WO2025030537A1

WO2025030537A1 - Devices and methods for communication

Info

Publication number: WO2025030537A1
Application number: PCT/CN2023/112376
Authority: WO
Inventors: Yue Zhou; Gang Wang
Original assignee: NEC Corp
Current assignee: NEC Corp
Priority date: 2023-08-10
Filing date: 2023-08-10
Publication date: 2025-02-13
Anticipated expiration: 2026-02-10

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a solution for communication. In a solution, a terminal device transmits, to a network device, first information indicating at least one of: an antenna switching capability of the terminal device, or a first parameter associated with time domain window (TDW) determination for demodulation reference signal (DMRS) bundling. The terminal device determines a TDW for DMRS bundling based on at least one of: second information from the network device indicating one or more TDWs, the first information, or a second parameter corresponding to the first information.

Description

DEVICES AND METHODS FOR COMMUNICATION

FIELDS

Example embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to the field of communication techniques and in particular, to devices and methods for demodulation reference signal (DMRS) bundling.

BACKGROUND

A non-terrestrial network (NTN) refers to a network or segment of networks using radio frequency (RF) resources on board a satellite or unmanned aircraft system (UAS) platform. The NTN could provide ubiquitous and resilient wireless service beyond the terrestrial network coverage. The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) has started the standardization of NTN since the fifth generation (5G) communication system. NTN is expected to be fully integrated with TN in the sixth generation (6G) . Coverage enhancement for release-18 (Rel-18) is a major topic for the new radio (NR) NTN enhancements. Enhancement for release-17 (Rel-17) procedures for DMRS bundling for physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) considering NTN-specifics (for example, time-frequency pre-compensation) is one of the aspects to be addressed.

SUMMARY

In a first aspect, there is provided a terminal device comprising: a processor configured to cause the terminal device to: transmit, to a network device, first information indicating at least one of: an antenna switching capability of the terminal device, or a first parameter associated with time domain window (TDW) determination for demodulation reference signal (DMRS) bundling; determine a TDW for DMRS bundling based on at least one of: second information from the network device indicating one or more TDWs, the first information, or a second parameter corresponding to the first information.

In a second aspect, there is provided a network device comprising: a processor configured to cause the network device to: receive, from a terminal device, first information indicating at least one of: an antenna switching capability of the terminal device, or a first parameter associated with time domain window (TDW) determination for demodulation reference signal (DMRS) bundling; determine a TDW for DMRS bundling based on at least one of: second information transmitted to the network device indicating one or more TDWs, the first information, or a second parameter corresponding to the first information.

In a third aspect, there is provided a communication method performed by a terminal device. The method comprises: transmitting, to a network device, first information indicating at least one of: an antenna switching capability of the terminal device, or a first parameter associated with time domain window (TDW) determination for demodulation reference signal (DMRS) bundling; determining a TDW for DMRS bundling based on at least one of: second information from the network device indicating one or more TDWs, the first information, or a second parameter corresponding to the first information.

In a fourth aspect, there is provided a communication method performed by a network device. The method comprises: receiving, from a terminal device, first information indicating at least one of: an antenna switching capability of the terminal device, or a first parameter associated with time domain window (TDW) determination for demodulation reference signal (DMRS) bundling; determining a TDW for DMRS bundling based on at least one of: second information transmitted to the network device indicating one or more TDWs, the first information, or a second parameter corresponding to the first information.

In a fifth aspect, there is provided a computer readable medium having instructions stored thereon, the instructions, when executed on at least one processor, causing the at least one processor to carry out the method according to the third, or fourth aspect.

Other features of the present disclosure will become easily comprehensible through the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Through the more detailed description of some example embodiments of the present disclosure in the accompanying drawings, the above and other objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates an example communication environment in which example embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented;

FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B illustrate schematic diagrams of non-terrestrial network scenarios with different payload types in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 illustrates a signaling flow for an example communication process in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B illustrate example communication processes of an explicit case and an implicit case respectively in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B illustrate example communication processes of an explicit case and an implicit case respectively in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B illustrate example communication processes of an explicit case and an implicit case respectively in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B illustrate example communication processes of an explicit case and an implicit case respectively in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B illustrate example communication processes of an explicit case and an implicit case respectively in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B illustrate example communication processes of an explicit case and an implicit case respectively in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 illustrates a signaling flow for an example communication process in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 11A and FIG. 11B illustrate example communication processes of an explicit case and an implicit case respectively in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 12 illustrates example communication processes of an explicit case in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 13A and FIG. 13B illustrate example communication processes of an explicit case and an implicit case respectively in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 14A and FIG. 14B illustrate example communication processes of an explicit case and an implicit case respectively in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 15A and FIG. 15B illustrate example communication processes of an explicit case and an implicit case respectively in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 16 illustrates a flowchart of a method implemented at a terminal device according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 17 illustrates a flowchart of a method implemented at a network device according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 18 illustrates a flowchart of a method implemented at a terminal device according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 19 illustrates a flowchart of a method implemented at a network device according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 20 illustrates a simplified block diagram of an apparatus that is suitable for implementing example embodiments of the present disclosure.

Throughout the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals represent the same or similar element.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

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

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

As used herein, the term ‘terminal device’ refers to any device having wireless or wired communication capabilities. Examples of the terminal device include, but not limited to, user equipment (UE) , personal computers, desktops, mobile phones, cellular phones, smart phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs) , portable computers, tablets, wearable devices, internet of things (IoT) devices, Ultra-reliable and Low Latency Communications (URLLC) devices, Internet of Everything (IoE) devices, machine type communication (MTC) devices, devices on vehicle for V2X communication where X means pedestrian, vehicle, or infrastructure/network, devices for Integrated Access and Backhaul (IAB) , Space borne vehicles or Air borne vehicles in Non-terrestrial networks (NTN) including Satellites and High Altitude Platforms (HAPs) encompassing Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) , eXtended Reality (XR) devices including different types of realities such as Augmented Reality (AR) , Mixed Reality (MR) and Virtual Reality (VR) , the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) commonly known as a drone which is an aircraft without any human pilot, devices on high speed train (HST) , or image capture devices such as digital cameras, sensors, gaming devices, music storage and playback appliances, or Internet appliances enabling wireless or wired Internet access and browsing and the like. The ‘terminal device’ can further has ‘multicast/broadcast’ feature, to support public safety and mission critical, V2X applications, transparent IPv4/IPv6 multicast delivery, IPTV, smart TV, radio services, software delivery over wireless, group communications and IoT applications. It may also incorporate one or multiple Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) as known as Multi-SIM. The term “terminal device” can be used interchangeably with a UE, a mobile station, a subscriber station, a mobile terminal, a user terminal or a wireless device.

The term “network device” refers to a device which is capable of providing or hosting a cell or coverage where terminal devices can communicate. Examples of a network device include, but are not limited to, a Node B (NodeB or NB) , an evolved NodeB (eNodeB or eNB) , a next generation NodeB (gNB) , a transmission reception point (TRP) , a remote radio unit (RRU) , a radio head (RH) , a remote radio head (RRH) , an IAB node, a low power node such as a femto node, a pico node, a reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS) , and the like.

The terminal device or the network device may have Artificial intelligence (AI) or Machine learning capability. It generally includes a model which has been trained from numerous collected data for a specific function, and can be used to predict some information.

The terminal or the network device may work on several frequency ranges, e.g., FR1 (e.g., 450 MHz to 6000 MHz) , FR2 (e.g., 24.25GHz to 52.6GHz) , frequency band larger than 100 GHz as well as Tera Hertz (THz) . It can further work on licensed/unlicensed/shared spectrum. The terminal device may have more than one connection with the network devices under Multi-Radio Dual Connectivity (MR-DC) application scenario. The terminal device or the network device can work on full duplex, flexible duplex and cross division duplex modes.

The embodiments of the present disclosure may be performed in test equipment, e.g., signal generator, signal analyzer, spectrum analyzer, network analyzer, test terminal device, test network device, channel emulator. In some embodiments, the terminal device may be connected with a first network device and a second network device. One of the first network device and the second network device may be a master node and the other one may be a secondary node. The first network device and the second network device may use different radio access technologies (RATs) . In some embodiments, the first network device may be a first RAT device and the second network device may be a second RAT device. In some embodiments, the first RAT device is eNB and the second RAT device is gNB. Information related with different RATs may be transmitted to the terminal device from at least one of the first network device or the second network device. In some embodiments, information may be transmitted to the terminal device from the first network device and the same or different information may be transmitted to the terminal device from the second network device directly or via the first network device. In some embodiments, information related with configuration for the terminal device configured by the second network device may be transmitted from the second network device via the first network device. Information related with reconfiguration for the terminal device configured by the second network device may be transmitted to the terminal device from the second network device directly or via the first network device.

As used herein, the singular forms ‘a’ , ‘an’ and ‘the’ are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The term ‘includes’ and its variants are to be read as open terms that mean ‘includes, but is not limited to. ’ The term ‘based on’ is to be read as ‘at least in part based on. ’ The term ‘one embodiment’ and ‘an embodiment’ are to be read as ‘at least one embodiment. ’ The term ‘another embodiment’ is to be read as ‘at least one other embodiment. ’ The terms ‘first, ’ ‘second, ’ and the like may refer to different or same objects. Other definitions, explicit and implicit, may be included below.

In some examples, values, procedures, or apparatus are referred to as ‘best, ’ ‘lowest, ’ ‘highest, ’ ‘minimum, ’ ‘maximum, ’ or the like. It will be appreciated that such descriptions are intended to indicate that a selection among many used functional alternatives can be made, and such selections need not be better, smaller, higher, or otherwise preferable to other selections.

As used herein, the term “resource, ” “transmission resource, ” “uplink resource, ” or “downlink resource” may refer to any resource for performing a communication, such as a resource in time domain, a resource in frequency domain, a resource in space domain, a resource in code domain, or any other resource enabling a communication, and the like. In the following, unless explicitly stated, a resource in both frequency domain and time domain will be used as an example of a transmission resource for describing some example embodiments of the present disclosure. It is noted that example embodiments of the present disclosure are equally applicable to other resources in other domains.

As used herein, the parameter denoted as “interSlotFreqHopInterSlotBundlingPUSCH-r17” indicates whether the UE supports enhanced inter-slot frequency hopping with inter-slot bundling for PUSCH.

In some embodiments, the parameter “a maximum time duration during which the terminal device is able to maintain power consistency and phase continuity for general networks” may be used and may be denoted as “maxDurationDMRS-Bundling” in some embodiments. By using the term “for general networks” , it may mean that NTN specifics may not be taken into consideration for this parameter. In some embodiments, such a parameter may be also referred to as “a second maximum time duration” .

As an example for “maxDurationDMRS-Bundling” , the parameter “maxDurationDMRS-Bundling-r17” indicates whether the UE supports the maximum duration during which UE is able to maintain power consistency and phase continuity to support DMRS bundling for physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) /physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) .

As used herein, the parameter denoted as “interSlotAntennaSwichingPUSCH-r18” indicates whether the UE supports enhanced inter-slot antenna switching with inter-slot bundling for PUSCH.

In some embodiments, the parameter “a time duration for consecutive uplink transmissions” , also denoted as “M” , may be used. As example, the parameter M may refer to the time duration in consecutive slots of N·K PUSCH transmissions. For PUSCH transmissions of PUSCH repetition Type A, N=1 and K is the number of PUSCH repetitions. For PUSCH transmissions of PUSCH repetition Type B, N=1 and K is the number of nominal repetitions. For PUSCH transmissions of transport block (TB) processing over multiple slots, N is the number of slots used for TB size (TBS) determination and K is the number of repetitions of the number of slots N used for TBS determination.

As used herein, the parameter “pusch-TimeDomainWindowLength” may use to configure the length of a nominal TDW in a number of consecutive slots for DMRS bundling for PUSCH. The value may not exceed the maximum duration for DMRS bundling for PUSCH as mentioned above.

Example environment

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of an example communication environment 100 in which example embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented. In the communication environment 100, a plurality of communication devices, including a terminal device 110 and a network device 120, can communicate with each other. In an example of FIG. 1, the terminal device 110 may be a UE and the network device 120 may be a base station serving the UE.

It is to be understood that the number of devices and their connections shown in FIG. 1 are only for the purpose of illustration without suggesting any limitation. The communication environment 100 may include any suitable number of devices configured to implement example embodiments of the present disclosure. Although not shown, it would be appreciated that one or more additional devices may be deployed in the communication environment 100.

In the following, for the purpose of illustration, some example embodiments are described with the terminal device 110 operating as a UE and the network device 120 operating as a gNB. However, in some example embodiments, operations described in connection with a terminal device may be implemented at a network device or other device, and operations described in connection with a network device may be implemented at a terminal device or other devices.

A link from the network device 120 to the terminal device 110 is referred to as a downlink (DL) , while a link from the terminal device 110 to the network device 120 is referred to as an uplink (UL) . In DL, the network device 120 is a transmitting (TX) device (or a transmitter) and the terminal device 110 is a receiving (RX) device (or a receiver) . In UL, the terminal device 110 is a TX device (or a transmitter) and the network device 120 is a RX device (or a receiver) . In communication, the terminal device 110 may perform uplink transmission with the network device 120, for example PUSCH transmission. DMRS bundling may be needed for transmission occasions of the uplink transmission.

The communications in the communication environment 100 may conform to any suitable standards including, but not limited to, Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) , Long Term Evolution (LTE) , LTE-Evolution, LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) , New Radio (NR) , Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) , Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) , GSM EDGE Radio Access Network (GERAN) , Machine Type Communication (MTC) and the like. The embodiments of the present disclosure may be performed according to any generation communication protocols either currently known or to be developed in the future. Examples of the communication protocols include, but not limited to, the first generation (1G) , the second generation (2G) , 2.5G, 2.75G, the third generation (3G) , the fourth generation (4G) , 4.5G, the fifth generation (5G) communication protocols, 5.5G, 5G-Advanced networks, or the sixth generation (6G) networks.

The communication environment 100 may be implemented in the NTN. The NTN may have different payload types. FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B illustrate schematic diagrams of NTN scenarios with different payload types. The NTN of FIG. 2A is based on a transparent payload, and the NTN of FIG. 2B is based on a regenerative payload.

In some example embodiments, a satellite or UAS platform may implement either a transparent or a regenerative (with on board processing) payload. The satellite or UAS platform may generate beams (for example, typically generate several beams) over a given service area bounded by its field of view 260. The footprints 250 of the beams are typically of an elliptic shape. The field of view of a satellite or UAS platform depends on the on-board antenna diagram and the minimum elevation angle.

As shown in FIG. 2A, in a transparent payload scenario, a UE 210 may communicate with the satellite 220 or UAS platform through a service link, and the satellite 220 or UAS platform may communicate with a gateway 230 having connection with a data network 240 through a feeder link. In this scenario, the satellite 220 or UAS platform may perform RF filtering, frequency conversion and amplification, therefore a waveform signal repeated by the payload may be unchanged. Based on the transparent payload, the UE 210 may have a connection with the data network 240. The round-trip time (RTT) in this case reflects the time for data to transmit from the UE 210 through the satellite 220 or UAS platform to a gNB (which is on the ground) .

As shown in FIG. 2B, in a regenerative payload scenario, the UE 210 may communicate with a satellite 220-1 or UAS platform through a service link. The satellite 220-1 or UAS platform may communicate with a satellite 220-2 or UAS platform through Inter-Switch Link (ISL) , and the satellite 220-2 or UAS platform may communicate with the gateway 230 having connection with the data network 240 through a feeder link. If ISL is not available, the satellite 220 or UAS platform may communicate with the gateway 230 having connection with a data network 240 through a feeder link. In this scenario, the satellite 220-1 and 220-2 (or UAS platform) may perform RF filtering, frequency conversion and amplification, demodulation/decoding, switch and/or routing, and coding/modulation which is effectively equivalent to having all or part of base station (for example, gNB) functions on the satellite or UAS platform. Based on the regenerative payload, the UE 210 may have a connection with the data network 240. The RTT in this case reflects the time for data to transmit from the UE 210 to the gNB (which is on the satellite or UAS platform) .

As mentioned above, DMRS bundling may be need for PUSCH transmission. Table 1 lists some example feature groups (FGs) .

Table 1 Example feature groups related to DMRS bundling

Among these example FGs, the FG “The maximum duration for DM-RS bundling” with an index of 30-4 may be also referred to as FG 30-4 hereinafter. The FG 30-4 may correspond to the parameter “a maximum time duration during which the terminal device is able to maintain power consistency and phase continuity for general networks” as described above. The FG 30-4 defines a UE feature for general networks, that is, without considering the NTN specifics.

The FG “NTN DMRS bundling enhancement for PUSCH” with an index 44-2 may be also referred to as FG 44-2 hereinafter. The FG 44-2 defines a UE feature which supports DMRS bundling enhancement for PUSCH in the case of NTN.

In some solutions, for NTN-specific PUSCH DMRS bundling, clause 6.1.7 in TS 38.214 may be reused for nominal TDW determination, except for aspects related to UE capabilities and assistance information (if needed) . For example, if the parameter “PUSCH-TimeDomainWindowLength” is configured, a nominal TDW is determined by PUSCH-TimeDomainWindowLength; otherwise, the nominal TDW is determined based on UE capability (ies) signaling. Which UE capability (ies) signaling is (are) used and whether/how to use UE assistance information (if supported) need to be specified.

In some solutions, for NTN-specific PUSCH DMRS bundling, five alternative options for actual TDW determination are considered. In a first option with no additional event, no specific impact is assumed for an actual TDW determination. In a second option where a new event of time advance (TA) pre-compensation timing is dynamically indicated by a gNB, TA pre-compensation timing may be dynamically indicated by the gNB. It should be noted that the UE can perform TA pre-compensation update at the indicated timing. In a third option, an actual TDW can be dynamically indicated by the gNB. In a fourth option, a new event based on epoch time may be used for actual TDW determination. In a fifth option, a new event based on antenna switching may be used for actual TDW determination.

In some solutions, for NTN-specific PUSCH DMRS bundling, regarding UE capability reports (in addition to FG 44-2) , one or more of the following options 1a-1g may be down-selected. In option 1a, no new capability may be reported except for FG 44-2. It should be noted that FG 30-4 is reported in consideration of pre-compensation to keep phase rotation due to timing drift within the phase difference limit and without taking TA pre-compensation update into account. In option 1b: a max TDW length may be reported when pre-compensation to keep phase rotation due to timing drift within the phase difference limit is performed and without taking TA pre-compensation update into account. In this option, FG 30-4 is not reported for NTN band. In option 1c, support of antenna switching with DMRS bundling in NTN may be reported. In option 1d: a max TDW length per NTN platform (for example, Low Earth Orbit (LEO) , Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) , Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) ) with taking TA pre-compensation update into account may be reported. In option 1e, a max TDW length per elevation angle with taking TA pre-compensation update into account may be reported. In option 1f, whether to support actual TDW across pre-compensation segments may be reported. Segments defined in R17 IoT-NTN may be a baseline. In option 1g, whether to support TA pre-compensation update within an actual TDW that does not violate the phase difference limit may be reported.

Regarding UE assistance information (for example, reported by signaling other than UE capability report) , one or more of the following options 2a-2d may be down-selected. In option 2a, no assistance information may be reported. In option 2b, a max TDW length based on reporting timing may be reported. In option 2c, a TA adjustment timing may be reported. In option 2d, an antenna switching interval may be reported.

Examples signaling flows without FG 44-2

Despite the above solutions, there are several issues to be solved. One of these issues is how to determine the nominal and/or actual TDW based on UE capability (ies) if the UE does not report or does not have the FG of NTN DMRS bundling enhancement, in other words, how to determine the nominal and/or actual TDW based on UE capability (ies) without FG 44-2. For example, how to determine the nominal and/or actual TDW without FG 44-2 but with antenna switching capability is an issue to be solved.

According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the TDW for DMRS bundling may be determined implicitly and explicitly with a specific parameter if the terminal device hasn’t confirmed its capabilities of FG 44-2 but confirmed its capability of antenna switching and FG 30-4. The specific parameter may be based on antenna switching information reported by the terminal device or a predefined constant. In this way, essential coverage gain with the TDW can be provided for NR NTN, if the terminal device hasn’t confirmed its capabilities of FG 44-2 but confirmed its capability of antenna switching and FG 30-4.

Reference is made to FIG. 3, which illustrates a signaling flow 300 for an example communication process between the terminal device 110 and the network device 120 in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purposes of discussion, the signaling flow 300 will be discussed with reference to FIG. 1, for example, by using the terminal device 110 and the network device 120.

As shown in FIG. 3, the terminal device 110 transmits (310) , first information to the network device 120. The first information may indicate an antenna switching capability of the terminal device 110, for example, a capability of antenna switching for uplink transmissions over a consecutive time period, or an antenna switching interval of the terminal device 110. Alternatively, or in addition, the first information may indicate a first parameter associated with TDW determination for DMRS bundling, for example, a TDW length available to the terminal device 110 for DMRS bundling, or a period for updating a timing advance (TA) of the terminal device 110. The first information may be reported to the network device 120 via any suitable signaling, for example, a new FG (which is denoted as FG 44-2x herein) or Uplink Control Information (UCI) /MAC CE/Channel State Information (CSI) .

Correspondingly, the network device 120 receives (320) the first information from the terminal device 110.

In some example embodiments, in a case of explicit procedures, the network device 120 may determine (330) second information. The second information may indicate one or more TDWs, for example, a nominal TDW length or an event related to an actual TDW. The network device 120 may transmit (340) the second information to the terminal device 110. The second information may be transmitted to the terminal device 120 via any suitable signaling, for example, through the parameter “pusch-TimeDomainWindowLength” , an RRC signaling, a DCI, a MAC CE, etc.

Correspondingly, the terminal device 110 may receive (350) the second information from the network device 120. Then, the terminal device 110 may determine (360) a TDW for DMRS bundling based on the second information. The second information may be considered as an explicit indication of the TDW. In other words, in the case of explicit procedures, the network device 120 may indicate the terminal device 110 of the TDW for DMRS bundling explicitly.

In some example embodiments, in a case of implicit procedures, the network device 120 may not provide the terminal device 110 with the second information. The terminal device 110 may determine (370) a TDW for DMRS bundling based on the first information and/or a second parameter corresponding to the first information. The second parameter may be a predefined window length. For example, the terminal device 110 may determine the TDW based on a function f of a parameter j, which may be based on the antenna switching information or a constant known by both the terminal device 110 and the network device 120. Accordingly, the network device 120 may determine (380) the TDW for DMRS bundling based on the second parameter in a same way as the terminal device 110. For example, the network device 110 may determine the TDW based on the function f of the parameter j. In the case of implicit procedures, no explicit indication is provided to the terminal device 110. The terminal device 110 and the network device 120 may determine the TDW based on the same rule.

In some embodiments, to determine the TDW, the terminal device 110 may determine whether the second information is received from the network device 120. If the second information is received by the terminal device 110 from the network device 120, the terminal device 110 may determine (360) the TDW based on the second information. If the second information is not received by the terminal device 110 from the network device 120, the terminal device 110 may determine (370) the TDW based on at least one of the first information or the second parameter.

In this way, the solution with explicit procedures or implicit procedures may enhance the coverage performance of low-cost/capability terminal device via the TDW determination.

In some embodiments, the first information may indicate the antenna switching capability of the terminal device 120 and the TDW may be determined based on the first information and/or the second parameter. Reference is made to FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B to illustrate specific examples of an explicit case and an implicit case of the signaling flow 300 respectively. FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B show example communication processes between a UE 410 and a gNB 420 in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. The UE 410 is an example of the terminal device 110 and the gNB 420 is an example of the network device 120.

As shown in FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B, at 430, the UE 410 reports FG 30-4 to the gNB 420. At 435, the UE 410 reports antenna switching information to the gNB 420, that is the antenna switching capability of the gNB 420. The antenna switching information may be reported via a new FG 44-2x (which will be described in detail below) or a UCI, a MAC CE, a CSI. In this case, no support of FG 44-2 is reported from the UE 410 to the gNB 420. For example, the UE 410 may report to the gNB 420 that it is a Reduced Capability (RedCap) UE. As another example, the UE 410 may report one or more events which might impact its capability, for example, an event that the battery capacity of the UE 410 is not enough or that energy saving is needed.

In the explicit case, as shown in FIG. 4A, at 440, the gNB 420 determines the TDW length based on the antenna switching information reported by the UE 410. At 445, the gNB 420 transmits an indication of the determined TDW length to the UE 410 through the parameter “pusch-TimeDomainWindowLength” , an RRC signaling, a DCI, or a MAC CE.

If the indication is provided by the gNB 420, the UE 410 may determine the TDW based on the indication from the gNB 420. Otherwise, the TDW may be determined in an implicit way, as described below. At 450, the UE 410 performs a PUSCH transmission to the gNB 420 based on the determined TDW. At 460, the gNB 420 processes the PUSCH transmission based on the TDW indicated to the UE 410.

In the implicit case, as shown in FIG. 4B, at 465, the UE 410 determines a nominal TDW length based on a function of the parameter j. At 470, the gNB 420 determines the nominal TDW length based on the function of the parameter j similarly. The parameter j may be based on the antenna switching information or a constant known by both the UE 410 and the gNB 420. At 475, the UE 410 performs the PUSCH transmission to the gNB 420 based on the determined nominal TDW. At 480, the gNB 420 processes the PUSCH transmission based on the determined nominal TDW.

Reference is still made to FIG. 3, in some example embodiments, the first information may indicate a capability of antenna switching for uplink transmissions over a consecutive time period. In some example embodiments, in the case of explicit procedures, the network device 120 may determine a nominal TDW length based on the capability of antenna switching for uplink transmissions over the consecutive time period; and transmit, to the terminal device 110, the second information indicating the nominal TDW length. Correspondingly, the terminal device 110 may receive, from the network device 120, the second information indicating the nominal TDW length. Then, the terminal device 110 and the network device 120 may determine a nominal TDW based on the indicated nominal TDW length.

In some example embodiments, in the case of implicit procedures, the terminal device 110 and the network device 120 may determine a nominal TDW based on the predefined window length (which may be denoted by the parameter j as described above) , a time duration for consecutive uplink transmissions (which may be denoted by the parameter M as described above) , and a maximum time duration during which the terminal device 110 is able to maintain power consistency and phase continuity for general networks (which may be denoted by the parameter “maxDurationDMRS-Bundling” ) . In some example embodiments, a value of the predefined window length may correspond to a traffic type of an uplink transmission corresponding to the TDW. For example, the traffic type may be a VoIP or regular type.

In such example embodiments, inter-slot antenna switching with DMRS bundling may be supported by the terminal device 110.

Reference is made to FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B to illustrate specific examples of an explicit case and an implicit case of the signaling flow 300 respectively. FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B show example communication processes between the UE 410 and the gNB 420 in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

As shown in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B, at 510, the UE 410 reports supporting FG 30-4 to the gNB 420. At 515, the UE 410 reports supporting antenna switching for PUSCH over consecutive slots via a new feature group denoted as FG 44-2x. However, the supporting of FG 44-2 is not provided to the gNB 420. For example, the UE 410 may report to the gNB 420 that it is a RedCap UE. For another example, the UE 410 does not support FG 44-2. As a further example, the UE 410 may report one or more events which might impact its capability, for example, an event that the battery capacity of the UE 410 is not enough or that energy saving is needed.

In an example, in order to report the capability of UE for antenna switching for PUSCH over consecutive slots, a new parameter denoted as “interSlotAntennaSwichingPUSCH-r18” for example may be used. The parameter “interSlotAntennaSwichingPUSCH-r18” may indicate whether the UE supports enhanced inter-slot antenna switching with inter-slot bundling for PUSCH. In some embodiments, UE indicating support of this feature may also indicate support of at least one of dmrs-BundlingPUSCH-RepTypeA-r17, dmrs-BundlingPUSCH-RepTypeB-r17 or dmrs-BundlingPUSCH-multiSlot-r17.

Table 2 shows an example information element (IE) for the parameter “interSlotAntennaSwichingPUSCH-r18” .

Table 2 An example IE

In another example, a feature group corresponding to the capability of antenna switching for PUSCH over consecutive slots may be introduced. Table 3 shows an example feature group.

Table 3 Example feature group

Therefore, in the following, FG 44-2x may be used to represent the capability for antenna switching for PUSCH over consecutive slots.

Continuing with the process, in the explicit case, as shown in FIG. 5A, at 520, the gNB 420 determines the nominal TDW length based on whether the UE 410 supports the antenna switching for PUSCH over consecutive slots. At 520, the gNB 420 indicates the nominal TDW length to the UE 410 through the parameter “pusch-TimeDomainWindowLength” for example.

At 530, the UE 410 determines the nominal TDW based on the parameter “pusch-TimeDomainWindowLength” if indicated by the gNB 420, and the UE 410 performs the PUSCH transmission based on the determined nominal TDW. At 535, the gNB 420 processes the PUSCH transmission based on the determined nominal TDW.

In the implicit case where no indication is received from the gNB 420, as shown in FIG. 5B, at 540, if antenna switching for PUSCH over consecutive slots is supported by the UE 410, the UE 410 determines the nominal TDW length based on the parameters “maxDurationDMRS-Bundling” , M and j, for example, as min (maxDurationDMRS-Bundling, M, j) . As used herein, the operation “min () ” means that an element with the minimum value among the elements listed in the parentheses is selected as a result of the operation. In this case, the parameter j may be a default NTN window length and the value may depend on the traffic type. As an example, the value may be a divisor of 20 for VoIP service or a divisor of 32 for regular PUSCH transmission. For example, to maximize the coverage performance, the possible value of j may include 2, 4 or 5 for VoIP, and 2 or 4 for regular PUSCH transmission.

Similarly as the UE 410, at 545, if antenna switching for PUSCH over consecutive slots is supported, the gNB 420 determines the nominal TDW length based on the parameters “maxDurationDMRS-Bundling” , M and j, for example, as min (maxDurationDMRS-Bundling, M, j) . At 550, the UE 410 may perform the PUSCH transmission based on the determined nominal TDW. At 555, the gNB 420 may process the PUSCH transmission based on the determined nominal TDW.

In this way, the solutions with explicit and implicit procedures may enhance the coverage performance of low-cost/capability UE via both explicit and implicit nominal TDW determination.

Reference is still made to FIG. 3, in some example embodiments, the first information may indicate an antenna switching interval of the terminal device 110.

In some example embodiments, in the case of explicit procedures, the network device 120 may determine an antenna switching event based on the antenna switching interval of the terminal device 110. The network device 120 may transmit, to the terminal device 110, the second information indicating the antenna switching event. Correspondingly, the terminal device 110 may receive, from the network device 120, the second information indicating an antenna switching event, and determine an actual TDW based on the indicated antenna switching event. The network device 120 may determine an actual TDW based on the indicated antenna switching event.

In some example embodiments, in the case of implicit procedures, the terminal device 110 and the network device 120 may determine a period of an antenna switching event based on the antenna switching interval, and determine an actual TDW based on the period of the antenna switching event.

Reference is made to FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B to illustrate specific examples of an explicit case and an implicit case of the signaling flow 300 respectively. FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B show example communication processes between the UE 410 and the gNB 420 in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

As shown in FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B, at 510, the UE 410 reports supporting FG 30-4 to the gNB 420. Then, at 610, the UE 410 reports antenna switching interval i for PUSCH over consecutive slots via a UCI, a MAC CE, an RRC signaling to the gNB 420 and no confirmed supporting of FG 44-2 is provided. For example, the UE 410 may report to the gNB 420 that it is a RedCap UE. For another example, the UE 410 does not support FG 44-2. As a further example, the UE 410 may report one or more events which might impact its capability, for example, an event that the battery capacity of the UE 410 is not enough or that energy saving is needed.

In the explicit case, as shown in FIG. 6A, at 615, the gNB 420 may determine the antenna switching event period as the antenna switching interval i. At 620, the gNB may explicitly indicate the configuration of the antenna switching event via for example an RRC signaling, a DCI, a MAC CE, etc. At 625, the UE 410 may determine the actual TDW based on the antenna switching event if indicated by gNB 420. At 630, the UE 410 may perform the PUSCH transmission based on the determined actual TDW. At 635, the gNB 420 processes the PUSCH transmission based on the determined actual TDWs determined by the antenna switching event.

In the implicit case where no indication is received from the gNB 420, as shown in FIG. 6B, at 640, the UE 410 may determine the actual TDW with the antenna switching event, where the antenna switching event period equals to the antenna switching interval i. At 645, the gNB 420 maye determine the actual TDW with the antenna switching event period equal to the antenna switching interval i. At 650, the UE 410 may perform the PUSCH transmission based on the determined actual TDWs. At 655, the gNB 420 processes the PUSCH transmission based on the determined actual TDWs.

In this way, the solutions with explicit and implicit procedures may enhance the coverage performance of low-cost/capability UE via using the UE reported antenna switching interval through both explicit and implicit actual TDW determination.

Reference is made back to FIG. 3, in some example embodiments, the first information may indicate the first parameter which may be denoted by u, and the terminal device 110 and the network device 120 may determine the TDW based on the second information or the first parameter.

Reference is made to FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B to illustrate specific examples of an explicit case and an implicit case of the signaling flow 300 respectively. FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B show example communication processes between the UE 410 and the gNB 420 in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

As shown in FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B, at 510, the UE 410 reports supporting FG 30-4 to the gNB 420. At 710, the UE 410 reports a first parameter u for upcoming PUSCH transmission to gNB 420, for example, via an RRC signaling, a DCI, or a MAC CE. However, the supporting FG 44-2 and antenna switching information is not provided. For example, the UE 410 may report to the gNB 420 that it is a RedCap UE. For another example, the UE 410 does not support FG 44-2. As a further example, the UE 410 may report one or more events which might impact its capability, for example, an event that the battery capacity of the UE 410 is not enough or that energy saving is needed.

In the explicit case, as shown in FIG. 7A, at 715, the gNB 420 may determine a TDW indication based on the first parameter u reported by the UE 410. At 720, the gNB 420 may transmit the TDW indication for example through the parameter “pusch-TimeDomainWindowLength” , an RRC signaling, a DCI, a MAC CE. At 725, the UE 410 may perform the PUSCH transmission followed the indicated TDW by the gNB 420. At 730, the gNB 420 may process the PUSCH based on the indicated TDW.

In the implicit case where no indication is received from the gNB 420, as shown in FIG. 7B, at 745, the UE 410 may determine the TDW based on the function f of the first parameter u, where u is reported by the UE 410 through for example, the MAC CE report. At 750, the gNB 420 may determine the TDW based on a function f of the first parameter u, where u is reported by UE through a MAC CE. At 755, the UE 410 may perform the PUSCH transmission based on the determined TDW. At 760, the gNB 420 may process the PUSCH transmission based on the determined TDW.

In the example embodiments described above with reference to FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B, the first parameter u is reported, and the antenna switching capability is not reported to the gNB. However, it is noted that the antenna switching capability is not bound to FG 44-2, which means that a UE without FG 44-2 might have the antenna switching capability.

To this end, in some example embodiments, the UE may report the first parameter u and the antenna switching capability to the gNB. In such embodiments, the TDW may be determined further based on the antenna switching capability or a parameter (for example, the parameter j as described above) associated with the antenna switching capability.

In this way, the solutions with explicit and implicit procedures may enable DMRS bundling to enhance the coverage performance of low-cost/capability UE via UE suggested TDW length.

In some embodiments, the first parameter may be a TDW length available to the terminal device for DMRS bundling, for example, a suggested nominal TDW length. In some example embodiments, in the case of explicit procedures, the network device 120 may determine a nominal TDW length based on the TDW length available to the terminal device; and transmit, to the terminal device 110, the second information indicating the nominal TDW length. Correspondingly, the terminal device 110 may receive, from the network device 120, the second information indicating a nominal TDW length. The terminal device 110 and the network device 120 may determine a nominal TDW based on the indicated nominal TDW length.

In some example embodiments, in the case of implicit procedures, the terminal device 110 and the network device 120 may determine a nominal TDW at least based on the suggested TDW length, a time duration for consecutive uplink transmissions (for example, the parameter M) , and a maximum time duration during which the terminal device is able to maintain power consistency and phase continuity for general networks (for example, the parameter maxDurationDMRS-Bundling) .

In some example embodiments, the first parameter u may be indicated in a power headroom report (PHR) . In particular, the first parameter may be indicated in a maximum permissible exposure (MPE) field of the PHR. Conventionally, the MPE filed in PHR MAC CE is only used for the FR2 operating band. The terminal device in the NR NTN may only operate on the FR1 band. Therefore, the MPE field is reserved as reserved bits for communication between the terminal device and the NTN. Due to the limited uplink transmit power and antenna gain, the terminal device may require coverage enhancement to meet the basic VoIP requirement. Here, reusing the reserved bits in the MPE field to represent the parameter u could convey the UE assistant information to the gNB and optimize the determination of the TDWs.

Reference is made to FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B to illustrate specific examples of an explicit case and an implicit case of the signaling flow 300 respectively. FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B show example communication processes between the UE 410 and the gNB 420 in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. In this example, the first parameter u is a suggested TDW length.

As shown in FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B, at 510, the UE 410 reports supporting FG 30-4 to the gNB 420. At 812, the UE 410 reports a suggested TDW length u for upcoming PUSCH transmission to gNB 420, for example, via a MAC CE. However, the supporting FG 44-2 and antenna switching information is not provided. For example, the UE 410 may report to the gNB 420 that it is a RedCap UE. For another example, the UE 410 does not support FG 44-2. As a further example, the UE 410 may report one or more events which might impact its capability, for example, an event that the battery capacity of the UE 410 is not enough or that energy saving is needed. The suggested TDW length u can be considered as a nominal TDW length suggested by the UE 410.

In the explicit case, as shown in FIG. 8A, at 810, the gNB 420 may determine the nominal TDW length based on the TDW length u reported by the UE 410. At 815, the gNB 420 may transmit an indication of the determined nominal TDW length through the parameter “pusch-TimeDomainWindowLength” for example. At 820, the UE 410 may perform PUSCH transmission followed the nominal TDW indicated by the gNB 420. At 825, the gNB 420 may process the PUSCH transmission based on the determined nominal TDW.

In the implicit case where no indication is received from the gNB 420, as shown in FIG. 8B, at 830, the UE 410 may determine the nominal TDW length based on the parameters “maxDurationDMRS-Bundling” , M and u, for example, as min (maxDurationDMRS-Bundling, M, u) if no confirmed antenna switching capability information, where u is reported by the UE 410 through a MAC CE (e.g. PHR) . In some example embodiments, the suggested TDW length u may be indicated in the MPE field of the PHR. For example, the 2bits MPE field may be reused to indicate the length of u, where u belongs to any value of {2, 4, 5, 8} , and the reporting time may follow the PHR-config in TS 38.311. In this way, how to and when to report the assistance information can be solved.

At 835, the gNB 420 may determine the nominal TDW length based on the parameters “maxDurationDMRS-Bundling” , M and u, for example, as min (maxDurationDMRS-Bundling, M, u) if no confirmed antenna switching capability information is provided, where u is reported by the UE 410 through a MAC CE (for example, PHR) . At 840, the UE 410 may perform the PUSCH transmission based on the determined nominal TDW. At 845, the gNB 420 may process the PUSCH transmission based on the determined nominal TDW.

Reference is now made back to FIG. 3. In some example embodiments, the first information may further indicate the antenna switching capability, and the nominal TDW may be determined further based on the second parameter j, as described above. For example, the terminal device 110 may report the antenna switching capability information to the network device 120.

Still refer to the example of FIG. 8B. If the UE 410 reports capability of the antenna switching, then at 830 and 835, the nominal TDW length may be determined based on the parameters “maxDurationDMRS-Bundling” , M, u and j, for example, as min (maxDurationDMRS-Bundling, M, u, j) .

In this way, the solutions with explicit and implicit procedures may enable DMRS bundling to enhance the coverage performance of low-cost/capability UE via nominal TDW determined by UE suggested TDW length.

In some example embodiments, the first parameter may be a period for updating a TA of the terminal device 110. In some example embodiments, in the case of explicit procedures, the network device 120 may determine a TA update event based on the period for updating a TA, and transmit, to the terminal device 110, the second information indicating the TA update event. Then, the terminal device 110 may receive, from the network device 120, the second information indicating a TA update event. The terminal device 110 and the network device 120 may determine an actual TDW based on the TA update event.

In some example embodiments, in the case of implicit procedures, the terminal device 110 and the network device 120 may determine an actual TDW based on a TA update event with the period for updating the TA.

Reference is made to FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B to illustrate specific examples of an explicit case and an implicit case of the signaling flow 300 respectively. FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B show example communication processes between the UE 410 and the gNB 420 in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

As shown in FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B, at 510, the UE 410 reports supporting FG 30-4 to the gNB 420. At 910, the UE 410 reports a suggested TA updated period l, for example, via a CSI report or a MAC CE. However, the supporting of FG 44-2 and antenna switching information is not provided. For example, the UE 410 may report to the gNB 420 that it is a RedCap UE. For another example, the UE 410 does not support FG 44-2. As a further example, the UE 410 may report one or more events which might impact its capability, for example, an event that the battery capacity of the UE 410 is not enough or that energy saving is needed.

In the explicit case, as shown in FIG. 9A, at 915, the gNB 420 may determine the TA updated event interval based on the TA updated period l suggested by the UE 410. At 920, the gNB 420 may indicate the TA updated period l through an RRC signaling, a MAC CE, or a DCI. At 925, the UE 410 may determine the actual TDW with the TA updated event if indicated by the gNB 420. At 930, the UE 410 may perform the PUSCH transmission based on the determined actual TDW. At 935, the gNB 420 may process the PUSCH transmission based on the actual TDW.

In the implicit case where no indication is received from the gNB 420, as shown in FIG. 9B, at 940, the UE 410 may determine the actual TDW with the TA updated event, where the TA updated event period equals to the TA updated period l suggested by the UE 410. At 945, the gNB may determine the actual TDW length with the TA updated event with a period equal to l. At 950, the UE 410 may perform PUSCH transmission based on the determined actual TDWs. At 955, the gNB 420 may process the PUSCH transmission based on the actual TDWs.

In this way, the solutions with explicit and implicit procedures may enable DMRS bundling to enhance the coverage performance of low-cost/capability UE via actual TDW determined by UE suggested TA update period.

Examples signaling flows with FG 44-2

Example embodiments are described above regarding terminal devices with reduced capability, for example without FG 44-2. There are several issues regarding terminal devices with FG 44-2 to be solved. One of these issues is how to determine the TDW with limit signaling for a UE with FG 44-2 and other UE-reported information.

The relative velocity between a UE and a satellite can be calculated if given the satellite altitude and elevation angle. The delay drift rate can be calculated by the relative velocity. With delay drift rate, the maximum TDW length can be calculated with the PUSCH radio resource information (e.g., subcarrier) under the constraint of RAN4 requirements.

To this end, in some example embodiments, a parameter “a first maximum time duration during which the terminal device is able to maintain power consistency and phase continuity under a first state of an NTN device” may be used. The NTN device may be a satellite or a UAS platform. The given state may include two or more of the following: a first altitude of the NTN device, a first elevation angle of the NTN device, or a payload type of the NTN device. In some embodiments, the parameter may be also referred to as “MAX NTN TDW” under a given satellite altitude and elevation angle and optionally the payload type (which is also referred to as an architecture type) .

The round trip time and timing drift rate of different payload types are different. To derive the TDW based on the specific timing drift rate, the network might require the payload type information from the terminal devices.

According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the terminal device reports MAX NTN TDW length N under a given satellite altitude and elevation angle (and optionally architecture type) and/or antenna switching capability. The TDW may be determined implicitly based on a function f with parameter MAX NTN TDW length N and/or antenna switching capability. Alternatively, the TDW may be determined explicitly based on MAX NTN TDW length N and/or antenna switching capability.

In this way, the determined TDW can be optimized to further enhance the NTN PUSCH coverage performance.

Some example embodiments for the terminal device with FG 44-2 are described with reference to example signaling flows below.

Reference is made to FIG. 10, which illustrates a signaling flow 1000 for an example communication process between the terminal device 110 and the network device 120 in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purposes of discussion, the signaling flow 1000 will be discussed with reference to FIG. 1, for example, by using the terminal device 110 and the network device 120.

As shown in FIG. 10, the terminal device 110 transmits (1010) the first information to the network device 120. The first information may indicate an antenna switching capability of the terminal device 110, for example, a capability of antenna switching for uplink transmissions over a consecutive time period. Alternatively, or in addition, the first information may indicate the first maximum time duration as described above, for example, a TDW length under a given satellite altitude and elevation angle. The first information may be reported to the network device 120 via any suitable signaling.

Correspondingly, the network device 120 receives (1020) the first information from the terminal device 110.

In some example embodiments, in a case of explicit procedures, the network device 120 may determine (1030) second information. The second information may indicate one or more TDWs, for example, a nominal TDW length or an event related to an actual TDW. The network device 120 may transmit (1040) the second information to the terminal device 110. The second information may be transmitted to the terminal device 120 via any suitable signaling, for example, through the parameter “pusch-TimeDomainWindowLength” , an RRC signaling, a DCI, a MAC CE, etc.

Correspondingly, the terminal device 110 may receive (1050) the second information from the network device 120. Then, the terminal device 110 may determine (1060) a TDW for DMRS bundling based on the second information. The second information may be considered as an explicit indication of the TDW. In other words, in the case of explicit procedures, the network device 120 may indicate the terminal device 110 of the TDW for DMRS bundling explicitly.

In some example embodiments, in a case of implicit procedures, the network device 120 may not provide the terminal device 110 with the second information. The terminal device 110 may determine (1070) a TDW for DMRS bundling based on the first information. Accordingly, the network device 120 may determine (1080) the TDW for DMRS bundling based on the first information in a same way as the terminal device 110. In the case of implicit procedures, no explicit indication is provided to the terminal device 110. The terminal device 110 and the network device 120 may determine the TDW based on the same rule.

Reference is made to FIG. 11A and FIG. 11B to illustrate specific examples of an explicit case and an implicit case of the signaling flow 1000 respectively. FIG. 11A and FIG. 11B show example communication processes between a UE 1110 and a gNB 1120 in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. The UE 1110 is an example of the terminal device 110 and the gNB 1120 is an example of the network device 120.

As shown in FIG. 11A and FIG. 11B, at 1130, the UE 1110 reports FG 44-2 to the gNB 1120. At 1135, the UE 1110 reports FG 44-2x and/or FG 44-2y to the gNB 1120. FG 44-2x corresponds to the antenna switching capability, as described above. FG 44-2y corresponds to the first maximum time duration as defined above, which may also be denoted as MAX NTN TDW.

Table 4 shows an example feature group for the parameter MAX NTN TDW.

Table 4 Example feature group

In the explicit case, as shown in FIG. 11A, at 1140, the gNB 1120 may determine the TDW length or an event related to an actual TDW based on MAX NTN TDW length N and/or antenna switching capability (which are FG 44-2y and/or FG 44-2x) reported by the UE 1110. At 1145, the gNB 1120 may transmit an indication of the determined TDW length or an event related to an actual TDW to the UE 1110 through the parameter “pusch-TimeDomainWindowLength” , an RRC signaling, a DCI, or a MAC CE.

If the indication is provided by the gNB 1120, the UE 1110 may determine the TDW based on the indication from the gNB 1120. Otherwise, the TDW may be determined in an implicit way, as described below. At 1150, the UE 1110 may perform a PUSCH transmission to the gNB 1120 based on the indicated TDW. At 1160, the gNB 1120 processes the PUSCH transmission based on the TDW indicated to the UE 1110.

In the implicit case, as shown in FIG. 11B, at 1165, the UE 1110 may determine a TDW length based on a function f of the MAX NTN TDW length N and/or antenna switching capability. At 1170, the gNB 1120 may determine the TDW length based on the function f of the MAX NTN TDW length N and/or antenna switching capability similarly. At 1175, the UE 1110 may perform the PUSCH transmission to the gNB 1120 based on the determined TDW. At 1180, the gNB 1120 may process the PUSCH transmission based on the determined TDW.

In some example embodiments, the first information may indicate the first maximum time duration, the terminal device 110 may receive the second information from the network device 120. The second information may indicate a nominal TDW length. The terminal device 110 may determine a nominal TDW based on the indicated nominal TDW length.

Reference is made to FIG. 12 to illustrate specific examples of the signaling flow 1000. FIG. 12 shows example communication processes between a UE 1110 and a gNB 1120 in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. The UE 1110 is an example of the terminal device 110 and the gNB 1120 is an example of the network device 120.

As shown in FIG. 12, at 1130, the UE 1110 reports FG 44-2 to the gNB 1120. At 1210, the UE 1110 reports FG 44-2y to the gNB 1120. In other words, in addition to FG 44-2, the UE 1110 may report to the gNB 1120 the MAX NTN TDW length N under a given satellite altitude and elevation angle and optionally an architecture type.

At 1215, the gNB 1120 determines the nominal TDW length based on MAX NTN TDW length N and the satellite ephemeris. In some embodiments, the nominal TDW length may be determine further based on UE position. At 1220, the gNB 1120 transmits an indication of the determined nominal TDW length to the UE 1110 through the parameter “pusch-TimeDomainWindowLength” , an RRC signaling, a DCI, or a MAC CE.

Based on the indication provided by the gNB 1120, the UE 1110 may determine the TDW based on the indication from the gNB 1120. At 1225, the UE 1110 performs a PUSCH transmission to the gNB 1120 based on the indicated TDW. At 1240, the gNB 1120 processes the PUSCH transmission based on the TDW indicated to the UE 1110.

In this way, the network device 120 is able to determine the varying nominal TDW duration based on the terminal device 110 capability report for a fast-moving satellite.

In some example embodiments, the first information may indicate the antenna switching capability and the first maximum time duration. In some example embodiments, in the case of explicit procedures, the terminal device 110 may receive the second information from the network device 120. The second information may indicate a nominal TDW length. The terminal device 110 may determine a nominal TDW based on the indicated nominal TDW length.

In some example embodiments, in the case of implicit procedures, the terminal device 110 may determine a nominal TDW based on the first maximum time duration (which is denoted as N) , a predefined window length (denoted as j, as described above) , a time duration for consecutive uplink transmissions (denoted as M) , and a second maximum time duration (denoted as maxDurationDMRS-Bundling, as described above) .

Reference is made to FIG. 13A and FIG. 13B to illustrate specific examples of the signaling flow 1000 respectively. FIG. 13A and FIG. 13B show example communication processes between a UE 1110 and a gNB 1120 in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. The UE 1110 is an example of the terminal device 110 and the gNB 1120 is an example of the network device 120.

As shown in FIG. 13A and FIG. 13B, at 1130, the UE 1110 reports FG 44-2 to the gNB 1120. At 1310, the UE 1110 reports FG 44-2x and FG 44-2y to the gNB 1120. In other words, in addition to FG 44-2, the UE 1110 reports to the gNB 1120 the antenna switching capability (FG 44-2x) and the MAX NTN TDW length N under a given satellite altitude and elevation angle and optionally the payload type (FG 44-2y) .

At 1315, the gNB 1120 determines the nominal TDW length based on the MAX NTN TDW N and the antenna switching capability reported by the UE 1110. At 1320, the gNB 1120 transmits an indication of the determined nominal TDW length to the UE 1110 through the parameter “pusch-TimeDomainWindowLength” , an RRC signaling, a DCI, or a MAC CE. It is to be noted that the gNB may tend to configure a shorter TDW length to ensure the UE could meet RAN4 requirements when the coverage performance could be secured by spatial diversity.

If the indication is provided by the gNB 1120, the UE 1110 may determine the nominal TDW based on the indication from the gNB 1120. Otherwise, the TDW may be determined in an implicit way, as described below. At 1325, the UE 1110 performs a PUSCH transmission to the gNB 1120 based on the determined nominal TDW. At 1330, the gNB 1120 processes the PUSCH transmission based on the nominal TDW length indicated to the UE 1110.

In the implicit case, as shown in FIG. 13B, at 1335, if antenna switching for PUSCH over consecutive slots is supported, the UE 1110 determines a nominal TDW length based on the parameters maxDurationDMRS-Bundling, N, M, j, for example, as min (maxDurationDMRS-Bundling, N, M, j) . At 1340, the gNB 1120 determines the nominal TDW length based on the parameters maxDurationDMRS-Bundling, N, M, j, for example, as min (maxDurationDMRS-Bundling, N, M, j) similarly.

The parameter j is a default NTN window length. In some example embodiments, a value of the default NTN window length may correspond to a traffic type of an uplink transmission corresponding to the TDW. For example, the value is a divisor of 20 for VoIP service or a divisor of 32 for regular PUSCH transmission. To maximize the coverage performance, the possible value of j is 2, 4 or 5 for VoIP, and 2 or 4 for regular PUSCH transmission.

At 1345, the UE 1110 performs the PUSCH transmission to the gNB 1120 based on the determined nominal TDW. At 1350, the gNB 1120 processes the PUSCH transmission based on the determined nominal TDW.

In this way, both implicit and explicit way are provided to determine a nominal TDW, which jointly uses the joint channel estimation gain and spatial diversity gain under limited signaling.

In some example embodiments, the first information may indicate the number of switchable antennas for the terminal device 110 and the first maximum time duration. In some example embodiments, in the case of explicit procedures, the terminal device 110 may receive the second information from the network device120. The second information may indicate a nominal TDW length. The terminal device 110 may determine a nominal TDW based on the indicated nominal TDW length.

In some example embodiments, in the case of implicit procedures, the terminal device 110 may determine a reference time duration based on a time duration for consecutive uplink transmissions and the number of switchable antennas. The terminal device 110 may determine a nominal TDW based on the first maximum time duration, the reference time duration, and a second maximum time duration. During the second maximum time duration the terminal device 110 may be able to maintain power consistency and phase continuity for general networks.

Reference is made to FIG. 14A and FIG. 14B to illustrate specific examples of the signaling flow 1000 respectively. FIG. 14A and FIG. 14B show example communication processes between a UE 1110 and a gNB 1120 in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. The UE 1110 is an example of the terminal device 110 and the gNB 1120 is an example of the network device 120.

As shown in FIG. 14A and FIG. 14B, at 1130, the UE 1110 reports FG 44-2 to the gNB 1120. At 1405, the UE 1110 reports antenna switching capability with switchable antenna number s and the MAX NTN TDW length N under a given satellite altitude and elevation angle and optionally the payload type (FG 44-2y) to the gNB 1120.

In an example, a feature group corresponding to antenna switching capability with switchable antenna number s may be introduced. Table 5 shows an example feature group denoted as FG 44-2z.

Table 5 Example feature group

At 1410, the gNB 1120 determines the nominal TDW length based on MAX NTN TDW N and switchable antenna number s. s is the number of switchable antenna. At 1415, the gNB 1120 transmits an indication of the determined nominal TDW length to the UE 1110 through the parameter “pusch-TimeDomainWindowLength” , an RRC signaling, a DCI, or a MAC CE.

If the indication is provided by the gNB 1120, the UE 1110 may determine the nominal TDW based on the indication from the gNB 1120. Otherwise, the TDW may be determined in an implicit way, as described below. At 1420, the UE 1110 performs a PUSCH transmission to the gNB 1120 based on the determined nominal TDW. At 1425, the gNB 1120 processes the PUSCH transmission based on the nominal TDW indicated to the UE 1110.

In the implicit case, as shown in FIG. 14B, at 1430, the UE 1110 determines a nominal TDW length as min (maxDurationDMRS-Bundling, N, [M/s] ) . The parameter “ [M/s] ” may be considered as a reference time duration as described above. At 1435, the gNB 1120 determines the nominal TDW length as min (maxDurationDMRS-Bundling, N, [M/s] ) similarly. Operation [] can be floor operation (round down) , ceil operation (round up) or round operation. Here, the floor operation (round down) could ensure each antenna will transmit the PUSCH signal at least once during the M repetitions. At 1440, the UE 1110 performs the PUSCH transmission to the gNB 1120 based on the determined nominal TDW. At 1445, the gNB 1120 processes the PUSCH transmission based on the determined nominal TDW.

In this way, both implicit and explicit way are provided to determine a nominal TDW, which jointly uses the joint channel estimation gain and spatial diversity gain under limited signaling without predefined window length.

In some example embodiments, the first information may indicate the number of switchable antennas for the terminal device 110. In some example embodiments, in the case of explicit procedures, the terminal device 110 may receive the second information from the network device 120. The second information may indicate an antenna switching event. The terminal device 110 may determine an actual TDW based on the indicated antenna switching event.

In some example embodiments, in the case of implicit procedures, the terminal device 110 may determine a reference time duration based on a time duration for consecutive uplink transmissions and the number of switchable antennas. The terminal device 110 may determine an antenna switching interval based on the reference time duration and a second maximum time duration during which the terminal device is able to maintain power consistency and phase continuity for general networks. The terminal device 110 may determine an actual TDW based on an antenna switching event with the antenna switching interval.

Reference is made to FIG. 15A and FIG. 15B to illustrate specific examples of the signaling flow 1000 respectively. FIG. 15A and FIG. 15B show example communication processes between a UE 1110 and a gNB 1120 in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. The UE 1110 is an example of the terminal device 110 and the gNB 1120 is an example of the network device 120.

As shown in FIG. 15A and FIG. 15B, at 1505, the UE 1110 reports FG 30-4 to the gNB 1120. At 1510, the UE 1110 reports antenna switching capability with switchable antenna number s (FG 44-2x with s) to the gNB 1120. In other words, the UE 1110 reports antenna switching capability with the number s of switchable antenna, in addition to FG 44-2.

At 1515, the gNB 1120 determines an antenna switching event as an antenna switching interval which is based on the switchable antenna number s. At 1520, the gNB 1120 transmits an indication of the determined antenna switching event to the UE 1110 via an RRC signaling, a DCI, or a MAC CE.

If the indication is provided by the gNB 1120, the UE 1110 may determine an actual TDW based on the antenna switching event indicated by the gNB 1120. Otherwise, the actual TDW may be determined in an implicit way, as described below. At 1530, the UE 1110 performs a PUSCH transmission to the gNB 1120 based on the determined actual TDW. At 1535, the gNB 1120 processes the PUSCH transmission based on the actual TDW which are determined by the antenna switching event.

In the implicit case, as shown in FIG. 15B, at 1540, the UE 1110 determines the actual TDW with antenna switching events with an interval equals to min (maxDurationDMRS-Bundling, [M/s] ) . At 1545, the gNB 1120 determines the actual TDW with antenna switching events with an interval equals to min (maxDurationDMRS-Bundling, [M/s] ) similarly. At 1550, the UE 1110 performs the PUSCH transmission to the gNB 1120 based on the determined actual TDW. At 1555, the gNB 1120 processes the PUSCH transmission based on the determined actual TDW.

In this way, both implicit and explicit way are provided to determine an actual TDW, which jointly uses the joint channel estimation gain and spatial diversity gain under limited signaling.

Some example embodiments are described above. It is to be noted that different examples, parameters, signaling, or the like described with reference to different figures may be combined in some other embodiments.

Example methods and implementations

FIG. 16 illustrates a flowchart of a communication method 1600 implemented at a terminal device in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, the method 1600 will be described from the perspective of the terminal device 110 in FIG. 1.

At block 1610, the terminal device 110 transmits, to a network device, first information indicating at least one of: an antenna switching capability of the terminal device, or a first parameter associated with time domain window (TDW) determination for demodulation reference signal (DMRS) bundling.

At block 1620, the terminal device 110 determines a TDW for DMRS bundling based on at least one of: second information from the network device indicating one or more TDWs, the first information, or a second parameter corresponding to the first information.

In some example embodiments, the terminal device 110 determines whether the second information is received from the network device; in accordance with a determination that the second information is received from the network device, determine the TDW based on the second information; and in accordance with a determination that the second information is not received from the network device, determine the TDW based on at least one of the first information or the second parameter.

In some example embodiments, the first information indicates the antenna switching capability of the terminal device, and the terminal device 110 determines the TDW based on the second information or the second parameter.

In some example embodiments, the first information indicates a capability of antenna switching for uplink transmissions over a consecutive time period, and the terminal device 110 receives, from the network device, the second information indicating a nominal TDW length; and determines a nominal TDW based on the indicated nominal TDW length.

In some example embodiments, the first information indicates a capability of antenna switching for uplink transmissions over a consecutive time period, the second parameter is a predefined window length, and the terminal device 110 determines a nominal TDW based on the predefined window length, a time duration for consecutive uplink transmissions, and a maximum time duration during which the terminal device is able to maintain power consistency and phase continuity for general networks.

In some example embodiments, a value of the predefined window length corresponds to a traffic type of an uplink transmission corresponding to the TDW.

In some example embodiments, the first information indicates an antenna switching interval of the terminal device, and the terminal device 110 receives, from the network device, the second information indicating an antenna switching event; and determines an actual TDW based on the indicated antenna switching event.

In some example embodiments, the first information indicates an antenna switching interval of the terminal device, and the terminal device 110 determines a period of an antenna switching event based on the antenna switching interval; and determines an actual TDW based on the period of the antenna switching event.

In some example embodiments, the first information indicates the first parameter, and the terminal device 110 determines the TDW based on the second information or the first parameter.

In some example embodiments, the first parameter is a TDW length available to the terminal device for DMRS bundling, and the terminal device 110 receives, from the network device, the second information indicating a nominal TDW length; and determine a nominal TDW based on the indicated nominal TDW length.

In some example embodiments, the first parameter is a TDW length available to the terminal device for DMRS bundling, and the terminal device 110 determines a nominal TDW at least based on the TDW length, a time duration for consecutive uplink transmissions, and a maximum time duration during which the terminal device is able to maintain power consistency and phase continuity for general networks.

In some example embodiments, the first information further indicates the antenna switching capability, and the nominal TDW is determined further based on the second parameter.

In some example embodiments, the first parameter is indicated in a maximum permissible exposure (MPE) field of a power headroom report.

In some example embodiments, the first parameter is a period for updating a timing advance of the terminal device, and the terminal device 110 receives, from the network device, the second information indicating a timing advance update event; and determine an actual TDW based on the timing advance update event.

In some example embodiments, the first parameter is a period for updating a timing advance of the terminal device, and the terminal device 110 determines an actual TDW based on a timing advance update event with the period for updating the timing advance.

FIG. 17 illustrates a flowchart of a communication method 1700 implemented at a network device in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, the method 1700 will be described from the perspective of the network device 120 in FIG. 1.

At block 1710, the network device 120 receives, from a terminal device, first information indicating at least one of: an antenna switching capability of the terminal device, or a first parameter associated with time domain window (TDW) determination for demodulation reference signal (DMRS) bundling.

At block 1750, the network device 120 determines a TDW for DMRS bundling based on at least one of: second information transmitted to the network device indicating one or more TDWs, the first information, or a second parameter corresponding to the first information.

In some example embodiments, the network device 120 determines the TDW based on the second information if the second information is transmitted to the terminal device, or determine the TDW based on at least one of the first information or the second parameter.

In some example embodiments, the first information indicates the antenna switching capability of the terminal device, and the network device 120 determines the TDW based on the second information or the second parameter.

In some example embodiments, the first information indicates a capability of antenna switching for uplink transmissions over a consecutive time period, and the network device 120 determines a nominal TDW length based on the capability of antenna switching for uplink transmissions over the consecutive time period; transmits, to the terminal device, the second information indicating the nominal TDW length; and determines a nominal TDW based on the indicated nominal TDW length.

In some example embodiments, the first information indicates a capability of antenna switching for uplink transmissions over a consecutive time period, the second parameter is a predefined window length, and the network device 120 determines a nominal TDW based on the predefined window length, a time duration for consecutive uplink transmissions, and a maximum time duration during which the terminal device is able to maintain power consistency and phase continuity for general networks.

In some example embodiments, the first information indicates an antenna switching interval of the terminal device, and the network device 120 determines an antenna switching event based on the antenna switching interval of the terminal device; transmit, to the terminal device, the second information indicating the antenna switching event; and determine an actual TDW based on the indicated antenna switching event.

In some example embodiments, the first information indicates an antenna switching interval of the terminal device, and the network device 120 determines a period of an antenna switching event based on the antenna switching interval; and determines an actual TDW based on the period of the antenna switching event.

In some example embodiments, the first information indicates the first parameter, and the network device 120 determines the TDW based on the second information or the first parameter.

In some example embodiments, the first parameter is a TDW length available to the terminal device for DMRS bundling, and the network device 120 determines a nominal TDW length based on the TDW length available to the terminal device; transmits, to the terminal device, the second information indicating the nominal TDW length; and determine a nominal TDW based on the indicated nominal TDW length.

In some example embodiments, the first parameter is a TDW length available to the terminal device for DMRS bundling, and the network device 120 determines a nominal TDW at least based on the TDW length, a time duration for consecutive uplink transmissions, and a maximum time duration during which the terminal device is able to maintain power consistency and phase continuity for general networks.

In some example embodiments, the first parameter is a period for updating a timing advance of the terminal device, the second information indicates a timing advance update event, and the network device 120 determines a timing advance update event based on the period for updating a timing advance; transmits, to the terminal device, the second information indicating the timing advance update event; and determines an actual TDW based on the timing advance update event.

In some example embodiments, the first parameter is a period for updating a timing advance of the terminal device, and the network device 120 determines an actual TDW based on a timing advance update event with the period for updating the timing advance.

FIG. 18 illustrates a flowchart of a communication method 1800 implemented at a terminal device in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, the method 1800 will be described from the perspective of the terminal device 110 in FIG. 1.

At block 1810, the terminal device 110 transmits, to a network device, first information indicating at least one of: an antenna switching capability of the terminal device, or a first maximum time duration during which the terminal device is able to maintain power consistency and phase continuity under a first state of a non-terrestrial network (NTN) device, and wherein the first state of the NTN device comprises two or more of the following: a first altitude of the NTN device, a first elevation angle of the NTN device, or a payload type of the NTN device.

At block 1820, the terminal device 110 determines a TDW for demodulation reference signal (DMRS) bundling based on at least one of: the first information, or second information from the network device indicating one or more TDWs.

In some example embodiments, the terminal device 110 determines whether second information is received from the network device; in accordance with a determination that the second information is received from the network device, determines the TDW based on the second information; and in accordance with a determination that the second information is not received from the network device, determines the TDW based on the first information.

In some example embodiments, the first information indicates the first maximum time duration, and the terminal device 110 receives, from the network device, the second information indicating a nominal TDW length; and determines a nominal TDW based on the indicated nominal TDW length.

In some example embodiments, the first information indicates the antenna switching capability and the first maximum time duration, and the terminal device 110 receives, from the network device, the second information indicating a nominal TDW length; and determines a nominal TDW based on the indicated nominal TDW length.

In some example embodiments, the first information indicates the antenna switching capability and the first maximum time duration, and the terminal device 110 determines a nominal TDW based on the first maximum time duration, a predefined window length, a time duration for consecutive uplink transmissions, and a second maximum time duration during which the terminal device is able to maintain power consistency and phase continuity for general networks.

In some example embodiments, the first information indicates the number of switchable antennas for the terminal device and the first maximum time duration, and the terminal device 110 receives, from the network device, the second information indicating a nominal TDW length; and determines a nominal TDW based on the indicated nominal TDW length.

In some example embodiments, the first information indicates the number of switchable antennas for the terminal device and the first maximum time duration, and the terminal device 110 determines a reference time duration based on a time duration for consecutive uplink transmissions and the number of switchable antennas; and determines a nominal TDW based on the first maximum time duration, the reference time duration, and a second maximum time duration during which the terminal device is able to maintain power consistency and phase continuity for general networks.

In some example embodiments, the first information indicates the number of switchable antennas for the terminal device, and the terminal device 110 receives, from the network device, the second information an antenna switching event; and determines an actual TDW based on the indicated antenna switching event.

In some example embodiments, the first information indicates the number of switchable antennas for the terminal device, and the terminal device 110 determines a reference time duration based on a time duration for consecutive uplink transmissions and the number of switchable antennas; determines an antenna switching interval based on the reference time duration and a second maximum time duration during which the terminal device is able to maintain power consistency and phase continuity for general networks; and determines an actual TDW based on an antenna switching event with the antenna switching interval.

FIG. 19 illustrates a flowchart of a communication method 1900 implemented at a network device in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, the method 1900 will be described from the perspective of the network device 120 in FIG. 1.

At block 1910, the network device 120 receives, from a terminal device, first information indicating at least one of: an antenna switching capability of the terminal device, or a first maximum time duration during which the terminal device is able to maintain power consistency and phase continuity under a first state of a non-terrestrial network (NTN) device and wherein the first state of the NTN device comprises two or more of the following: a first altitude of the NTN device, a first elevation angle of the NTN device, or a payload type of the NTD device.

At block 1920, the network device 120 determines a TDW for demodulation reference signal (DMRS) bundling based on at least one of: second information transmitted to the terminal device indicating one or more TDWs, or the first information.

In some example embodiments, the network device 120 determines the TDW based on the second information if the second information is transmitted to the terminal device, or determines the TDW based on the first information.

In some example embodiments, the first information indicates the first maximum time duration, and the network device 120 determines a nominal TDW length based on the first maximum time duration, a second state of the NTN device corresponding to the uplink transmission and a position of the terminal device; transmits, to the network device, the second information indicating the nominal TDW length; and determines a nominal TDW based on the indicated nominal TDW length.

In some example embodiments, the first information indicates the antenna switching capability and the first maximum time duration, and the network device 120 determines a nominal TDW length based on the antenna switching capability and the first maximum time duration; transmits, to the terminal device, the second information indicating the nominal TDW length; and determines a nominal TDW based on the indicated nominal TDW length.

In some example embodiments, the first information indicates the antenna switching capability and the first maximum time duration, and the network device 120 determines a nominal TDW based on the first maximum time duration, a predefined window length, a time duration for consecutive uplink transmissions, and a second maximum time duration during which the terminal device is able to maintain power consistency and phase continuity for general networks.

In some example embodiments, the first information indicates the number of switchable antennas for the terminal device and the first maximum time duration, and the network device 120 determines a nominal TDW length based on the number of switchable antennas for the terminal device and the first maximum time duration; transmits, to the terminal device, the second information indicating the nominal TDW length; and determines a nominal TDW based on the indicated nominal TDW length.

In some example embodiments, the first information indicates the number of switchable antennas for the terminal device and the first maximum time duration, and the network device 120 determines a reference time duration based on a time duration for consecutive uplink transmissions and the number of switchable antennas; and determines a nominal TDW based on the first maximum time duration, the reference time duration, and a second maximum time duration during which the terminal device is able to maintain power consistency and phase continuity for general networks.

In some example embodiments, the first information indicates the number of switchable antennas for the terminal device, and the network device 120 determines an antenna switching event with an antenna switching interval based on the number of switchable antennas; transmits, to the terminal device, the second information indicating the antenna switching event; and determines an actual TDW based on the indicated antenna switching event.

In some example embodiments, the first information indicates the number of switchable antennas for the terminal device, and the network device 120 determines a reference time duration based on a time duration for consecutive uplink transmissions and the number of switchable antennas; determines an antenna switching interval based on the reference time duration and a second maximum time duration during which the terminal device is able to maintain power consistency and phase continuity for general networks; and determine an actual TDW based on an antenna switching event with the antenna switching interval.

FIG. 20 is a simplified block diagram of a device 2000 that is suitable for implementing embodiments of the present disclosure. The device 2000 can be considered as a further example implementation of any of the devices as shown in FIG. 1. Accordingly, the device 2000 can be implemented at or as at least a part of the terminal device 110 or the network device 120.

As shown, the device 2000 includes a processor 2010, a memory 2020 coupled to the processor 2010, a suitable transceiver 2040 coupled to the processor 2010, and a communication interface coupled to the transceiver 2040. The memory 2020 stores at least a part of a program 2030. The transceiver 2040 may be for bidirectional communications or a unidirectional communication based on requirements. The transceiver 2040 may include at least one of a transmitter 2042 and a receiver 2044. The transmitter 2042 and the receiver 2044 may be functional modules or physical entities. The transceiver 2040 has at least one antenna to facilitate communication, though in practice an Access Node mentioned in this application may have several ones. The communication interface may represent any interface that is necessary for communication with other network elements, such as X2/Xn interface for bidirectional communications between eNBs/gNBs, S1/NG interface for communication between a Mobility Management Entity (MME) /Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) /SGW/UPF and the eNB/gNB, Un interface for communication between the eNB/gNB and a relay node (RN) , or Uu interface for communication between the eNB/gNB and a terminal device.

The program 2030 is assumed to include program instructions that, when executed by the associated processor 2010, enable the device 2000 to operate in accordance with the embodiments of the present disclosure, as discussed herein with reference to FIGS. 1 to 19. The embodiments herein may be implemented by computer software executable by the processor 2010 of the device 2000, or by hardware, or by a combination of software and hardware. The processor 2010 may be configured to implement various embodiments of the present disclosure. Furthermore, a combination of the processor 2010 and memory 2020 may form processing means 2050 adapted to implement various embodiments of the present disclosure.

The memory 2020 may be of any type suitable to the local technical network and may be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as a non-transitory computer readable storage medium, semiconductor based memory devices, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory and removable memory, as non-limiting examples. While only one memory 2020 is shown in the device 2000, there may be several physically distinct memory modules in the device 2000. The processor 2010 may be of any type suitable to the local technical network, and may include one or more of general purpose computers, special purpose computers, microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs) and processors based on multicore processor architecture, as non-limiting examples. The device 2000 may have multiple processors, such as an application specific integrated circuit chip that is slaved in time to a clock which synchronizes the main processor.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a terminal device comprising a circuitry is provided. The circuitry is configured to: transmit, to a network device, first information indicating at least one of: an antenna switching capability of the terminal device, or a first parameter associated with time domain window (TDW) determination for demodulation reference signal (DMRS) bundling; determine a TDW for DMRS bundling based on at least one of: second information from the network device indicating one or more TDWs, the first information, or a second parameter corresponding to the first information. According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the circuitry may be configured to perform any method implemented by the terminal device as discussed above.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a network device comprising a circuitry is provided. The circuitry is configured to: receive, from a terminal device, first information indicating at least one of: an antenna switching capability of the terminal device, or a first parameter associated with time domain window (TDW) determination for demodulation reference signal (DMRS) bundling; determine a TDW for DMRS bundling based on at least one of: second information transmitted to the network device indicating one or more TDWs, the first information, or a second parameter corresponding to the first information. According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the circuitry may be configured to perform any method implemented by the network device as discussed above.

The term “circuitry” used herein may refer to hardware circuits and/or combinations of hardware circuits and software. For example, the circuitry may be a combination of analog and/or digital hardware circuits with software/firmware. As a further example, the circuitry may be any portions of hardware processors with software including digital signal processor (s) , software, and memory (ies) that work together to cause an apparatus, such as a terminal device or a network device, to perform various functions. In a still further example, the circuitry may be hardware circuits and or processors, such as a microprocessor or a portion of a microprocessor, that requires software/firmware for operation, but the software may not be present when it is not needed for operation. As used herein, the term circuitry also covers an implementation of merely a hardware circuit or processor (s) or a portion of a hardware circuit or processor (s) and its (or their) accompanying software and/or firmware.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a first apparatus is provided. The first apparatus comprises means for transmitting, to a network device, first information indicating at least one of: an antenna switching capability of the terminal device, or a first parameter associated with time domain window (TDW) determination for demodulation reference signal (DMRS) bundling; means for determining a TDW for DMRS bundling based on at least one of: second information from the network device indicating one or more TDWs, the first information, or a second parameter corresponding to the first information. In some embodiments, the first apparatus may comprise means for performing the respective operations of the method 1600. In some example embodiments, the first apparatus may further comprise means for performing other operations in some example embodiments of the terminal device 110. The means may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the means may be implemented in a circuitry or software module.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a second apparatus is provided. The second apparatus comprises means for receiving, from a terminal device, first information indicating at least one of: an antenna switching capability of the terminal device, or a first parameter associated with time domain window (TDW) determination for demodulation reference signal (DMRS) bundling; means for determining a TDW for DMRS bundling based on at least one of: second information transmitted to the network device indicating one or more TDWs, the first information, or a second parameter corresponding to the first information. In some embodiments, the second apparatus may comprise means for performing the respective operations of the method 1700. In some example embodiments, the second apparatus may further comprise means for performing other operations in some example embodiments of the network device 120. The means may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the means may be implemented in a circuitry or software module.

In summary, embodiments of the present disclosure provide the following aspects.

In an aspect, it is proposed a terminal device comprising: a processor configured to cause the terminal device to: transmit, to a network device, first information indicating at least one of: an antenna switching capability of the terminal device, or a first parameter associated with time domain window (TDW) determination for demodulation reference signal (DMRS) bundling; determine a TDW for DMRS bundling based on at least one of: second information from the network device indicating one or more TDWs, the first information, or a second parameter corresponding to the first information.

In some embodiments, the terminal device is further caused to: determine whether the second information is received from the network device; in accordance with a determination that the second information is received from the network device, determine the TDW based on the second information; and in accordance with a determination that the second information is not received from the network device, determine the TDW based on at least one of the first information or the second parameter.

In some embodiments, the first information indicates the antenna switching capability of the terminal device, and the terminal device is caused to: determine the TDW based on the second information or the second parameter.

In some embodiments, the first information indicates a capability of antenna switching for uplink transmissions over a consecutive time period, and the terminal device is caused to: receive, from the network device, the second information indicating a nominal TDW length; and determine a nominal TDW based on the indicated nominal TDW length.

In some embodiments, the first information indicates a capability of antenna switching for uplink transmissions over a consecutive time period, the second parameter is a predefined window length, and the terminal device is caused to: determine a nominal TDW based on the predefined window length, a time duration for consecutive uplink transmissions, and a maximum time duration during which the terminal device is able to maintain power consistency and phase continuity for general networks.

In some embodiments, a value of the predefined window length corresponds to a traffic type of an uplink transmission corresponding to the TDW.

In some embodiments, the first information indicates an antenna switching interval of the terminal device, and the terminal device is further caused to: receive, from the network device, the second information indicating an antenna switching event; and determine an actual TDW based on the indicated antenna switching event.

In some embodiments, the first information indicates an antenna switching interval of the terminal device, and the terminal device is further caused to: determine a period of an antenna switching event based on the antenna switching interval; and determine an actual TDW based on the period of the antenna switching event.

In some embodiments, the first information indicates the first parameter, and the terminal device is caused to: determine the TDW based on the second information or the first parameter.

In some embodiments, the first parameter is a TDW length available to the terminal device for DMRS bundling, and the terminal device is caused to: receive, from the network device, the second information indicating a nominal TDW length; and determine a nominal TDW based on the indicated nominal TDW length.

In some embodiments, the first parameter is a TDW length available to the terminal device for DMRS bundling, and the terminal device is caused to: determine a nominal TDW at least based on the TDW length, a time duration for consecutive uplink transmissions, and a maximum time duration during which the terminal device is able to maintain power consistency and phase continuity for general networks.

In some embodiments, the first information further indicates the antenna switching capability, and the nominal TDW is determined further based on the second parameter.

In some embodiments, the first parameter is indicated in a maximum permissible exposure (MPE) field of a power headroom report.

In some embodiments, the first parameter is a period for updating a timing advance of the terminal device, and the terminal device is caused to: receive, from the network device, the second information indicating a timing advance update event; and determine an actual TDW based on the timing advance update event.

In some embodiments, the first parameter is a period for updating a timing advance of the terminal device, and the terminal device is further caused to: determine an actual TDW based on a timing advance update event with the period for updating the timing advance.

In an aspect, it is proposed a network device comprising: a processor configured to cause the network device to: receive, from a terminal device, first information indicating at least one of: an antenna switching capability of the terminal device, or a first parameter associated with time domain window (TDW) determination for demodulation reference signal (DMRS) bundling; determine a TDW for DMRS bundling based on at least one of: second information transmitted to the network device indicating one or more TDWs, the first information, or a second parameter corresponding to the first information.

In some embodiments, the network device is further caused to: determine the TDW based on the second information if the second information is transmitted to the terminal device, or determine the TDW based on at least one of the first information or the second parameter.

In some embodiments, the first information indicates the antenna switching capability of the terminal device, and the network device is caused to: determine the TDW based on the second information or the second parameter.

In some embodiments, the first information indicates a capability of antenna switching for uplink transmissions over a consecutive time period, and the network device is caused to: determine a nominal TDW length based on the capability of antenna switching for uplink transmissions over the consecutive time period; transmit, to the terminal device, the second information indicating the nominal TDW length; and determine a nominal TDW based on the indicated nominal TDW length.

In some embodiments, the first information indicates a capability of antenna switching for uplink transmissions over a consecutive time period, the second parameter is a predefined window length, and the network device is caused to: determine a nominal TDW based on the predefined window length, a time duration for consecutive uplink transmissions, and a maximum time duration during which the terminal device is able to maintain power consistency and phase continuity for general networks.

In some embodiments, the first information indicates an antenna switching interval of the terminal device, and the network device is further caused to: determine an antenna switching event based on the antenna switching interval of the terminal device; transmit, to the terminal device, the second information indicating the antenna switching event; and determine an actual TDW based on the indicated antenna switching event.

In some embodiments, the first information indicates an antenna switching interval of the terminal device, and the network device is further caused to: determine a period of an antenna switching event based on the antenna switching interval; and determine an actual TDW based on the period of the antenna switching event.

In some embodiments, the first information indicates the first parameter, and the network device is caused to: determine the TDW based on the second information or the first parameter.

In some embodiments, the first parameter is a TDW length available to the terminal device for DMRS bundling, and the network device is caused to: determine a nominal TDW length based on the TDW length available to the terminal device; transmit, to the terminal device, the second information indicating the nominal TDW length; and determine a nominal TDW based on the indicated nominal TDW length.

In some embodiments, the first parameter is a TDW length available to the terminal device for DMRS bundling, and the network device is caused to: determine a nominal TDW at least based on the TDW length, a time duration for consecutive uplink transmissions, and a maximum time duration during which the terminal device is able to maintain power consistency and phase continuity for general networks.

In some embodiments, the first parameter is a period for updating a timing advance of the terminal device, the second information indicates a timing advance update event, and the network device is caused to: determine a timing advance update event based on the period for updating a timing advance; transmit, to the terminal device, the second information indicating the timing advance update event; and determine an actual TDW based on the timing advance update event.

In some embodiments, the first parameter is a period for updating a timing advance of the terminal device, and the network device is further caused to: determine an actual TDW based on a timing advance update event with the period for updating the timing advance.

In an aspect, a terminal device comprises: at least one processor; and at least one memory coupled to the at least one processor and storing instructions thereon, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, causing the device to perform the method implemented by the terminal device discussed above.

In an aspect, a network device comprises: at least one processor; and at least one memory coupled to the at least one processor and storing instructions thereon, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, causing the device to perform the method implemented by the network device discussed above.

In an aspect, a computer readable medium having instructions stored thereon, the instructions, when executed on at least one processor, causing the at least one processor to perform the method implemented by the terminal device discussed above.

In an aspect, a computer readable medium having instructions stored thereon, the instructions, when executed on at least one processor, causing the at least one processor to perform the method implemented by the network device discussed above.

In an aspect, a computer program comprising instructions, the instructions, when executed on at least one processor, causing the at least one processor to perform the method implemented by the terminal device discussed above.

In an aspect, a computer program comprising instructions, the instructions, when executed on at least one processor, causing the at least one processor to perform the method implemented by the network device discussed above.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a first apparatus is provided. The first apparatus comprises means for transmitting, to a network device, first information indicating at least one of: an antenna switching capability of the terminal device, or a first maximum time duration during which the terminal device is able to maintain power consistency and phase continuity under a first state of a non-terrestrial network (NTN) device, and wherein the first state of the NTN device comprises two or more of the following: a first altitude of the NTN device, a first elevation angle of the NTN device, or a payload type of the NTN device; and means for determining a TDW for demodulation reference signal (DMRS) bundling based on at least one of: the first information, or second information from the network device indicating one or more TDWs. In some embodiments, the first apparatus may comprise means for performing the respective operations of the method 1800. In some example embodiments, the first apparatus may further comprise means for performing other operations in some example embodiments of the terminal device 110. The means may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the means may be implemented in a circuitry or software module.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a second apparatus is provided. The second apparatus comprises means for receiving, from a terminal device, first information indicating at least one of: an antenna switching capability of the terminal device, or a first maximum time duration during which the terminal device is able to maintain power consistency and phase continuity under a first state of a non-terrestrial network (NTN) device and wherein the first state of the NTN device comprises two or more of the following: a first altitude of the NTN device, a first elevation angle of the NTN device, or a payload type of the NTD device; and means for determining a TDW for demodulation reference signal (DMRS) bundling based on at least one of: second information transmitted to the terminal device indicating one or more TDWs, or the first information. In some embodiments, the second apparatus may comprise means for performing the respective operations of the method 1900. In some example embodiments, the second apparatus may further comprise means for performing other operations in some example embodiments of the network device 120. The means may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the means may be implemented in a circuitry or software module.

In an aspect, it is proposed a terminal device comprising: a processor configured to cause the terminal device to: transmit, to a network device, first information indicating at least one of: an antenna switching capability of the terminal device, or a first maximum time duration during which the terminal device is able to maintain power consistency and phase continuity under a first state of a non-terrestrial network (NTN) device, and wherein the first state of the NTN device comprises two or more of the following: a first altitude of the NTN device, a first elevation angle of the NTN device, or a payload type of the NTN device; and determine a TDW for demodulation reference signal (DMRS) bundling based on at least one of: the first information, or second information from the network device indicating one or more TDWs.

In some embodiments, the terminal device is further caused to: determine whether second information is received from the network device; in accordance with a determination that the second information is received from the network device, determine the TDW based on the second information; and in accordance with a determination that the second information is not received from the network device, determine the TDW based on the first information.

In some embodiments, the first information indicates the first maximum time duration, and the terminal device is caused to: receive, from the network device, the second information indicating a nominal TDW length; and determine a nominal TDW based on the indicated nominal TDW length.

In some embodiments, the first information indicates the antenna switching capability and the first maximum time duration, and the terminal device is caused to: receive, from the network device, the second information indicating a nominal TDW length; and determine a nominal TDW based on the indicated nominal TDW length.

In some embodiments, the first information indicates the antenna switching capability and the first maximum time duration, and the terminal device is caused to: determine a nominal TDW based on the first maximum time duration, a predefined window length, a time duration for consecutive uplink transmissions, and a second maximum time duration during which the terminal device is able to maintain power consistency and phase continuity for general networks.

In some embodiments, the first information indicates the number of switchable antennas for the terminal device and the first maximum time duration, and the terminal device is caused to: receive, from the network device, the second information indicating a nominal TDW length; and determine a nominal TDW based on the indicated nominal TDW length.

In some embodiments, the first information indicates the number of switchable antennas for the terminal device and the first maximum time duration, and the terminal device is caused to: determine a reference time duration based on a time duration for consecutive uplink transmissions and the number of switchable antennas; and determine a nominal TDW based on the first maximum time duration, the reference time duration, and a second maximum time duration during which the terminal device is able to maintain power consistency and phase continuity for general networks.

In some embodiments, the first information indicates the number of switchable antennas for the terminal device, and the terminal device is caused to: receive, from the network device, the second information an antenna switching event; and determine an actual TDW based on the indicated antenna switching event.

In some embodiments, the first information indicates the number of switchable antennas for the terminal device, and the terminal device is caused to: determine a reference time duration based on a time duration for consecutive uplink transmissions and the number of switchable antennas; determine an antenna switching interval based on the reference time duration and a second maximum time duration during which the terminal device is able to maintain power consistency and phase continuity for general networks; and determine an actual TDW based on an antenna switching event with the antenna switching interval.

In an aspect, it is proposed a network device comprising: a processor configured to cause the network device to: receive, from a terminal device, first information indicating at least one of: an antenna switching capability of the terminal device, or a first maximum time duration during which the terminal device is able to maintain power consistency and phase continuity under a first state of a non-terrestrial network (NTN) device and wherein the first state of the NTN device comprises two or more of the following: a first altitude of the NTN device, a first elevation angle of the NTN device, or a payload type of the NTD device; and determine a TDW for demodulation reference signal (DMRS) bundling based on at least one of: second information transmitted to the terminal device indicating one or more TDWs, or the first information.

In some embodiments, the network device is further caused to: determine the TDW based on the second information if the second information is transmitted to the terminal device, or determine the TDW based on the first information.

In some embodiments, the first information indicates the first maximum time duration, and the network device is caused to: determine a nominal TDW length based on the first maximum time duration, a second state of the NTN device corresponding to the uplink transmission and a position of the terminal device; transmit, to the network device, the second information indicating the nominal TDW length; and determine a nominal TDW based on the indicated nominal TDW length.

In some embodiments, the first information indicates the antenna switching capability and the first maximum time duration, and the network device is caused to: determine a nominal TDW length based on the antenna switching capability and the first maximum time duration; transmit, to the terminal device, the second information indicating the nominal TDW length; and determine a nominal TDW based on the indicated nominal TDW length.

In some embodiments, the first information indicates the antenna switching capability and the first maximum time duration, and the network device is caused to: determine a nominal TDW based on the first maximum time duration, a predefined window length, a time duration for consecutive uplink transmissions, and a second maximum time duration during which the terminal device is able to maintain power consistency and phase continuity for general networks.

In some embodiments, the first information indicates the number of switchable antennas for the terminal device and the first maximum time duration, and the network device is caused to: determine a nominal TDW length based on the number of switchable antennas for the terminal device and the first maximum time duration; transmit, to the terminal device, the second information indicating the nominal TDW length; and determine a nominal TDW based on the indicated nominal TDW length.

In some embodiments, the first information indicates the number of switchable antennas for the terminal device and the first maximum time duration, and the network device is caused to: determine a reference time duration based on a time duration for consecutive uplink transmissions and the number of switchable antennas; and determine a nominal TDW based on the first maximum time duration, the reference time duration, and a second maximum time duration during which the terminal device is able to maintain power consistency and phase continuity for general networks.

In some embodiments, the first information indicates the number of switchable antennas for the terminal device, and the network device is caused to: determine an antenna switching event with an antenna switching interval based on the number of switchable antennas; transmit, to the terminal device, the second information indicating the antenna switching event; and determine an actual TDW based on the indicated antenna switching event.

In some embodiments, the first information indicates the number of switchable antennas for the terminal device, and the network device is caused to: determine a reference time duration based on a time duration for consecutive uplink transmissions and the number of switchable antennas; determine an antenna switching interval based on the reference time duration and a second maximum time duration during which the terminal device is able to maintain power consistency and phase continuity for general networks; and determine an actual TDW based on an antenna switching event with the antenna switching interval.

Generally, various embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented in hardware or special purpose circuits, software, logic or any combination thereof. Some aspects may be implemented in hardware, while other aspects may be implemented in firmware or software which may be executed by a controller, microprocessor or other computing device. While various aspects of embodiments of the present disclosure are illustrated and described as block diagrams, flowcharts, or using some other pictorial representation, it will be appreciated that the blocks, apparatus, systems, techniques or methods described herein may be implemented in, as non-limiting examples, hardware, software, firmware, special purpose circuits or logic, general purpose hardware or controller or other computing devices, or some combination thereof.

The present disclosure also provides at least one computer program product tangibly stored on a non-transitory computer readable storage medium. The computer program product includes computer-executable instructions, such as those included in program modules, being executed in a device on a target real or virtual processor, to carry out the process or method as described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 20. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, libraries, objects, classes, components, data structures, or the like that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. The functionality of the program modules may be combined or split between program modules as desired in various embodiments. Machine-executable instructions for program modules may be executed within a local or distributed device. In a distributed device, program modules may be located in both local and remote storage media.

Program code for carrying out methods of the present disclosure may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages. These program codes may be provided to a processor or controller of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus, such that the program codes, when executed by the processor or controller, cause the functions/operations specified in the flowcharts and/or block diagrams to be implemented. The program code may execute entirely on a machine, partly on the machine, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the machine and partly on a remote machine or entirely on the remote machine or server.

The above program code may be embodied on a machine readable medium, which may be any tangible medium that may contain, or store a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. The machine readable medium may be a machine readable signal medium or a machine readable storage medium. A machine readable medium may include but not limited to an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples of the machine readable storage medium would include an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM) , a read-only memory (ROM) , an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory) , an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) , an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing.

Further, while operations are depicted in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirable results. In certain circumstances, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Likewise, while several specific implementation details are contained in the above discussions, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the present disclosure, but rather as descriptions of features that may be specific to particular embodiments. Certain features that are described in the context of separate embodiments may also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment may also be implemented in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitable sub-combination.

Although the present disclosure has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the present disclosure defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.

Claims

A terminal device comprising:

a processor configured to cause the terminal device to:

transmit, to a network device, first information indicating at least one of:

an antenna switching capability of the terminal device, or

a first parameter associated with time domain window (TDW) determination for demodulation reference signal (DMRS) bundling;

determine a TDW for DMRS bundling based on at least one of:

second information from the network device indicating one or more TDWs,

the first information, or

a second parameter corresponding to the first information.
The terminal device of claim 1, wherein the terminal device is further caused to:

determine whether the second information is received from the network device;

in accordance with a determination that the second information is received from the network device, determine the TDW based on the second information; and

in accordance with a determination that the second information is not received from the network device, determine the TDW based on at least one of the first information or the second parameter.
The terminal device of claim 1, wherein the first information indicates the antenna switching capability of the terminal device, and the terminal device is caused to:

determine the TDW based on the second information or the second parameter.
The terminal device of claim 3, wherein the first information indicates a capability of antenna switching for uplink transmissions over a consecutive time period, and the terminal device is caused to:

receive, from the network device, the second information indicating a nominal TDW length; and

determine a nominal TDW based on the indicated nominal TDW length.
The terminal device of claim 3, wherein the first information indicates a capability of antenna switching for uplink transmissions over a consecutive time period, the second parameter is a predefined window length, and the terminal device is caused to:

determine a nominal TDW based on the predefined window length, a time duration for consecutive uplink transmissions, and a maximum time duration during which the terminal device is able to maintain power consistency and phase continuity for general networks.
The terminal device of claim 5, wherein a value of the predefined window length corresponds to a traffic type of an uplink transmission corresponding to the TDW.
The terminal device of claim 3, wherein the first information indicates an antenna switching interval of the terminal device, and the terminal device is further caused to:

receive, from the network device, the second information indicating an antenna switching event; and

determine an actual TDW based on the indicated antenna switching event.
The terminal device of claim 3, wherein the first information indicates an antenna switching interval of the terminal device, and the terminal device is further caused to:

determine a period of an antenna switching event based on the antenna switching interval; and

determine an actual TDW based on the period of the antenna switching event.
The terminal device of claim 1, wherein the first information indicates the first parameter, and the terminal device is caused to:

determine the TDW based on the second information or the first parameter.
The terminal device of claim 9, wherein the first parameter is a TDW length available to the terminal device for DMRS bundling, and the terminal device is caused to:

receive, from the network device, the second information indicating a nominal TDW length; and

determine a nominal TDW based on the indicated nominal TDW length.
The terminal device of claim 9, wherein the first parameter is a TDW length available to the terminal device for DMRS bundling, and the terminal device is caused to:

determine a nominal TDW at least based on the TDW length, a time duration for consecutive uplink transmissions, and a maximum time duration during which the terminal device is able to maintain power consistency and phase continuity for general networks.
The terminal device of claim 11, wherein the first information further indicates the antenna switching capability, and the nominal TDW is determined further based on the second parameter.
The terminal device of any of claims 10-12, wherein the first parameter is indicated in a maximum permissible exposure (MPE) field of a power headroom report.
The terminal device of claim 9, wherein the first parameter is a period for updating a timing advance of the terminal device, and the terminal device is caused to:

receive, from the network device, the second information indicating a timing advance update event; and

determine an actual TDW based on the timing advance update event.
The terminal device of claim 9, wherein the first parameter is a period for updating a timing advance of the terminal device, and the terminal device is further caused to:

determine an actual TDW based on a timing advance update event with the period for updating the timing advance.
A network device comprising:

a processor configured to cause the network device to:

receive, from a terminal device, first information indicating at least one of:

an antenna switching capability of the terminal device, or

a first parameter associated with time domain window (TDW) determination for demodulation reference signal (DMRS) bundling;

determine a TDW for DMRS bundling based on at least one of:

second information transmitted to the network device indicating one or more TDWs,

the first information, or

a second parameter corresponding to the first information.
The network device of claim 1, wherein the network device is further caused to:

determine the TDW based on the second information if the second information is transmitted to the terminal device, or

determine the TDW based on at least one of the first information or the second parameter.
The network device of claim 16, wherein the first information indicates the antenna switching capability of the terminal device, and the network device is caused to:

determine the TDW based on the second information or the second parameter.
The network device of claim 18, wherein the first information indicates a capability of antenna switching for uplink transmissions over a consecutive time period, the second parameter is a predefined window length, and the network device is caused to:

determine a nominal TDW based on the predefined window length, a time duration for consecutive uplink transmissions, and a maximum time duration during which the terminal device is able to maintain power consistency and phase continuity for general networks.
The network device of claim 16, wherein the first information indicates the first parameter, and the network device is caused to:

determine the TDW based on the second information or the first parameter.