Patent Description:
These systems may employ technologies such as code division multiple access (CDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA), orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA), or discrete Fourier transform-spread-OFDM (DFT-S-OFDM).

Generally, a set of resources may be configured for a UE group. The resources may be configured on a per transmission time interval (TTI) basis. An example of such group resource configurations may include configurations for semi-persistent scheduling (SPS). For example, multiple UEs within a UE group may be configured, via a configured grant, to transmit on shared resources. While the specific resources allocated to each UE for each transmission may change (due to hopping, for example), UEs within the group of UEs may likely have at least some overlapping transmissions on shared resources. As a result, multiple UE transmissions from UEs in the UE group may collide. In the event of a collision, the base station may detect which UEs transmitted data even though the corresponding data may not have been successfully received by the base station. In the case of detection, a base station may attempt to remedy the collisions by sending grants to each of the UEs whose uplink transmissions were not successfully received by the base station. In some examples, the base station may send a separate grant to each of the detected UEs. However, sending individual uplink grants to each involved UE for re-transmissions could be costly and cause latency and reliability issues.

<CIT> discloses a communication technique and a system of fusing a 5th-generation (<NUM>) communication for supporting higher data transmission rate beyond a 4th-generation (<NUM>) system with an Internet of things (IoT) technology. The communication method of a base station includes generating resource assignment information of an uplink burst including at least two consecutive uplink subframes of an unlicensed band; transmitting the resource assignment information to a terminal; and receiving uplink data from the terminal during the at least two consecutive uplink subframes.

Generally, the described techniques relate to improved methods, systems, devices, and apparatuses that support group signaling for ultra-reliable low-latency communications (URLLC). The described techniques may provide for handling collisions from one or more uplink transmissions from one or more user equipment (UEs) of a group of UEs. In particular, the invention is defined by the appended independent claims. Advantageous, optional features of the invention are then set out in the appended dependent claims. In the following description, any embodiment referred to and not falling within the scope of the claims is merely an example useful to the understanding of the invention.

A wireless communications system may support a large number of user equipment (UEs). Industrial internet of things (IIoT) applications, for example, may involve very large numbers of UEs. In such applications, UEs may be grouped to transmit during certain shared resources. For example, a semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) configuration may be provided to the UEs such that each UE is aware of periodic resources that the UE may use for uplink (UL) transmissions. At any given UL transmission opportunity, a UE may share the UL transmission resources with other UEs. As such, collisions may occur. In this example, a base station may not receive a UL transmission from a UE of a UE group. In some cases, the base station may identify the UEs that attempted to send transmissions to the base station. In those cases, the base station would traditionally provide separate retransmission grants to the affected UEs. However, a base station may also avoid the need to send so many individual grants by instead sending a group feedback indication to the group of UEs.

In an SPS-configured system, the base station may be aware of which UEs are scheduled for UL transmissions at a same time and on the same resources. Thus, if the base station detects that one or more transmissions were attempted at a given time, the base station can determine that one or more UEs of a group of UEs (scheduled for that time) made the attempt. The base station need not be aware of the specific UEs that attempted transmission. As such, upon detection of a failed uplink attempt, the base station may transmit a group feedback indication. The group feedback indication could be either an acknowledgement (ACK) or a negative acknowledgement (NAK). However, as a block error rate (BLER) target of initial SPS transmissions is generally low, the likelihood of sending a NAK is low. As such, in most cases, only an ACK would be sent. In this example, sending a group-feedback indication for every transmission opportunity (either an ACK or a NAK), may not be necessary. Instead, a simpler option may involve only sending a NAK in the group feedback indications.

Thus, when a base station detects a collision, the base station may transmit a group feedback indication (e.g., a NAK) to all of the UEs in the group of UEs scheduled for transmissions at that time. UEs that sent a transmission may monitor for and receive the group feedback indication, and then retransmit based on receipt of a NAK (regardless of whether the NAK pertained to their previous transmission). UEs that did not send a transmission may elect to not monitor for the group feedback indications, or if a NAK is detected, these UEs may choose to ignore the group feedback indication. In some examples, the ACK or NAK could be sent separately for each UE. For example, the ACK or NAK could be sent separately using different sequences (e.g., a Physical Channel Hybrid ARQ Indicator Channel (PHICH) or similar) or using a group-common Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH). In some examples, the content may include a sequence, where each UE has an index configured by a Radio Resource Control (RRC) and can find the relevant ACK/NAK bits within the larger sequence.

Similar principles may be extended to transmission and retransmission of multicast broadcasts.

Aspects of the disclosure are initially described in the context of a wireless communications system. Aspects of the disclosure are further illustrated by examples of systems that include a base station and multiple UEs. Aspects of the disclosure are further illustrated by examples of systems that depict the uplink and downlink transmissions between a base station and a UE of a group of UEs. Aspects of the disclosure are further illustrated by and described with reference to apparatus diagrams, system diagrams, and flowcharts that relate to group signaling for URLLC.

<FIG> illustrates an example of a wireless communications system <NUM> that supports group signaling for URLLC in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The wireless communications system <NUM> includes base stations <NUM>, UEs <NUM>, and a core network <NUM>. In some examples, the wireless communications system <NUM> may be a Long Term Evolution (LTE) network, an LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) network, an LTE-A Pro network, or a New Radio (NR) network. In some cases, wireless communications system <NUM> may support enhanced broadband communications, ultra-reliable (e.g., mission critical) communications, low latency communications, or communications with low-cost and low-complexity devices.

In some examples, a carrier may support multiple cells, and different cells may be configured according to different protocol types (e.g., machine-type communication (MTC), narrowband Internet-of Things (NB-IoT), enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), or others) that may provide access for different types of devices.

In one example, a base station <NUM> may use multiple antennas or antenna arrays to conduct beamforming operations for directional communications with a UE <NUM>. For instance, some signals (e.g. synchronization signals, reference signals, beam selection signals, or other control signals) may be transmitted by a base station <NUM> multiple times in different directions, which may include a signal being transmitted according to different beamforming weight sets associated with different directions of transmission. Transmissions in different beam directions may be used to identify (e.g., by the base station <NUM> or a receiving device, such as a UE <NUM>) a beam direction for subsequent transmission and/or reception by the base station <NUM>. Some signals, such as data signals associated with a particular receiving device, may be transmitted by a base station <NUM> in a single beam direction (e.g., a direction associated with the receiving device, such as a UE <NUM>). In some examples, the beam direction associated with transmissions along a single beam direction may be determined based at least in in part on a signal that was transmitted in different beam directions. For example, a UE <NUM> may receive one or more of the signals transmitted by the base station <NUM> in different directions, and the UE <NUM> may report to the base station <NUM> an indication of the signal it received with a highest signal quality, or an otherwise acceptable signal quality. Although these techniques are described with reference to signals transmitted in one or more directions by a base station <NUM>, a UE <NUM> may employ similar techniques for transmitting signals multiple times in different directions (e.g., for identifying a beam direction for subsequent transmission or reception by the UE <NUM>), or transmitting a signal in a single direction (e.g., for transmitting data to a receiving device).

In the control plane, the RRC protocol layer may provide establishment, configuration, and maintenance of an RRC connection between a UE <NUM> and a base station <NUM> or core network <NUM> supporting radio bearers for user plane data.

Devices of the wireless communications system <NUM> (e.g., base stations <NUM> or UEs <NUM>) may have a hardware configuration that supports communications over a particular carrier bandwidth, or may be configurable to support communications over one of a set of carrier bandwidths. In some examples, the wireless communications system <NUM> may include base stations <NUM> and/or UEs <NUM> that can support simultaneous communications via carriers associated with more than one different carrier bandwidth.

Wireless communications systems such as an NR system may utilize any combination of licensed, shared, and unlicensed spectrum bands, among others. The flexibility of eCC symbol duration and subcarrier spacing may allow for the use of eCC across multiple spectrums. In some examples, NR shared spectrum may increase spectrum utilization and spectral efficiency, specifically through dynamic vertical (e.g., across the frequency domain) and horizontal (e.g., across the time domain) sharing of resources.

In one example, a UE may receive a configuration for SPS of UL transmissions by the UE. The received configuration may pertain to the UE and a corresponding UE group. The UE may transmit a message to a base station in compliance with the configuration. The base station may receive this message, but may not be able to decode the UE message, due to, for example, the message colliding with other UL messages sent on the same resources by UEs in the group. In this case, the base station may transmit a group feedback signal to the entire UE group. The UE that transmitted the message may then receive the group feedback signal from the base station on resources that were specified by the SPS configuration. In one example, the group feedback signal transmitted by the base station may be a NAK signal that is transmitted to the UE as well as to the UE group. After the UE receives the group feedback signal, the UE may re-transmit the original message to the base station using the resources specified by the SPS configuration - either the next available SPS resources or some dedicated retransmission resources.

<FIG> illustrates an example of a system for wireless communications <NUM> that supports group signaling for URLLC in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. In some examples, the wireless communications system <NUM> may implement aspects of wireless communications system <NUM>. The system <NUM> may depict a base station <NUM>-a and a UE group <NUM>. The UE group <NUM> may include multiple UEs <NUM>-a and a UE <NUM>. Base station <NUM>-a and UEs <NUM>-a and <NUM> may be examples of the base stations and UEs discussed with reference to <FIG>.

In <FIG>, the base station <NUM>-a may transmit configuration information as illustrated by the transmission <NUM>-a. The configuration information may include an SPS configuration of UL transmissions from the UEs <NUM>-a and <NUM> and may be configured specifically for the UE group <NUM> and may additionally allow the base station <NUM>-a to identify the UE group <NUM> by any transmission of any UE <NUM>-a and <NUM> of the UE <NUM> group that transmits in compliance with the configuration received by the base station <NUM>-a in transmission <NUM>-a.

Next, the UE <NUM> may transmit UL data in transmission <NUM>-a, in compliance with the configuration sent by the base station <NUM>-a. After the UE group <NUM> receives the transmission <NUM>-a from the base station <NUM>-a and the UE <NUM> transmits the UL data in transmission <NUM>-a, the UE <NUM> may determine a monitoring occasion for monitoring for a group feedback signal from the base station <NUM>-a. The base station <NUM>-a may receive the UE <NUM> transmission, but in some cases may not be able to decode the transmission and may also not know which UE <NUM>-a or <NUM> sent the transmission. The base station <NUM>-a may recognize the transmission and identify that it was received from the UE group <NUM> since the UE <NUM> transmitted the data in compliance with the configuration. The base station <NUM>-a may then transmit a group feedback signal in transmission <NUM>-b to the UE group <NUM>, which includes the UE <NUM>. The UE group <NUM> may receive the transmission <NUM>-b, but only the UEs that previously transmitted (e.g., UE <NUM>) may actually take action in response to receiving the group feedback signal by re-transmitting the data in transmission <NUM>-b. The other UEs <NUM>-a of the UE group <NUM> may not take any action upon receiving the transmission <NUM>-b from the base station <NUM>-a as the other UEs <NUM>-a did not transmit any data to the base station <NUM>-a before receiving the group feedback signal.

Wireless communications system <NUM> may support at least two different grant free transmission modes. Grant free transmission modes may otherwise be known as grant free modes or configured-grant modes. The first grant free mode may include an UL data transmission without grant and which may be based solely on RRC configuration or reconfiguration without any L1 signaling. The second grant free mode may include an UL data transmission without grant and which may be based on both RRC configuration and L1 signaling for activation or de-activation.

For these grant free modes, UL repetition may be allowed. A number of techniques may be employed to increase the reliability of a wireless packet transmission, including increasing transmission power, changing a modulation coding scheme (MCS), and the like. One technique for increasing reliability (which may be referred to as repetition), may be to transmit multiple copies of a wireless packet. The copies of the wireless packet may each be received and decoded by an intended device such as a base station <NUM>-a or a UE <NUM>-a and <NUM>. In such cases, the device may successfully decode the wireless packet if it successfully decodes just one of the copies. In some cases, the device may successfully decode the wireless packet even if it fails to decode any of the copies-e.g., by combining the copies and decoding the combined version in a process that may be referred to as soft combining. In using wireless repetition, a repetition window with a given periodicity and offset may be configured and a redundancy version (RV) sequence may be further configured to increase reliability. In one example, the repetition factor or overlap factor may be K, a number of times that the transmission of a transmission block is repeated. Additionally, the initial transmission can start anywhere within the repetition window if the RV is set to zero.

In some examples of grant free modes, the same set of resources may be configured for a group of UEs <NUM> on a per TTI basis. The configured resources may hop across time and in this case, the UE grouping may change from one TTI to the next TTI. In one example, UL transmissions from different UEs <NUM>-a and <NUM> of the UE group <NUM> may collide when multiple UEs <NUM>-a and <NUM> have data to transmit on the same resources. Thus, in these instances, the base station <NUM>-a may transmit a group feedback signal.

In some examples, the group feedback signal may be either one of an ACK or NAK signal. As explained above, however, transmitting the group feedback signal as only a NAK signal may simplify the group feedback process. The group feedback signal may be transmitted to different categories of UE groups <NUM>. In one example, the group feedback signal may be transmitted to all the UEs <NUM>-a and <NUM> of a UE group <NUM> that may share a configured resource in a given TTI. In another example, the group feedback signal may be transmitted to all the UEs <NUM>-a and <NUM> of a UE group <NUM> having a configured resource in a same or common TTI. In another example, the group feedback signal may be transmitted to all UEs <NUM>-a and <NUM> of a UE group <NUM> with a configured resource in a TTI and with a specific sub-band of bandwidth frequencies. In yet another example, the group feedback signal may be transmitted to all UEs <NUM>-a and <NUM> of a UE group <NUM> with a configured resource covering a specific sub-band of bandwidth frequencies and/or a sub-TTI. Continuing this example, in a TTI with two symbols and four sub-bands, an eight group - group ACK/NAK resource may be defined and may correspond to 2x4 TTI sub-band combinations.

In each of these examples, the ACK/NAK monitoring occasion may be determined as a function of the time and/or frequency of the UL transmission. In the example in which the UE group <NUM> shares a configured resource in a given TTI, the ACK/NAK, assuming that it is transmitted, for UL transmission in slot/mini-slot n may be transmitted in slot/mini-slot n+m, where m may be indicated to the UEs. In another example in which the group feedback signal may be transmitted to all UEs of a UE group <NUM> with a configured resource in a TTI and a specific sub-band of bandwidth frequencies, the ACK/NAK, assuming that it is transmitted, for UL transmission in slot/mini-slot n and sub-band j may be sent in slot/mini-slot n+m and over a configured set of frequency resources.

In another example, UL repetition may be adopted for the wireless communications system. Employing UL repetition may entail transmitting multiple copies of a wireless packet. In this example, a given UE may expect a group feedback signal, such as an ACK/NAK signal, over a resource associated with the last TTI or frequency resource in the repetition window, or one possible ACK/NAK for the entire window. Additionally, a given UE may expect a group feedback signal, such as an ACK/NAK signal, over a resource associated with each of the TTI or frequency resource in the repetition window or an individual ACK/NAK signal for each transmission in the window.

Additionally, a UE <NUM>-a or <NUM> and its UE group <NUM> may detect or receive the group feedback signal transmitted by the base station <NUM>-a. The UE <NUM>-a or <NUM> of the UE group <NUM> may be the UE that performed the UL transmission over a resource in accordance with the configuration and associated with the detected NAK signal, and the UE may retransmit the transport block (TB) of the HARQ process. If the UE of the UE group <NUM> did not transmit any data over the resource in accordance with the configuration and associated with the detected NAK signal, the UE may not do anything.

Although in <FIG>, the UE may determine a monitoring occasion for monitoring for a group feedback signal from the base station <NUM>-a, alternatively, the UE may transmit an ACK. If the UE transmits an ACK, the UE may not monitor the PDCCH associated with a TB re-transmission. In the case the UE monitors the re-transmission PDCCH, if the signal is detected, the UE may ignore it, or the UE may not need to decode the TB again.

In the case the UE re-transmits the original data to the base station <NUM>-a, the UE may employ one of many options. The UE may re-transmit and employ the configured resources for its UL grant free transmission starting from the NAK reception plus an additional gap. The gap may be configured for each UE of the group of UEs. Alternatively, the UE may re-transmit using some resource that may be taken aside for re-transmission of each UE, which may be different than the regular configured resources.

As previously discussed, in each of the examples and cases, the group feedback signal or ACK/NAK may be transmitted by a UE over time or frequency resources that could potentially overlap with other UE signals or transmissions. Additionally, or alternatively, the group feedback signal may puncture the resources that might be allocated to other UEs. In one example, some resources that might allocated for ACK/NAK transmission may be configured for users and may puncture the resources that might be allocated to other UEs. Additionally or alternatively, other signals or transmissions may be rate-matched around the resources allocated for ACK/NAK transmission. Further, there may be different ways to indicate to other UEs to rate-match around the group feedback signal resources or ACK/NAK resources. In one example, to accommodate rate-matching, the ACK/NAK resources may be covered by zero-power channel state information reference signal resources (ZP-CSI-RS resources). In another example, some resources that might be allocated for ACK/NAK transmission may be configured for all other users for the purpose of rate-matching and to avoid accidental puncturing. The group of users to which the ACK/NAK bits is intended may, by default, rate-match around the resource used for the ACK/NAK transmission when their downlink data resources overlap with the ACK/NAK resources.

In another example, aspects of the group signaling principles described above may also be utilized for downlink data transmissions as well to enhance the reliability of multicast traffic. In an example, a base station <NUM>-a may transmit a multicast broadcast transmission to a group of UEs <NUM>. While many of the UEs <NUM>-a and <NUM> may successfully receive the multicast broadcast, a particular UE <NUM>-a or <NUM> may not receive or properly decode the multicast broadcast. In that instance, the particular UE <NUM>-a or <NUM> may transmit a NAK to the base station <NUM>-a. Instead of determining which UE <NUM>-a and <NUM> of the group of UEs <NUM> transmitted the NAK, the base station <NUM>-a may simply re-transmit its multicast broadcast to all UEs <NUM>-a and <NUM> in the group of UEs <NUM>. The re-transmission may be transmitted to different categories of UE groups <NUM>. In one example, the re-transmitted signal may be transmitted to all the UEs <NUM>-a and <NUM> of a UE group <NUM> that may share a configured resource in a given TTI. In another example, the re-transmitted signal may be transmitted to all the UEs <NUM>-a and <NUM> of a UE group <NUM> with a configured resource in a TTI. In another example, the re-transmitted signal may be transmitted to all UEs <NUM>-a and <NUM> of a UE group <NUM> with a configured resource in a TTI and a specific sub-band of bandwidth frequencies. In another example, the re-transmitted signal may be transmitted to those UEs <NUM>-a and <NUM> of the UE group <NUM> that transmitted a NAK to the base station <NUM>-a. That is, the re-transmitted signal may not be transmitted to those UEs <NUM>-a and <NUM> that did not transmit a NAK to the base station. In yet another example, the re-transmitted signal may be transmitted to all UEs <NUM>-a and <NUM> of a UE group <NUM> with a configured resource covering a specific sub-band of bandwidth frequencies and/or a sub-TTI. Continuing this example, in a TTI with two symbols and four sub-bands, an eight group - group ACK/NAK resource may be defined and may correspond to 2X4 TTI sub-band combinations.

In each of these DL data transmission categories, the resources may be mapped to a given PUCCH resource or a group of PUCCH resources, as one resource per UE <NUM>-a and <NUM>. Additionally, for the case of a single PUCCH for each instance, UEs <NUM>-a and <NUM> may send only a NAK and not an ACK, or both an ACK and a NAK. Should the base station <NUM>-a detect a NAK, regardless of which UE <NUM>-a or <NUM> of the UE group <NUM> transmits the NAK, the TB may be transmitted to all of the UES <NUM>-a and <NUM> of the UE group <NUM> again.

<FIG> illustrates an example of a of a process flow <NUM> that supports group signaling for URLLC in accordance with the invention. In some examples, the process flow <NUM> may implement aspects of wireless communications system <NUM>. The process flow <NUM> may depict the series of transmissions passing between the base station <NUM>-a and the UE <NUM> as discussed with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>.

In <FIG>, the base station <NUM>-a creates a resource configuration <NUM> to be sent to the UE <NUM> which belongs to the UE group <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. At <NUM>, base station <NUM>-a transmits a configuration message to UE <NUM>, which UE <NUM> receives, and the configuration message may configure the resources of UE <NUM> (UE <NUM> may be one of the UEs <NUM>-a which are all a part of UE group <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>). The UE <NUM>, along with all of the UEs <NUM>-a of <FIG>, may be configured to transmit messages in accordance with the configuration sent by the base station <NUM>-a. The configuration message sent by the base station <NUM>-a may include configuration information as well as information that identifies the UE group <NUM>.

At <NUM>, UE <NUM> (or any of the UEs <NUM>-a of the UE group <NUM>) transmits an UL data transmission, based on the configuration message and utilizes the associated configuration. The UEs <NUM>-a and <NUM> of the UE group <NUM> determine a monitoring occasion at <NUM> as a result of receiving the configuration message at <NUM>. The UEs <NUM>-a and <NUM> of the UE group <NUM> that transmitted an UL data transmission (for example, UE <NUM>) then monitors for a signal such as a group feedback signal at <NUM>, from the base station <NUM>-a, as a result of previously receiving the configuration message from the base station <NUM>-a. Alternatively, all of the UEs <NUM>-a may monitor for the group feedback signal even though some of the UEs <NUM>-a did not transmit at all - the UE <NUM> may be the only UE that transmitted a message.

At <NUM>, UEs <NUM>-a including the transmitting UE <NUM> receive a group feedback signal from the base station <NUM>-a in accordance with the configuration. The group feedback signal may be an ACK/NAK signal or may be a NAK signal. Even though the UE <NUM> may be the only UE <NUM>-a and <NUM> of the UE group <NUM> that transmitted a message, all of the UEs <NUM>-a of the UE group <NUM> may receive the group feedback signal. UEs that did not previously transmit a message will not do anything upon receipt of the group feedback signal from the base station <NUM>-a. At <NUM>, UE <NUM> (and any UEs that had transmitted an UL signal) may re-transmit respective UL data messages in accordance with the configuration.

<FIG> shows a block diagram <NUM> of a device <NUM> that supports group signaling for URLLC in accordance with the invention. The device <NUM> may be an example of aspects of a UE <NUM> as described herein. The device <NUM> includes a receiver <NUM>, a communications manager <NUM>, and a transmitter <NUM>. The device <NUM> may also include a processor. Each of these components may be in communication with one another (e.g., via one or more buses).

The receiver <NUM> is configured to receive information such as packets, user data, or control information associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, and information related to group signaling for URLLC, etc.). Information may be passed on to other components of the device <NUM>. The receiver <NUM> may be an example of aspects of the transceiver <NUM> described with reference to <FIG>. The receiver <NUM> may utilize a single antenna or a set of antennas.

The communications manager <NUM> is configured to receive a configuration for SPS of uplink transmissions by the UE, the configuration pertaining to a group of UEs that includes the UE, receive a group feedback signal from the base station on feedback resources specified by the configuration, transmit a message from the UE to a base station in accordance with the configuration, and re-transmit the message to the base station based on receipt of the group feedback signal. The communications manager <NUM> may be an example of aspects of the communications manager <NUM> described herein.

If implemented in code executed by a processor, the functions of the communications manager <NUM>, or its sub-components may be executed by a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described in the present disclosure.

<FIG> shows a block diagram <NUM> of a device <NUM> that supports group signaling for URLLC in accordance with the invention. The device <NUM> may be an example of aspects of a device <NUM> or a UE <NUM> as described herein. The device <NUM> includes a receiver <NUM>, a communications manager <NUM>, and a transmitter <NUM>. The device <NUM> may also include a processor. Each of these components may be in communication with one another (e.g., via one or more buses).

The receiver <NUM> may receive information such as packets, user data, or control information associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, and information related to group signaling for URLLC, etc.). Information may be passed on to other components of the device <NUM>. The receiver <NUM> may be an example of aspects of the transceiver <NUM> described with reference to <FIG>. The receiver <NUM> may utilize a single antenna or a set of antennas.

The communications manager <NUM> may be an example of aspects of the communications manager <NUM> as described herein. The communications manager <NUM> includes a receiving component <NUM> and a transmission component <NUM>. The communications manager <NUM> may be an example of aspects of the communications manager <NUM> described herein.

The receiving component <NUM> is configured to receive a configuration for SPS of uplink transmissions by the UE, the configuration pertaining to a group of UEs that includes the UE and receive a group feedback signal from the base station on feedback resources specified by the configuration.

The transmission component <NUM> is configured to transmit a message from the UE to a base station in accordance with the configuration and re-transmit the message to the base station based on receipt of the group feedback signal.

<FIG> shows a block diagram <NUM> of a communications manager <NUM> that supports group signaling for URLLC in accordance with the invention. The communications manager <NUM> may be an example of aspects of a communications manager <NUM>, a communications manager <NUM>, or a communications manager <NUM> described herein. The communications manager <NUM> may include a receiving component <NUM>, a transmission component <NUM>, a process component <NUM>, and a monitoring component <NUM>. Each of these modules may communicate, directly or indirectly, with one another (e.g., via one or more buses).

The receiving component <NUM> is configured to receive a configuration for SPS of uplink transmissions by the UE, the configuration pertaining to a group of UEs that includes the UE. In some examples, the receiving component <NUM> is configured to receive a group feedback signal from the base station on feedback resources specified by the configuration.

The transmission component <NUM> is configured to transmit a message from the UE to a base station in accordance with the configuration. In some examples, the transmission component <NUM> may re-transmit the message to the base station based on receipt of the group feedback signal. In some examples, the transmission component <NUM> may re-transmit the message to the base station only when the UE has received a NAK from the base station.

The process component <NUM> is configured to determine a monitoring occasion based on a time or frequency of transmission of the message.

The monitoring component <NUM> is configured to monitor for the group feedback signal from the base station during the monitoring occasion.

<FIG> shows a diagram of a system <NUM> including a device <NUM> that supports group signaling for URLLC in accordance with the invention. The device <NUM> may be an example of or include the components of device <NUM>, device <NUM>, or a UE <NUM> as described herein. The device <NUM> may include components for bi-directional voice and data communications including components for transmitting and receiving communications, including a communications manager <NUM>, an I/O controller <NUM>, a transceiver <NUM>, an antenna <NUM>, memory <NUM>, and a processor <NUM>. These components may be in electronic communication via one or more buses (e.g., bus <NUM>).

The communications manager <NUM> is configured to receive a configuration for SPS of uplink transmissions by the UE, the configuration pertaining to a group of UEs that includes the UE, receive a group feedback signal from the base station on feedback resources specified by the configuration, transmit a message from the UE to a base station in accordance with the configuration, and re-transmit the message to the base station based on receipt of the group feedback signal.

In some cases, the device <NUM> may include a single antenna <NUM>. However, in some cases the device <NUM> may have more than one antenna <NUM>, which may be capable of concurrently transmitting or receiving multiple wireless transmissions.

The memory <NUM> may store computer-readable, computer-executable code <NUM> including instructions that, when executed, cause the processor <NUM> to perform various functions described herein.

The processor <NUM> may include an intelligent hardware device (e.g., a general-purpose processor, a DSP, a CPU, a microcontroller, an ASIC, an FPGA, a programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic component, a discrete hardware component, or any combination thereof). In some cases, the processor <NUM> may be configured to operate a memory array using a memory controller. In other cases, a memory controller may be integrated into the processor <NUM>. The processor <NUM> may be configured to execute computer-readable instructions stored in a memory (e.g., the memory <NUM>) to cause the device <NUM> to perform various functions (e.g., functions or tasks supporting group signaling for URLLC).

<FIG> shows a block diagram <NUM> of a device <NUM> that supports group signaling for URLLC in accordance with the invention. The device <NUM> may be an example of aspects of a base station <NUM> as described herein. The device <NUM> may include a receiver <NUM>, a communications manager <NUM>, and a transmitter <NUM>. The device <NUM> may also include a processor. Each of these components may be in communication with one another (e.g., via one or more buses).

The communications manager <NUM> is configured to transmit, to a group of UEs, a configuration for SPS of uplink transmissions by the UEs. The communications manager <NUM> may fail to decode a message that one of the UEs attempted to transmit to the base station in accordance with the configuration. The communications manager <NUM> is configured to transmit a group feedback signal to the group of UEs on resources specified by the configuration, the group feedback signal being based on the failure to decode the message. The communications manager <NUM> is configured to also receive a re-transmitted message from the one of the UEs, the re-transmission of the message being based on the group feedback signal.

In another instance, the communications manager <NUM> may transmit a multicast broadcast transmission to a group of UEs, re-transmit the multicast broadcast transmission to at least a subset of the group of UEs based on receipt of the feedback signal, and receive a feedback signal from at least one of the UEs, the feedback signal indicating that the UE did not decode the multicast broadcast transmission. The subset of the group of UEs may include some or all the UEs of the group of UEs which the device <NUM> received a feedback signal from. In some examples, the feedback signal is a NAK. That is, in some examples, the device <NUM> only re-transmits the multicast broadcast transmission to those UEs from which it received a NAK regarding the original transmission. In some examples, the subset of the group of UEs may include all of the UEs in the group, regardless of whether each UE sent a feedback signal. In some examples, the original transmission is re-transmitted as a broadcast message or as a unicast message, which may be a in unicast physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH). The communications manager <NUM> may be an example of aspects of the communications manager <NUM> described herein.

If implemented in code executed by a processor, the functions of the communications manager <NUM>, or its sub-components may be executed by a general-purpose processor, a DSP, an ASIC, a FPGA or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described in the present disclosure.

In some examples, the communications manager <NUM>, or its sub-components, may be combined with one or more other hardware components, including but not limited to an I/O component, a transceiver, a network server, another computing device, one or more other components described in the present disclosure, or a combination thereof in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure.

<FIG> shows a block diagram <NUM> of a device <NUM> that supports group signaling for URLLC in accordance with the invention. The device <NUM> may be an example of aspects of a device <NUM> or a base station <NUM> as described herein. The device <NUM> may include a receiver <NUM>, a communications manager <NUM>, and a transmitter <NUM>. The device <NUM> may also include a processor. Each of these components may be in communication with one another (e.g., via one or more buses).

The communications manager <NUM> may be an example of aspects of the communications manager <NUM> as described herein. The communications manager <NUM> may include a transmission component <NUM>, a process component <NUM>, and a receiving component <NUM>. The communications manager <NUM> may be an example of aspects of the communications manager <NUM> described herein.

The transmission component <NUM> is configured to transmit, to a group of UEs, a configuration for SPS of uplink transmissions by the UEs, and to further transmit a group feedback signal to the group of UEs on resources specified by the configuration, the group feedback signal being based on the failure to decode the message. In other circumstances, the transmission component <NUM> may transmit a multicast broadcast transmission to a group of UEs and re-transmit the multicast broadcast transmission to at least a subset of the group of UEs based on receipt of the feedback signal.

The process component <NUM> may fail to decode a message that one of the UEs attempted to transmit to the base station in accordance with the configuration. In some examples, the process component <NUM> may properly decode a re-transmission.

The receiving component <NUM> is configured to receive a re-transmitted message from the one of the UEs, re-transmission of the message being based on the group feedback signal. In other instances, the receiving component <NUM> may receive a feedback signal from at least one of the UEs, the feedback signal indicating that the UE did not decode the multicast broadcast transmission.

<FIG> shows a block diagram <NUM> of a communications manager <NUM> that supports group signaling for URLLC in accordance with the invention. The communications manager <NUM> may be an example of aspects of a communications manager <NUM>, a communications manager <NUM>, or a communications manager <NUM> described herein. The communications manager <NUM> may include a transmission component <NUM>, a process component <NUM>, and a receiving component <NUM>. Each of these modules may communicate, directly or indirectly, with one another (e.g., via one or more buses).

The transmission component <NUM> is configured to transmit, to a group of UEs, a configuration for SPS of uplink transmissions by the UEs. The transmission component <NUM> is further configured to transmit a group feedback signal to the group of UEs on resources specified by the configuration, the group feedback signal being based on the failure to decode the message.

In some examples, the transmission component <NUM> may transmit a multicast broadcast transmission to a group of UEs. In some examples, the transmission component <NUM> may re-transmit the multicast broadcast transmission to at least a subset of the group of UEs based on receipt of the feedback signal.

The receiving component <NUM> is configured to receive a re-transmitted message from the one of the UEs, re-transmission of the message being based on the group feedback signal. In some examples, the receiving component <NUM> may receive a feedback signal from at least one of the UEs, the feedback signal indicating that the UE did not decode the multicast broadcast transmission.

<FIG> shows a diagram of a system <NUM> including a device <NUM> that supports group signaling for URLLC in accordance with the invention. The device <NUM> may be an example of or include the components of device <NUM>, device <NUM>, or a base station <NUM> as described herein. The device <NUM> may include components for bi-directional voice and data communications including components for transmitting and receiving communications, including a communications manager <NUM>, a network communications manager <NUM>, a transceiver <NUM>, an antenna <NUM>, memory <NUM>, a processor <NUM>, and an inter-station communications manager <NUM>. These components may be in electronic communication via one or more buses (e.g., bus <NUM>).

The communications manager <NUM> is configured to transmit, to a group of UEs, a configuration for SPS of uplink transmissions by the UEs. The communications manager <NUM> may fail to decode a message that one of the UEs attempted to transmit to the base station in accordance with the configuration and transmit a group feedback signal to the group of UEs on resources specified by the configuration, the group feedback signal being based on the failure to decode the message. The communications manager <NUM> is configured to receive a re-transmitted message from the one of the UEs, re-transmission of the message being based on the group feedback signal. The communications manager <NUM> may also transmit a multicast broadcast transmission to a group of UEs, re-transmit the multicast broadcast transmission to at least a subset of the group of UEs based on receipt of the feedback signal, and receive a feedback signal from at least one of the UEs, the feedback signal indicating that the UE did not decode the multicast broadcast transmission.

The memory <NUM> may store computer-readable code <NUM> including instructions that, when executed by a processor (e.g., the processor <NUM>) cause the device <NUM> to perform various functions described herein.

The processor <NUM> may include an intelligent hardware device, (e.g., a general-purpose processor, a DSP, a CPU, a microcontroller, an ASIC, an FPGA, a programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic component, a discrete hardware component, or any combination thereof). In some cases, the processor <NUM> may be configured to operate a memory array using a memory controller. In some cases, a memory controller may be integrated into processor <NUM>. The processor <NUM> may be configured to execute computer-readable instructions stored in a memory (e.g., the memory <NUM>) to cause the device to perform various functions (e.g., functions or tasks supporting group signaling for URLLC).

The inter-station communications manager <NUM> may manage communications with other base stations <NUM>, and may include a controller or scheduler for controlling communications with UEs <NUM> in cooperation with the other base stations <NUM>. In some examples, the inter-station communications manager <NUM> may provide an X2 interface within an LTE/LTE-A wireless communication network technology to provide communication between the base stations <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a flowchart illustrating a method <NUM> that supports group signaling for URLLC in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of method <NUM> may be implemented by a UE <NUM> or its components as described herein. For example, the operations of method <NUM> may be performed by a communications manager as described with reference to <FIG>. In some examples, a UE may execute a set of instructions to control the functional elements of the UE to perform the functions described below. Additionally or alternatively, a UE may perform aspects of the functions described below using special-purpose hardware.

At <NUM>, the UE may receive a configuration for SPS of uplink transmissions by the UE, the configuration pertaining to a group of UEs that includes the UE. The operations of <NUM> may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of <NUM> may be performed by a receiving component as described with reference to <FIG>.

At <NUM>, the UE may transmit a message from the UE to a base station in accordance with the configuration. The operations of <NUM> may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of <NUM> may be performed by a transmission component as described with reference to <FIG>.

At <NUM>, the UE may receive a group feedback signal from the base station on feedback resources specified by the configuration. The operations of <NUM> may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of <NUM> may be performed by a receiving component as described with reference to <FIG>.

At <NUM>, the UE may re-transmit the message to the base station based on receipt of the group feedback signal. The operations of <NUM> may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of <NUM> may be performed by a transmission component as described with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> shows a flowchart illustrating a method <NUM> that supports group signaling for URLLC in accordance with the invention. The operations of method <NUM> may be implemented by a UE <NUM> or its components as described herein. For example, the operations of method <NUM> may be performed by a communications manager as described with reference to <FIG>. In some examples, a UE may execute a set of instructions to control the functional elements of the UE to perform the functions described below. Additionally or alternatively, a UE may perform aspects of the functions described below using special-purpose hardware.

At <NUM>, the UE receives a configuration for SPS of uplink transmissions by the UE, the configuration pertaining to a group of UEs that includes the UE. The operations of <NUM> may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of <NUM> may be performed by a receiving component as described with reference to <FIG>.

At <NUM>, the UE transmits a message from the UE to a base station in accordance with the configuration. The operations of <NUM> may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of <NUM> may be performed by a transmission component as described with reference to <FIG>.

At <NUM>, the UE determines a monitoring occasion based on a time or frequency of transmission of the message. The operations of <NUM> may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of <NUM> may be performed by a process component as described with reference to <FIG>.

At <NUM>, the UE monitors for the group feedback signal from the base station during the monitoring occasion. The operations of <NUM> may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of <NUM> may be performed by a monitoring component as described with reference to <FIG>.

At <NUM>, the UE receives a group feedback signal from the base station on feedback resources specified by the configuration. The operations of <NUM> may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of <NUM> may be performed by a receiving component as described with reference to <FIG>.

At <NUM>, the UE re-transmits the message to the base station based on receipt of the group feedback signal. The operations of <NUM> may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of <NUM> may be performed by a transmission component as described with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> shows a flowchart illustrating a method <NUM> that supports group signaling for URLLC in accordance with the invention. The operations of method <NUM> may be implemented by a base station <NUM> or its components as described herein. For example, the operations of method <NUM> may be performed by a communications manager as described with reference to <FIG>. In some examples, a base station may execute a set of instructions to control the functional elements of the base station to perform the functions described below. Additionally or alternatively, a base station may perform aspects of the functions described below using special-purpose hardware.

At <NUM>, the base station transmits, to a group of UEs, a configuration for SPS of uplink transmissions by the UEs. The operations of <NUM> may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of <NUM> may be performed by a transmission component as described with reference to <FIG>.

At <NUM>, the base station may fail to decode a message that one of the UEs attempted to transmit to the base station in accordance with the configuration. The operations of <NUM> may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of <NUM> may be performed by a process component as described with reference to <FIG>.

At <NUM>, the base station transmits a group feedback signal to the group of UEs on resources specified by the configuration, the group feedback signal being based on the failure to decode the message. The operations of <NUM> may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of <NUM> may be performed by a transmission component as described with reference to <FIG>.

At <NUM>, the base station receives a re-transmitted message from the one of the UEs, re-transmission of the message being based on the group feedback signal. The operations of <NUM> may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of <NUM> may be performed by a receiving component as described with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> shows a flowchart illustrating a method <NUM> that supports group signaling for URLLC in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of method <NUM> may be implemented by a base station <NUM> or its components as described herein. For example, the operations of method <NUM> may be performed by a communications manager as described with reference to <FIG>. In some examples, a base station may execute a set of instructions to control the functional elements of the base station to perform the functions described below. Additionally or alternatively, a base station may perform aspects of the functions described below using special-purpose hardware.

At <NUM>, the base station may transmit a multicast broadcast transmission to a group of UEs. The operations of <NUM> may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of <NUM> may be performed by a transmission component as described with reference to <FIG>.

At <NUM>, the base station may receive a feedback signal from at least one of the UEs, the feedback signal indicating that the UE did not decode the multicast broadcast transmission. The operations of <NUM> may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of <NUM> may be performed by a receiving component as described with reference to <FIG>.

At <NUM>, the base station may re-transmit the multicast broadcast transmission to at least a subset of the group of UEs based on receipt of the feedback signal. The operations of <NUM> may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of <NUM> may be performed by a transmission component as described with reference to <FIG>.

The various illustrative blocks and modules described in connection with the disclosure herein may be implemented or performed with a general-purpose processor, a DSP, an ASIC, an FPGA or other programmable logic device (PLD), discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein.

By way of example, and not limitation, non-transitory computer-readable media may include RAM, ROM, electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), flash memory, compact disk (CD) ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other non-transitory medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code means in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer, or a general-purpose or special-purpose processor.

As used herein, including in the claims, "or" as used in a list of items (e.g., a list of items prefaced by a phrase such as "at least one of" or "one or more of') indicates an inclusive list such that, for example, a list of at least one of A, B, or C means A or B or C or AB or AC or BC or ABC (i.e., A and B and C).

Claim 1:
A method (<NUM>) for wireless communication at a user equipment, UE, comprising:
receiving (<NUM>) a configuration for semi-persistent scheduling, SPS, of uplink transmissions by the UE, the configuration pertaining to a group of UEs that includes the UE;
receiving, in the configuration, an indication associated with a timing of a monitoring occasion for a group feedback signal pertaining to at least some UEs in the group of UEs;
transmitting (<NUM>) a message from the UE to a base station in accordance with the configuration;
determining (<NUM>) the monitoring occasion for the group feedback signal from the indication and based on a time or frequency of transmission of the message;
monitoring (<NUM>) for the group feedback signal from the base station during the monitoring occasion;
receiving (<NUM>) the group feedback signal from the base station on feedback resources specified by the configuration; and
re-transmitting (<NUM>) the message to the base station based at least in part on receipt of the group feedback signal.