WO2021159335A1

WO2021159335A1 - Transmitting hybrid automatic repeat request (harq) acknowledgements (ack)

Info

Publication number: WO2021159335A1
Application number: PCT/CN2020/074931
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tao Tao; Karol Schober; Sigen Ye
Original assignee: Nokia Shanghai Bell Co Ltd; Nokia Solutions and Networks Oy; Nokia Technologies Oy
Current assignee: Nokia Shanghai Bell Co Ltd; Nokia Solutions and Networks Oy; Nokia Technologies Oy
Priority date: 2020-02-12
Filing date: 2020-02-12
Publication date: 2021-08-19
Anticipated expiration: 2022-08-12
Also published as: CN115088212A; CN115088212B

Abstract

Examples of the disclosure relate to an apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code. The at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform transmitting a Group Common Physical Downlink Control Channel (GC-PDCCH) payload comprising an uplink resource indicator that indicates an uplink resource for uplink transmission of a hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) acknowledgement (ACK).

Description

TRANSMITTING HYBRID AUTOMATIC REPEAT REQUEST (HARQ) ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS (ACK)

TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to transmitting HARQ-ACKs. In some examples, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to transmitting HARQ-ACKs in unlicensed bands when Semi-Persistent Scheduling (SPS) is in operation.

BACKGROUND

New Radio (NR) provides for flexibility regarding timing of the transmission of HARQ-ACK. Instead of a dedicated structure, a Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) -to-HARQ ACK timing indicator is assigned. This timing indicator is a number K1 which indicates the resource in which HARQ-ACK should be transmitted relative to the PDSCH. An assignment K1=3 means that the HARQ-ACK is transmitted in 3 slots later after the corresponding PDSCH transport block (TB) . The K1 value can be between 0 and 15.

If Downlink Semi Persistent Scheduling (DL-SPS) is used then the User Equipment (UE) transmits the HARQ-ACK in a Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) resource in K1 slots after each SPS PDSCH transmission. Both K1 and the PUCCH resource are indicated by activation downlink control information (DCI) which is provided within a Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) payload for activation of downlink semi-persistent scheduling (DL-SPS) . K1 therefore controls PDSCH-to-HARQ-ACK timing.

However, when operating in unlicensed bands Next Generation Node B (gNB) does not transmit constantly but instead will perform LBT (listen before talk) and transmit for a limited time according to maximum channel occupancy time (MCOT) when it senses that a channel is free.

A problem arises if the slot indicated by K1 in the activation DCI falls outside of a channel occupancy time (COT) acquired by the gNB. This could mean that the HARQ-ACK can’t be transmitted within gNB acquired COT.

Similarly, if the slot indicated by K1 in the activation DCI is a slot which is allocated for DL transmission by gNB or which is allocated for no uplink transmission then this would also mean that the HARQ-ACK can’t be transmitted.

BRIEF SUMMARY

According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments there are provided examples as claimed in the appended claims.

According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments there are provided an apparatus comprising means for transmitting a Group Common Physical Downlink Control Channel (GC-PDCCH) payload comprising an uplink resource indicator that indicates an uplink resource for uplink transmission of a hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) acknowledgement (ACK) .

According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments there are provided a User Equipment (UE) comprising at least one Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) , and means for: receiving GC-PDCCH payload comprising an uplink resource indicator that indicates an uplink resource for uplink transmission of a HARQ-ACK.

According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments there are provided a Mobile Equipment (ME) comprising means for: receiving GC-PDCCH payload comprising an uplink resource indicator that indicates an uplink resource for uplink transmission of a HARQ-ACK.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

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

FIG. 1 shows an example embodiment of the subject matter described herein;

FIG. 2 shows another example embodiment of the subject matter described herein;

FIG. 3A shows another example embodiment of the subject matter described herein;

FIG. 3B shows another example embodiment of the subject matter described herein;

FIG. 4 shows another example embodiment of the subject matter described herein;

FIG. 5 shows another example embodiment of the subject matter described herein;

FIG. 6 shows another example embodiment of the subject matter described herein;

FIG. 7A shows another example embodiment of the subject matter described herein;

FIG. 7B shows another example embodiment of the subject matter described herein;

DEFINITIONS

ACK Acknowledgement

A/N Acknowledgement/Negative Acknowledgement

CAPC Channel Access Priority Class

CB Codebook

COT Channel Occupancy Time

CS-RNTI Configured Scheduling RNTI

CWS Contention Window Size

DCI Downlink Control Information

DL Down Link

GC-PDCCH Group Common Physical Downlink Control Channel

gNB Next Generation Node B

HARQ Hybrid Acknowledge Request

LBT Listen Before Talk

MCOT Maximum Channel Occupancy Time

MME Mobility Management Entity

NN Non-numerical

NR New Radio

PDSCH Physical Downlink Shared Channel

PUCCH Physical Uplink Control Channel

PUSCH Physical Uplink Shared Channel

RNTI Radio Network Temporary Identifiers

RRC Radio Resource Control

SFI Slot Format Indicator

SIM Subscriber Identity Module

SPS Semi Persistent Scheduling

TB Transport Block

UE User Equipment

UL Uplink

UTRAN Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Fig 1 illustrates an example of a network 100 comprising a plurality of network nodes including terminal nodes 110, access nodes 120 and one or more core nodes 130.

The terminal nodes 110 and access nodes 120 communicate with each other. The one or more core nodes 130 communicate with the access nodes 120.

The one or more core nodes 130 may, in some examples, communicate with each other. The one or more access nodes 120 may, in some examples, communicate with each other.

The network 100 may be a cellular network comprising a plurality of cells 122 each served by an access node 120. In this example, the interface between the terminal nodes 110 and an access node 120 defining a cell 122 is a wireless interface 124.

The access node 120 is a cellular radio transceiver. The terminal nodes 110 are cellular radio transceivers.

In the example illustrated the cellular network 100 is a third generation Partnership Project (3GPP) network in which the terminal nodes 110 are user equipment (UE) and the access nodes 120 are base stations.

In the particular example illustrated the network 100 is a Universal Terrestrial Radio Access network (UTRAN) . The UTRAN consists of UTRAN NodeBs 120, providing the UTRA user plane and control plane (RRC) protocol terminations towards the UE 110. The NodeBs 120 are interconnected with each other and are also connected by means of the interface 128 to the Mobility Management Entity (MME) 130.

The term ‘user equipment’ is used to designate mobile equipment comprising a smart card for authentication/encryption etc such as a subscriber identity module (SIM) .

The NodeB can be any suitable base station. A base station is an access node 120. It can be a network element in radio access network responsible for radio transmission and reception in one or more cells to or from the user equipment.

The UTRAN can be a 3G, 4G or 5G network, for example. It can for example be a New Radio (NR) network that uses gNB as access nodes 120. New radio is the 3GPP name for 5G technology.

The cellular network 100 shown in Fig 1 could be configured to operate NR in unlicensed frequency bands. In such configurations the access node 120 or gNB will transmit downlink data to the UE via a Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) and the UE will transmit a HARQ-ACK to the gNB on either the Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) or Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH) .

Fig. 2 shows the circumstances which might cause transmission of the HARQ-ACK to fail. Fig. 2 shows the Channel Occupancy Time (COT) 200 occupied by a gNB operating Downlink Semi Persistent Scheduling (DL-SPS) in unlicensed bands. The gNB transmits intermittently and so a plurality of COTs are shown. The gNB performs Listen Before Talk (LBT) to sense whether or not a channel is free and will transmit a COT 200 when a channel is free.

Each COT 200 comprises a plurality of slots 202. In the example shown in Fig. 2 the SPS PDSCH 204, has a periodicity of 10 slots. The slots 202 within each COT 200 that are not indicated for SPS PDSCH are indicated for either UL transmission or DL transmission.

In the example shown in Fig. 2 the K1 value provided in the activation DCI is 2. This means that the HARQ-ACK should be transmitted two slots 202 after the SPS PDSCH 204.

In the first COT 200 shown in Fig. 2 the slot 202 which is positioned two slots after the SPS PDSCH 204 slot is indicated for DL transmission. In this example the slot 202 falls wholly within a slot 202 indicated for DL transmission. In other examples the slot 202 could fall partially within a slot 202 indicated for DL transmission. This would prevent the HARQ-ACK from being transmitted.

In the second COT 200 shown in Fig. 2 the slot 202 two slots after the SPS PDSCH 204 is indicated for UL transmission. In this COT 200 the HARQ-ACK would be transmitted.

In the third COT 200 shown in Fig. 2 the slot 202 two slots after the SPS PDSCH 204 falls outside of the COT 200. In this example the slot 202 falls wholly outside of the COT 200. In other examples the slot 202 could fall partially outside of the COT 200. This would also prevent the HARQ-ACK from being transmitted unless UE gains its own channel access.

Fig. 3A illustrates a method 300 for addressing these HARQ-ACK transmission problems.

Fig. 3A illustrates a method 300 comprising transmitting 302 a Group Common Physical Downlink Control Channel (GC-PDCCH) payload comprising an uplink resource indicator that indicates an uplink resource for uplink transmission of a HARQ-ACK.

This method may be performed by a gNB 120. A UE 110 would perform a corresponding method of receiving a GC-PDCCH payload comprising an uplink resource indicator that indicates an uplink resource for uplink transmission of a HARQ-ACK.

The uplink resource indicator may comprise any suitable information that indicates an uplink resource for uplink transmission of a HARQ-ACK. In some examples the uplink resource indicator comprises an uplink slot indicator. In some examples the uplink resource indicator comprises a PDSCH-to-HARQ ACK timing indicator which defines the slot in which HARQ-ACK should be transmitted relative to the slot or sub-slot where each PDSCH ends. The PDSCH-to-HARQ ACK timing indicator could be a K1 value which is a numerical value representing the number of slots or sub-slots between the PDSCH and HARQ-ACK.

The GC-PDCCH is used to transmit control information to a group of UEs 110. The control information could comprise non-scheduling DCI in common search space configured for more than one UE. The GC-PDCCH is scrambled for simultaneous reception by the group of UEs.

The control information transmitted using GC-PDCCH could comprise slot structure, slot format, indication of control region, channel occupancy time (COT) or other suitable information. The DCI provided in the GC-PDCCH does not provide scheduling for PDSCH or PUSCH. In some examples the control information could be provided in the same GC-PDCCH payload comprising the uplink resource indicator. In some examples the control information could be provided in a different GC-PDCCH payload.

Once the uplink resource indicator has been received by the UE 110 it can be used to schedule HARQ-ACK. This uplink resource indicator may therefore override an uplink resource indicator indicated by activation downlink control information (DCI) that was provided in the PDCCH payload for activation of DL-SPS.

The activation DCI also comprises a Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) resource indicator that also applies to the uplink resource indicator as provided in the GC-PDCCH.

The transmission of the GC-PDCCH payload comprising the uplink resource indicator is triggered if a HARQ-ACK is not transmitted or will not be transmitted. The HARQ-ACK might not be transmitted if a resource allocated for HARQ-ACK by the activation DCI falls, at least partially, outside a Channel Occupancy Time (COT) . In other examples the HARQ-ACK might not be transmitted if a resource allocated for HARQ-ACK by the activation DCI falls, at least partially, within a slot or symbol in which UL transmission is not available. UL transmission might not be transmitted because a slot or symbol is allocated for DL by the gNB or because the slot or symbol is allocated for no UL transmission.

The new uplink resource indicator enables these problems to be addressed by causing the HARQ-ACK to be scheduled for a different slot.

Fig. 3B shows another method 300 for implementing embodiments of the invention.

The method 300 comprises, at block 310, configuring a UE 110 with DL SPS reception. The gNB 120 may transmit activation DCI via a PDCCH. The activation DCI indicates an uplink resource for uplink transmission of HARQ-ACK. The activation DCI comprises a K1 value for scheduling HARQ-ACK.

At block 312 the UE 110 receives a GC-PDCCH payload. The GC-PDCCH may be transmitted by the gNB 120 in response to detecting that the HARQ-ACK transmission has failed or will fail.

The GC-PDCCH payload may comprise a new K1 value. The GC-PDCCH payload may also comprise additional information such as information relating to COT structure, LBT type, LBT parameters. The LBT parameters could comprise Channel Access Priority Class (CAPC) , Content Window Size (CWS) or any other suitable parameters. In some examples the K1 value could be received in a different GC-PDCCH payload to the additional information.

The GC-PDCCH may be in a slot allocated for DL SPS. In other examples the GC-PDCCH may be in a DL slot. In such cases uplink resource indicators, or K1 values, could be provided for each slot that is allocated for SPS transmission occasions.

At block 314 the UE 110 checks whether or not the GC-PDCCH payload comprises a new K1 value. If yes then, at block 316, the HARQ-ACK is transmitted in PUCCH indicated by the new K1 value. The new K1 value is therefore used to override any K1 value provided in the activation DCI. The UE 110 may apply the new LBT type and LBT parameters to check channel availability before transmission of the HARQ-ACK via the PUCCH.

If, at block 314, the UE 110 determines that no new K1 value has been received then at block 318 the UE 110 checks whether or not an expected occasion for HARQ-ACK transmission falls within UL symbols. The UE 110 uses information such as activation DCI and Slot Format Indicator (SFI) to check if the expected occasion for HARQ-ACK transmission falls within the UL symbols. The occasion for the transmission could be considered to fall within a UL symbol if the expected occasion is dedicated for UL transmission or if the occasion comprises a semi-static flexible symbol or slot that could be used for either UL or DL as needed.

If it is determined that the expected occasion for HARQ-ACK transmission falls within UL symbols then at block 320 the HARQ-ACK can be transmitted at that occasion. If it is determined that the expected occasion for HARQ-ACK transmission does not fall within UL symbols then, at block 322, the UE 110 postpones the HARQ-ACK by storing it for transmission in a later slot. At block 324 the UE 110 determines an available UL slot or UL symbol.

Information relating to the available UL slots or UL symbols may be provided via a GC-PDCCH. For example, by means of SFI in GC-PDCCH payload. To obtain the information relating to available UL slots or UL symbols the UE 110 may monitor for GC-PDCCH. The UE 110 may check to see if a GC-PDCCH is being used.

The UE 110 may use the information relating to the available UL slots or UL symbols to transmit HRQ-ACK in the next available UL slot after the PUCCH of the postponed HARQ-ACK. In some examples the UE 110 may select the UL slots or symbols within a COT according to a set of rules.

Where there are multiple UL slots in a COT then the following rules could be used for the postponed HARQ-ACK:

1) if there is a periodic PUCCH within multiple UL slots within the COT then the postponed HARQ-ACK is transmitted there,

2) if there is no periodic PUCCH then a UL slot from within COT is used for transmitting the postponed HARQ-ACK. This could be a random or pseudo random UL slot or the first UL slot.

In these examples the GC-PDCCH overhead is minimised to a single bit applicable to all DL-SPS users.

Once a UL slot of symbol has been selected the postponed HARQ-ACK is transmitted, at block 326, in one of the available UL slots or UL symbols.

FIG. 4 shows how a new K1 value can be applied. Fig. 4 shows a COT 200 in which the K1 values provided in the activation DCI are used and a COT 200 in which new K1 values provided within a GC-PDCCH payload are used. In the example of Fig. 4 a first SPS PDSCH 204 is allocated to a first slot 202 and a second SPS PDSCH 204 is allocated to a second slot 202. The second slot 202 is adjacent to the first slot 202. The slots 202 immediately following the SPS PDSCH 204 are allocated for DL. The first SPS PDSCH 204 is used for a first UE 110 and the second SPS PDCH 204 is used for a second, different UE 110.

In the example of Fig. 4 the K1 value given in the activation DCI is 2. However, for both of the UEs 110 this causes the HARQ-ACK to be allocated to a slot 202 in which UL is not available.

In embodiments of the invention a new K1 value is provided in the GC-PDCCH payload which gives new timings for the HARQ-ACK. In this example different K1 values are given to the different UEs 110. That is, different K1 values can be provided in different GC-PDCCH payloads for different UEs 110. In this example the first UE 110 is assigned a K1 value of 4 and the second UE 110 is assigned a K1 value of 3.

Using the new K1 values the re-scheduled HARQ-ACKs now fall within UL slots 202 for each of the UEs 110 and so can be transmitted. Each of the re-scheduled HARQ-ACKS is provided within the same COT 200 as the corresponding SPS PDSCH 204.

In the example of Fig. 4 the HARQ-ACKS for the two UEs 110 are rescheduled to the same slot 202. When two or more HARQ-ACKS fall within the slot 202 or sub-slot mapping rules may be used to order the HARQ-ACK bits. An example mapping rule would be to order the HARQ-ACK bits on the based on the length of time for which the HARQ-ACKs have been postponed. In such examples postponed HARQ-ACKs would be transmitted before non-postponed HARQ-ACKS. In another exampled the HARQ-ACK bits could be ordered based on HARQ process ID.

FIG. 5 shows another example embodiment of applying a new K1 value. Fig. 5 shows a COT 200 in which the K1 values provided in the activation DCI are used and a COT 200 in which new K1 values provided within a GC-PDCCH payload are used. In the example of Fig. 5 an SPS PDSCH 204 is allocated to a first slot 202 which is close to the end 500 of the COT 200.

In the example of Fig. 5 the K1 value given in the activation DCI is 2. However, this causes the HARQ-ACK to be allocated to a slot 202 which falls outside of the COT 200.

In this example, when it is determined that the HARQ-ACK has not been transmitted or will not be transmitted the gNB 120 provides a new K1 value and requests the UE 110 to initiate a COT itself and to report the HAR-ACK in the UE-initiated COT 502. The UE-initiated COT 502 comprises one or more UL slots 202 in which HARQ-ACK or other UL information can be transmitted.

The request to initiate the COT 502 is provided in a GC-PDCCH payload. The request comprises information needed for LBT operation such as LBT type and corresponding LBT parameters. The LBT parameters could comprise CAPC, CWS, ED threshold or any other suitable parameter. The request to initiate the COT could be provided in the same GC-PDCCH payload as the new K1 value or in a different GC-PDCCH payload.

In the example shown in Fig. 5 the new K1 value is 3. The UE 110 applies Cat. 4 LBT for the UE-initiated COT 502 to provide a UL slot 202 which is 3 slots later than the SPS-PDSCH for transmitting the HARQ-ACK. This enables the HARQ-ACK to be transmitted in a different COT 200 to the SPS-PDSCH.

FIG. 6 shows another example embodiment in which the HARQ-ACK is delayed to the next COT 200. In the example shown in Fig. 6 the SPS PDSCH 204, has a periodicity of 10 slots. The COTs 200 have a length of less than 10 slots. In the example of Fig. 6 an SPS PDSCH 204 is allocated to a first slot 202 which is close to the end 500 of the first COT 200. This causes the HARQ-ACK to be allocated to a slot falling outside of the COT 200.

In this example the UE 110 receives a GC-PDCCH payload containing Slot Format Indicator (SFI) indicating the COT structure. The UE 110 uses this information to select a UL slot 202 within the next COT for transmission of the HARK-ACK. In the example shown in Fig. 6 the PUCCH slot 202 indicated for HARQ-ACK transmission of a subsequent DL-SPS 204 is used. As two HARQ-ACKs are scheduled to be transmitted in the same slot 202 the HARQ-ACK bits are accumulated and ordering is applied to transmit them. The GC-PDCCH payload containing information about the start of the next COT 200 and the structure of the COT 200 may also comprise a new K1 value.

In other examples the UL slot 202 could be selected randomly or pseudo randomly from the available UL slots 202 in the subsequent COT 200. In other examples the UE 110 selects the first available UL slot 202 in the subsequent COT 200. If there are multiple UL slots 202 within the COT 200 then there could be a Radio Resource Control (RRC) parameter or a hashing function among one or more uplink resources indicated in the GC-PDDCH payload that determines which of the UL slots 202 is selected by the UE 110.

As described above examples of the disclosure provide an uplink resource indicator such as a K1 value in a GC-PDCCH payload. This enables an existing channel and payload to be used to re-schedule the HARQ-ACK. This has low overheads, can be transmitted with high reliability and can be decoded with low latency. Furthermore, the GC-PDCCH is mandatory for unlicensed NR. This provides for an efficient method for rescheduling the HARQ-ACK.

Fig 7A illustrates an example of a controller 700. The controller could be provided within an apparatus such as a gNB 120 or a UE 110. Implementation of a controller 700 may be as controller circuitry. The controller 700 may be implemented in hardware alone, have certain aspects in software including firmware alone or can be a combination of hardware and software (including firmware) .

As illustrated in Fig 7A the controller 700 may be implemented using instructions that enable hardware functionality, for example, by using executable instructions of a computer program 706 in a general-purpose or special-purpose processor 702 that may be stored on a computer readable storage medium (disk, memory etc) to be executed by such a processor 702.

The processor 702 is configured to read from and write to the memory 704. The processor 702 may also comprise an output interface via which data and/or commands are output by the processor 702 and an input interface via which data and/or commands are input to the processor 702.

The memory 704 stores a computer program 706 comprising computer program instructions (computer program code) that controls the operation of the

apparatus

110, 120 when loaded into the processor 702. The computer program instructions, of the computer program 706, provide the logic and routines that enables the apparatus to perform the methods illustrated in Figs. 2 to 6 The processor 702 by reading the memory 704 is able to load and execute the computer program 706.

The apparatus 120 therefore comprises:

at least one processor 702; and

at least one memory 704 including computer program code the at least one memory 704 and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor 702, cause the apparatus 120 at least to perform:

transmitting 202 a GC-PDCCH payload comprising an uplink resource indicator that indicates an uplink resource for uplink transmission of a HARQ-ACK.

The apparatus 110 therefore comprises:

at least one SIM;

at least one processor 702; and

at least one memory 704 including computer program code the at least one memory 704 and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor 702, cause the apparatus 110 at least to perform:

receiving 202 a GC-PDCCH payload comprising an uplink resource indicator that indicates an uplink resource for uplink transmission of a HARQ-ACK.

As illustrated in Fig. 7B, the computer program 706 may arrive at the

apparatus

110, 120 via any suitable delivery mechanism 710. The delivery mechanism 710 may be, for example, a machine readable medium, a computer-readable medium, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, a computer program product, a memory device, a record medium such as a Compact Disc Read-Only Memory (CD-ROM) or a Digital Versatile Disc (DVD) or a solid state memory, an article of manufacture that comprises or tangibly embodies the computer program 706. The delivery mechanism may be a signal configured to reliably transfer the computer program 706. The

apparatus

110, 120 may propagate or transmit the computer program 706 as a computer data signal.

Computer program instructions for causing an apparatus 120 to perform at least the following or for performing at least the following:

Computer program instructions for causing an apparatus 110 to perform at least the following or for performing at least the following:

receiving a GC-PDCCH payload comprising an uplink resource indicator that indicates an uplink resource for uplink transmission of a HARQ-ACK.

The computer program instructions may be comprised in a computer program, a non-transitory computer readable medium, a computer program product, a machine readable medium. In some but not necessarily all examples, the computer program instructions may be distributed over more than one computer program.

Although the memory 704 is illustrated as a single component/circuitry it may be implemented as one or more separate components/circuitry some or all of which may be integrated/removable and/or may provide permanent/semi-permanent/dynamic/cached storage.

Although the processor 702 is illustrated as a single component/circuitry it may be implemented as one or more separate components/circuitry some or all of which may be integrated/removable. The processor 702 may be a single core or multi-core processor.

References to ‘computer-readable storage medium’ , ‘computer program product’ , ‘tangibly embodied computer program’ etc. or a ‘controller’ , ‘computer’ , ‘processor’ etc. should be understood to encompass not only computers having different architectures such as single /multi-processor architectures and sequential (Von Neumann) /parallel architectures but also specialized circuits such as field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA) , application specific circuits (ASIC) , signal processing devices and other processing circuitry. References to computer program, instructions, code etc. should be understood to encompass software for a programmable processor or firmware such as, for example, the programmable content of a hardware device whether instructions for a processor, or configuration settings for a fixed-function device, gate array or programmable logic device etc.

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

(a) hardware-only circuitry 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 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 for a mobile device or a similar integrated circuit in a server, a cellular network device, or other computing or network device.

The stages illustrated in the Figs. 2A and 2B may represent steps in a method and/or sections of code in the computer program 706. The illustration of a particular order to the blocks does not necessarily imply that there is a required or preferred order for the blocks and the order and arrangement of the block may be varied. Furthermore, it may be possible for some blocks to be omitted.

Where a structural feature has been described, it may be replaced by means for performing one or more of the functions of the structural feature whether that function or those functions are explicitly or implicitly described.

From the foregoing it will be appreciated that in some examples there is provided a system comprising:

an apparatus 120 comprising: at least one processor 702; and at least one memory 704 including computer program code, the at least one memory 704 and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor 702, cause the apparatus 120 at least to perform: transmitting 202 a GC-PDCCH payload comprising an uplink resource indicator that indicates an uplink resource for uplink transmission of a HARQ-ACK; and

at least one user equipment comprising: at least one SIM; at least one processor 702; and at least one memory 704 including computer program code the at least one memory 704 and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor 702, cause the apparatus 110 at least to perform: receiving the GC-PDCCH payload comprising an uplink resource indicator that indicates an uplink resource for uplink transmission of a HARQ-ACK.

In some but not necessarily all examples, the UE 110 and gNB 120 are configured to communicate data with or without local storage of the data in a memory 570 at the UE 110 or gNB 120 and with or without local processing of the data by circuitry or processors at the UE 110 or gNB 120.

The data may be stored in processed or unprocessed format remotely at one or more devices. The data may be stored in the Cloud.

The data may be processed remotely at one or more devices. The data may be partially processed locally and partially processed remotely at one or more devices.

The data may be communicated to the remote devices wirelessly via short range radio communications such as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, for example, or over long range cellular radio links. The apparatus may comprise a communications interface such as, for example, a radio transceiver for communication of data.

The UE 110 and gNB 120 may be part of the Internet of Things forming part of a larger, distributed network.

The processing of the data, whether local or remote, may be for the purpose of health monitoring, data aggregation, patient monitoring, vital signs monitoring or other purposes.

The processing of the data, whether local or remote, may involve artificial intelligence or machine learning algorithms. The data may, for example, be used as learning input to train a machine learning network or may be used as a query input to a machine learning network, which provides a response. The machine learning network may for example use linear regression, logistic regression, vector support machines or an acyclic machine learning network such as a single or multi hidden layer neural network.

The processing of the data, whether local or remote, may produce an output. The output may be communicated to the apparatus 110 where it may produce an output sensible to the subject such as an audio output, visual output or haptic output.

The above described examples find application as enabling components of: automotive systems; telecommunication systems; electronic systems including consumer electronic products; distributed computing systems; media systems for generating or rendering media content including audio, visual and audio visual content and mixed, mediated, virtual and/or augmented reality; personal systems including personal health systems or personal fitness systems; navigation systems; user interfaces also known as human machine interfaces; networks including cellular, non-cellular, and optical networks; ad-hoc networks; the internet; the internet of things; virtualized networks; and related software and services.

The term ‘comprise’ is used in this document with an inclusive not an exclusive meaning. That is any reference to X comprising Y indicates that X may comprise only one Y or may comprise more than one Y. If it is intended to use ‘comprise’ with an exclusive meaning then it will be made clear in the context by referring to “comprising only one. ” or by using “consisting” .

In this description, reference has been made to various examples. The description of features or functions in relation to an example indicates that those features or functions are present in that example. The use of the term ‘example’ or ‘for example’ or ‘can’ or ‘may’ in the text denotes, whether explicitly stated or not, that such features or functions are present in at least the described example, whether described as an example or not, and that they can be, but are not necessarily, present in some of or all other examples. Thus ‘example’ , ‘for example’ , ‘can’ or ‘may’ refers to a particular instance in a class of examples. A property of the instance can be a property of only that instance or a property of the class or a property of a sub-class of the class that includes some but not all of the instances in the class. It is therefore implicitly disclosed that a feature described with reference to one example but not with reference to another example, can where possible be used in that other example as part of a working combination but does not necessarily have to be used in that other example.

Although embodiments 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 claims.

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

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.

The term ‘a’ or ‘the’ is used in this document with an inclusive not an exclusive meaning. That is any reference to X comprising a/the Y indicates that X may comprise only one Y or may comprise more than one Y unless the context clearly indicates the contrary. If it is intended to use ‘a’ or ‘the’ with an exclusive meaning then it will be made clear in the context. In some circumstances the use of ‘at least one’ or ‘one or more’ may be used to emphasis an inclusive meaning but the absence of these terms should not be taken to infer and exclusive meaning.

The presence of a feature (or combination of features) in a claim is a reference to that feature or (combination of features) itself and also to features that achieve substantially the same technical effect (equivalent features) . The equivalent features include, for example, features that are variants and achieve substantially the same result in substantially the same way. The equivalent features include, for example, features that perform substantially the same function, in substantially the same way to achieve substantially the same result.

In this description, reference has been made to various examples using adjectives or adjectival phrases to describe characteristics of the examples. Such a description of a characteristic in relation to an example indicates that the characteristic is present in some examples exactly as described and is present in other examples substantially as described.

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

Claims

An apparatus comprising:

at least one processor; and

at least one memory including computer program code,

the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform:

transmitting a Group Common Physical Downlink Control Channel (GC-PDCCH) payload comprising an uplink resource indicator that indicates an uplink resource for uplink transmission of a hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) acknowledgement (ACK) .
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to transmit a Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) payload for activation of downlink semi-persistent scheduling (DL-SPS) comprising activation downlink control information (DCI) that indicates an uplink resource for uplink transmission of a HARQ-ACK; and wherein the uplink resource indicator that indicates an uplink resource for uplink transmission of the HARQ-ACK comprised within the GC-PDCCH payload overrides the uplink resource indicated for transmission of the HARQ-ACK by the activation DCI.
An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the transmitting of the GC-PDCCH payload is triggered if a resource allocated for HARQ-ACK by the activation DCI falls, at least partially, outside a Channel Occupancy Time (COT) .
An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the transmitting of the GC-PDCCH payload is triggered if a resource allocated for HARQ-ACK by the activation DCI falls, at least partially, within a slot or symbols allocated for downlink transmission by the apparatus or for no uplink transmission.
An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the activation DCI comprises a Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) resource indicator that also applies to the uplink resource indicator that indicates an uplink resource for uplink transmission of the HARQ-ACK.
An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the GC-PDCCH payload comprises information relating to COT structure and the uplink resource indicator that indicates an uplink resource for uplink transmission of a HARQ-ACK.
An apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5 wherein information relating to COT structure is provided in a different GC-PDCCH payload to the GC-PDCCH payload comprising the uplink resource indicator that indicates an uplink resource for uplink transmission of a HARQ-ACK.
An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the GC-PDCCH payload comprising the uplink resource indicator that indicates an uplink resource for uplink transmission of a HARQ-ACK is transmitted in a slot providing a transmission occasion for DL SPS.
An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the uplink resource indicator that indicates an uplink resource for uplink transmission of a HARQ-ACK comprises at least one of, a UL slot indicator, a slot timing value.
An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to request a User Equipment (UE) to initiate a COT and report the HARQ-ACK within the COT initiated by the UE.
An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to transmit Listen Before Talk (LBT) type and LBT parameters for the COT.
An apparatus as claimed in claim 11 wherein the LBT type and the LBT parameters are comprised within the GC-PDCCH payload comprising the uplink resource indicator that indicates an uplink resource for uplink transmission of a HARQ-ACK.
An apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 9 wherein the uplink resource indicator that indicates an uplink resource for uplink transmission of a HARQ-ACK comprised within the GC-PDDCH payload moves the HARQ-ACK to the next COT.
An apparatus as claimed in claim 12 wherein the slot for the HARQ-ACK is determined by at least one of Radio Resource Control (RRC) parameter, hashing function among one or more uplink resources indicated in the GC-PDDCH payload.
An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to enable cellular based access to unlicensed frequency bands.
A method comprising:

transmitting a Group Common Physical Downlink Control Channel (GC-PDCCH) payload comprising an uplink resource indicator that indicates an uplink resource for uplink transmission of a hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) acknowledgement (ACK) .
A method as claimed in claim 16 comprising transmitting a Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) payload for activation of downlink semi-persistent scheduling (DL-SPS) comprising activation downlink control information (DCI) that indicates an uplink resource for uplink transmission of a HARQ-ACK; and wherein the uplink resource indicator that indicates an uplink resource for uplink transmission of the HARQ-ACK comprised within the GC-PDCCH payload overrides the uplink resource indicated for transmission of the HARQ-ACK by the activation DCI.
Computer program instructions for causing an apparatus to perform at least the following or for performing at least the following:

transmitting a Group Common Physical Downlink Control Channel (GC-PDCCH) payload comprising an uplink resource indicator that indicates an uplink resource for uplink transmission of a hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) acknowledgement (ACK) .
Computer program instructions as claimed in claim 18 comprising instructions for causing an apparatus to perform or for performing transmitting a Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) payload for activation of downlink semi-persistent scheduling (DL-SPS) comprising activation downlink control information (DCI) that indicates an uplink resource for uplink transmission of a HARQ-ACK; and wherein the uplink resource indicator that indicates an uplink resource for uplink transmission of the HARQ-ACK comprised within the GC-PDCCH payload overrides the uplink resource indicated for transmission of the HARQ-ACK by the activation DCI.
A User Equipment (UE) comprising;

at least one Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) ,

at least one processor; and

at least one memory including computer program code the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the UE at least to perform:

receiving GC-PDCCH payload comprising an uplink resource indicator that indicates an uplink resource for uplink transmission of a HARQ-ACK.
A User Equipment (UE) as claimed in claim 20 wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the UE to receive a PDCCH payload for activation of downlink semi-persistent scheduling (DL-SPS) comprising activation downlink control information (DCI) that indicates an uplink resource for uplink transmission of a HARQ-ACK; and wherein the uplink resource indicator that indicates an uplink resource for uplink transmission of the HARQ-ACK comprised within the GC-PDCCH payload overrides the uplink resource granted for transmission of the HARQ-ACK by the activation DCI.
A User Equipment (UE) as claimed in claim 21 wherein the transmitting of the GC-PDCCH payload is triggered if a resource allocated for HARQ-ACK by the activation DCI falls, at least partially, outside a Channel Occupancy Time (COT) .
A User Equipment (UE) as claimed in claim 21 wherein the transmitting of the GC-PDCCH payload is triggered if a resource allocated for HARQ-ACK by the activation DCI falls, at least partially, within a slot or symbols allocated for downlink transmission by the apparatus or for no uplink transmission.
A User Equipment (UE) as claimed in any of claims 20 to 23 wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the UE to check channels for uplink (UL) availability before transmission of HARQ-ACK.
A User Equipment (UE) as claimed in claim 24 wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the UE to monitor for a GC-PDCCH payload if there is no UL availability in slot scheduled for HARQ-ACK.
A User Equipment (UE) as claimed in any of claims 20 to 25 wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the UE to initiate a COT, in response to a received request, and report the HARQ-ACK within the initiated COT.
A User Equipment (UE) as claimed in claim 26 wherein the request for initiating a COT comprises Listen Before Talk (LBT) type and LBT parameters for the COT.
A User Equipment (UE) as claimed in claim 27 wherein the LBT type and the LBT parameters are comprised within the GC-PDCCH payload comprising the uplink resource indicator that indicates an uplink resource for uplink transmission of a HARQ-ACK.
A User Equipment (UE) as claimed in any of claims 20 to 28 wherein the uplink resource indicator that indicates an uplink resource for uplink transmission of a HARQ-ACK comprised within the GC-PDDCH payload moves the HARQ-ACK to the next COT.
A User Equipment (UE) as claimed in claim 28 wherein the slot for the HARQ-ACK is determined by at least one of Radio Resource Control (RRC) parameter, hashing function among one or more uplink resources indicated in the GC-PDDCH payload.
A User Equipment (UE) as claimed in any of claims 20 to 29 wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the UE to enable cellular based access to unlicensed frequency bands.
A method comprising:

receiving GC-PDCCH payload comprising an uplink resource indicator that indicates an uplink resource for uplink transmission of a HARQ-ACK.
A method as claimed in claim 32 comprising receiving a PDCCH payload for activation of downlink semi-persistent scheduling (DL-SPS) comprising activation downlink control information (DCI) that indicates an uplink resource for uplink transmission of a HARQ-ACK; and wherein the uplink resource indicator that indicates an uplink resource for uplink transmission of the HARQ-ACK comprised within the GC-PDCCH payload overrides the uplink resource granted for transmission of the HARQ-ACK by the activation DCI.
Computer program instructions for causing a User Equipment (UE) to perform at least the following or for performing at least the following:

receiving GC-PDCCH payload comprising an uplink resource indicator that indicates an uplink resource for uplink transmission of a HARQ-ACK.
Computer program instructions as claimed in claim 34 comprising instructions for causing the UE to perform at least the following or for performing at least the following: receive a PDCCH payload for activation of downlink semi-persistent scheduling (DL-SPS) comprising activation downlink control information (DCI) that indicates an uplink resource for uplink transmission of a HARQ-ACK; and wherein the uplink resource indicator that indicates an uplink resource for uplink transmission of the HARQ-ACK comprised within the GC-PDCCH payload overrides the uplink resource granted for transmission of the HARQ-ACK by the activation DCI.