Patent Publication Number: US-2022232569-A1

Title: Low latency communication devices and methods for the licensed and unlicensed spectrum

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     Embodiments herein relate generally to a User Equipment (UE), a method performed by the UE, a network node and a methods performed by the first network node and more particularly to the use of these devices and methods for low latency communication in the licensed and unlicensed spectrum. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The embodiments herein are directed to Ultra-Reliable and Low Latency Communications (URLLC) traffic in a New Radio (NR) Licensed and Unlicensed (NR-U) communications network. NR-U is being considered in 3GPP to bring NR to the unlicensed wireless communication bands, i.e., unlicensed spectrum. NR may expand into the unlicensed 5 GHz and 6 GHz bands. NR-U comprise two modes of operation: non-standalone wherein operators can aggregate the unlicensed bands with licensed 5G frequencies to bolster capacity similar to Licensed-assisted access (LAA), and standalone wherein an enterprise could use unlicensed spectrum to deploy a private cellular network. 
     Further, URLLC data, for example, is characterized by requirements for very low packet error rate and minimal over-the-air latency. Low latency allows a network to be optimized for processing incredibly large amounts of data with minimal delay. The networks need to adapt to a broad amount of changing data in real time. 5G will enable this service to function. URLLC is, arguably, the most promising addition to upcoming 5G capabilities, but it will also be the hardest to secure; URLLC requires a quality of service (QoS) totally different from mobile broadband services. Low latency is important for use cases such self-driving cars or remote surgeries. 
     Rel-15 supports configured grant (CG) in addition to dynamic grant for uplink (UL) URLLC services in NR spectrum. In CG, a user equipment (UE) is allocated recurring resource for its recurring traffic, so that UE need not to ask for a scheduling request (SR) before every packet transmission. Now each recurring resource may compose of multiple K Transmission Opportunities (TOs) for the transmission of K repetitions (same or different RVs). Further, CG classified as Type 1 and 2 depending on the activation ways. As the spectrum is reliable (not unlicensed), here network node doesn&#39;t transmit ACK for UE&#39;s transmission success. The network node may be for example a gNB. 
     Numerous studies are on-going to investigate the potential of free or unlicensed or shared spectrum. Such spectrum is likely to be shared, hence it offers lower transmission reliability in comparison to licensed or dedicated spectrum. 3GPP is developing solutions in which cellular services may be catered on unlicensed spectrum. For example, if a UE intends to use unlicensed spectrum, it may employ Clear Channel Assessment (CCA) schemes to determine whether the channel is free during a certain period such as the Channel Occupancy Time (CoT). In NR-U, channel access in both downlink and uplink rely on the listen-before-talk (LBT) for channel assessment. 
     The NR spectrum offers reliable services, but a possible disadvantage of the NR spectrum is that could be expensive and scarce. The NR-U spectrum is less reliable but is often a more cost effective alternative. In some implementations NR-U may even be a spectrum that comes at no cost. 
     NR is currently being standardized to deliver URLLC services with high reliability and low latency. One feature of UL URLLC is CG. NR-U is a free/inexpensive spectrum in the form of unlicensed or shared spectrum it may however be less reliable that for example the licensed spectrum. NR-U is also currently being developed to deliver cellular services on unlicensed part. However, the reliability requirements for NR-U are not as strict as for URLLC services in NR, and also NR-U is being built as a standalone entity. Therefore, the problem is the lack of collaboration between NR and NR-U in supporting URLLC services in a unified manner. 
     When UE is configured to receive NR licensed and NR unlicensed carriers at the same time, currently cross carrier scheduling is done in the way that transport blocks for each carrier are different. Such algorithm of operation is optimal for broadband traffic, however, for critical traffic such as URLLC it is beneficial to duplicate data for reliability or schedule data transmissions and retransmissions across different carriers if at one carrier there is not enough resources. Currently the duplication can be done by higher layers (PDCP duplication). However, the simple duplication can lead to inefficient usage of radio resources. 
     Therefore, there is a need to at least mitigate or solve these issues. 
     SUMMARY 
     An objective of embodiments herein is therefore to obviate at least one of the above disadvantages and to provide an improved communications system. 
     Embodiments herein afford many advantages, of which a non-exhaustive list of examples follows: 
     In one embodiment a method for a user equipment, UE, is provided. The method is performed by the UE in Ultra-Reliable and Low-Latency Communications, URLLC. The method includes receiving, from a first network node, a first transport block on a first carrier. The method further includes receiving, from a second network node, a second transport block on a second carrier. Furthermore, the method includes receiving information that joint processing of the first transport block and the second transport block is enabled, where the first transport block and the second transport block include the same data. 
     Corresponding embodiments of inventive concepts for a UE, a computer program, and a carrier are also provided. 
     In another embodiment, a method for a network node is provided. The method performed by the network node in URLLC. The method includes transmitting, to a user equipment, UE, a first transport block on a first carrier. The method further includes transmitting information, to the UE, that joint processing of the first transport block and a second transport block, transmitted to the UE on a second carrier, is enabled, where the first transport block and the second transport block include the same data. 
     Corresponding embodiments of inventive concepts for a network node, a computer program, and a carrier are also provided. 
     In yet another embodiment there is provided a method for a network node. The method is performed by a network. The method includes performing channel assessment for unlicensed spectrum and if clear channel is available in the unlicensed spectrum allocating a resource in the unlicensed spectrum until the assessment procedure is scheduled. If clear channel is not available, the method includes allocating a resource in the licensed spectrum until the assessment procedure is scheduled. 
     Corresponding embodiments of inventive concepts for a network node, a computer program, and a carrier are also provided. 
     One advantage of the embodiments herein is that the use of unlicensed spectrum in supporting URLLC services together with NR licensed spectrum may help to improve system spectral efficiency, reduce latency, enhance reliability, and/or downsize spectrum related cost. 
     The embodiments herein are not limited to the features and advantages mentioned above. A person skilled in the art will recognize additional features and advantages upon reading the following detailed description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The embodiments herein will now be further described in more detail by way of example only in the following detailed description by reference to the appended drawings illustrating the embodiments and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic drawing illustrating a communications system. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a joint cross carrier physical layer processing of one transport block. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates that a resource is allocated either in unlicensed spectrum (if CCA successful in unlicensed part), or licensed spectrum (if CCA failed in unlicensed part). 
         FIG. 4  illustrates that TOs are distributed over licensed and unlicensed spectrum. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates that a UE transmits SR for the transmission in dedicate resource in case CCA fails for unlicensed part. 
         FIG. 6  is a flowchart depicting a method in a wireless device, according to embodiments herein. 
         FIG. 7  is a flowchart depicting a method in a network node, according to embodiments herein. 
         FIG. 8  is a flowchart depicting a method in a network node, according to embodiments herein. 
         FIG. 9 a    is a schematic drawing illustrating an example of a UE. 
         FIG. 9 b    is a schematic drawing illustrating an example of a UE. 
         FIG. 10 a    is a schematic drawing illustrating an example of a network node. 
         FIG. 10 b    is a schematic drawing illustrating an example of a network node. 
         FIG. 11  is a schematic block diagram illustrating a telecommunication network connected via an intermediate network to a host computer. 
         FIG. 12  is a schematic block diagram of a host computer communicating via a base station with a user equipment over a partially wireless connection. 
         FIG. 13  is a flowchart depicting embodiments of a method in a communications system including a host computer, a base station and a user equipment. 
         FIG. 14  is a flowchart depicting embodiments of a method in a communications system including a host computer, a base station and a user equipment. 
         FIG. 15  is a flowchart depicting embodiments of a method in a communications system including a host computer, a base station and a user equipment. 
         FIG. 16  is a flowchart depicting embodiments of a method in a communications system including a host computer, a base station and a user equipment. 
     
    
    
     The drawings are not necessarily to scale and the dimensions of certain features may have been exaggerated for the sake of clarity. Emphasis is instead placed upon illustrating the principle of the embodiments herein. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The embodiments herein relate to solutions where unlicensed spectrum can support licensed spectrum in delivering URLLC services. Flexible cross carrier scheduling of one transport block may be enabled. The embodiments herein relate to delivering URLLC services using both NR and NR-U. The embodiments herein relate to NR, NR-U, URLLC, UL, CG, CCA, LBT. The embodiments herein relate to LTE, NR etc. The embodiments herein relate to UE, eNB, gNB, a baseband part of the UE etc. 
       FIG. 1  depicts non-limiting examples of a communications system  100 , which may be a wireless communications network, sometimes also referred to as a wireless communications system, cellular radio system, or cellular network, in which embodiments herein may be implemented. The communications system  100  may typically be a 5G system, 5G network, NR-U or Next Gen System or network, LAA, MulteFire, a 4G system, a 3G system, a 2G system, a further generation system or any other suitable system. The communications system  100  may alternatively be a younger system than a 5G system The communications system  100  may support other technologies such as, for example, Long-Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced/LTE-Advanced Pro, e.g. LTE Frequency Division Duplex (FDD), LTE Time Division Duplex (TDD), LTE Half-Duplex Frequency Division Duplex (HD-FDD), LTE operating in an unlicensed band, NB-IoT. Thus, although terminology from 5G/NR and LTE may be used in this disclosure to exemplify embodiments herein, this should not be seen as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein to only the aforementioned systems. The embodiments herein apply to any previous, current or future system. 
     The communications system  100  comprises a plurality of network nodes, whereof a first network node  103  and a second network node  105 , also referred to herein as a network node  103 ,  105 , are depicted in the non-limiting example of  FIG. 1 . Any of the first network node  103  and the second network node  105  may be a radio network node, such as a radio base station, or any other network node with similar features capable of serving a user equipment, such as a wireless device or a machine type communication device, in the communications system  100 . In some embodiments, the first network node  103  is an eNB and the second network node  105  is a gNB. In other embodiments, the first network node  103  is a first gNB, and the second network node  105  is a second gNB. In yet other embodiments, the first network node  103  may be a MeNB and the second network node  105  may be a gNB. In some examples, any of the first network node  103 , and the second network node  105  may be co-localized, or be part of the same network node. In embodiments herein, the first network node  103  may be referred to as a source node or source network node, whereas the second network node  105  may be referred to as a target node or target network node. The first network node may be referred to as a child node and the second network node may be referred to as a parent node. 
     The communications system  100  covers a geographical area which may be divided into cell areas, wherein each cell area may be served by a network node, although, one network node may serve one or several cells. In the example in  FIG. 1 , the communications system  100  comprises a first cell and a second cell. In  FIG. 1 , first network node  103  serves the first cell, and the second network node  105  serves the second cell. Any of the first network node  103 , and the second network node  105  may be of different classes, such as, e.g., macro base station (BS), home BS or pico BS, based on transmission power and thereby also cell size. Any of the first network node  103  and the second network node  105  may be directly connected to one or more core networks, which are not depicted in  FIG. 1  to simplify the figure. In some examples, any of the first network node  103 , and the second network node  105  may be a distributed node, such as a virtual node in the cloud, and it may perform its functions entirely on the cloud, or partially, in collaboration with a radio network node. In embodiments herein, the first cell may be referred to as a source cell, whereas the second cell may be referred to as a target cell. 
     A plurality UEs may be located in the communication system  100 , whereof a UE  101 , which may also be referred to simply as a device, is depicted in the non-limiting example of  FIG. 1 . The UE  101 , e.g. a LTE UE or a 5G/NR UE, may be a wireless communication device which may also be known as e.g., a wireless device, a mobile terminal, wireless terminal and/or mobile station, a mobile telephone, cellular telephone, or laptop with wireless capability, just to mention some further examples. The UE  101  may be a device by which a subscriber may access services offered by an operator&#39;s network and services outside operator&#39;s network to which the operator&#39;s radio access network and core network provide access, e.g. access to the Internet. The UE  101  may be any device, mobile or stationary, enabled to communicate over a radio channel in the communications network, for instance but not limited to e.g. user equipment, mobile phone, smart phone, sensors, meters, vehicles, household appliances, medical appliances, media players, cameras, Machine to Machine (M2M) device, Internet of Things (IOT) device, terminal device, communication device or any type of consumer electronic, for instance but not limited to television, radio, lighting arrangements, tablet computer, laptop or Personal Computer (PC). The UE  101  may be portable, pocket storable, hand held, computer comprised, or vehicle mounted devices, enabled to communicate voice and/or data, via the radio access network, with another entity, such as another UE, a server, a laptop, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), or a tablet, Machine-to-Machine (M2M) device, device equipped with a wireless interface, such as a printer or a file storage device, modem, or any other radio network unit capable of communicating over a radio link in a communications system. 
     The first network node  103  may be configured to communicate in the communications system  100  with the UE  101  over a first communication link  141 , e.g., a radio link. The second network node  105  may be configured to communicate in the communications system  100  with the UE  101  over a second communication link  142 , e.g., a radio link. The first network node  103  may be configured to communicate in the wireless communications network  100  with the second network node  105  over a third communication link  143 , e.g., a radio link or a wired link, although communication over more links may be possible. 
     The UE  101  is enabled to communicate wirelessly within the communications system  100 . The communication may be performed e.g. between two devices, between a devices and a regular telephone, between the UE  101  and a network node, between network nodes, and/or between the devices and a server via the radio access network and possibly one or more core networks and possibly the internet. 
     It should be noted that the communication links in the communications network may be of any suitable kind including either a wired or wireless link. The link may use any suitable protocol depending on type and level of layer (e.g. as indicated by the OSI model) as understood by the person skilled in the art. 
     Embodiment 1: Joint Physical Layer Operation Between NR and NR-U 
     One way of tight cooperation between NR licensed carrier and NR-U is to process data on physical layer jointly. To enable this functionality UE should be instructed to process allocations for different carriers as a one HARQ process. E.g. when UE instructed to receive transport block TB 1  on one carrier and TB 2  on the other carrier, UE should assume that TB 1  and TB 2  is the same data. Some physical layer transmission parameters for this case can be derived based on control information for one of the carriers (either NR or NR-U) while other group of parameters can differ. For example:
         procedure for transport block determination is done based on one carrier while the same transport block size is assumed for another carrier, hence, TBS determination is done only once.   If transport block size is derived from one carrier parameters, modulation type and channel coding rate can be different for other carrier(s)   Beamforming and power control parameters are carrier specific.       

     Such functionality can be enabled statically (by RRC configuration when multi-carrier is configured) or UE can be instructed dynamically by PDCCH control channel when this joint TB processing takes place. The algorithm can be illustrated by  FIG. 2 . 
     The joint processing here means that UE combine results of data reception from different carriers (NR and NR-U) by any (but not limited to) of the following ways:
         received transmissions are combined in a UE soft-buffer;   UE decodes received transmissions jointly by LDPC, Polar or by any other channel coding techniques;   After independent decoding, only correct data (CRC check passed) is accepted.       

     Different Carrier Allocation to a Single HARQ Process 
     The transport blocks for a single HARQ process, e.g., TB 1  and TB 2  can be on different carriers on same spectrum type (NR or NR-U) or different, see Table 1 below. 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
             
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Allocation Type 
                 TB1 carrier over 
                 TB2 carrier over 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
            
               
                 1 
                 NR 
                 NR-U 
               
               
                 2 
                 NR-U 
                 NR 
               
               
                 3 
                 NR 
                 NR 
               
               
                 4 
                 NR-U 
                 NR-U 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Embodiment 2: Initial and Re-Transmission in NR(U) 
     Further considering enhancements, the first network node can dynamically or even statically choose policies where initial and re-transmissions (if needed) can be done in either spectrum band as per their reliability requirement and latency budget. Some of the policies are exemplified in Table 2 below: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
             
               
                 TABLE 2 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                 Initial transmission 
                 Retransmission 
                   
               
               
                 Policy 
                 (K ≥ 1 repetitions) 
                 (K ≥ 1 repetitions) 
                 Comment 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 1 
                 Dynamic allocation in 
                 NR or licensed 
                   
               
               
                   
                 NR or licensed 
                 spectrum 
               
               
                 2 
                 spectrum 
                 NR-U or unlicensed 
               
               
                   
                   
                 spectrum 
               
               
                 3 
                   
                 Combined NR or 
                 For example, if 
               
               
                   
                   
                 licensed and NR-U or 
                 retransmission is composed 
               
               
                   
                   
                 unlicensed spectrum 
                 of two repetitions, then one 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 repetition occurs in NR 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 spectrum and other in NR-U 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 spectrum 
               
               
                 4 
                 CG allocation in NR or 
                 NR or licensed 
               
               
                   
                 licensed spectrum 
                 spectrum 
               
               
                 5 
                   
                 NR-U or unlicensed 
               
               
                   
                   
                 spectrum 
               
               
                 6 
                   
                 Combined NR or 
               
               
                   
                   
                 licensed and NR-U or 
               
               
                   
                   
                 unlicensed spectrum 
               
               
                 7 
                 Dynamic allocation in 
                 NR or licensed 
               
               
                   
                 NR-U or unlicensed 
                 spectrum 
               
               
                 8 
                 spectrum 
                 NR-U or unlicensed 
               
               
                   
                   
                 spectrum 
               
               
                 9 
                   
                 Combined NR or 
               
               
                   
                   
                 licensed and NR-U or 
               
               
                   
                   
                 unlicensed spectrum 
               
               
                 10 
                 CG allocation in NR-U 
                 NR or licensed 
               
               
                   
                 or unlicensed spectrum 
                 spectrum 
               
               
                 11 
                   
                 NR-U or unlicensed 
               
               
                   
                   
                 spectrum 
               
               
                 12 
                   
                 Combined NR or 
               
               
                   
                   
                 licensed and NR-U or 
               
               
                   
                   
                 unlicensed spectrum 
               
               
                 13 
                 Dynamic allocation in 
                 NR or licensed 
               
               
                   
                 combined NR or 
                 spectrum 
               
               
                 14 
                 licensed and NR-U or 
                 NR-U or unlicensed 
               
               
                   
                 unlicensed spectrum 
                 spectrum 
               
               
                 15 
                   
                 Combined NR or 
               
               
                   
                   
                 licensed and NR-U or 
               
               
                   
                   
                 unlicensed spectrum 
               
               
                 16 
                 CG allocation in 
                 NR or licensed 
               
               
                   
                 combined NR or 
                 spectrum 
               
               
                 17 
                 licensed and NR-U or 
                 NR-U or unlicensed 
               
               
                   
                 unlicensed spectrum, 
                 spectrum 
               
               
                 18 
                 e.g., see Algorithm 2 in 
                 Combined NR or 
               
               
                   
                 Embodiment 3 
                 licensed and NR-U or 
               
               
                   
                   
                 unlicensed spectrum 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Note, the retransmission is done on dynamic basis (on the fly), i.e., the retransmission resource is allocated if the initial transmission fails. 
     The criteria for choosing a type of spectrum for initial and retransmission can be based on following:
         1. Reliability, e.g., depending on spectrum reliability in either part, initial and re-transmission can be chosen accordingly.   2. Latency, e.g., if latency budget enough to accommodate LBT, then the transmissions can be done in unlicensed spectrum.       

       FIG. 6  shows a flowchart depicting a method in a UE, according to embodiments herein. In step  201  the UE receives, from a first network node  103 , a first transport block, TB 1 , on a first carrier. The first carrier may be NR or NR-U carrier. In step  202 , the UE receives, from a second network node  105  a second transport block, TB 2 , on a second carrier. The second carrier may be NR or NR-U carrier. In step  203  the UE receives information that joint processing of the first transport block and the second transport block is enabled, where the first transport block and the second transport block comprise the same data. The UE may receive this information either as a RRC configuration from either the first or the second network node, i.e., a static configuration or as part of the PDCCH, i.e. DCI, in a more dynamic configuration from either the first or the second network node. The HARQ process may be the same for the TB 1  received on the first carrier and for TB 2  received on the second carrier. One HARQ process is utilized for both TB 1  and TB 2 . 
       FIG. 7  shows a flowchart depicting a method in a network node  103 , according to the embodiments herein. In step  301 , the network node transmits to a UE a first transport block, TB 1 , on a first carrier. The first carrier may be NR or NR-U carrier. In step  302  the network node transmits information, to the UE, that joint processing of the first transport block and a second transport block, transmitted to the UE on a second carrier, is enabled. The network node may transmit this information either as a RRC configuration, i.e., a static configuration or as part of the PDCCH, i.e. DCI, in a more dynamic configuration. The HARQ process may be the same for the TB 1  received on the first carrier and for TB 2  received on the second carrier. One HARQ process is utilized for both TB 1  and TB 2 . The second carrier may be NR or NR-U carrier used by a second network node  105 . The first and second carrier may also be used by the same network node, for example the first network node  103 . The first transport block and the second transport block comprise the same data. In step  303 , the network node selects a policy for initial transmission and re-transmission. The selection can be static or dynamic. Exemplary policies are shown in Table 2. 
     Embodiment 3: Multiplex NR and NR-U Spectrum for UL CG 
     In unlicensed or NR-U spectrum part, different nodes can co-exist at the same time and transmit altogether. To circumvent this problem, various co-existence strategies, e.g., LBT, CSAT can be implemented. However, it still does not offer the guaranteed reliable usage of the spectrum, and beside latency may increase due to implementation of such techniques. One way to benefit from the use of unlicensed spectrum is by assisting the licensed or NR spectrum part. Two algorithms are provided for the different multiplexing scenario. 
     Algorithm 1: Singular CG Resource Period 
     
         
         
           
             1. The first network node performs channel assessment (e.g., using LBT, CSAT schemes) for unlicensed spectrum,
           a. A clear channel may be described as if the first network node senses no occupation of channel using CCA schemes (in shared or unlicensed channel), the channel is assumed free for a certain period of time,   
         
             2. After performing step 1, if clear channel is available in the unlicensed spectrum, first network node allocates the CG resource in the unlicensed spectrum, until the assessment procedure is scheduled, otherwise, 
             3. If clear channel is not available in the unlicensed spectrum, first network node then allocates CG resource in the licensed spectrum, until the assessment procedure is scheduled. 
             4. Notes
           a. In step 2, UE may perform CCA schemes like LBT as well before transmission (if commanded by the network or according to the policy),
               i. If the CG period is long, and it may happen in future that channel is not free, then CCA utilization perhaps become important in order to minimize collisions,   ii. Different methodologies, e.g., mentioned in Embodiment 6 for assessing clear channel can be utilized by the UE,   
               
         
             b. Instead of CG resource in step 2 and 3, it can be a dynamic resource (i.e., SR based). For example, upon receiving SR, the first network node performs CCA, and if successful, it allocates unlicensed spectrum for UL transmission, otherwise (if failed) it allocates licensed spectrum, see  FIG. 3 . 
           
         
       
    
     Algorithm 2: Hybrid CG Resource Period 
     In this approach, the TOs belonging to the single CG period is distributed over both licensed and unlicensed spectrum. 
     For example, the licensed spectrum can have at least one or all RV 0s (or RV 3 which is also almost self-decodable RV) based TOs amongst from the given RV sequence. This is because, licensed spectrum can be more reliable, and RV 0 (or RV 3) is a fully decodable TO, and in case transmission suffers in the unlicensed part, there is still a viable probability that overall transmission can be decoded due to the transmission of fully decodable RV(s) in the licensed part. See  FIG. 4 , where some TOs (RV 0 and 3) are allocated in licensed spectrum and other TOs in unlicensed spectrum. 
     To summarize, in Algorithm 1, at a given time, a CG period is allocated in either licensed part or unlicensed part. Whereas, in Algorithm 2, the TOs of a single CG period are distributed over both licensed and unlicensed spectrum part. 
     Embodiment 4: Multiplex NR and NR-U Spectrum for UL Dynamic Allocation for Initial or Re-Transmission 
     Unlike in Embodiment 3, here, the granted resource can be dynamic allocation instead of a part of CG allocation. This dynamic allocation can be for
         1. Initial transmission resource,   2. Re-transmission resource.       

     Embodiment 5: Autonomous (NR-U) and SR-Based Grant Multiplexing 
     
         
         
           
             A. Request dedicated (licensed) resource in case unlicensed resource unavailable 
           
         
       
    
     UE senses free channel on NR-U (or unlicensed) spectrum, and performs x repetitions, and if the sensing fails, then UE progresses to SR in licensed spectrum for the transmission of y repetitions. In reply to SR, the first network node can give ACK (if previous repetitions decoded) or allocate new dedicated resource during the time, CoT is unsuccessful in the unlicensed part (due to unsuccessful CCA). In  FIG. 5 , UE performs x+y+z repetitions, where x+y+z≤K repetitions and K repetitions can be interpreted as K CG repetitions. The repetitions x or z are easy to determine or allocate if it is based on Frame Based Equipment (FBE). On the contrary, determining x based on Load Based Equipment (LBE) is difficult as the LBE period can be random. Here, two classifications can be laid out,
         The repetitions during Channel Occupancy Time (CoT) can be part of CG in unlicensed spectrum,   The repetitions during Channel Occupancy Time (CoT) can be part of dynamic allocation   B. Transmit in Unlicensed part in case dynamic resource is delayed or not sent       

     In this embodiment, UE transmits SR for an UL transmission resource. If the resource is not granted within some time-budget, then UE starts transmitting on unlicensed band, provided the channel is free. 
     To have free channel, UE must have had successful CCA before the transmission. For this UE should perform LBT (or other CCA schemes) at the same time of SR, or right after transmitting SR, or even at regular intervals. 
     Embodiment 6: Sensing Occasions for K Repetitions (CG or Dynamic Scheduling) 
     Sensing is required in unlicensed spectrum before transmission. Hence, different algorithms in this regard are exemplified.
         A. Channel sensing, e.g., LBT type schemes can be performed before every k out
           K repetitions, where k=1, . . . , K.   If k=1, then sensing is before every repetition.   If k=K, then sensing is only before first repetition   
           B. If a period with K TOs is allocated in unlicensed part as a part of CG, then these K TOs are pre-allocated way earlier in time. When actual transmission about to happen on K TOs (in the form of K repetitions), UE can do LBT or channel sensing scheme before every k out K repetitions, where k=1, . . . , K.
           If for some duration, channel sensing is unsuccessful, then those equivalent amounts of repetitions should not be delivered.   
           C. Channel sensing can be performed after every t time units or symbols or slots.
           If channel is vacant then j number of repetitions can be performed during the time channel is predicted free after successful CCA.   
               

       FIG. 8  shows a flowchart depicting a method in a network node  103 ,  105 , according to the embodiments herein. In step  401 , the network node performs channel assessment for unlicensed spectrum and if clear channel is available in the unlicensed spectrum, in step  402 , the network node allocates a resource in the unlicensed spectrum, until the assessment procedure is scheduled. If clear channel is not available, the network node, in step  403 , allocates a resource in the licensed spectrum, until the assessment procedure is scheduled. The channel assessment may be performed using a LBT or a CSAT scheme. The allocation of a resource may include allocating configured grant, CG, resource or a dynamic resource. In some embodiments the channel sensing is performed before every k out K repetitions. 
     Embodiment 7: Similar Concept Extension for DL Scheduling 
     All the above Embodiments 1-6 can be extended for DL dynamic or DL SPS (alternative to CG in DL) allocation. 
     Embodiment 8: Shared Spectrum Instead of Unlicensed 
     The discussion in Embodiment 1-7 can be extended to the spectrum which is a shared spectrum unlike the unlicensed spectrum. The shared spectrum is owned by group of players where each player has an equal right over the shared spectrum. For the shared spectrum, CCA may or may not be implemented. 
     Embodiment 9: Offloading Non-Critical Data to Unlicensed Spectrum 
     In this embodiment, an unlicensed spectrum is used to compliment a licensed spectrum to support multiplexing of multiple UL transmissions with different requirements/QoS (from one UE) by offloading non-critical ones to the unlicensed spectrum. 
     In some versions of the embodiment, operation in the licensed spectrum is a default mode of operation, where offloading of non-critical traffic is triggered/activated under some conditions. 
     The conditions for triggering offloading process above can be
         when UL transmissions of non-critical and critical data from one UE overlap in time according to their corresponding scheduled/configured resources   when there exist resources in the unlicensed spectrum following some channel access procedures such as LBT.       

     In such process, a more critical data is prioritized and transmitted over the licensed spectrum, while a less critical data is offloaded to be transmitted in the unlicensed spectrum. To determine which data is more or less critical can be based on priority information associated with the traffic/data such as 5QI, or associated reliability and/or latency requirements. 
     In one version of the above embodiment, only data with priority level below a certain threshold level is allowed to be offloaded to the unlicensed spectrum. 
     In one version of the above embodiment, there exists an explicit “offload” signal sent by UE to BS. The offload signal is sent
         when there is high priority data in the queue ready to be transmitted while there is ongoing transmission of non-critical traffic, or   when high priority and low priority data to be transmitted are overlapped in time according to their corresponding scheduled/configured resources       

     Based on the offload signal, the first network node can be prepared to receive an UL transmission in unlicensed spectrum, e.g., by providing an UL grant or configuring resources for UE for UL transmission in the unlicensed spectrum. 
     An alternative to having an explicit offload signal is that UE directly sends a scheduling request to request or use existing configured resources to transmit non-critical UL data in the unlicensed spectrum. 
     In some version of above embodiments, the low priority/less critical data offloaded to the unlicensed spectrum may be transmitted at the same time (partially overlapping) or at a later time than data transmitted in the licensed spectrum. 
     Embodiment 10: Unlicensed Spectrum Used to Provide Redundant Path for Transmission 
     Redundant path for transmission can be used to enhance reliability or reduce latency of the transmission. In this embodiment, the unlicensed spectrum is use together with licensed spectrum to provide such redundant path for possible higher reliability and/or lower latency. This can be done by repeating transmission over both licensed and unlicensed spectrum. 
     Depending on the availability of transmission resources in the licensed and unlicensed spectrum, different receiving alternative can be considered, e.g.,
         If both transmissions in licensed and unlicensed spectrum are received within a certain time window (satisfying the latency requirement), coherent combining of the two transmissions is done.   Else, only the first transmission is considered.       

     Further IIoT and URLLC Enhancements: 
     5G for Connected Industries 
     One of the 5G objectives is to enable connected industries:
         for digital transformation of industries,   for improved flexibility,   for improved productivity and efficiency,   for improved operational safety.       

     NR Rel-15 established a solid foundation and Rel-16 introduces further enhancements for better serving various industry verticals:
         Many on-going 3GPP WIs in Rel-16, in both SA and RAN   In RAN
           NR V2X (RAN1-led): automotive industry, transport industry   NR eURLLC (RAN1-led) and NR-IIoT (RAN2-led): factory automation, transport industry, electrical power distribution.   
               

     Rel-17 would further strengthen NR for the industry verticals and URLLC use cases. 
     Rel-17 Further IIoT and URLLC Enhancements 
     URLLC enhancements
         Improve spectral efficiency and capacity for URLLC   Enhancements for wide-area operation   Enhancements for FR2   Keep maximum synergies with NR and carefully justify enhancement features       

     IIoT and URLLC for unlicensed band operation
         Consider both license-assisted access and stand-alone   Keep maximum synergies with Rel-16 NR and NR-U       

     Enhancement for TSN-5G integration and non-public network (NPN) support. 
     URLLC Spectral Efficiency and Capacity Enhancement 
     Motivation:
         Requirements on reliability and latency are achieved at the cost of spectral efficiency   Minimizing impact on network capacity is highly desirable   Reduce required bandwidth for operating a stand-alone industrial IoT system   Reduce impact on eMBB capacity when URLLC features are enabled in an MNO network       

     Rel-17 Scope:
         Improve capacity through enhanced multiplexing efficiency and scheduling flexibility (e.g., eMBB/URLLC multiplexing)   Improve spectral efficiency through soft HARQ feedback and enhanced CSI estimation and reporting   Improve spectral efficiency through processing timeline enhancements→allow more HARQ retransmissions within targeted latency   Improved capacity through traffic offloading to unlicensed spectrum.       

     Unlicensed Spectrum 
     Motivation:
         Unlicensed spectrum can be used for providing URLLC services   In interference-controlled environment   For URLLC services with less stringent requirements   In licensed-assisted scenarios, work jointly with licensed carriers       

     Rel-17 scope:
         Adapt Rel-16 NR-U for URLLC use cases   Dynamic licensed carrier traffic offloading by serving some UEs or LCHs of UE in unlicensed
           Move eMBB to decrease interference   Move URLLC with relaxed requirements (or with favorable radio conditions) to unlicensed carriers, keep demanding UEs in licensed   
           PDCP duplication or other reliability enhancements utilizing both licensed and unlicensed carriers.       

     Cell-Edge and Wide-Area Enhancements 
     Motivation:
         URLLC use cases are not only limited to deployments in factory or industrial campuses       

     Wide-area URLLC use cases in MNO networks are of significant interests. 
     Rel-17 scope:
         Enhancements for multi-TRP operation
           Multi-TRP scheduling for better handling of, e.g., inter-cell interference   Improved CSI for better handling, e.g., inter-cell interference, including pre-coded interference.   
           Improve the performance of cell-edge UEs, including UEs corresponding to lower Q values than what have been considered in Rel-15/16   Improve spectral efficiency and capacity   Enhancements for accurate reference time signaling in RAN for wide-area use cases.       

     TSN and 5G Integration 
     Motivation:
         Rel-16 IIoT work on TSN and 5G integration is an important step toward supporting high performance Ethernet applications for industrial automation
           Room for further enhancing the support and integration of TSN   
               

     Rel-17 scope:
         Further enhancements for system capacity while satisfying QoS for TSC traffic patterns
           Efficient multiplexing of single/multiple UEs with multiple TSC traffic patterns, e.g. flexible SPS &amp; configured grant (CG) configurations
               Enhancements for better alignment of TSC traffic pattern and UL CG pattern   
               
           Enhancements for accurate reference time signalling in RAN, e.g. downlink propagation delay compensation, in particular for wide-area use cases.       

       FIG. 9 a    and  FIG. 9 b    depict two different examples in panels a) and b), respectively, of the arrangement that the UE  101  may comprise. In some embodiments, the UE  101  may comprise the following arrangement depicted in  FIG. 9   a.    
     The embodiments herein in the UE  101  may be implemented through one or more processors, such as a processor  3001  in the UE  101  depicted in  FIG. 9 a   , together with computer program code for performing the functions and actions of the embodiments herein. A processor, as used herein, may be understood to be a hardware component. The program code mentioned above may also be provided as a computer program product, for instance in the form of a data carrier carrying computer program code for performing the embodiments herein when being loaded into the UE  101 . One such carrier may be in the form of a CD ROM disc. It is however feasible with other data carriers such as a memory stick. The computer program code may furthermore be provided as pure program code on a server and downloaded to the UE  101 . 
     The UE  101  may further comprise a memory  3003  comprising one or more memory units. The memory  3003  is arranged to be used to store obtained information, store data, configurations, schedulings, and applications etc. to perform the methods herein when being executed in the UE  101 . 
     In some embodiments, the UE  101  may receive information from, e.g. the first network node  103  and/or the second network node  105 , through a receiving port  3004 . In some embodiments, the first receiving port  3004  may be, for example, connected to one or more antennas in UE  101 . In other embodiments, the UE  101  may receive information from another structure in the communications system  100  through the first receiving port  3004 . Since the first receiving port  3004  may be in communication with the processor  3001 , the receiving port  3004  may then send the received information to the processor  501 . The receiving port  3004  may also be configured to receive other information. 
     The processor  501  in the UE  101  may be further configured to transmit or send information to e.g. first network node  103  and/or the second network node  105 , or another structure in the communications system  100 , through a sending port  3005 , which may be in communication with the processor  3001 , and the memory  3003 . 
     The UE  101  may comprise a determining unit  3015 , an obtaining unit  3018 , a providing unit  3028 , other units  3040  etc. 
     Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that the determining unit  3015 , obtaining unit  3018 , a providing unit  3028 , other units  3040  described above may refer to a combination of analog and digital circuits, and/or one or more processors configured with software and/or firmware, e.g., stored in memory, that, when executed by the one or more processors such as the processor  3001 , perform as described above. One or more of these processors, as well as the other digital hardware, may be included in a single Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), or several processors and various digital hardware may be distributed among several separate components, whether individually packaged or assembled into a System-on-a-Chip (SoC). 
     Also, in some embodiments, the different units  3015 - 3040  described above may be implemented as one or more applications running on one or more processors such as the processor  3001 . 
     Thus, the methods according to the embodiments described herein for the UE  101  may be respectively implemented by means of a computer program  3010  product, comprising instructions, i.e., software code portions, which, when executed on at least one processor  3001 , cause the at least one processor  3001  to carry out the actions described herein, as performed by the UE  101 . The computer program  3010  product may be stored on a computer-readable storage medium  3008 . The computer-readable storage medium  3008  having stored thereon the computer program  3010 , may comprise instructions which, when executed on at least one processor  3001 , cause the at least one processor  3001  to carry out the actions described herein, as performed by the UE  101 . In some embodiments, the computer-readable storage medium  3008  may be a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, such as a CD ROM disc, or a memory stick. In other embodiments, the computer program  3010  product may be stored on a carrier containing the computer program  3010  just described, wherein the carrier is one of an electronic signal, optical signal, radio signal, or the computer-readable storage medium  3008 , as described above. 
     The UE  101  may comprise a communication interface configured to facilitate communications between the UE  101  and other nodes or devices, e.g., the first network node  103  and/or the second network node  105 , or another structure. The interface may, for example, include a transceiver configured to transmit and receive radio signals over an air interface in accordance with a suitable standard. 
     In other embodiments, the UE  101  may comprise the following arrangement depicted in  FIG. 9 b   . The UE  101  may comprise a processing circuitry  3001 , e.g., one or more processors such as the processor  3010 , in the UE  101  and the memory  3003 . The UE  101  may also comprise a radio circuitry  3013 , which may comprise e.g., the receiving port  3004  and the sending port  3005 . The processing circuitry  3001  may be configured to, or operable to, perform the method actions described herein, in a similar manner as that described in relation to  FIG. 9 a   . The radio circuitry  3013  may be configured to set up and maintain at least a wireless connection with the UE  101 . Circuitry may be understood herein as a hardware component. 
     Hence, embodiments herein also relate to the UE  101  operative to operate in the communications system  100 . The UE  101  may comprise the processing circuitry  3011  and the memory  3003 , said memory  3003  containing instructions executable by said processing circuitry  3011 , whereby the UE  101  is further operative to perform the actions described herein in relation to the UE  101 . 
       FIGS. 10 a  and 10 b    depict two different examples in panels a) and b), respectively, of the arrangement that the network node  103  may comprise. In some embodiments, the network node  105  may comprise the following arrangement depicted in  FIG. 10   a.    
     The embodiments herein in the a first network node  103  may be implemented through one or more processors, such as a processor  3101  in the first network node  103  depicted in  FIG. 10 a   , together with computer program code for performing the functions and actions of the embodiments herein. A processor, as used herein, may be understood to be a hardware component. The program code mentioned above may also be provided as a computer program product, for instance in the form of a data carrier carrying computer program code for performing the embodiments herein when being loaded into the first network node  103 . One such carrier may be in the form of a CD ROM disc. It is however feasible with other data carriers such as a memory stick. The computer program code may furthermore be provided as pure program code on a server and downloaded to the first network node  103 . 
     The first network node  103  may further comprise a memory  3103  comprising one or more memory units. The memory  3103  is arranged to be used to store obtained information, store data, configurations, schedulings, and applications etc. to perform the methods herein when being executed in the first network node  103 . 
     In some embodiments, the first network node  103  may receive information from, e.g., the UE  101  and/or the second network node  105  through a receiving port  3104 . In some embodiments, the second receiving port  3104  may be, for example, connected to one or more antennas in first network node  103 . In other embodiments, the first network node  103  may receive information from another structure in the communications system  100  through the receiving port  3104 . Since the receiving port  3104  may be in communication with the second processor  601 , the receiving port  3104  may then send the received information to the processor  3101 . The receiving port  3104  may also be configured to receive other information. 
     The processor  3101  in the first network node  103  may be further configured to transmit or send information to e.g., the UE  101  and/or the second network node  105 , or another structure in the communications system  100 , through a sending port  3105 , which may be in communication with the processor  311 , and the memory  3103 . 
     The first network node  103  may comprise a determining unit  3113 , a creating unit  3115 , a providing unit  3118 , other units  3120  etc. 
     Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that the determining unit  3113 , the providing unit  3115 , the receiving unit  3118  etc. described above may refer to a combination of analog and digital circuits, and/or one or more processors configured with software and/or firmware, e.g., stored in memory, that, when executed by the one or more processors such as the processor  3101 , perform as described above. One or more of these processors, as well as the other digital hardware, may be included in a single Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), or several processors and various digital hardware may be distributed among several separate components, whether individually packaged or assembled into a System-on-a-Chip (SoC). 
     Also, in some embodiments, the different units  3113 - 3120  described above may be implemented as one or more applications running on one or more processors such as the processor  3101 . 
     Thus, the methods according to the embodiments described herein for the first network node  103  may be respectively implemented by means of a computer program  3110  product, comprising instructions, i.e., software code portions, which, when executed on at least one processor  3101 , cause the at least one processor  3101  to carry out the actions described herein, as performed by the first network node  103 . The computer program  3110  product may be stored on a computer-readable storage medium  3108 . The computer-readable storage medium  3108 , having stored thereon the computer program  3110 , may comprise instructions which, when executed on at least one processor  3101 , cause the at least one processor  3101  to carry out the actions described herein, as performed by the first network node  103 . In some embodiments, the computer-readable storage medium  3110  may be a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, such as a CD ROM disc, or a memory stick. In other embodiments, the computer program  3110  product may be stored on a carrier containing the computer program  3110  just described, wherein the carrier is one of an electronic signal, optical signal, radio signal, or the computer-readable storage medium  3108 , as described above. 
     The first network node  103  may comprise a communication interface configured to facilitate communications between the first network node  103  and other nodes or devices, e.g., the UE  101  and/or the second network node  105 , or another structure. The interface may, for example, include a transceiver configured to transmit and receive radio signals over an air interface in accordance with a suitable standard. 
     In other embodiments, the first network node  103  may comprise the following arrangement depicted in  FIG. 10 b   . The first network node  103  may comprise a processing circuitry  3111 , e.g., one or more processors such as the processor  3101 , in the first network node  103  and the memory  3103 . The first network node  103  may also comprise a radio circuitry  3113 , which may comprise e.g., the receiving port  3104  and the sending port  3105 . The processing circuitry  3111  may be configured to, or operable to, perform the method actions described herein in a similar manner as that described in relation to  FIG. 10 a   . The radio circuitry  3113  may be configured to set up and maintain at least a wireless connection with the first network node  103 . Circuitry may be understood herein as a hardware component. 
     Hence, embodiments herein also relate to the first network node  103  operative to operate in the communications system  100 . The first network node  103  may comprise the processing circuitry  3113  and the memory  3103 , said memory  3103  containing instructions executable by said processing circuitry  3113 , whereby the first network node  103  is further operative to perform the actions described herein in relation to the first network node  105 . 
     FURTHER EXTENSIONS AND VARIATIONS 
     Telecommunication network connected via an intermediate network to a host computer in accordance with some embodiments. 
     With reference to  FIG. 11 , in accordance with an embodiment, a communication system includes telecommunication network  3210  such as the communications system  100 , for example, a 3GPP-type cellular network, which comprises access network  3211 , such as a radio access network, and core network  3214 . Access network  3211  comprises a plurality of network nodes  105 . For example, base stations  3212   a ,  3212   b ,  3212   c , such as NBs, eNBs, gNBs or other types of wireless access points, each defining a corresponding coverage area  3213   a ,  3213   b ,  3213   c . Each base station  3212   a ,  3212   b ,  3212   c  is connectable to core network  3214  over a wired or wireless connection  3215 . A plurality of user equipments, such as the UE  101  may be comprised in the communications system  100 . In  FIG. 11 , a first UE  3291  located in coverage area  3213   c  is configured to wirelessly connect to, or be paged by, the corresponding base station  3212   c . A second UE  3292  in coverage area  3213   a  is wirelessly connectable to the corresponding base station  3212   a . While a plurality of UEs  3291 ,  3292  are illustrated in this example, the disclosed embodiments are equally applicable to a situation where a sole UE is in the coverage area or where a sole UE is connecting to the corresponding base station  3212 . Any of the UEs  3291 ,  3292  may be considered examples of the UE  101 . 
     Telecommunication network  3210  is itself connected to host computer  3230 , which may be embodied in the hardware and/or software of a standalone server, a cloud-implemented server, a distributed server or as processing resources in a server farm. Host computer  3230  may be under the ownership or control of a service provider, or may be operated by the service provider or on behalf of the service provider. Connections  3221  and  3222  between telecommunication network  3210  and host computer  3230  may extend directly from core network  3214  to host computer  3230  or may go via an optional intermediate network  3220 . Intermediate network  3220  may be one of, or a combination of more than one of, a public, private or hosted network; intermediate network  3220 , if any, may be a backbone network or the Internet; in particular, intermediate network  3220  may comprise two or more sub-networks (not shown). 
     The communication system of  FIG. 11  as a whole enables connectivity between the connected UEs  3291 ,  3292  and host computer  3230 . The connectivity may be described as an Over-The-Top (OTT) connection  3250 . Host computer  3230  and the connected UEs  3291 ,  3292  are configured to communicate data and/or signaling via OTT connection  3250 , using access network  3211 , core network  3214 , any intermediate network  3220  and possible further infrastructure (not shown) as intermediaries. OTT connection  3250  may be transparent in the sense that the participating communication devices through which OTT connection  3250  passes are unaware of routing of uplink and downlink communications. For example, base station  3212  may not or need not be informed about the past routing of an incoming downlink communication with data originating from host computer  3230  to be forwarded (e.g., handed over) to a connected UE  3291 . Similarly, base station  3212  need not be aware of the future routing of an outgoing uplink communication originating from the UE  3291  towards the host computer  3230 . 
     In relation to  FIGS. 12-16  which are described next, it may be understood that the base station may be considered an example of the first network node  103 . 
       FIG. 12  illustrates an example of host computer communicating via a first network node  103  with a UE  101  over a partially wireless connection in accordance with some embodiments 
     The UE  101  and the first network node  103 , e.g., a base station and host computer discussed in the preceding paragraphs will now be described with reference to  FIG. 12 . In communication system  333 , such as the communications system  100 , host computer  3310  comprises hardware  3315  including communication interface  3316  configured to set up and maintain a wired or wireless connection with an interface of a different communication device of communication system  33 . Host computer  3310  further comprises processing circuitry  3318 , which may have storage and/or processing capabilities. In particular, processing circuitry  3318  may comprise one or more programmable processors, application-specific integrated circuits, field programmable gate arrays or combinations of these (not shown) adapted to execute instructions. Host computer  3310  further comprises software  3311 , which is stored in or accessible by host computer  3310  and executable by processing circuitry  3318 . Software  3311  includes host application  3312 . Host application  3312  may be operable to provide a service to a remote user, such as UE  3330  connecting via OTT connection  335  terminating at UE  3330  and host computer  3310 . In providing the service to the remote user, host application  3312  may provide user data which is transmitted using OTT connection  335 . 
     Communication system  33  further includes the first network node  103  exemplified in  FIG. 12  as a base station  3320  provided in a telecommunication system and comprising hardware  3325  enabling it to communicate with host computer  3310  and with UE  3330 . Hardware  3325  may include communication interface  3326  for setting up and maintaining a wired or wireless connection with an interface of a different communication device of communication system  33 , as well as radio interface  3327  for setting up and maintaining at least wireless connection  337  with the UE  101 , exemplified in  FIG. 12  as a UE  3330  located in a coverage area served by base station  3320 . Communication interface  3326  may be configured to facilitate connection  336  to host computer  3310 . Connection  336  may be direct or it may pass through a core network (not shown in  FIG. 12 ) of the telecommunication system and/or through one or more intermediate networks outside the telecommunication system. In the embodiment shown, hardware  3325  of base station  3320  further includes processing circuitry  3328 , which may comprise one or more programmable processors, application-specific integrated circuits, field programmable gate arrays or combinations of these (not shown) adapted to execute instructions. Base station  3320  further has software  3321  stored internally or accessible via an external connection. 
     Communication system  33  further includes UE  3330  already referred to. It&#39;s hardware  3335  may include radio interface  3337  configured to set up and maintain wireless connection  337  with a base station serving a coverage area in which UE  3330  is currently located. Hardware  3335  of UE  3330  further includes processing circuitry  3338 , which may comprise one or more programmable processors, application-specific integrated circuits, field programmable gate arrays or combinations of these (not shown) adapted to execute instructions. UE  3330  further comprises software  3331 , which is stored in or accessible by UE  3330  and executable by processing circuitry  3338 . Software  3331  includes client application  3332 . Client application  3332  may be operable to provide a service to a human or non-human user via UE  3330 , with the support of host computer  3310 . In host computer  3310 , an executing host application  3312  may communicate with the executing client application  3332  via OTT connection  335  terminating at UE  3330  and host computer  3310 . In providing the service to the user, client application  3332  may receive request data from host application  3312  and provide user data in response to the request data. OTT connection  335  may transfer both the request data and the user data. Client application  3332  may interact with the user to generate the user data that it provides. 
     It is noted that host computer  3310 , base station  3320  and UE  3330  illustrated in  FIG. 12  may be similar or identical to host computer  3230 , one of base stations  3212   a ,  3212   b ,  3212   c  and one of UEs  3291 ,  3292  of  FIG. 11 , respectively. This is to say, the inner workings of these entities may be as shown in  FIG. 12  and independently, the surrounding network topology may be that of  FIG. 11 . 
     In  FIG. 12 , OTT connection  335  has been drawn abstractly to illustrate the communication between host computer  3310  and UE  3330  via base station  3320 , without explicit reference to any intermediary devices and the precise routing of messages via these devices. Network infrastructure may determine the routing, which it may be configured to hide from UE  3330  or from the service provider operating host computer  3310 , or both. While OTT connection  335  is active, the network infrastructure may further take decisions by which it dynamically changes the routing (e.g., on the basis of load balancing consideration or reconfiguration of the network). 
     Wireless connection  337  between UE  3330  and base station  3320  is in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure. One or more of the various embodiments improve the performance of OTT services provided to UE  3330  using OTT connection  335 , in which wireless connection  337  forms the last segment. More precisely, the teachings of these embodiments may improve the spectrum efficiency, and latency, and thereby provide benefits such as reduced user waiting time, better responsiveness and extended battery lifetime. 
     A measurement procedure may be provided for the purpose of monitoring data rate, latency and other factors on which the one or more embodiments improve. There may further be an optional network functionality for reconfiguring OTT connection  335  between host computer  3310  and UE  3330 , in response to variations in the measurement results. The measurement procedure and/or the network functionality for reconfiguring OTT connection  335  may be implemented in software  3311  and hardware  3315  of host computer  3310  or in software  3331  and hardware  3335  of UE  3330 , or both. In embodiments, sensors (not shown) may be deployed in or in association with communication devices through which OTT connection  335  passes; the sensors may participate in the measurement procedure by supplying values of the monitored quantities exemplified above, or supplying values of other physical quantities from which software  3311 ,  3331  may compute or estimate the monitored quantities. The reconfiguring of OTT connection  335  may include message format, retransmission settings, preferred routing etc.; the reconfiguring need not affect base station  3320 , and it may be unknown or imperceptible to base station  3320 . Such procedures and functionalities may be known and practiced in the art. In certain embodiments, measurements may involve proprietary UE signaling facilitating host computer  3310 &#39;s measurements of throughput, propagation times, latency and the like. The measurements may be implemented in that software  3311  and  3331  causes messages to be transmitted, in particular empty or ‘dummy’ messages, using OTT connection  335  while it monitors propagation times, errors etc. 
       FIG. 13  illustrates an example of methods implemented in a communication system including a host computer, a base station and a user equipment.  FIG. 13  is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system. The communication system includes a host computer, a base station and a UE which may be those described with reference to  FIG. 11  and  FIG. 12 . For simplicity of the present disclosure, only drawing references to  FIG. 13  will be included in this section. In step  3410 , the host computer provides user data. In substep  3411  (which may be optional) of step  3410 , the host computer provides the user data by executing a host application. In step  3420 , the host computer initiates a transmission carrying the user data to the UE. In step  3430  (which may be optional), the base station transmits to the UE the user data which was carried in the transmission that the host computer initiated, in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure. In step  3440  (which may also be optional), the UE executes a client application associated with the host application executed by the host computer. 
       FIG. 14  illustrates methods implemented in a communication system including a host computer, a base station and a user equipment in accordance with some embodiments.  FIG. 14  is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system. The communication system includes a host computer, a base station and a UE which may be those described with reference to  FIG. 11  and  FIG. 12 . For simplicity of the present disclosure, only drawing references to  FIG. 14  will be included in this section. In step  3510  of the method, the host computer provides user data. In an optional substep (not shown) the host computer provides the user data by executing a host application. In step  3520 , the host computer initiates a transmission carrying the user data to the UE. The transmission may pass via the base station, in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure. In step  3530  (which may be optional), the UE receives the user data carried in the transmission. 
       FIG. 15  illustrates methods implemented in a communication system including a host computer, a base station and a user equipment.  FIG. 15  is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system. The communication system includes a host computer, a first network node  103  and a UE  101  which may be those described with reference to  FIG. 11  and  FIG. 12 . For simplicity of the present disclosure, only drawing references to  FIG. 15  will be included in this section. In step  3610  (which may be optional), the UE  101  receives input data provided by the host computer. Additionally or alternatively, in step  3620 , the UE  101  provides user data. In substep  3621  (which may be optional) of step  3620 , the UE provides the user data by executing a client application. In substep  3611  (which may be optional) of step  3610 , the UE executes a client application which provides the user data in reaction to the received input data provided by the host computer. In providing the user data, the executed client application may further consider user input received from the user. Regardless of the specific manner in which the user data was provided, the UE initiates, in substep  3630  (which may be optional), transmission of the user data to the host computer. In step  3640  of the method, the host computer receives the user data transmitted from the UE, in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure. 
       FIG. 16  illustrates methods implemented in a communication system including a host computer, a base station and a user equipment.  FIG. 16  is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system. The communication system includes a host computer, a base station and a UE which may be those described with reference to  FIG. 11  and  FIG. 12 . For simplicity of the present disclosure, only drawing references to  FIG. 16  will be included in this section. In step  3710  (which may be optional), in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure, the base station receives user data from the UE. In step  3720  (which may be optional), the base station initiates transmission of the received user data to the host computer. In step  3730  (which may be optional), the host computer receives the user data carried in the transmission initiated by the base station. 
     Some embodiments may be summarized as follows: 
     A base station configured to communicate with a UE  101 , the base station comprising a radio interface and processing circuitry configured to perform one or more of the actions described herein as performed by the first network node  103 . 
     A communication system  100  including a host computer comprising:
         processing circuitry configured to provide user data; and   a communication interface configured to forward the user data to a cellular network for transmission to a UE  101 ,   wherein the cellular network comprises a first network node  103  having a radio interface and processing circuitry, the base station&#39;s processing circuitry configured to perform one or more of the actions described herein as performed by the network node  103 .       

     The communication system may further including the first network node  103 . 
     The communication system may further include the UE  101 , wherein the UE  101  is configured to communicate with the first network node  103 . 
     The communication system, wherein:
         the processing circuitry of the host computer is configured to execute a host application, thereby providing the user data; and   the UE  101  comprises processing circuitry configured to execute a client application associated with the host application.       

     A method implemented in a first network node  103 , comprising one or more of the actions described herein as performed by the first network node  103 . 
     A method implemented in a communication system  100  including a host computer, a base station and a UE  101 , the method comprising:
         at the host computer, providing user data; and   at the host computer, initiating a transmission carrying the user data to the UE  101  via a cellular network comprising the first network node  103 , wherein the first network node  103  performs one or more of the actions described herein as performed by the first network node  103 .       

     The method may further comprise:
         at the first network node  103 , transmitting the user data.       

     The user data may be provided at the host computer by executing a host application, and the method may further comprise:
         at the UE  101 , executing a client application associated with the host application.       

     A UE  101  configured to communicate with a first network node  103 , the UE  101  comprising a radio interface and processing circuitry configured to perform one or more of the actions described herein as performed by the UE  101 . 
     A communication system  100  including a host computer comprising:
         processing circuitry configured to provide user data; and   a communication interface configured to forward user data to a cellular network for transmission to a UE  101 ,   wherein the UE comprises a radio interface and processing circuitry, the UE&#39;s processing circuitry configured to perform one or more of the actions described herein as performed by the UE  101 .       

     The communication system may further including the UE  101 . 
     The communication system  100 , wherein the cellular network further includes a first network node  103  configured to communicate with the UE  101 . 
     The communication system  100 , wherein:
         the processing circuitry of the host computer is configured to execute a host application, thereby providing the user data; and   the UE&#39;s processing circuitry is configured to execute a client application associated with the host application.       

     A method implemented in a UE  101 , comprising one or more of the actions described herein as performed by the UE  101 . 
     A method implemented in a communication system  100  including a host computer, a first network node  103  and a UE  101 , the method comprising:
         at the host computer, providing user data; and   at the host computer, initiating a transmission carrying the user data to the UE  101  via a cellular network comprising the base station, wherein the UE  101  performs one or more of the actions described herein as performed by the UE  101 .       

     The method may further comprise:
         at the UE  101 , receiving the user data from the first network node  103 .       

     A UE  101  configured to communicate with a first network node  103 , the UE  101  comprising a radio interface and processing circuitry configured to perform one or more of the actions described herein as performed by the UE  101 . 
     A communication system  100  including a host computer comprising:
         a communication interface configured to receive user data originating from a transmission from a UE  101  to a first network node  103 ,   wherein the UE  101  comprises a radio interface and processing circuitry, the UE&#39;s processing circuitry configured to: perform one or more of the actions described herein as performed by the UE  101 .       

     The communication system  100  may further include the UE  101 . 
     The communication system  100  may further include the first network node  103 , wherein the first network node  103  comprises a radio interface configured to communicate with the UE  101  and a communication interface configured to forward to the host computer the user data carried by a transmission from the UE  101  to the base station. 
     The communication system  100 , wherein:
         the processing circuitry of the host computer is configured to execute a host application; and   the UE&#39;s processing circuitry is configured to execute a client application associated with the host application, thereby providing the user data.       

     The communication system  100 , wherein:
         the processing circuitry of the host computer is configured to execute a host application, thereby providing request data; and   the UE&#39;s processing circuitry is configured to execute a client application associated with the host application, thereby providing the user data in response to the request data.       

     A method implemented in a UE  101 , comprising one or more of the actions described herein as performed by the UE  101 . 
     The method may further comprise:
         providing user data; and   forwarding the user data to a host computer via the transmission to the first network node  103 .       

     A method implemented in a communication system  100  including a host computer, a first network node  103  and a UE  101 , the method comprising:
         at the host computer, receiving user data transmitted to the first network node  103  from the UE  101 , wherein the UE  101  performs one or more of the actions described herein as performed by the UE  101 .       

     The method may further comprise:
         at the UE  101 , providing the user data to the first network node  103 .       

     The method may further comprise:
         at the UE  101 , executing a client application, thereby providing the user data to be transmitted; and   at the host computer, executing a host application associated with the client application.       

     The method may further comprise:
         at the UE  101 , executing a client application; and   at the UE  101 , receiving input data to the client application, the input data being provided at the host computer by executing a host application associated with the client application,   wherein the user data to be transmitted is provided by the client application in response to the input data.       

     A first network node  103  configured to communicate with a UE  101 , the first network node  103  comprising a radio interface and processing circuitry configured to perform one or more of the actions described herein as performed by the network node  103 . 
     A communication system  100  including a host computer comprising a communication interface configured to receive user data originating from a transmission from a UE  101  to a base station, wherein the first network node  103  comprises a radio interface and processing circuitry, the base station&#39;s processing circuitry configured to perform one or more of the actions described herein as performed by the first network node  103 . 
     The communication system  100  may further include the first network node  103 . 
     The communication system  100  may further include the UE  101 , wherein the UE  101  is configured to communicate with the first network node  103 . 
     The communication system  100  wherein:
         the processing circuitry of the host computer is configured to execute a host application;   the UE  101  is configured to execute a client application associated with the host application, thereby providing the user data to be received by the host computer.       

     A method implemented in a first network node  103 , comprising one or more of the actions described herein as performed by any of the first network node  103 . 
     A method implemented in a communication system including a host computer, a first network node  103  and a UE  101 , the method comprising:
         at the host computer, receiving, from the first network node  103 , user data originating from a transmission which the base station has received from the UE  101 , wherein the UE  101  performs one or more of the actions described herein as performed by the UE  101 .       

     The method may further comprise:
         at the first network node  103 , receiving the user data from the UE  101 .       

     The method may further comprise:
         at the first network node  103 , initiating a transmission of the received user data to the host computer.       

     Some embodiments may be summarized as follows: 
     A method performed by a UE ( 101 ), the method comprising at least one of:
         receiving DL control information on PDCCH e.g. from the first network node ( 103 );   checking a parameter or information provided by the PDCCH;   determining if joint processing is enabled or disabled;   if joint processing is enabled, determine that transport block comprises the same data, and process jointly; and   if joint processing is disabled, assume that transport blocks are different and process them separately.       

     Joint processing comprises combining results of data reception from different carriers, e.g. NR and NR-U. 
     A method performed by the first network node ( 103 ), the method comprising at least one of:
         transmitting DL control information on PDCCH e.g. to the UE ( 101 ).   select, dynamically or statically, policies where initial and re-transmissions can be done in either spectrum band as per their reliability requirement and latency budget       

     A method performed by a first network node ( 103 ), the method comprising at least one of:
         performing channel assessment (e.g., using LBT, CSAT schemes) for unlicensed spectrum   if clear channel is available in the unlicensed spectrum, allocating the CG resource in the unlicensed spectrum, until the assessment procedure is scheduled,   If clear channel is not available in the unlicensed spectrum, allocating CG resource in the licensed spectrum, until the assessment procedure is scheduled.   Instead of CG resource, it can be a dynamic resource (i.e., SR based). For example, upon receiving SR, the first network node performs CCA, and if successful, the first network node ma allocate unlicensed spectrum for UL transmission, otherwise (if failed) it allocates licensed spectrum, see  FIG. 3 .       

     A method performed by a UE ( 101 ), the method comprising at least one of:
         performing CCA schemes like LBT as well before transmission (if commanded by the first network node or according to the policy),   assessing clear channel,   etc.       

     At a given time, a CG period may be allocated in either licensed part or unlicensed part. 
     The TOs of a single CG period may be distributed over both licensed and unlicensed spectrum part. 
     The granted resource may be dynamic allocation instead of a part of CG allocation 
     Dedicated (licensed) resource may be requested in case unlicensed resource unavailable 
     Transmitting in Unlicensed part in case dynamic resource is delayed or not sent 
     Channel sensing, e.g., LBT type schemes may be performed before every k out K repetitions. 
     If a period with K TOs is allocated in unlicensed part as a part of CG, then these K TOs may be pre-allocated way earlier in time. 
     Channel sensing may be performed after every t time units or symbols or slots. 
     The embodiments herein may be applied to DL dynamic or DL SPS (alternative to CG in DL) allocation. 
     The embodiments herein may be applied to the spectrum which is a shared spectrum unlike the unlicensed spectrum. 
     Non-critical data may be offloaded to unlicensed spectrum. 
     Unlicensed spectrum may be to provide redundant path for transmission 
     Generally, all terms used herein are to be interpreted according to their ordinary meaning in the relevant technical field, unless a different meaning is clearly given and/or is implied from the context in which it is used. All references to a/an/the element, apparatus, component, means, step, etc. are to be interpreted openly as referring to at least one instance of the element, apparatus, component, means, step, etc., unless explicitly stated otherwise. The steps of any methods disclosed herein do not have to be performed in the exact order disclosed, unless a step is explicitly described as following or preceding another step and/or where it is implicit that a step must follow or precede another step. 
     Any feature of any of the embodiments disclosed herein may be applied to any other embodiment, wherever appropriate. Likewise, any advantage of any of the embodiments may apply to any other embodiments, and vice versa. Other objectives, features and advantages of the enclosed embodiments will be apparent from the following description. In general, the usage of “first”, “second”, “third”, “fourth”, and/or “fifth” herein may be understood to be an arbitrary way to denote different elements or entities, and may be understood to not confer a cumulative or chronological character to the nouns they modify, unless otherwise noted, based on context. 
     Several embodiments are comprised herein. It should be noted that the examples herein are not mutually exclusive. Components from one embodiment may be tacitly assumed to be present in another embodiment and it will be obvious to a person skilled in the art how those components may be used in the other exemplary embodiments 
     The embodiments herein are not limited to the above described embodiments. Various alternatives, modifications and equivalents may be used. Therefore, the above embodiments should not be taken as limiting the scope of the embodiments. A feature from one embodiment may be combined with one or more features of any other embodiment. 
     The term “at least one of A and B” should be understood to mean “only A, only B, or both A and B.”, where A and B are any parameter, number, indication used herein etc. 
     It should be emphasized that the term “comprises/comprising” when used in this specification is taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components, but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof. It should also be noted that the words “a” or “an” preceding an element do not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. 
     The term “configured to” used herein may also be referred to as “arranged to”, “adapted to”, “capable of” or “operative to”. 
     It should also be emphasised that the steps of the methods may, without departing from the embodiments herein, be performed in another order than the order in which they appear herein. 
     ABBREVIATIONS 
     3GPP 3 rd  Generation Partnership Project 
     5G 5 th  Generation 
     5QI 5G QoS Indicator 
     ACK Acknowledgement 
     BS Base Station 
     CCA Clear Channel Assessment 
     CG Configured Grant 
     CoT Channel Occupancy Time 
     CSAT Carrier Sense Adaptive Transmission 
     DCI Downlink Control Information 
     DL Downlink 
     FBE Frame Based Equipment 
     gNB Next Generation NodeB 
     LTE Long-Term Evolution 
     LBE Load Based Equipment 
     LBT Listen Before Talk 
     NACK No Acknowledgement 
     NR New Radio 
     NR-U NR-based Access to Unlicensed Spectrum 
     PUSCH Physical Uplink Shared Channel 
     QoS Quality of Service 
     RV Redundancy Version 
     SPS Semi-Persistent Scheduling 
     SR Scheduling Request 
     TTI Transmission Time Interval 
     TO Transmission Opportunity 
     UE User Equipment 
     UL Uplink 
     URLLC Ultra-Reliable and Low-Latency Communications