Patent Description:
Work of the presently named inventors, to the extent it is described in this background section, as well as aspects of the description which may not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the present invention.

Future wireless communications networks will be expected to support communications routinely and efficiently with a wider range of devices associated with a wider range of data traffic profiles and types than current systems are optimised to support. For example it is expected future wireless communications networks will be expected to efficiently support communications with devices including reduced complexity devices, machine type communication (MTC) devices, high resolution video displays, virtual reality headsets and so on. Some of these different types of devices may be deployed in very large numbers, for example low complexity devices for supporting the "The Internet of Things", and may typically be associated with the transmissions of relatively small amounts of data with relatively high latency tolerance.

An example of such a new service is referred to as Ultra Reliable Low Latency Communications (URLLC) services which, as its name suggests, requires that a data unit or packet be communicated with a high reliability and with a low communications delay. URLLC type services therefore represent a challenging example for both LTE type communications systems and <NUM>/NR communications systems. The increasing use of different types of communications devices associated with different traffic profiles gives rise to new challenges for efficiently handling communications in wireless telecommunications systems that need to be addressed.

<CIT> discloses a method for a user equipment (UE) apparatus to reduce power consumption in response to an outcome of a signal reception. The outcome can indicate whether or not the UE needs to be active at a next discontinuous reception (DRX) cycle. The signal can also provide configurations of parameters for transmissions or receptions during the next DRX cycle and be used by the UE for measurements and to obtain channel state information.

Embodiments of the present technique can provide a method of requesting, by a communications device, the provision of a first service and a second service in a wireless communications network, the method comprising transmitting to an infrastructure equipment of the wireless communications network a service preference indication (SPI), the SPI requesting the infrastructure equipment to provide to the communications device the first service and the second service in accordance with a bandwidth parts capability of the communications device, wherein in accordance with the bandwidth parts capability, the communications device is unable to receive and decode first data transmitted using a first bandwidth part of a carrier bandwidth of a wireless access interface provided by the infrastructure and second data transmitted using a second bandwidth part of the carrier bandwidth, if the first data and the second data are transmitted simultaneously.

Embodiments can therefore provide methods in which one or more communications devices can request the provision of services in a wireless communications network in which a carrier bandwidth is configured in a plurality of bandwidth parts.

In accordance with some embodiments of the present technique a communications device is able to request a multicast or broadcast service and a unicast service which are provided on different bandwidth parts.

Embodiments of the present technique can also provide a method for transmitting data associated with a first and second service using respective bandwidth parts of a carrier bandwidth, in accordance with capabilities of a communications device. A communications device is able thereby obtain a first service (which may be a unicast service) and a second service (which may be a multicast or broadcast service) which are provided on different bandwidth parts, in accordance with its capabilities to operate using the different bandwidth parts.

The network <NUM> includes a plurality of base stations <NUM> connected to a core network part <NUM>. Each base station provides a coverage area <NUM> (e.g. a cell) within which data can be communicated to and from communications devices <NUM>. Data is transmitted from the base stations <NUM> to the communications devices <NUM> within their respective coverage areas <NUM> via a radio downlink. Data is transmitted from the communications devices <NUM> to the base stations <NUM> via a radio uplink. The core network part <NUM> routes data to and from the communications devices <NUM> via the respective base stations <NUM> and provides functions such as authentication, mobility management, charging and so on. Communications devices may also be referred to as mobile stations, user equipment (UE), user terminals, mobile radios, terminal devices, and so forth. Base stations, which are an example of network infrastructure equipment / network access nodes, may also be referred to as transceiver stations / nodeBs / e-nodeBs, g-nodeBs (gNB) and so forth. In this regard different terminology is often associated with different generations of wireless telecommunications systems for elements providing broadly comparable functionality. However, example embodiments of the disclosure may be equally implemented in different generations of wireless telecommunications systems such as <NUM> or new radio as explained below, and for simplicity certain terminology may be used regardless of the underlying network architecture. That is to say, the use of a specific term in relation to certain example implementations is not intended to indicate these implementations are limited to a certain generation of network that may be most associated with that particular terminology.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram illustrating a network architecture for a new RAT wireless communications network / system <NUM> based on previously proposed approaches which may also be adapted to provide functionality in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure described herein. The new RAT network <NUM> represented in <FIG> comprises a first communication cell <NUM> and a second communication cell <NUM>. Each communication cell <NUM>, <NUM>, comprises a controlling node (centralised unit) <NUM>, <NUM> in communication with a core network component <NUM> over a respective wired or wireless link <NUM>, <NUM>. The respective controlling nodes <NUM>, <NUM> are also each in communication with a plurality of distributed units (radio access nodes / remote transmission and reception points (TRPs)) <NUM>, <NUM> in their respective cells. Again, these communications may be over respective wired or wireless links. The distributed units <NUM>, <NUM> are responsible for providing the radio access interface for communications devices connected to the network. Each distributed unit <NUM>, <NUM> has a coverage area (radio access footprint) <NUM>, <NUM> where the sum of the coverage areas of the distributed units under the control of a controlling node together define the coverage of the respective communication cells <NUM>, <NUM>. Each distributed unit <NUM>, <NUM> includes transceiver circuitry for transmission and reception of wireless signals and processor circuitry configured to control the respective distributed units <NUM>, <NUM>.

A communications device or UE <NUM> is represented in <FIG> within the coverage area of the first communication cell <NUM>. This communications device <NUM> may thus exchange signalling with the first controlling node <NUM> in the first communication cell via one of the distributed units <NUM> associated with the first communication cell <NUM>. In some cases communications for a given communications device are routed through only one of the distributed units, but it will be appreciated that in some other implementations communications associated with a given communications device may be routed through more than one distributed unit, for example in a soft handover scenario and other scenarios.

Thus example embodiments of the disclosure as discussed herein may be implemented in wireless telecommunication systems / networks according to various different architectures, such as the example architectures shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. It will thus be appreciated that the specific wireless communications architecture in any given implementation is not of primary significance to the principles described herein. In this regard, example embodiments of the disclosure may be described generally in the context of communications between network infrastructure equipment / access nodes and a communications device, wherein the specific nature of the network infrastructure equipment / access node and the communications device will depend on the network infrastructure for the implementation at hand. For example, in some scenarios the network infrastructure equipment / access node may comprise a base station, such as an LTE-type base station <NUM> as shown in <FIG> which is adapted to provide functionality in accordance with the principles described herein, and in other examples the network infrastructure equipment / access node may comprise a control unit / controlling node <NUM>, <NUM> and / or a TRP <NUM>, <NUM> of the kind shown in <FIG> which is adapted to provide functionality in accordance with the principles described herein.

A more detailed illustration of a UE/communications device <NUM> (which may correspond to a communications device such as the communications device <NUM> of <FIG> or the communications device <NUM> of <FIG>) and an example network infrastructure equipment <NUM>, which may be thought of as a gNB <NUM> or a combination of a controlling node <NUM> and TRP <NUM>, is presented in <FIG>. As shown in <FIG>, the UE <NUM> is shown to transmit uplink data to the infrastructure equipment <NUM> via uplink resources of a wireless access interface as illustrated generally by an arrow <NUM> from the UE <NUM> to the infrastructure equipment <NUM>. The UE <NUM> may similarly be configured to receive downlink data transmitted by the infrastructure equipment <NUM> via downlink resources as indicated by an arrow <NUM> from the infrastructure equipment <NUM> to the UE <NUM>. As with <FIG> and <FIG>, the infrastructure equipment <NUM> is connected to a core network <NUM> via an interface <NUM> to a controller <NUM> of the infrastructure equipment <NUM>. The infrastructure equipment <NUM> includes a receiver <NUM> connected to an antenna <NUM> and a transmitter <NUM> connected to the antenna <NUM>. Correspondingly, the UE <NUM> includes a controller <NUM> connected to a receiver <NUM> which receives signals from an antenna <NUM> and a transmitter <NUM> also connected to the antenna <NUM>.

The controller <NUM> is configured to control the infrastructure equipment <NUM> and may comprise processor circuitry which may in turn comprise various sub-units / sub-circuits for providing functionality as explained further herein. These sub-units may be implemented as discrete hardware elements or as appropriately configured functions of the processor circuitry. Thus the controller <NUM> may comprise circuitry which is suitably configured / programmed to provide the desired functionality using conventional programming / configuration techniques for equipment in wireless telecommunications systems. The transmitter <NUM> and the receiver <NUM> may comprise signal processing and radio frequency filters, amplifiers and circuitry in accordance with conventional arrangements. The transmitter <NUM>, the receiver <NUM> and the controller <NUM> are schematically shown in <FIG> as separate elements for ease of representation. However, it will be appreciated that the functionality of these elements can be provided in various different ways, for example using one or more suitably programmed programmable computer(s), or one or more suitably configured application-specific integrated circuit(s) / circuitry / chip(s) / chipset(s). As will be appreciated the infrastructure equipment <NUM> will in general comprise various other elements associated with its operating functionality.

Correspondingly, the controller <NUM> of the UE <NUM> is configured to control the transmitter <NUM> and the receiver <NUM> and may comprise processor circuitry which may in turn comprise various sub-units / sub-circuits for providing functionality as explained further herein. These sub-units may be implemented as discrete hardware elements or as appropriately configured functions of the processor circuitry. Thus the controller <NUM> may comprise circuitry which is suitably configured / programmed to provide the desired functionality using conventional programming / configuration techniques for equipment in wireless telecommunications systems. Likewise, the transmitter <NUM> and the receiver <NUM> may comprise signal processing and radio frequency filters, amplifiers and circuitry in accordance with conventional arrangements. The transmitter <NUM>, receiver <NUM> and controller <NUM> are schematically shown in <FIG> as separate elements for ease of representation. However, it will be appreciated that the functionality of these elements can be provided in various different ways, for example using one or more suitably programmed programmable computer(s), or one or more suitably configured application-specific integrated circuit(s) / circuitry / chip(s) / chipset(s). As will be appreciated the communications device <NUM> will in general comprise various other elements associated with its operating functionality, for example a power source, user interface, and so forth, but these are not shown in <FIG> in the interests of simplicity.

The controllers <NUM>, <NUM> may be configured to carry out instructions which are stored on a computer readable medium, such as a non-volatile memory. The processing steps described herein may be carried out by, for example, a microprocessor in conjunction with a random access memory, operating according to instructions stored on a computer readable medium.

A communications device, such as the communications device/mobile terminal <NUM> of <FIG>, the communications device/UE <NUM> of <FIG>, or the communications device <NUM> of <FIG> is configured to communicate via a wireless access interface. The communications is with an infrastructure equipment, such as the infrastructure equipment/base station <NUM> of <FIG>, infrastructure equipment (TRP) <NUM>, <NUM> of <FIG>, or infrastructure equipment <NUM> of <FIG>.

In the following description, reference will be made to the communications device <NUM> of <FIG> and infrastructure equipment <NUM> of <FIG>, merely for conciseness.

The wireless access interface may comprise one or more carriers, each providing, within a range of carrier frequencies, communications resources for transmitting and receiving signals according to a configuration of the wireless access interface. The one or more carriers may be configured within a system bandwidth provided for the wireless communications network of which the infrastructure equipment <NUM> forms part. Each of the carriers may be divided in a frequency division duplex scheme into an uplink portion and a downlink portion and may comprise one or more bandwidth parts (BWPs).

A carrier may be configured therefore with a plurality of different BWP for a communications device to transmit or receive signals. The nature of the wireless access interface may be different amongst the different BWPs. For example, where the wireless access interface is based on orthogonal frequency division multiplexing, different BWPs may have different sub-carrier spacing, symbol periods and/or cyclic prefix lengths. BWPs may have different bandwidths.

By configuring BWPs appropriately, the infrastructure equipment may provide BWPs which are suited for different types of services. For example, a BWP more suitable for eMBB may have a larger bandwidth in order to support high data rates. A BWP suited for URLLC services may use a higher sub-carrier spacing and shorter slot durations, in order to permit lower latency transmissions. Parameters of the wireless access interface which are applicable to a BWP may be referred to collectively as the numerology of a BWP. Examples of such parameters are sub-carrier spacing, symbol and slot durations and cyclic prefix length.

A BWP may comprise communications resources for uplink (UL) and/or downlink (DL) communications. In some examples uplink and downlink communications resources are separated in frequency, in which case frequency division duplexing (FDD) may be used. Where FDD is used, a UL BWP and a DL BWP may comprise two non-contiguous frequency ranges, one comprising communications resources for uplink communications and one comprising communications resources for downlink communications.

In some examples, a bandwidth part may comprise uplink and downlink communications resources separated in time, in which case time division duplexing (TDD) may be used.

In the remainder of the present disclosure, the term 'bandwidth part' (BWP) is used to refer to a pair of associated uplink and downlink bandwidth parts operating using FDD, or a single BWP operating using TDD. As such, a bandwidth part may comprise communications resources for both uplink and downlink transmissions. The terms 'uplink bandwidth part' and 'downlink bandwidth part' will be used where appropriate to refer to a bandwidth part comprising only, respectively, uplink communications resources and downlink communications resources.

A communications device may be configured with one or more BWPs. The configuration may be by means of, for example, RRC signalling, the signalling indicating the frequency range and numerology of the BWP. A BWP may remain configured irrespective of radio resource control (RRC) state changes. Accordingly, for example, configured BWPs may remain configured even if the RRC state changes from a connected mode to an idle mode.

A configured BWP may be either an activated BWP or a deactivated BWP. An activated BWP refers to a BWP which may be used for the transmission or reception of data to or from the communications device <NUM>. The infrastructure equipment <NUM> may schedule transmissions to or by the communications device only on a BWP if that BWP is currently activated for the communications device. On deactivated BWPs, the communications device is not required to monitor any control channel (such as a PDCCH) and is not required to transmit on any uplink communications resources (such as associated with a PUCCH, a PRACH or UL-SCH).

Conventionally at most one BWP may be activated at any given time in respect of a particular communications device.

In light of the differing parameters which may be applicable to BWPs, a single activated BWP may not be suitable for the transmission of data associated with different services, if those different services have different requirements (e.g. latency requirements) or characteristics (e.g. bandwidth / data rate).

A configured BWP may be designated as a default BWP. A default BWP is one that a UE falls back to when an inactivity timer, associated with a BWP other than the default BWP, expires. For example, where a non-default BWP is deactivated as a result of an associated inactivity timer expiring, and no other non-default BWP is activated, then a default BWP may be activated in response. A default BWP may have an activation or deactivation priority which differs from the activation or deactivation priority of other, non-default, BWPs. A default BWP may be preferentially activated and/or may be deactivated with lowest preference. For example, a default BWP may remain activated unless and until a further BWP is to be activated such that a maximum number of activated BWPs would be exceeded. A default BWP may further be preferentially used for transmitting an indication that a different BWP is to be activated or de-activated.

<FIG> shows an example of first to third downlink BWPs 401a-c configured within a downlink portion of a system bandwidth <NUM> extending from frequency f1 to frequency f6. The system bandwidth <NUM> may also be referred to as a carrier bandwidth. The following Table <NUM> provides a summary of the characteristics of each of the BWPs 401a-c:.

As shown in Table <NUM>, each BWP may be identified by an index number (bwp-id).

In the example in <FIG>, the BWPs 401a-c do not collectively span the entire downlink portion of the system bandwidth <NUM>. However, in some examples, the frequency range of one or more BWPs collectively span the system bandwidth (in other words, all frequencies in the system bandwidth may fall within at least one BWP). A frequency range of a BWP may be entirely within the frequency range of another BWP (in this case, the second BWP 401b is within the bandwidth of the first BWP 401a).

In some embodiments of the present technique, the system bandwidth <NUM> may be identified by a cell identifier, and all BWPs configured within the same system bandwidth <NUM> accordingly are associated with the same cell identifier.

In some embodiments, a first BWP of the system bandwidth <NUM> may be used for the transmission of system information and broadcast control information (such as a multicast control channel, MCCH).

Certain principles which may be applicable to the operation bandwidth parts in embodiments of the present technique are set out in [<NUM>].

Many services provided to wireless communications devices are unicast services. With a unicast service, only a single communications device receives the service, which may be a voice call, a data transfer, or the use of a point-to-point messaging service.

A multicast and broadcast service (MBS) allows multiple devices to receive the same service, simultaneously. An example of a multicast service is a group voice call, in which the same voice content is received simultaneously by multiple communications devices within a particular group. An example of a broadcast service is a streaming service, such as an audio or video broadcast, which can be received and decoded, simultaneously, by all capable communications devices within a particular coverage area.

Receiving (or providing) a service in this context may comprise the use of uplink transmissions, downlink transmissions or both. The provision of an MBS may be exclusively by means of downlink transmissions, although in some examples, a communications device receiving the MBS may be required to transmit information in the uplink, for example relating to feedback and/or measurement reports.

In the present description, the terms unicast, broadcast and multicast are used in the context of a particular wireless communications network, or a portion thereof (such as a single cell). Thus, for example, when a single user in a cell accesses a streaming service from a third party server outside of the wireless communications network, this may be considered to be (for the present purposes) a unicast service, even though the third party server may permit simultaneous access to multiple devices (even within the same cell) by means of multiple respective connections which are, from the perspective of the wireless communications network, unicast connections. The terms multicast and broadcast as used herein therefore may relate to the case where it is the radio access network and/or core network of the wireless communications network which enable the reception of the service by two or more devices simultaneously.

Multicast/Broadcast services thus can efficiently provide the same service to multiple users within the wireless communications network, by using fewer communications resources (on a wireless access network and/or on internal connections within the wireless communications network) than would be required to provide the same service to multiple users by means of unicast connections.

Multiple MBS services may be available at a given time. In order to conserve communications resources, data associated with an MBS service may be transmitted in a cell only if the corresponding infrastructure equipment <NUM> is aware of at least one communications device <NUM> in the cell which is configured to attempt to receive and decode the data associated with the MBS service. A communications device may be configured as such based on a user interaction, a pre-configuration or by any other means.

It is generally desirable that a communications device be capable of receiving one or more unicast services in parallel with receiving an MBS. For example, a user of a communications device may wish to receive a live audio stream which is being broadcast, while using a messaging service via a unicast data connection.

However, infrastructure equipment in a wireless communications network may schedule transmissions associated with the MBS on a BWP which is different from the one on which the communications device is receiving the unicast service. Moreover, depending on the receiver capabilities of the communications device, it may not, in such circumstances, be possible for the communications device to receive data associated with both services simultaneously.

There is thus a need to provide a communications device, infrastructure equipment, and methods therefore to overcome this problem.

Embodiments of the present technique provide a method of requesting, by a communications device, the provision of a first service and a second service in a wireless communications network, the method comprising transmitting to an infrastructure equipment of the wireless communications network a service preference indication (SPI), the SPI requesting the infrastructure equipment to provide to the communications device the first service and the second service in accordance with a bandwidth parts capability of the communications device, wherein in accordance with the bandwidth parts capability, the communications device is unable to receive and decode first data transmitted using a first bandwidth part of a carrier bandwidth of a wireless access interface provided by the infrastructure and second data transmitted using a second bandwidth part of the carrier bandwidth, if the first data and the second data are transmitted simultaneously.

In examples according to the present technique, one or more of the following may be used to address the above problem:.

Examples of the present technique therefore provide for a communications device to receive both, for example, an MBS service and a unicast service in a wireless communications network in which a carrier bandwidth is sub-divided into different bandwidth parts. In some examples, the MBS service and unicast service are provided using communications resources of different BWPs. In some examples, the bandwidth parts used for providing the MBS service and unicast service operate according to a different numerology.

<FIG> is a combined message sequence chart / process flow diagram illustrating aspects of the present technique. <FIG> shows a sequence of transmissions and process steps carried out by one or other of a communications device (or UE) <NUM> an infrastructure equipment (or gNB) <NUM> and a core network part <NUM>, which may correspond respectively to the communications device <NUM>, infrastructure equipment <NUM> and core network <NUM> of <FIG>.

Initially, the communications device <NUM> is within a cell controlled by the infrastructure equipment <NUM>. Accordingly, the cell is the serving cell for the communications device <NUM>.

At step S601, the communications device <NUM> transmits to the core network <NUM> a capability indication <NUM>, the capability indication <NUM> indicating a bandwidth parts (BWP) capability. The BWP capability specifies the ability of the communications device <NUM> to operate using two BWPs simultaneously. According to some embodiments of the present technique, a communications device may be capable of 'operating using two BWPs simultaneously' if it is able to receive and/or transmit data transmitted using resources which are allocated on one BWP, when the allocation of the resources on that BWP is independent of, i.e. without regards to, any allocation of resources on the other BWP for the transmission or reception of data to or by the communications device. The BWP capability may define one or more of:.

The BWP capability may be based on the receiver architecture (including whether two receive chains are available), an ability of the communications device <NUM> to successfully mitigate inter-carrier interference (ICI), or on any other factors.

In general, the BWP capability may permit the wireless communications network to determine, for any pair of BWPs, whether or not the communications device <NUM> is capable of operating using the BWPs simultaneously. In some example techniques, the BWP capability provides an indication for transmit operations and receive operations. For example, the BWP capability may indicate that the communications device <NUM> is capable of performing receive operations using two different BWPs simultaneously if certain criteria are met and that communications device <NUM> is incapable of transmitting using resources of two different BWPs simultaneously, irrespective of their respective parameters.

At step S602, the communications device <NUM> receives an MBS schedule <NUM>, indicating that one or more MBS services will be available and indicating starting times of one or more of the MBS services. The MBS schedule <NUM> is transmitted by the infrastructure equipment <NUM> and in some examples is transmitted in response to the infrastructure equipment <NUM> receiving (not shown) MBS schedule information from the core network <NUM>. In some examples, the MBS schedule information is received from the core network <NUM> and forwarded transparently by the infrastructure equipment <NUM> as the MBS schedule <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the MBS schedule <NUM> may comprise an indication that one or more MBS services are now available in the cell. In some embodiments, the MBS schedule <NUM> may be indicated within an MBS system information block (SIB). The transmission of the MBS schedule <NUM>, indicating one or more MBS services, may implicitly indicate that the indicated MBS services are now available in the cell.

At step S604, the communications device <NUM> receives a service preference indication (SPI) configuration indication <NUM>. As further described below, in some examples of the present technique, the communications device <NUM> transmits an SPI to the infrastructure equipment <NUM>. In some embodiments, the SPI configuration indication <NUM> indicates the conditions in which the communications device <NUM> is to transmit the SPI.

In some embodiments, the MBS schedule <NUM> comprises the SPI configuration indication <NUM> and/or the MBS SIB may comprise the SPI configuration indication <NUM>. In some embodiments, the SPI configuration indication <NUM> may be implicit in the MBS schedule <NUM>.

In some embodiments, one or more conditions for transmitting the SPI may be specified in standards.

At step S606, the infrastructure equipment <NUM> transmits a BWP configuration indication <NUM> to the communications device <NUM>. The BWP configuration indication <NUM> may indicate the frequency ranges and numerology applicable to one or more BWPs. In the example of <FIG>, the BWP configuration indication <NUM> indicates that at least a first BWP, BWP1 and a second BWP, BWP2 are configured for the communications device <NUM>.

In some embodiments, one or both of the first BWP and second BWP are also used for the transmission of broadcast control information for the cell. The broadcast control information may comprise system information and/or a multicast control channel. In some embodiments, broadcast information relating to the cell in general (such as system information) is transmitted on communications resources whose frequencies are not with the range of either the first BWP or the second BWP. In some embodiments, broadcast information relating to services currently, or scheduled to be available the cell (such as the second service) may be transmitted on communications resources whose frequencies are not with the range of either the first BWP or the second BWP and in some embodiments, are transmitted on the same BWP as that in which system information is transmitted.

Subsequently, at step S608, the communications device <NUM> receives a first service <NUM> by means of transmissions using the first BWP, BWP1. The first service may be a unicast service, such as a data transfer, interactive service (e.g. web browsing), or voice call. Generally, the first service may be one where communications resources used to transmit and/or receive the associated data (which may include voice data) are allocated solely for the use of the communications device <NUM>, and not for any other communications device <NUM> which may be in the same cell.

In some embodiments, the infrastructure equipment <NUM> allocates communications resources on a wireless access interface of the cell for the transmission of data associated with the first service. The data may be transmitted in response to receipt of downlink data from the core network <NUM>, requests or indications (e.g. buffer status reports) from the communications device <NUM> for the allocation of communications resources for uplink transmissions, or for any other reason. The infrastructure equipment <NUM> may determine quality of service requirements applicable to the first service <NUM>, and the allocation of communications resources may be in accordance with these quality of service requirements. In particular, the infrastructure equipment <NUM> may allocate the communications resources on a first BWP, the allocated communications resources selected based on the quality of service requirements and/or the numerology of the first BWP.

Accordingly, references to the infrastructure equipment <NUM> 'providing a service' herein may also, or alternatively refer to the allocation of communications resources suitable for the transmission of data associated with the service.

At step S610, the communications device <NUM> determines that a second service, which in the example of <FIG> is an MBS service, is starting and will be available while the first service <NUM> remains available. The determination at step S610 may be based on the MBS schedule <NUM> received at step S602.

At step S612, the communications device <NUM> determines that it is to attempt to obtain the second service. This determination may be made based on user input via a user interface (e.g. by a user selecting, via the user interface, the second service), by pre-configuration, or by any other means. The details of how this determination is made are not important to the present disclosure.

At step S614, the communications device <NUM> transmits a service preference indication (SPI) <NUM> requesting that the first service <NUM> (or communications resources for the first service <NUM>) continue to be provided by the infrastructure equipment <NUM> and that the first and second services be provided in a manner consistent with the ability of communications device <NUM>. For example, the SPI <NUM> may comprise a request that, if the first and second services are provided on different BWPs, then the first and second services are provided in a manner consistent with the BWP capability of the communications device. The SPI <NUM> may comprise an identifier associated with the communications device <NUM>.

The transmission at step S614 may be in response one or more of the determinations at steps S610 and S612.

In some embodiments, the transmission of the SPI <NUM> is additionally or alternatively in response to determining that one or more criteria are satisfied. In some embodiments, one or more such criteria may be specified by the SPI configuration indication <NUM>. In some embodiments, one or more such criteria may depend on a capability of the communications device <NUM>.

The criteria may include one or more of:.

At step S616, the infrastructure equipment <NUM> receives an UE capability indication <NUM> comprising the BWP capability for the communications device <NUM>. In the example of <FIG>, the UE capability indication <NUM> is transmitted from the core network <NUM>, and is based on the capability indication <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the BWP capability is included within the SPI <NUM> and steps S616 and S601 may be omitted.

In some embodiments, the BWP capability is included in another message (not shown in <FIG>) sent from the communications device <NUM> to the infrastructure equipment <NUM>, and steps S601 and S616 may be omitted.

At step S618, the infrastructure equipment <NUM> determines the capability of the communications device <NUM> with respect to its ability to operate using different BWPs simultaneously.

At step S620, the infrastructure equipment <NUM> selects a second BWP for the provision of the second service. In some embodiments, the second BWP is selected based on the first BWP and the BWP capability of the communications device <NUM>. In some embodiments, the first and second BWP are the same.

Alternatively, in some embodiments, at step S620, the infrastructure equipment <NUM> may select a different BWP for the provision of the first service from that currently used for the provision of the first service. That is, in some embodiments, the first BWP may change as a result of step S620, based on the capability determined at step S618. Such embodiments can avoid the need to reconfigure a pre-existing selection of BWP for the transmission of data associated with the second service. Where the second service is an MBS service being obtained by multiple communications devices, this can therefore avoid the need for the multiple communications devices which are obtaining the MBS service to be reconfigured based on the change of second BWP.

Subsequently, at step S622, the infrastructure equipment schedules communications resources, and transmits and receives data associated with, the first and second services <NUM>, <NUM>, using the first and second BWPs respectively, in accordance with the BWP capability of the communications device <NUM>.

In accordance with some embodiments of the present technique, the infrastructure equipment <NUM> adapts scheduling of the data associated with the first service, based on the BWP capability of the communications device <NUM>. The adaptation may comprise selection of communications resources taking into account frequency domain constraints and/or time domain constraints associated with the BWP capability of the communications device <NUM>.

For example, the infrastructure equipment <NUM> may delay the transmission of data associated with the first service to a later time when the infrastructure equipment <NUM> determines that the communications device <NUM> will be operating using the first BWP.

Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the infrastructure equipment <NUM> may select, for the transmission of the data associated with the first service, communications resources where the ability of the communications device <NUM> to receive and decode the first data is not impaired by interference corresponding to a simultaneous transmission of data associated with the second service. For example, the infrastructure equipment <NUM> may refrain from selecting physical resources where interference may occur from an MBS transmission for the transmission of the data associated with the first service.

Accordingly, the adaptation of the scheduling of the first data may be in either the time domain, the frequency domain, or both.

In the example of <FIG>, obtaining the second service comprises receiving downlink transmissions and does not include any associated uplink transmissions. However in some embodiments, obtaining the second service may comprise transmitting control information and/or data by the communications device <NUM> to the infrastructure equipment <NUM>.

Examples of such scheduling and data transmission which may be used at step S622 are described in further detail below. In particular, in some embodiments, one or more BWP switching control indications may be transmitted by the infrastructure equipment <NUM> to the communications device <NUM> in order for the communications device <NUM> to be able to determine on which BWP to operate at a given time in order to obtain both the first and second services, the data for the first and second services being transmitted on resources of, respectively, the first and second BWPs.

Subsequently, at step S624, the communications device <NUM> may determine that it is to stop receiving the second service, and (in some embodiments) to receive a different service instead of the second service. In such embodiments, the communications device <NUM> may transmit an indication <NUM> to the infrastructure equipment <NUM> indicating that it is no longer attempting to receive transmissions associated with the second service. The indication may be a second SPI.

Additionally or alternatively, if the communications device <NUM> determines that it is to attempt to obtain a third service, then the process may return to step S614 and a further SPI may be transmitted.

In some embodiments, when the communications device <NUM> determines at step S624 that it is to obtain a different (third) service, the communications device <NUM> may determine that the BWP(s) on which transmissions for the first and third services are scheduled are compatible with the communications device's capabilities, and that the communications device <NUM> is able to operate to obtain the first and third services concurrently, without requiring that the infrastructure equipment <NUM> schedule the transmissions in any particular manner in the time domain.

Accordingly, in some embodiments, the further SPI may indicate that the communications device <NUM> is able to operate to obtain the first and third services concurrently, without requiring that the infrastructure equipment <NUM> schedule the transmissions in any particular manner in the time domain and/or the frequency domain. In response to receiving the further SPI, the infrastructure equipment <NUM> may refrain from transmitting further BWP switching control indications and may schedule the transmissions associated with the first and third services without applying any constraint based on the capability of the communication device <NUM>.

In some embodiments of the present technique, steps are carried out in the order of their description above and as shown in <FIG>.

In some embodiments, the order of the steps may differ and/or one or more steps may be omitted. In some embodiments, one or more steps shown as involving the infrastructure equipment <NUM> may involve instead a different infrastructure equipment. For example, the MBS schedule may be received earlier than shown in <FIG>, and may have been received from a different infrastructure equipment <NUM> and/or in a different cell.

In some embodiments, step S604 may be omitted. The communications device <NUM> may determine whether to transmit the SPI based on pre-configured criteria, which may be, for example, specified in relevant standards specifications.

In some embodiments, the UE capability <NUM> may be transmitted in response to the BWP configuration indication <NUM>. In some such embodiments, the UE capability <NUM> may indicate the BWP capability in respect of one or more pairs of BWPs indicated by the BWP configuration indication <NUM>.

In some embodiments, step S602 may occur before step S601. For example, if the communications device <NUM> is initially in an idle RRC mode, then the communications device <NUM> may receive the MBS schedule <NUM> as part of broadcast system information, and may send the capability indication <NUM> only when it has entered (or as part of the process of entering) an RRC connected mode.

In some embodiments, step S616 may occur independently of one or more other steps and/or may be done in accordance with conventional techniques for providing capability information from a core network element to a radio access network element, such as the infrastructure equipment <NUM>. For example, step S616 may occur in response to the communications device <NUM> entering an RRC connected mode in the cell, or in another cell controlled by the infrastructure equipment <NUM>. In some examples, the core network transmits the UE capability indication <NUM> to the infrastructure equipment <NUM> in response to determining that the communications device <NUM> is entering (or has entered) an RRC connected mode in the cell.

In the example of <FIG>, the communications device <NUM> is obtaining the first service <NUM> prior to obtaining the second service. However, the present disclosure is not so limited, and the order may be reversed. That is, in some embodiments, the communications device <NUM> obtains the second service <NUM> prior to obtaining the first service <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the infrastructure equipment <NUM> determines that the communications device <NUM> is unable to operate simultaneously using the first BWP and the second BWP. Accordingly, in response, at step S622, communications resources are allocated for the transmission of data such that simultaneous operation by the communications device <NUM> using both the first and second BWPs simultaneously is not required. The communications resources may, in some embodiments, be allocated in accordance with other constraints based on the BWP capability of the communications device.

In some embodiments, the communications resources for the transmission of data associated with the second service are allocated without regards to, i.e. independently of the SPI <NUM> and the BWP capability of the communications device, and the communications resources for the transmission of data associated with the first service are allocated based on (i.e. taking account of) the communications resources for the transmission of data associated with the second service, and one or both of the SPI <NUM> and the BWP capability of the communications device.

As part of step S622, the infrastructure equipment <NUM> may transmit one or more BWP switching control indications to the communications device <NUM>, in order for the communications device <NUM> to determine whether it is to operate (i.e. receive and/or transmit data) using the first BWP or the second BWP.

Examples of BWP switching control indications include:.

In some embodiments, the DCI additionally indicates communications resources of the other BWP on which downlink data is to be transmitted associated with the service using the other BWP.

In some embodiments, the allocation of resources for the transmission of the data associated with the first service, and/or the transmission of the BWP switching control indications may be based on a maximum permitted time for the communications device <NUM> to switch operation from one of the first and second BWP to the other of the first and second BWP.

BWP switching control indications may be specific to a direction of switching, and different types of BWP switching control indications may be used in each direction (i.e. from the first BWP to the second BWP, and from the second BWP to the first BWP).

Examples of these will now be described.

In some embodiments, the communications device <NUM> determines which BWP it is to operate one at a given time (or, when to switch from one BWP to the other) based on a schedule associated with one of the first and second services.

<FIG> illustrates the transmission of data associated with the first and second services on the first and second BWPs, in which the communications device <NUM> determines a current BWP for operation based on a predetermined, periodic schedule.

For conciseness, <FIG> shows only downlink data transmissions and downlink BWPs. It will be appreciated that where uplink transmissions are also associated with either the first or second service, these will be scheduled using the uplink BWP corresponding to the currently active downlink BWP.

In the example of <FIG>, the first service is provided using resources of a first BWP <NUM> extending from frequency f1 to frequency f2. The second service is provided using resources of a second BWP <NUM> extending from frequency f3 to frequency f4. In the example of <FIG>, the BWPs are non-contiguous and are separated by a gap in the frequency domain (i.e. from frequency f2 to f3), however the present disclosure is not so limited and there may be no such gap between the first and second BWPs.

The communications device <NUM> determines the periodic schedule based on either a BWP switching control indication transmitted by the infrastructure equipment <NUM>, or based on a schedule for transmission associated with the second service. In <FIG>, the BWP in which the communications device <NUM> is operating at any given time is indicated by hatching markings in the applicable BWP.

In any case, the communications device <NUM> determines that transmissions associated with the second service may occur on the second BWP <NUM>, during time periods <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> which start at time (t1 + nP) and end at time (t1 + nP + d), for n = <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>,. where d indicates the duration of each time period.

The schedule indicating (or otherwise allowing the communications device <NUM> to determine) parameters t1 and d may be included within the MBS schedule <NUM>, or may be transmitted by the infrastructure equipment <NUM> in response to receiving the SPI <NUM>. The schedule (whether within the MBS schedule <NUM> or otherwise) may be indicated by means of radio resource control (RRC) signalling, by medium access control (MAC) control element (CE) signalling, or in any other appropriate manner.

Accordingly, at (or shortly before) time t1, the communications device <NUM> switches from operating using the first BWP <NUM> to operating using the second BWP <NUM>. The transmission of downlink data associated with the second service may occur in any of these time periods, in accordance with any known techniques. In the example of <FIG>, during the first time period <NUM>, data associated with the second service is transmitted using resources <NUM>, these resources being indicated by means of a downlink control information (DCI) transmission <NUM>. In some embodiments, the DCI transmission <NUM> may comprise an indication of a radio network temporary identifier (RNTI) corresponding to the second service.

Preferably, the downlink control information transmission <NUM> and corresponding data transmission <NUM> are received and decoded by all communications devices <NUM> in the cell which are obtaining the second service, in order to reduce the amount of communications resources used for the provision of the second service in the cell.

Subsequently, at time t1 + d, the communications device <NUM> switches from operating using the second BWP <NUM> to operating using the first BWP <NUM>. Data transmissions associated with the first service are not shown, but these may take place at any time outside of the time periods <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. Where the data associated with the first service is unicast data, appropriate techniques (such as hybrid automatic repeat request, HARQ) may be used to ensure or improve the reliability of the data transmission.

The communications device <NUM> similarly switches operation to the second BWP during second and third time periods <NUM>, <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, during the third time period <NUM>, further data associated with the second service is transmitted using resources <NUM>. This transmission is preceded by DCI <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the schedule and/or BWP switching control indication may indicate a maximum quantity of data associated with the second service to be transmitted within a single time period. In some such embodiments, the communications device <NUM> may, having received a quantity data associated with the second service, determine whether that quantity meets or exceeds the indicated maximum quantity of data. If so, then the communications device <NUM> may switch to operating using the first BWP, without waiting for the end of the time period. For example, the communications device <NUM> may initiate the switch to the first BWP immediately after receiving the maximum quantity of data.

In some embodiments, the use of a predetermined schedule may be combined with an inactivity timer, the duration of which may be indicated by the infrastructure equipment <NUM> in a BWP switching control indication. In such embodiments, the communications device <NUM> may start an inactivity timer which expires after the predetermined duration, or is reset if new data associated with the second service is received. The inactivity timer may be started when switching to the second BWP or only once data associated with the second service is received.

If the inactivity timer expires before the end of the time period (such as, referring to the example of <FIG>, before the time (t1 +nP + d), the communications device <NUM> switches operation to the first BWP.

In some embodiments, the duration of the inactivity timer may be zero, such that the communications device <NUM> switches back to the first BWP immediately after receiving any data associated with the second service <NUM> transmitted using the second BWP.

Accordingly, by using a predetermined, known schedule, the communications device <NUM> ensures it is operating using the second BWP when data associated with the second service may be scheduled. The infrastructure equipment <NUM> is also aware of the schedule, and accordingly schedules first service data (respectively, second service data) when the communications device <NUM> is operating using the first BWP (respectively, second BWP).

The use of a periodic schedule can allow a communications device to obtain both the first service and the second service in parallel, using communications resources on respective BWPs which are suitable for those services based on the quality of service requirements of the services and the numerology or availability of resources on those BWPs. The overhead associated with the signalling of the BWP switching control indication is low, because the schedule need only be transmitted once, and no further BWP switching control indications need to be sent.

<FIG> illustrates an example of the use of dynamic BWP switching control indications. In <FIG>, data associated with the second service <NUM> is transmitted using resources <NUM>, <NUM> as in the example of <FIG>. However, in the example of <FIG>, the communications device <NUM> switches from the first BWP <NUM> to the second BWP <NUM> in respect to receiving a BWP switching control indication transmitted using resources of the first BWP <NUM>.

Specifically, at time t2, the infrastructure equipment <NUM> transmits, as a dynamic BWP switching control indication, downlink control information (DCI) <NUM>. In response to receiving the DCI <NUM>, the communications device <NUM> switches operation to the second BWP <NUM>, and receives the second service data transmitted on the second BWP <NUM> using resources <NUM>.

Preferably, the DCI <NUM> is transmitted such that a maximum switching time permitted for the communications device <NUM> to switch from the first BWP <NUM> to the second BWP <NUM> is satisfied. Accordingly, the communications device <NUM> is able to re-tune its receiver circuitry to the frequency range associated with the second BWP <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the communications device <NUM> receives, on resources of the second BWP <NUM>, a DCI <NUM> indicating the resources <NUM> used for the transmission of the data associated with the second service.

Alternatively, in some embodiments, the DCI <NUM> indicates the communications resources <NUM> of the second BWP <NUM>. Accordingly, the DCI <NUM> may comprise an indication of one or more of resource block allocations corresponding to the resources <NUM> on the second BWP, modulation and coding scheme (MCS) used for the transmission of the data in the resources <NUM>, and HARQ parameters associated with that data. The communications device <NUM> is thus able to receive the data of the second service without receiving (or at least, without decoding) any DCI sent on the second BWP <NUM>.

A further DCI (such as the DCI <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>) may in any case be transmitted by the infrastructure equipment <NUM> on the second BWP <NUM>, in order to indicate to other communications devices which are receiving the second BWP <NUM> at the time, of the resources <NUM> used for the transmission of the data associated with the second service.

The dynamic BWP switching control indication (e.g. the DCI <NUM>) may comprise an indication of an RNTI corresponding to the second service. In some embodiments, this may be the same RNTI as used in DCI transmitted using the second BWP <NUM> indicating the allocation of resources for the transmission of data associated with the second service.

Instances of the dynamic BWP switching control indication may be used to indicate that the communications device <NUM> is to switch from the first BWP <NUM> (used for the first service) to the second BWP <NUM>, from the second BWP <NUM> to the first BWP <NUM>, or both.

In some embodiments, instances of the dynamic BWP switching control indication are used to indicate that the communications device <NUM> is to switch from one BWP to another BWP, and one or more of the inactivity timer and maximum quantity of data assessment (as described above) are used by the communications device <NUM> to determine when to switch in the opposite direction.

In the example of <FIG>, an inactivity timer, having duration TI, is used. Accordingly, at time t3 at the end of the resources <NUM> in which the data associated with the second service is received, the communications device <NUM> starts an inactivity timer. At t4 (where t4 = t3 + TI), the timer expires, and the communications device switches from the second BWP <NUM> to the first BWP <NUM>. Similarly, at time t6, at the end of the resources <NUM>, the inactivity timer is started. The inactivity timer expires at time t7 (t7 = t6 + TI), and the communications device <NUM> switches from the second BWP <NUM> to the first BWP <NUM>.

Accordingly, in embodiments such as that illustrated in <FIG>, the communications device <NUM> performs only a single change from the first BWP <NUM> to the second BWP <NUM> in response to receiving a dynamic BWP switching control indication. This is in contrast to the case where the BWP switching control indication comprises an indication of a schedule, based on which the communications device <NUM> performs multiple changes from the first BWP <NUM> to the second BWP <NUM>.

The use of dynamic BWP switching control indications can allow a communications device to obtain both the first service and the second service in parallel, using communications resources on respective BWPs which are suitable for those services based on the quality of service requirements of the services and the numerology or availability of resources on those BWPs. The dynamic nature of the BWP switching control indications means that the communications device switches to a BWP only when data is scheduled to be transmitted on that BWP for the respective service. Accordingly, the ability of the communications device <NUM> to obtain the other service (on the other BWP) with minimal interruption. For example, as shown in <FIG>, the communications device <NUM> continues to use the first BWP <NUM> from time t4 until time t5, thus avoiding switching to the second BWP <NUM> when in fact no downlink data is scheduled using the second BWP <NUM> during that time.

The use of dynamic BWP switching control indications can therefore avoid the need to indicate a schedule, and can provide more efficient use of communications resources and more flexibility in scheduling transmissions associated with the first and second services, particularly where transmissions associated with the second service do not generally conform with a periodic transmission pattern.

In accordance with embodiments of the present technique, the infrastructure equipment <NUM> is able to determine, at any point in time, whether the communications device <NUM> is operating using the first BWP <NUM>, the second BWP <NUM> or (if the capabilities of the communications device <NUM> permit) both. Thus, the infrastructure equipment <NUM> schedules data transmissions associated with each of the first and second services using resources of their respective BWPs, at times which are consistent with the behaviour of the communications device <NUM>.

For example, in the example of <FIG>, the infrastructure equipment <NUM> refrains from scheduling data associated with the first service, using the first BWP, between time t2 and time t4. Between time t4 and time t5, the infrastructure equipment <NUM> determines that the communications device <NUM> is operating using the first BWP <NUM>, and thus schedules the transmission of data associated with the first service using the first BWP <NUM> during this time.

In the examples of <FIG>, only a single communications device is described. However, it will be appreciated that in some embodiments, multiple communications device <NUM> may be configured to receive the second service if it is an MBS service. Furthermore, the two or more communications devices <NUM> may be both configured to receive the second service while obtaining other (unicast) services. The other unicast services may be provided by means of communications resources on different BWPs, which differ both from the BWP used for the second service and from each other.

Accordingly, in some embodiments, the infrastructure equipment transmits BWP switching control indications to a plurality of communications devices, for indicating when each communications device should switch to the BWP on which data associated with the second service is scheduled. The same BWP switching control indication (e.g. schedule, or DCI) may be transmitted to each of the plurality of communications devices. In some embodiments, different BWP switching control indications may be sent to different communications devices.

In some embodiments, two or more communications devices <NUM> are obtaining respective (e.g. different) first services on the (same) first BWP, and the second service on the same second BWP. The infrastructure equipment <NUM> may transmit a single BWP switching control indication to indicate to the two or more communications devices <NUM> that data is to be (or may be) associated with the second service is to be transmitted using the second BWP. For example, where the single BWP switching control indication is a dynamic BWP switching control indication, it may comprise an identifier associated with the second service, known to all of the two or more communications devices. The identifier may be an RNTI.

Where the BWP switching control indication for a communications device is dynamic, then it is transmitted using resources of the BWP on which that communications device is receiving or transmitting data associated with the service which is not the second (MBS) service.

In accordance with some embodiments of the present technique, one or more communications devices obtains the second service while not obtaining any other service (e.g. a unicast first service). Such communications devices may initially therefore be in an idle or inactive state, in which no active RRC connection is established with the infrastructure equipment.

Conventionally, a communications device in such a state may be configured for discontinuous reception, whereby the infrastructure equipment <NUM> is constrained to transmit signalling for the communications device <NUM> within predetermined time periods (DRX "on" periods). The communications device <NUM> can thus reduce power consumption during periods outside these DRX on periods, for example by disabling or reducing a capability of its receiver circuitry.

In some embodiments of the present technique, the communications device <NUM> may transmit the SPI <NUM> to the infrastructure equipment, while having no active RRC connection. In response, the infrastructure equipment <NUM> may transmit a DRX configuration indication. According to the indicated DRX configuration, the predetermined time periods (DRX 'on' periods) during which the infrastructure equipment <NUM> may transmit signalling for the communications device <NUM> correspond to (e.g. encompass, align with, or form a part of) time periods when the infrastructure equipment <NUM> may transmit data associated with the second service.

For example, referring to the example shown in <FIG> and described above, in accordance with some embodiments, the infrastructure equipment <NUM> may indicate a DRX configuration whereby the infrastructure equipment <NUM> may transmit signalling for the communications device <NUM> only during time periods <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> defined by time periods starting at time (t1 + nP) and end at time (t1 + nP + d), for n = <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>,.

In response, the communications device <NUM> may monitor the second BWP <NUM> for both transmissions associated with the second service and for unicast signalling directed to it, and is permitted to (and thus may) reduce its power consumption by de-activating some or all of its receiver circuitry outside of the indicated time periods.

Accordingly, the communications device <NUM> is able to continue to operate in accordance with a DRX configuration and to obtain the second service.

In some embodiments of the present technique, the wireless access interface may be based on frequency division duplexing (FDD) whereby uplink transmissions occur within one or more frequency ranges which are distinct from, and non-overlapping with, frequency ranges used for downlink transmissions.

In some embodiments of the present technique, the wireless access interface may be based on time division duplexing (TDD) whereby uplink transmissions and downlink transmissions may occur within a given frequency range. In some such embodiments, BWPs may nevertheless be designated as 'uplink' or 'downlink', such that within a given uplink (respectively, downlink) BWP, only uplink (respectively, downlink) transmissions occur.

As set out in [<NUM>], a principle for operation of BWPs in a TDD operation may be that a communications device is not required to re-tune its transmitter and receiver circuitry when switching from transmit to receive. According to embodiments of the present technique, where both uplink and downlink communications resources are allocated for the provision of the second service (where the second service may be an MBS service) in accordance with TDD operation, the uplink and downlink communications resources are within respective BWPs which comply with the requirement that no communications device obtaining the second service is required to re-tune its receiver or transmitter circuitry when switching from receive to transmit (or vice versa) in respect of data transmissions associated with the second service.

The infrastructure equipment <NUM> may accordingly select the uplink and downlink communications resources based on the UE BWP capability indication, wherein the BWP capability indication comprises an indication of a constraint applicable to a pair of uplink and downlink BWPs such that the communications device <NUM> is capable of receiving and transmitting using those BWPs, without re-tuning its transmitter and receiver circuitry.

In some embodiments, the infrastructure equipment satisfies this constraint in respect of the transmissions associated with the second service, independently of the selection of resources for transmissions associated with any first service being obtained by the communications device.

In some embodiments, the infrastructure equipment satisfies this constraint in respect of the transmissions associated with the second service jointly with the selection of resources for transmissions associated with the first service, such that the communications device is additionally capable of switching between obtaining the first service using a first pair of BWPs, and obtaining the second service using a second pair of BWPs, without re-tuning its transmitter and receiver circuitry.

In accordance with some embodiments of the present technique, the communications device <NUM> may change its serving cell while receiving the first and second services (e.g. during step S622 of <FIG>). The change of serving cell may be as a result of a handover (i.e. network-controlled mobility procedure). In some embodiments of the present technique, the SPI <NUM> received from the communications device <NUM> at step S614 may be forwarded from the infrastructure equipment <NUM> to another infrastructure equipment, the other infrastructure equipment controlling the new serving cell.

In some embodiments of the present technique, after a change of serving cell in accordance with a procedure in which the SPI <NUM> is not forwarded to the other infrastructure equipment, the communications device <NUM> may transmit the SPI <NUM> in the new cell to the other infrastructure equipment.

Accordingly, the process of <FIG> may continue with step S618 and subsequent steps, in which the other infrastructure equipment carries out the steps shown in <FIG> as being carried out by the infrastructure equipment <NUM>.

Aspects disclosed herein may be combined or divided and separated in combinations other than are explicitly disclosed above. In particular, the process illustrated in <FIG> and described above may be shortened by the omission of one or more steps, re-ordered, and/or combined with one or more of the aspects related to cell change. The process of <FIG> may be applied in the context of an FDD (frequency division duplex) system or a TDD system, for example as described herein.

Accordingly, embodiments of the present technique can provide a method of requesting, by a communications device, the provision of a first service and a second service in a wireless communications network, the method comprising transmitting to an infrastructure equipment of the wireless communications network a service preference indication (SPI), the SPI requesting the infrastructure equipment to provide to the communications device the first service and the second service in accordance with a bandwidth parts capability of the communications device, wherein in accordance with the bandwidth parts capability, the communications device is unable to receive and decode first data transmitted using a first bandwidth part of a carrier bandwidth of a wireless access interface provided by the infrastructure and second data transmitted using a second bandwidth part of the carrier bandwidth, if the first data and the second data are transmitted simultaneously.

There has also been described a method of receiving, by a communications device, first service data associated with a first service and second service data associated with a second service in a wireless communications network, the method comprising: receiving the first service data associated with the first service, the first service data transmitted by an infrastructure equipment using communications resources within a first bandwidth part of a carrier bandwidth of a wireless access interface provided by the infrastructure equipment, controlling a receiver of the communications device to receive signals within a second bandwidth part of the carrier bandwidth, and receiving the second service data associated with the second service, the second service data transmitted by the infrastructure equipment using communications resources within the second bandwidth part, wherein the communications device is unable to receive and decode first data transmitted using the first bandwidth part and second data transmitted using the second bandwidth part, if the first data and the second data are transmitted simultaneously.

There has further been described a method of providing a first service and a second service to a communications device in a cell of a wireless communications network, the method comprising: receiving a service preference indication (SPI) transmitted by the communications device, the SPI requesting the infrastructure equipment to provide to the communications device the first service and the second service in accordance with a bandwidth parts capability of the communications device, wherein in accordance with the bandwidth parts capability, the communications device is unable to receive, simultaneously, first data transmitted using a first bandwidth part of a carrier bandwidth of a wireless access interface provided by the infrastructure equipment and second data transmitted using a second bandwidth part of the carrier bandwidth.

There has further been described a method of transmitting, by an infrastructure equipment of a wireless communications network, first service data associated with a first service and second service data associated with a second service, the method comprising: allocating first communications resources within a first bandwidth part (BWP) of a carrier bandwidth of a wireless access interface provided by the infrastructure equipment in a cell for the transmission of the first service data to a communications device, allocating second communications resources within a second BWP of the carrier bandwidth for the transmission of the second service data, wherein the first communications resources and the second communications resources are allocated in accordance with a bandwidth parts capability of the communications device, wherein in accordance with the bandwidth parts capability, the communications device is unable to receive and decode first data transmitted using the first BWP and second data transmitted using the second BWP if the first data and the second data are transmitted simultaneously.

Corresponding communications devices, infrastructure equipment and circuitry for a communications device and circuitry for infrastructure equipment have also been described.

It may be noted various example approaches discussed herein may rely on information which is predetermined / predefined in the sense of being known by both the base station and the communications device. It will be appreciated such predetermined / predefined information may in general be established, for example, by definition in an operating standard for the wireless telecommunication system, or in previously exchanged signalling between the base station and communications devices, for example in system information signalling, or in association with radio resource control setup signalling, or in information stored in a SIM application. That is to say, the specific manner in which the relevant predefined information is established and shared between the various elements of the wireless telecommunications system is not of primary significance to the principles of operation described herein. It may further be noted various example approaches discussed herein rely on information which is exchanged / communicated between various elements of the wireless telecommunications system and it will be appreciated such communications may in general be made in accordance with conventional techniques, for example in terms of specific signalling protocols and the type of communication channel used, unless the context demands otherwise. That is to say, the specific manner in which the relevant information is exchanged between the various elements of the wireless telecommunications system is not of primary significance to the principles of operation described herein.

It will further be appreciated that the principles described herein are applicable not only to LTE-based or <NUM>/NR-based wireless telecommunications systems, but are applicable for any type of wireless telecommunications system in which communications resources may be arranged and configured as a plurality of frequency ranges. In particular, the principles may be applicable where communications resources within a carrier bandwidth of a cell may be arranged and configured as a plurality of frequency ranges.

Further particular and preferred aspects of the present invention are set out in the accompanying independent and dependent claims. It will be appreciated that features of the dependent claims may be combined with features of the independent claims in combinations other than those explicitly set out in the claims.

Thus, the foregoing discussion discloses and describes merely exemplary embodiments of the present invention. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. Accordingly, the disclosure of the present invention is intended to be illustrative, but not limiting of the scope of the invention, as well as other claims. The disclosure, including any readily discernible variants of the teachings herein, define, in part, the scope of the foregoing claim terminology such that no inventive subject matter is dedicated to the public.

Claim 1:
A method for requesting, by a communications device (<NUM>), provision of a first service and a second service in a wireless communications network (<NUM>, <NUM>), the method comprising:
transmitting to an infrastructure equipment (<NUM>) of the wireless communications network a service preference indication, SPI, the SPI requesting the infrastructure equipment to provide to the communications device the first service and the second service in accordance with a bandwidth parts capability of the communications device, wherein
in accordance with the bandwidth parts capability, the communications device is unable to receive and decode first data transmitted using a first bandwidth part (<NUM>) of a carrier bandwidth of a wireless access interface provided by the infrastructure equipment in a cell and second data transmitted using a second bandwidth part (<NUM>) of the carrier bandwidth, if the first data and the second data are transmitted simultaneously.