equipment from the first mode to the second mode.