Patent Description:
Ultra-reliable and low latency communication (URLLC) is one of the main use cases of <NUM> new radio (NR) specified by the Third Generation Partnership Group (3GPP). URLLC has strict requirements on transmission reliability and latency, i.e., <NUM>% reliability within <NUM> one-way latency. In 3GPP NR Release <NUM>, several features and enhancements were introduced to support these requirements. In 3GPP Release <NUM>, standardization works are focused on further enhancing URLLC system performance as well as ensuring reliable and efficient coexistence of URLLC and other NR use cases. One example scenario is when radio devices (e.g., user equipments, UEs) for both enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) and URLLC co-exist in the same cell. Here, mainly two approaches have been identified to support multiplexing and/or prioritization.

In addition to operation in licensed bands, NR has been enhanced in 3GPP Release <NUM> (e.g., according to the 3GPP document RP-<NUM>, Revised WID on NR-based Access to Unlicensed Spectrum) to allow operation in unlicensed bands, i.e., NR-unlicensed (NR-U). Allowing unlicensed networks, i.e., networks that operate in unlicensed or shared spectrum to effectively use the available spectrum is an attractive approach to increase system capacity. For convenience, this disclosure will in the following only mention unlicensed spectrum to refer to both unlicensed and shared spectrum.

Although it is more challenging to match the qualities (e.g., as to reliability and/or latency) of the licensed regime on unlicensed spectrum, solutions that allow an efficient use of it as a complement to licensed deployments have the potential to bring great value to the 3GPP operators, and, ultimately, to the 3GPP industry as a whole.

For example, some features in NR may need to be adapted to comply with the special characteristics of the unlicensed band as well as also different regulations. Further, if a UE intended to use unlicensed spectrum, it may employ Clear Channel Assessment (CCA) schemes to find out whether the channel is free or not over a certain period. One such technique is Listen Before Talk (LBT).

There are many different flavors or implementation of LBT, depending on which channel access mode the device uses and which type of data it wants to transmit in the upcoming transmission opportunity, referred to as channel occupancy time (COT).

Common for all flavors or implementation of CCA or LBT is that the sensing is done in a particular channel (e.g., corresponding to a defined carrier frequency) and over a predefined bandwidth.

It is currently unclear how a radio device is supposed to carry out receptions and/or transmissions during the idle time (i.e., the IDLE period), e.g., in Frame-Based Equipment. Continuation of e.g. periodical semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) or configured grant (CG) operation would be inefficient leading to radio resource wastage and/or unnecessary battery drains of the radio device.

<CIT>, describes techniques for interference detection, signaling, and mitigation techniques for low latency communications in an unlicensed or shared radio frequency spectrum band.

<CIT>, describes techniques related to listen-before-talk operations.

<CIT>, describes techniques related to transmitting a control frame using a wide beam width transmission.

Accordingly, there is a need for a (e.g., sidelink relaying) radio communication technique that handles idle times more efficiently in at least some scenarios.

The present invention is defined as in the appended independent claims. Specific embodiments of the present invention are defined in the dependent claims. In the followings some parts of the description, that are not covered by the claims, are considered background information that is useful for understanding the present invention.

As to a first method aspect, a method of using radio resources in fixed frame periods (FFPs) on a channel for radio communication in a radio network comprising a first node and a second node is provided. Each of the FFPs comprises an idle time (IT) for clear channel assessment (CCA) of the channel and a maximum channel occupancy time (M-COT) for occupying the channel depending on the CCA. The method is performed by the first node. The method comprises or initiates a step of selectively monitoring the radio resources in the FFPs on the channel. The selective monitoring comprises refraining from monitoring a first set of the radio resources. The first set of the radio resources is allocated to a first message of the second node and is partially or completely in the IT. Alternatively or in addition, the method further comprises or initiates a step of selectively transmitting on the radio resources in the FFPs on the channel. The selective transmitting comprises refraining from transmitting on a first set of the radio resources. The first set of the radio channel is allocated to a first message of the first node and is partially or completely in the IT.

The first method aspect may be provided or implemented alone or in combination with any one of the claims in the list of claims. Furthermore, the first method aspect may be provided or implemented alone or in combination with any one of the embodiments described hereinbelow.

By selectively monitoring and/or selectively transmitting on the channel depending on whether the radio resources involved fall (e.g., partly or completely) in the IT, embodiments of the technique allow a suspension and/or a deactivation of the monitoring of and/or the transmission on.

The (e.g., first and/or second) set of radio resources allocated to the (e.g., first and/or second) message (e.g., of the first and/or second node) may also be referred to as the allocations. The allocation may be for at least one of UL transmission; DL transmission; data transmission; control information transmission; a data channel; a control channel; dynamic scheduling (e.g., by means of a DL control information); semi-persistent scheduling (SPS); and/or may be based on a configured grant (CG).

The channel may be in shared spectrum or unlicensed spectrum.

Herein, the expression "time" may encompass a time interval or a period (e.g., a sub-period of the FFP). For example, the IT may be an idle time interval or an idle period. The M-COT may be a maximum channel occupancy time interval or a maximum channel occupancy period.

Herein, the expression "occupying" the channel may encompass transmitting on the channel. For example, the channel may be selectively occupied by the second node of a radio network for selectively transmitting a message to the first node of the radio network.

Furthermore, the second node may refrain from transmitting the first message, if the first set of radio resources allocated to the first message of the second node is partially or completely in the IT. For example, the second node may refrain from occupying the set of radio resources on the channel, if the set of radio resources of the message of the second node is partially or completely in the IT.

The refraining from monitoring the first set of the radio resources (e.g., according to the first and/or second method aspect) may comprise refraining from decoding or refraining from attempting to decode the first message of the second node.

The selective monitoring (e.g., according to the first and/or second method aspect) may further comprise monitoring a second set of the radio resources, which is allocated to a second message of the second node and which is completely in the M-COT.

The monitoring of the second set of the radio resources (e.g., according to the first and/or second method aspect) may comprise decoding or attempting to decode the second message of the second node.

The channel (e.g., according to the first and/or second method aspect) may be occupied by the second node for transmitting the second message on the second set of radio resources during a channel occupancy time (COT) within the M-COT subsequent to the CCA that may be indicating clearance of the channel.

The first node (e.g., according to the first and/or second method aspect) may be a radio device and the second node may be a base station providing radio access to the radio device.

The radio communication (e.g., according to the first and/or second method aspect) may use at least one of an uplink (UL) and a downlink (DL) between the radio device and the base station.

The radio network (e.g., according to the first and/or second method aspect) may comprise a radio access network (RAN). The RAN may comprise the base station. The radio device may be configured for radio access to the RAN.

The first node (e.g., according to the first and/or second method aspect) may be a first radio device and the second node may be a second radio device providing radio access to the first radio device.

The radio communication (e.g., according to the first and/or second method aspect) may use a sidelink (SL) between the first radio device and the second radio device.

The radio network (e.g., according to the first and/or second method aspect) may comprise an ad hoc radio network and/or mesh radio network.

The second radio device (e.g., according to the first and/or second method aspect) may be a relay radio device within radio coverage provided by a RAN. The first radio device may be in a relaying radio connection with the RAN through the second radio device.

The FFPs (e.g., according to the first and/or second method aspect) may comprise at least one first FFP used by the first node and at least one second FFP used by the second node.

The first node and the second node (e.g., according to the first and/or second method aspect) may use the same or synchronized FFPs.

A first FFP used by the first node and a second FFP used by the second node (e.g., according to the first and/or second method aspect) may be synchronized, if the IT of the first FFP of the first node does not overlap with the M-COT of the second FFP of the second node. Alternatively or in addition, a first FFP used by the first node and a second FFP used by the second node (e.g., according to the first and/or second method aspect) may be synchronized if the IT of the second FFP of the second node does not overlap with the M-COT of the first FFP of the first node.

Alternatively or in addition, a first FFP used by the first node and a second FFP used by the second node (e.g., according to the first and/or second method aspect) may be synchronized if the IT of the first FFP of the first node fully overlaps with the IT of the second FFP of the second node. Alternatively or in addition, a first FFP used by the first node and a second FFP used by the second node (e.g., according to the first and/or second method aspect) may be synchronized if the M-COT of the first FFP of the first node fully overlaps with the M-COT of the second FFP of the second node.

Optionally, the FFPs of the first node and the second node may be synchronized up to a propagation time or a round-trip time of a radio signal in the radio communication on the channel.

The FFPs (e.g., according to the first and/or second method aspect) may comprise at least one first FFP used by the first node and at least one second FFP used by the second node. The first and second FFPs may be not synchronized.

A first FFP used by the first node and a second FFP used by the second node (e.g., according to the first and/or second method aspect) may be not synchronized, if the IT of the first FFP of the first node overlaps with or is within the M-COT of the second FFP of the second node. Alternatively or in addition, a first FFP used by the first node and a second FFP used by the second node (e.g., according to the first and/or second method aspect) may be not synchronized if the IT of the second FFP of the second node overlaps with or is within the M-COT of the first FFP of the first node. Alternatively or in addition, a first FFP used by the first node and a second FFP used by the second node (e.g., according to the first and/or second method aspect) may be not synchronized if the IT of the first FFP of the first node does not coincide or not fully overlap with the IT of the second FFP of the second node. Alternatively or in addition, a first FFP used by the first node and a second FFP used by the second node (e.g., according to the first and/or second method aspect) may be not synchronized if the M-COT of the first FFP of the first node does not coincide or not fully overlap with the M-COT of the second FFP of the second node.

The FFPs (e.g., according to the first and/or second method aspect), may be assigned to the first node by the second node.

The at least one first FFP used by the first node (e.g., according to the first and/or second method aspect) may be assigned for the first node by the second node. Alternatively or in addition the at least one second FFPs used by the second node may be assigned for the second node by the second node.

The assigning may comprise receiving at control message from the second node. The control message may be indicative of a configuration of the FFPs and/or the at least one first FFP. For example, the at least one first FFP of the radio device are configured by the base station. Alternatively or in addition, the at least one second FFP for the base station are assigned by the base station.

The CCA may be performed (e.g., by the first node or the second node) at the end of the IT used by the respective node. The beginning of the M-COT may be defined relative to a CCA performed by the respective node.

The method (e.g., according to the first and/or second method aspect) may further comprise or initiate performing the CCA by the first node. Optionally, the CCA performed by the first node may define an end of the IT of the at least one first FFP used by the first node. Alternatively or in addition, the CCA performed by the first node may define a beginning of the M-COT of the at least one first FFP used by the first node.

The at least one first FFP and the at least one second FFP may be not synchronized (i.e., asynchronous and/or out of synchronization) as a result of the first node performing the CCA (preferably independent of the second node) for defining the at least one first FFP used by the first node.

Each of the radio resources may comprise at least one resource block (RB) set in a frequency domain of the channel and/or at least one a transmission time interval (TTI) in a time domain.

The selective transmitting (e.g., according to the first and/or second method aspect) may further comprise transmitting on a second set of the radio resources. The radio resources may be allocated to a second message of the first node which may be completely in the M-COT.

The channel (e.g., according to the first and/or second method aspect) may be occupied by the first node for the transmitting of the second message on the second set of radio resources during a COT within the M-COT subsequent to the CCA indicating clearance of the channel.

The selective monitoring (e.g., according to the first and/or second method aspect) may comprise refraining from the monitoring of the first set of the radio resources. The first set of radio resources may be allocated to the first message of the second node which may be partially or completely in the IT of the at least one second FFP of the second node.

The selective monitoring (e.g., according to the first and/or second method aspect) may further comprise the monitoring of the second set of the radio resources. The second set of radio resources may be allocated to a second message of the second node which may be completely in the M-COT of the at least one second FFP of the second node.

The selective transmitting (e.g., according to the first and/or second method aspect) may comprise refraining from the transmitting on the first set of the radio resources. The first set of the radio resources may be is allocated to the first message of the first node and may be partially or completely in the IT of the at least one first FFP of the first node.

The selective transmitting (e.g., according to the first and/or second method aspect) may further comprise transmitting on a second set of the radio resources. The second set of radio resources may be allocated to a second message of the first node and may be completely in the M-COT of the at least one first FFP of the first node.

The channel (e.g., according to the first and/or second method aspect) may be shared by at least two different RANs. Alternatively or in addition the channel may be accessible by at least two different RANs. Alternatively or in addition the channel may be used or usable by at least two different radio access technologies (RATs).

The channel (e.g., according to the first and/or second method aspect) may be on a shared spectrum. Alternatively or in addition, the channel may be on an unlicensed spectrum.

The first node may be configured for a periodically repeating FFP. Alternatively or in addition, second node may be configured for a periodically repeating FFP.

The M-COT may correspond to a maximum transmission time (e.g., a transmission opportunity, TxOp), e.g., subsequent to the CCA indicating clearance of the channel (i.e., a successful CCA) in the IT. For example, the first and/or second node (e.g., the radio device and/or the base station) may transmit a message on the channel if (e.g., only if) the CCA is indicative of the clearance of the channel.

The selective monitoring performed by the first node (e.g., according to the first and/or second method aspect) may comprise continuing to monitor the radio resources in the IT of the at least one first FFP for a second message of the second node, optionally a serving base station of the first node, if the second message of the second node requires a corresponding and/or subsequent response as a second message of the first node in the M-COT of the at least one first FFP.

The second message of the second node (e.g., according to the first and/or second method aspect) may comprise a scheduling grant and the second message of the first node may comprise or use a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) in response to the scheduling grant. Alternatively or in addition, the second message of the second node may further comprise or use a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) and the second message of the first node may comprise a hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) feedback in response to the PDSCH of the second node.

The selective transmission performed by the first node (e.g., according to the first and/or second method aspect) may comprise refraining from the transmission of the second message of the first node, if a timing of the transmission falls within the IT of the first FFP of the first node.

The selective monitoring performed by the first node (e.g., according to the first and/or second method aspect) may comprise monitoring a second set of radio resources allocated to a second message of the second node. The second set may be partly or completely in the IT of the second FFP and may be completely in the M-COT of the first FFP.

The selective transmitting performed by the first node (e.g., according to the first and/or second method aspect) may comprise transmitting on a second set of radio resources allocated to a second message of the first node. The second set may be partly or completely in the IT of the first FFP and may be completely in the M-COT of the second FFP.

Two or more messages of the second node (e.g., according to the first and/or second method aspect), optionally two or more DL transmission, may be colliding. One of the messages or DL transmissions occurring over the IT may be discarded, optionally irrespective of a priority and/or an identifier (ID) associated with the discarded message or DL transmission.

The selective transmission performed by the first node (e.g., according to the first and/or second method aspect) may comprise refraining from the transmission of a second message of the first node, if a timing of the transmission falls within the IT, optionally the IT of the synchronized FFPs or the IT of the first FFP of the first node or the IT of the second FFP of the second node. The radio resources of the second message may be allocated by semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) or a configured grant, optionally wherein the second message may comprise a medium access control (MAC) packet data unit (PDU).

As to a second method aspect, a method of using radio resources in FFPs on a channel for radio communication in a radio network comprising a first node and a second node is provided. Each of the FFPs comprises an IT for CCA of the channel and an M-COT for occupying the channel depending on the CCA. The method performed by the second node comprises or initiates a step of selectively monitoring the radio resources in the FFPs on the channel. The selective monitoring comprises refraining from monitoring a first set of the radio resources. The first set of the radio resources is allocated to a first message of the first node and is partially or completely in the IT. Alternatively or in addition, the method performed by the second node comprises or initiates a step of selectively transmitting on the radio resources in the FFPs on the channel. The selective transmitting comprises refraining from transmitting on a first set of the radio resources. The first set of the radio resources is allocated to a first message of the second node and is partially or completely in the IT.

The second method aspect may be provided or implemented alone or in combination with any one of the claims in the list of claims. Furthermore, the second method aspect may be provided or implemented alone or in combination with any one of the embodiments described hereinbelow.

The second node (e.g., according to the first and/or second method aspect) may assign the FFPs for at least one of the first node and the second node.

The method may further comprise or initiate a step of performing the CCA by the second node. Optionally, the CCA performed by the by the second node may define an end of the IT of the at least one second FFP used by the second node (<NUM>). Alternatively or in addition, the CCA performed by the second node (<NUM>) may define a beginning of the M-COT of the at least one second FFP used by the second node.

The second method aspect may further comprise any feature and/or any step disclosed in the context of the first method aspect, or a feature and/or step corresponding thereto, e.g., a receiver counterpart to a transmitter feature or step.

As to another aspect, a computer program product is provided. The computer program product comprises program code portions for performing any one of the steps of the first method aspect or the second method aspect disclosed herein when the computer program product is executed by one or more computing devices. The computer program product may be stored on a computer-readable recording medium. The computer program product may also be provided for download, e.g., via the radio network, the RAN, the Internet and/or the host computer. Alternatively, or in addition, the method may be encoded in a Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) and/or an Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), or the functionality may be provided for download by means of a hardware description language.

As to a first device aspect, a radio device for using radio resources in FFPs on a channel for radio communication in a radio network comprising a first node and a second node is provided. Each of the FFPs comprises an IT for CCA of the channel and an M-COT for occupying the channel depending on the CCA. The radio device comprises memory operable to store instructions and processing circuitry operable to execute the instructions, such that the radio device is operable to selectively monitor the radio resources in the FFPs on the channel. The selective monitoring comprises refraining from monitoring a first set of the radio resources. The first set of the radio resources is allocated to a first message of the second node and is partially or completely in the IT. Alternatively or in addition, the radio device comprises memory operable to store instructions and processing circuitry operable to execute the instructions, such that the radio device is further operable to selectively transmit on the radio resources in the FFPs on the channel. The selective transmitting comprises refraining from transmitting on a first set of the radio resources. The first set of radio devices is allocated to a first message of the first node and is partially or completely in the IT.

The radio device according to the first device aspect may further be operable to perform any of the steps of the first method aspect.

The first device aspect may be provided or implemented alone or in combination with any one of the claims in the list of claims. Furthermore, the first device aspect may be provided or implemented alone or in combination with any one of the embodiments described hereinbelow.

As to a further first device aspect, a radio device for using radio resources in FFPs on a channel for radio communication in a radio network comprising a first node and a second node is provided. Each of the FFPs comprises an IT for CCA of the channel and an M-COT for occupying the channel depending on the CCA. The radio device is configured to selectively monitor the radio resources in the FFPs on the channel. The selective monitoring comprises refraining from monitoring a first set of the radio resources. The first set of radio resources is allocated to a first message of the second node and is partially or completely in the IT. Alternatively or in addition, the radio device is further configured to selectively transmit on the radio resources in the FFPs on the channel. The selective transmitting comprises refraining from transmitting on a first set of the radio resources. The first set of the radio resources is allocated to a first message of the first node and are partially or completely in the IT.

The radio device according to the further first device aspect may be further configured to perform any of the steps of the first method aspect.

The further first device aspect may be provided or implemented alone or in combination with any one of the claims in the list of claims. Furthermore, the further first device aspect may be provided or implemented alone or in combination with any one of the embodiments described hereinbelow.

As to a second device aspect, a base station for using radio resources in FFPs on a channel for radio communication in a radio network comprising a first node and a second node is provided. Each of the FFPs comprises an IT for CCA of the channel and an M-COT for occupying the channel depending on the CCA. The radio device comprising memory operable to store instructions and processing circuitry operable to execute the instructions, such that the radio device is operable to selectively monitor the radio resources in the FFPs on the channel. The selective monitoring comprises refraining from monitoring a first set of the radio resources. The first radio resources are allocated to a first message of the first node and are partially or completely in the IT. The radio device further comprises memory operable to store instructions and processing circuitry operable to execute the instructions, such that the radio device is operable to selectively transmit on the radio resources in the FFPs on the channel. The selective transmitting comprises refraining from transmitting on a first set of the radio resources. The first set of radio resources is allocated to a first message of the second node and is partially or completely in the IT.

The base station according to the second device aspect may be further operable to perform any of the steps of the second method aspect.

The second device aspect may be provided or implemented alone or in combination with any one of the claims in the list of claims. Furthermore, the second device aspect may be provided or implemented alone or in combination with any one of the embodiments described hereinbelow.

As to a further second device aspect, a base station for using radio resources in FFPs on a channel for radio communication in a radio network comprising a first node and a second node is provided. Each of the FFPs comprises an IT for CCA of the channel and an M-COT for occupying the channel depending on the CCA. The base station comprises memory operable to store instructions and processing circuitry operable to execute the instructions, such that the base station is operable to selectively monitor the radio resources in the FFPs on the channel. The selective monitoring comprises refraining from monitoring a first set of the radio resources. The first radio resources are allocated to a first message of the first node and are may be partially or completely in the IT. The radio device further comprises memory operable to store instructions and processing circuitry operable to execute the instructions, such that the radio device is operable to selectively transmit on the radio resources in the FFPs on the channel. The selective transmitting comprises refraining from transmitting on a first set of the radio resources. The first set of radio resources are allocated to a first message of the second node and are partially or completely in the IT.

The base station according to the further second device aspect may be further operable to perform any of the steps of the second method aspect.

The further second device aspect may be provided or implemented alone or in combination with any one of the claims in the list of claims. Furthermore, the further second device aspect may be provided or implemented alone or in combination with any one of the embodiments described hereinbelow.

As to a still further device aspect, a communication system including a host computer is provided. The host computer comprises a processing circuitry configured to provide user data, e.g., included in the first message. The host computer further comprises a communication interface configured to forward the user data to a cellular network (e.g., the RAN and/or the base station) or ad hoc radio network for transmission to a UE. A processing circuitry of the cellular network is configured to execute any one of the steps of the first and/or second method aspects. The UE comprises a radio interface and processing circuitry, which is configured to execute any one of the steps of the first method aspect.

The communication system may further include the UE. Alternatively or in addition, the cellular network may further include one or more base stations configured for radio communication with the UE and/or to provide a data link between the UE and the host computer using the second method aspect.

The radio network of the communication system may further comprise a base station or a radio device functioning as a gateway. The base station or the radio device functioning as a gateway may be configured to communicate with the UE.

The base station or the radio device functioning as a gateway may comprise processing circuitry. The processing circuitry may be configured to execute any of the steps of the second method aspect.

The processing circuitry of the host computer may be configured to execute a host application, thereby providing the user data and/or any host computer functionality described herein. Alternatively, or in addition, the processing circuitry of the UE may be configured to execute a client application associated with the host application.

Any aspect of the technique may be implemented as a method of controlling transmission and/or monitoring (e.g., of a radio device) conditioned with an idle time (IT, i.e., an "IDLE Period"). Alternatively or in addition, any aspect of the technique may be implemented for or in the context of at least one of NR-U, a channel occupancy mechanism (i.e., CCA or sensing of the channel), FBE, and a radio resource structure comprising ITs (i.e., idle periods).

Some aspects of the technique may be implemented by changes and/or additions to the 3GPP document TS <NUM>, version <NUM>. <NUM> and/or the 3GPP document TS <NUM>, version <NUM>. Alternatively or in addition, some aspects of the technique may be implemented by additions related to UL PI signaling.

Furthermore, the technique may be applied in the context of 3GPP New Radio (NR), optionally using a sidelink (SL). Unlike a SL according to 3GPP LTE, a SL according to 3GPP NR can provide a wide range of QoS levels. The technique may be implemented in accordance with a 3GPP specification, e.g., for 3GPP release <NUM>. The technique may be implemented for 3GPP LTE or 3GPP NR according to a modification of the 3GPP document TS <NUM>, version <NUM>. <NUM> or for 3GPP NR according to a modification of the 3GPP document TS <NUM>, version <NUM>. In any radio access technology (RAT), the technique may be implemented for SL relay selection. The SL may be implemented using proximity services (ProSe), e.g. according to a 3GPP specification.

Any radio device may be a user equipment (UE), e.g., according to a 3GPP specification, e.g., the 3GPP document TS <NUM>, version <NUM>. <NUM>; and/or the 3GPP document TS <NUM>, version <NUM>.

The radio device and/or the base station and/or the RAN may form, or may be part of, a radio network, e.g., according to the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) or according to the standard family IEEE <NUM> (Wi-Fi). The first method aspect and/or the second method aspect may be performed by one or more embodiments of the radio device and the RAN (e.g., a base station), respectively.

The RAN may comprise one or more base stations, e.g., each or collectively performing the second method aspect. Alternatively or in addition, the radio network may be a vehicular, ad hoc and/or mesh network comprising two or more radio devices, e.g., acting as a remote radio device as the first node and/or a relay radio device as the second node.

Any of the radio devices may be a 3GPP user equipment (UE) or a Wi-Fi station (STA). The radio device may be a mobile or portable station, a device for machine-type communication (MTC), a device for narrowband Internet of Things (NB-loT) or a combination thereof. Examples for the UE and the mobile station include a mobile phone, a tablet computer and a self-driving vehicle. Examples for the portable station include a laptop computer and a television set. Examples for the MTC device or the NB-loT device include robots, sensors and/or actuators, e.g., in manufacturing, automotive communication and home automation. The MTC device or the NB-loT device may be implemented in a manufacturing plant, household appliances and consumer electronics.

Whenever referring to the RAN, the RAN may be implemented by one or more base stations.

The radio device may be wirelessly connected or connectable (e.g., according to a radio resource control, RRC, state or active mode) with the base station or the relay radio device (e.g., according to 3GPP Proximity Services, ProSe).

The base station may encompass any station that is configured to provide radio access to any of the radio devices. The base stations may also be referred to as cell, transmission and reception point (TRP), radio access node or access point (AP). The base station and/or the relay radio device may provide a data link to a host computer providing the user data to the remote radio device or gathering user data from the remote radio device. Examples for the base stations may include a <NUM> base station or Node B, <NUM> base station or eNodeB, a <NUM> base station or gNodeB, a Wi-Fi AP and a network controller (e.g., according to Bluetooth, ZigBee or Z-Wave).

The RAN may be implemented according to the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), 3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE) and/or 3GPP New Radio (NR).

Any aspect of the technique may be implemented on a Physical Layer (PHY), a Medium Access Control (MAC) layer, a Radio Link Control (RLC) layer, a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer, and/or a Radio Resource Control (RRC) layer of a protocol stack for the radio communication.

Any one of the devices, the UE, the base station, the communication system or any node or station for embodying the technique may further include any feature disclosed in the context of the method aspects, and vice versa. Particularly, any one of the units and modules disclosed herein may be configured to perform or initiate one or more of the steps of the method aspects.

Further details of embodiments of the technique are described with reference to the enclosed drawings, wherein:.

In the following description, for purposes of explanation and not limitation, specific details are set forth, such as a specific network environment in order to provide a thorough understanding of the technique disclosed herein. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the technique may be practiced in other embodiments that depart from these specific details. Moreover, while the following embodiments are primarily described for a New Radio (NR) or <NUM> implementation, it is readily apparent that the technique described herein may also be implemented for any other radio communication technique, including a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) implementation according to the standard family IEEE <NUM>, 3GPP LTE (e.g., LTE-Advanced or a related radio access technique such as MulteFire), for Bluetooth according to the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG), particularly Bluetooth Low Energy, Bluetooth Mesh Networking and Bluetooth broadcasting, for Z-Wave according to the Z-Wave Alliance or for ZigBee based on IEEE <NUM>.

Moreover, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the functions, steps, units and modules explained herein may be implemented using software functioning in conjunction with a programmed microprocessor, an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), a Digital Signal Processor (DSP) or a general purpose computer, e.g., including an Advanced RISC Machine (ARM). It will also be appreciated that, while the following embodiments are primarily described in context with methods and devices, the invention may also be embodied in a computer program product as well as in a system comprising at least one computer processor and memory coupled to the at least one processor, wherein the memory is encoded with one or more programs that may perform the functions and steps or implement the units and modules disclosed herein.

<FIG> schematically illustrates a block diagram of an embodiment of a device for using radio resources in fixed frame periods (FFPs). The device is generically referred to by reference sign <NUM>.

The radio resources in the FFPs are on a channel for radio communication in a radio network. The radio network comprises a first node and a second node. Each of the FFPs comprises an IT for CCA of the channel and a M-COT for occupying the channel depending on the CCA.

The device <NUM> comprises at least one of a monitoring module <NUM> that performs the step of selective monitoring and a transmitting module <NUM> that performs the step of selective transmitting according to the first device aspect and/or any one of the embodiments described herein below, optionally in combination.

The monitoring module <NUM> selectively monitors the radio resources in the FFPs on the channel. The selective monitoring comprises refraining from monitoring a first set of the radio resources, which is allocated to a first message of the second node and which is partially or completely in the IT.

The transmitting module <NUM> selectively transmits on the radio resources in the FFPs on the channel. The selective transmitting comprises refraining from transmitting on a first set of the radio resources, which is allocated to a first message of the first node and which is partially or completely in the IT.

Any of the modules of the device <NUM> may be implemented by units configured to provide the corresponding functionality.

The device <NUM> may also be referred to as, or may be embodied by, the first node, e.g., a radio device (or briefly: UE). The first node <NUM> and the second node <NUM> may be in direct radio communication, e.g., during FFPs. The second node may be embodied by the device <NUM>.

<FIG> schematically illustrates a block diagram of an embodiment of a device for using radio resources in FFPs. The device is generically referred to by reference sign <NUM>.

The device <NUM> comprises at least one of a monitoring module <NUM> that performs the step of selective monitoring and a transmitting module <NUM> that performs the step of selective transmitting according to the second device aspect.

The monitoring module <NUM> selectively monitors the radio resources in the FFPs on the channel. The selective monitoring comprises refraining from monitoring a first set of the radio resources, which is allocated to a first message of the first node and which is partially or completely in the IT.

The transmitting module <NUM> selectively transmits on the radio resources in the FFPs on the channel. The selective transmitting comprises refraining from transmitting on a first set of the radio resources, which is allocated to a first message of the second node and which is partially or completely in the IT.

The device <NUM> may also be referred to as, or may be embodied by, the second node, e.g., a base station <NUM>. The base station <NUM> and the radio device <NUM> may be in direct radio communication, e.g., at least during the selective monitoring and/or transmitting. The first node may be embodied by the device <NUM>.

<FIG> shows an example flowchart for a method <NUM> of using radio resources in FFPs according to the first method aspect.

The method <NUM> comprises at least one of a monitoring step <NUM> and a transmitting step <NUM>.

In the monitoring step <NUM>, the radio resources in the FFPs on the channel are selectively monitored. The selective monitoring comprises refraining from monitoring a first set of the radio resources, which is allocated to a first message of the second node and which is partially or completely in the IT.

In the transmitting step <NUM>, the first node selectively transmits on the radio resources in the FFPs on the channel. The selective transmitting comprises refraining from transmitting on a first set of the radio resources, which is allocated to a first message of the first node and which is partially or completely in the IT.

The method <NUM> may be performed by the device <NUM>. For example, the modules <NUM> and <NUM> may perform the steps <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively.

<FIG> shows an example flowchart for a method <NUM> of using radio resources in FFPs according to the second method aspect.

In a step <NUM>, the radio resources in the FFPs on the channel are selectively monitored. The selective monitoring comprises refraining from monitoring a first set of the radio resources, which is allocated to a first message of the first node and which is partially or completely in the IT.

In a step <NUM>, the second node selectively transmits on the radio resources in the FFPs on the channel. The selective transmitting comprises refraining from transmitting on a first set of the radio resources, which is allocated to a first message of the second node and which is partially or completely in the IT.

In any aspect, the technique may be applied to uplink (UL), downlink (DL) or direct communications between radio devices, e.g., device-to-device (D2D) communications or sidelink (SL) communications.

Each of the device <NUM> and the device <NUM> may be a radio device or a base station. Herein, any radio device may be a mobile or portable station and/or any radio device wirelessly connectable to a base station or RAN, or to another radio device. For example, the radio device may be a user equipment (UE), a device for machine-type communication (MTC) or a device for (e.g., narrowband) Internet of Things (IoT). Two or more radio devices may be configured to wirelessly connect to each other, e.g., in an ad hoc radio network or via a 3GPP SL connection. Furthermore, any base station may be a station providing radio access, may be part of a radio access network (RAN) and/or may be a node connected to the RAN for controlling the radio access. For example, the base station may be an access point, for example a Wi-Fi access point.

Herein, any the CCA may comprise or may be comprised in any implementation of listen before talk (LBT), which may also be referred to as sensing or access operation. Further, two modes of access operations may be defined, e.g., including a Frame-Based Equipment (FBE) and Load-Based Equipment (LBE). In FBE mode, the sensing period is simple (e.g., a periodic FFP), while the sensing scheme in LBE mode is more complex.

The FBE mode may use a semi-static channel occupancy. In the FBE mode as defined in 3GPP (e.g., as illustrated in <FIG>), the gNB <NUM> assigns Fixed Frame Periods (FFPs), senses the channel for <NUM> just before the FFP boundary (i.e., performs the CCA <NUM>), and if the channel is sensed to be free (i.e. clearance of the channel), the gNB <NUM> starts with a downlink (DL) transmission, and/or allocates resources among different UEs <NUM> in the FFP <NUM>.

This procedure may be repeated with a certain periodicity. In the FFP <NUM>, DL/UL transmissions are only allowed within the COT (or M-COT <NUM>), a subset of FFP resource, where the remaining idle time <NUM> (IT or Idle period) is reserved so that other nodes (e.g., <NUM> or <NUM>) also have the chance to sense and utilize the channel. Hence in FBE operations, the channel is sensed at specific intervals just before the FFP boundary and/or at the beginning of the M-COT <NUM>.

<FIG> schematically illustrates an example of an FBE procedure, e.g. depicting 3GPP semi-static channel occupancy. The FBE procedure may be implemented according to ETSI harmonized standard EN <NUM><NUM>, e.g. Section <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates two alternative definitions of the FFP <NUM>.

The FFP <NUM> can be set to values between <NUM> and <NUM> and can be changed after a minimum of <NUM>. The IDLE period <NUM> may be a regulatory requirement and is supposed to be at least TIDLE ≥ max(<NUM>*COT, <NUM>) or TIDLE ≥ max(<NUM>*M-COT, <NUM>). In the 3GPP document TS <NUM>, version <NUM>. <NUM>, this may have been simplified or reduced to be TIDLE ≥ max(<NUM>*FFP, <NUM>), i.e. the maximum channel occupancy time, M-COT, would be defined as TM-COT = min(<NUM>*FFP, FFP-<NUM>). So for an FFP <NUM> of <NUM>, the M-COT would be <NUM>, while for <NUM> FFP the M-COT would be <NUM> = <NUM>*FFP.

The technique may be implemented using a dynamic channel occupancy (LBE mode). The default LBT mechanism for LBE operation, LBT category <NUM>, is similar to existing Wi-Fi operation, wherein the node <NUM> and/or <NUM> may sense the channel at any time and start transmitting if the channel is free after a deferral and back-off period. For specific cases, e.g. shared COT, other LBT categories allowing a very short sensing period, are allowed.

The channel may be an LBT channel. The technique may be implemented using LBT channels in wideband operation mode. There are different wideband operation modes. The nodes perform LBT on a certain bandwidth referred to as LBT channel, which are up to <NUM> (or Bran channelization, which are also used by Wi-Fi). The transmission bandwidth is therefore also limited by the LBT bandwidth. The channels can however be aggregated in wideband operation modes using either carrier aggregation, or using one wideband carrier which is divided into several so-called resource block sets, RB set (also referred to as LBT bandwidth or LBT sub-band). In either modes, the LBT can be performed according to one of the following procedures:.

For conciseness, different embodiments are described collectively for the radio device (e.g., UE) aspect and the base station (e.g., gNB) aspect. The skilled person understands that the below disclosure provides disclosure for each of the aspects separately for each of the embodiments. Furthermore, features of different embodiments may be combined.

In the <FIG>, the steps <NUM> and <NUM> of selectively transmitting may correspond to the beginning of an arrow, wherein the upper portion of each figure relates to the base station <NUM> (exemplified by a gNB) performing the method <NUM>, and/or the lower portion relates to the radio device <NUM> (exemplified by a UE) performing the method <NUM>. Alternatively or in addition, the steps <NUM> and <NUM> of selectively monitoring may correspond to end of an arrow.

In first and second variants of a first embodiment, e.g., as illustrated in the <FIG> and <FIG>, respectively, the UE <NUM> has no own FFP cycle of FFPs <NUM> and/or the FFP cycles of the UE <NUM> and gNB <NUM> are synchronized.

In the first embodiment, the UE <NUM> refrains from monitoring, i.e., the UE <NUM> is not expected to monitor or does not monitor or does not attempt decoding any PDSCH allocation (e.g., dynamic or SPS based) or, other DL transmissions that fully or partially occur on the IT (i.e. the "idle period"). This can save UE battery for unnecessary decoding attempts.

As to variant of any embodiment, the UE <NUM> is configured with its own FFP cycle (i.e., UE <NUM> may initiate transmissions outside of the COT or M-COT of the gNB.

In a first variant, e.g., as illustrated in <FIG>, if the idle period <NUM> of the UE <NUM> and the gNB <NUM> are synchronized, the UE <NUM> is not expected to monitor any DL transmissions from the serving gNB <NUM>. In a second variant, as illustrated in <FIG>, if the idle period <NUM> of the UE <NUM> and the gNB <NUM> are synchronized, the UE <NUM> is not expected to perform UL transmission in the idle period <NUM>.

In further variants (e.g., the below variants), the idle period <NUM> (i.e., the first and second FFPs) of the UE <NUM> and the gNB <NUM> are not synchronized. For example, the ITs <NUM> do not fully overlap. In other words, the UE has its own FFP cycle (i.e., the first FFP <NUM>) that is not synchronized with FFP cycle of gNB (i.e., the second FFP <NUM>).

In a third variant (e.g., of the first embodiment), e.g. as illustrated in <FIG>, the UE <NUM> is not expected to monitor and/or not to attempt decoding any DL transmissions (i.e., the first message of the gNB <NUM>) as part of a COT or M-COT <NUM> initiated by the CCA performed by the gNB in the idle period <NUM> of gNB.

In a fourth variant (e.g., of the first embodiment), e.g. as illustrated in <FIG>, the gNB <NUM> does not expect UL transmissions as part of the COT initiated by the UE in the UE's idle period <NUM>.

In a fifth variant (e.g., of the first embodiment), e.g. as illustrated in <FIG>, if the UE <NUM> initiates a COT according to its own FFP cycle (i.e., the first FFP <NUM>), the UE <NUM> may transmit <NUM> during the gNB's idle period <NUM> (i.e. the IT of the second FFP <NUM>).

In a sixth variant (e.g., of the first embodiment), e.g. as illustrated in <FIG>, the UE <NUM> is expected to continue to monitor for DL transmissions from its own serving gNB <NUM> during the UE's idle period <NUM>, nonetheless, if any of the transmissions (e.g., the second message of the gNB <NUM>) requires corresponding UL transmission as part of UE's initiated COT (e.g. PUSCH in response to grant, HARQ feedback in response to PDSCH, etc.). Furthermore, the UE <NUM> is not expected to perform the transmission if the timing of the transmission falls within the UE's idle period <NUM> (i.e., the IT <NUM> of the first FFP <NUM>).

In a seventh variant (e.g., of the first embodiment), e.g. as illustrated in <FIG>, DL transmissions as part of a UE's initiated COT or M-COT <NUM> may still be performed during the gNB's idle period <NUM> (i.e., the IT <NUM> of the second FFP).

Similarly, in an eight variant (e.g., of the first embodiment), e.g. as illustrated in <FIG>, UL transmissions as part of the gNB's initiated COT or M-COT <NUM> may still pe performed during the UE's idle period (i.e., the IT <NUM> of the first FFP).

A second embodiment (e.g., as illustrated in any one of the <FIG> and/or 14A to 14C), which may be combined with the first embodiment, relates to a DL preconfigured radio resource (labeled as a "preconfigured message" or "Prec. The preconfigured radio resource may be preconfigured by SPS and/or may be a reference signals, or other periodic DL signals that the UE <NUM> could otherwise receive.

The preconfigured radio resource may require response, e.g. feedback could be any type of response message for an initial message. The preconfigured radio resource may comprise a data transmission, a paging request, a random access channel (RACH) preamble, etc..

In the case illustrated in <FIG>, the preconfigured radio resource is in the M-COT <NUM> of the second FFP <NUM>, so that the UE <NUM> receives and transmits the response associated to the preconfigured radio resource in the M-COT <NUM> of the first FFP <NUM>.

If the preconfigured radio resource occurs in the gNB's idle period <NUM>, as depicted in <FIG>, the UE <NUM> may act according to any one of the following options.

According to a first option, the UE <NUM> is not expected to provide the response (e.g., a HARQ feedback in response to the SPS occasion) that falls in the gNB's idle period (i.e., the IT <NUM> of the second FFP). As a non-limiting example, no placeholder or bits are allocated in the HARQ codebook, for instance in Type-<NUM> codebook. This saves radio resources. It means that no physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) is transmitted during the Idle period <NUM>. An example of the first option is illustrated in <FIG>.

According to a second option, the UE reports a NACK as the responds, e.g., corresponding to the SPS occasion that falls in the gNB's idle period <NUM> (i.e., the IT <NUM> of the second FFP). An example of the second option is illustrated in <FIG>.

According to a third or general option, the UE is not expected to transmit a "response" to any preconfigured (or dynamic) command and/or transmission occasion that falls in the gNB's idle period (i.e., the IT <NUM> of the second FFP).

For example, beside HARQ-feedback (a type of response message), there could be Paging response message to the initial occurred Paging request occasion (falling in the idle period), and thus the node is not expected to send/transmit Paging response.

Another example of response message could be CSI feedback, etc..

<FIG> illustrate a variant of the second embodiment and/or a variant of the examples illustrated in <FIG>, respectively.

In a third embodiment (e.g., as illustrated in any one of the <FIG>), which may be combined with the first and/or second embodiment, the UE <NUM> does not monitor any PDCCH transmission on the idle period <NUM>. In a variant, e.g., as illustrated in <FIG>, the UE <NUM> does not monitor any PDCCH transmission or does not attempt to detect PDSCH, which supposedly starts in the M-COT <NUM> (i.e., a non-idle period) and ends in the IT <NUM> (i.e., the idle period).

While <FIG> illustrate synchronized first and second FFPs <NUM>, the third embodiment may also be implemented if the UE <NUM> has its own FFP cycle that is not synchronized with FFP cycle of gNB.

A fourth embodiment, which may be combined with any one of the first, second or third embodiments, relates to a group of PDSCHs are colliding. A resolution among the colliding PDSCHs may comprise (e.g., prior to a final resolution or as a preselection prior to the resolution) at least one of the following option.

A first option discards the PDSCHs occurring over the IT <NUM> and/or over prohibited symbols (e.g., over UL symbols or symbols reserved important DL control information), optionally irrespective of their priority and/or an SPS ID or dynamic scheduling.

A second option, which may be performed subsequent to the first option, comprises defining one or more PDSCHs that are resolute (e.g., that are maintained):.

A fifth embodiment relates to radio resources of an UL configured grant (CG) occasions falling entirely or partly into the IT <NUM>. The UE <NUM> refrains from any transmissions in such UL CG occasions, e.g., meaning that no MAC packet data unit (PDU) is created for transmission. This can be achieved by at least one of the following options.

According to a first option, the configured grant (CG) operation is temporarily suspended during the IT <NUM>. This can be considered as a bandwidth part deactivation from MAC point of view. Configured grant operation may be resumed when the IT <NUM> is over, optionally which may be implemented as bandwidth part reactivation from MAC point of view. While transmissions are suspended, the UE processing of time until the next configured grant occasion is not suspended, i.e. when calculating the period between configured grant occasions, the IT <NUM> is accounted for.

According to a second option, when the UE <NUM> is configured with Idle periods <NUM>, configured grant occasions falling in these Idle periods <NUM> are pre-calculated from the UE <NUM> and proactively not considered as configured grant occasions.

While above description referred to CG occasions, the same may be implemented or applies to SPS occasions.

In a sixth or generic embodiment, which may be combined with any one of the first to fifth embodiment, relates or applies to a set of radio resource <NUM> (e.g., a transmission resource), referred to as Resource#A, which occurs (e.g., partly or completely) in the IT <NUM>.

If the Resource#A is configured as a DL radio resource, UE <NUM> refrains from monitoring, e.g., is not expected to (or does not) monitor (or do decoding attempts) on Resource#A.

Alternatively or in addition, an additional or separate set of radio resources, which is referred to as Resource#B is allocated (e.g., to the UE <NUM>) and is dependent on the transmission at Resource#A. The Resource#B may be on a valid or non-idle period <NUM>. The node (e.g., gNB <NUM> or UE <NUM>) is refrains from transmitting and/or refrains from monitoring (e.g., is not expected to transmit and/or receive and/or monitor) a transmission on the Resource#B.

For example, the Resource#B may be configured for a HARQ feedback (e.g., an UL HARQ-ACK feedback) in response to a DL transmission on the Resource#A.

Alternatively or in addition, if the set <NUM> of radio resources, i.e., the Resource#A is configured as an UL radio resource, the UE <NUM> refrains from transmitting (i.e., does not transmit) on the Resource#A. The Resource#A may partially or fully overlap with the IT <NUM>.

Moreover, if an additional or separate set of radio resource (referred to as Resource#B, which can be on valid or non-idle period <NUM>) is allocated and is dependent on the transmission at Resource#A, then the node (e.g., gNB <NUM> or UE <NUM>) refrains from transmitting (i.e., is not expected to transmit/receive/monitor the transmission) on the Resource#B. , the Resource#B may be configured for DL HARQ-ACK feedback for the UL transmission on Resource#A.

In any embodiment, the set of radio resources Resource#A and/or Resource#B may be configured with any mode, e.g., shared channel and/or control channel (in any order).

<FIG> shows a schematic block diagram for an embodiment of the device <NUM>. The device <NUM> comprises processing circuitry, e.g., one or more processors <NUM> for performing the method <NUM> and memory <NUM> coupled to the processors <NUM>.

For example, the memory <NUM> may be encoded with instructions that implement at least one of the modules <NUM> and <NUM>.

The one or more processors <NUM> may be a combination of one or more of a microprocessor, controller, microcontroller, central processing unit, digital signal processor, application specific integrated circuit, field programmable gate array, or any other suitable computing device, resource, or combination of hardware, microcode and/or encoded logic operable to provide, either alone or in conjunction with other components of the device <NUM>, such as the memory <NUM>, radio device functionality. For example, the one or more processors <NUM> may execute instructions stored in the memory <NUM>. Such functionality may include providing various features and steps discussed herein, including any of the benefits disclosed herein. The expression "the device being operative to perform an action" may denote the device <NUM> being configured to perform the action.

As schematically illustrated in <FIG>, the device <NUM> may be embodied by a radio device <NUM>, e.g., functioning as a UE. The UE <NUM> comprises a radio interface <NUM> coupled to the device <NUM> for radio communication with one or more base stations, e.g., functioning as a gNB.

<FIG> shows a schematic block diagram for an embodiment of the device <NUM>. The device <NUM> comprises processing circuitry, e.g., one or more processors <NUM> for performing the method <NUM> and memory <NUM> coupled to the processors <NUM>. For example, the memory <NUM> may be encoded with instructions that implement at least one of the modules <NUM> and <NUM>.

The one or more processors <NUM> may be a combination of one or more of a microprocessor, controller, microcontroller, central processing unit, digital signal processor, application specific integrated circuit, field programmable gate array, or any other suitable computing device, resource, or combination of hardware, microcode and/or encoded logic operable to provide, either alone or in conjunction with other components of the device <NUM>, such as the memory <NUM>, base station functionality. For example, the one or more processors <NUM> may execute instructions stored in the memory <NUM>. Such functionality may include providing various features and steps discussed herein, including any of the benefits disclosed herein. The expression "the device being operative to perform an action" may denote the device <NUM> being configured to perform the action.

As schematically illustrated in <FIG>, the device <NUM> may be embodied by a base station <NUM>, e.g., functioning as a gNB. The base station <NUM> comprises a radio interface <NUM> coupled to the device <NUM> for radio communication with one or more radio device, e.g., functioning as UEs.

With reference to <FIG>, in accordance with an embodiment, a communication system <NUM> includes a telecommunication network <NUM>, such as a 3GPP-type cellular network, which comprises an access network <NUM>, such as a radio access network, and a core network <NUM>. The access network <NUM> comprises a plurality of base stations 1812a, 1812b, 1812c, such as NBs, eNBs, gNBs or other types of wireless access points, each defining a corresponding coverage area 1813a, 1813b, 1813c. Each base station 1812a, 1812b, 1812c is connectable to the core network <NUM> over a wired or wireless connection <NUM>. A first user equipment (UE) <NUM> located in coverage area 1813c is configured to wirelessly connect to, or be paged by, the corresponding base station 1812c. A second UE <NUM> in coverage area 1813a is wirelessly connectable to the corresponding base station 1812a.

Any of the base stations <NUM> and the UEs <NUM>, <NUM> may embody the device <NUM>.

The communication system <NUM> of <FIG> as a whole enables connectivity between one of the connected UEs <NUM>, <NUM> and the host computer <NUM>. For example, a base station <NUM> need not be informed about the past routing of an incoming downlink communication with data originating from a host computer <NUM> to be forwarded (e.g., handed over) to a connected UE <NUM>.

By virtue of the method <NUM> being performed by any one of the UEs <NUM> or <NUM> and/or any one of the base stations <NUM>, the performance or range of the OTT connection <NUM> can be improved, e.g., in terms of increased throughput and/or reduced latency. More specifically, the host computer <NUM> may indicate to the base station <NUM> or the radio device <NUM> (e.g., on an application layer) scheme for scheduling the user data in the shared spectrum.

Example implementations, in accordance with an embodiment of the UE, base station and host computer discussed in the preceding paragraphs, will now be described with reference to <FIG>. In providing the service to the remote user, the host application <NUM> may provide user data, which is transmitted using the OTT connection <NUM>. The user data may depend on the location of the UE <NUM>. The user data may comprise auxiliary information or precision advertisements (also: ads) delivered to the UE <NUM>. The location may be reported by the UE <NUM> to the host computer, e.g., using the OTT connection <NUM>, and/or by the base station <NUM>, e.g., using a connection <NUM>.

The connection <NUM> may be direct, or it may pass through a core network (not shown in <FIG>) of the telecommunication system and/or through one or more intermediate networks outside the telecommunication system.

It is noted that the host computer <NUM>, base station <NUM> and UE <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> may be identical to the host computer <NUM>, one of the base stations 1812a, 1812b, 1812c and one of the UEs <NUM>, <NUM> of <FIG>, respectively. This is to say, the inner workings of these entities may be as shown in <FIG>, and, independently, the surrounding network topology may be that of <FIG>.

In <FIG>, the OTT connection <NUM> has been drawn abstractly to illustrate the communication between the host computer <NUM> and the UE <NUM> via the base station <NUM>, without explicit reference to any intermediary devices and the precise routing of messages via these devices.

The wireless connection <NUM> between the UE <NUM> and the base station <NUM> is in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure. One or more of the various embodiments improve the performance of OTT services provided to the UE <NUM> using the OTT connection <NUM>, in which the wireless connection <NUM> forms the last segment. More precisely, the teachings of these embodiments may reduce the latency and improve the data rate and thereby provide benefits such as better responsiveness and improved QoS.

A measurement procedure may be provided for the purpose of monitoring data rate, latency, QoS and other factors on which the one or more embodiments improve. The measurements may be implemented in that the software <NUM>, <NUM> causes messages to be transmitted, in particular empty or "dummy" messages, using the OTT connection <NUM> while it monitors propagation times, errors etc..

For simplicity of the present disclosure, only drawing references to <FIG> will be included in this paragraph.

For simplicity of the present disclosure, only drawing references to <FIG> will be included in this paragraph. As has become apparent from above description, at least some embodiments of the technique allow for saving processing power in the radio device (e.g., UE).

Herein, any teachings as to a node (e.g., the radio device or the base station) "refraining from" a certain action may be implemented by the node "not performing" the action and/or the node being "not required to perform" the action and/or the node being not expected to perform the action.

Claim 1:
A method (<NUM>) of using radio resources in fixed frame periods, FFPs, (<NUM>) on a channel for radio communication in a radio network comprising a first node (<NUM>) and a second node (<NUM>), each of the FFPs (<NUM>) comprising an idle time, IT, (<NUM>) for clear channel assessment, CCA, (<NUM>) of the channel and a maximum channel occupancy time, M-COT, (<NUM>) for occupying the channel depending on the CCA (<NUM>), the method (<NUM>) performed by the first node (<NUM>) comprising or initiating at least one of the steps of:
selectively monitoring (<NUM>) the radio resources in the FFPs (<NUM>) on the channel, wherein the selective monitoring (<NUM>) comprises refraining from monitoring a first set (<NUM>) of the radio resources, which is allocated to a first message of the second node (<NUM>) and which is partially or completely in the IT (<NUM>); and
selectively transmitting (<NUM>) on the radio resources in the FFPs (<NUM>) on the channel, wherein the selective transmitting (<NUM>) comprises refraining from transmitting on a first set (<NUM>) of the radio resources, which is allocated to a first message of the first node (<NUM>) and which is partially or completely in the IT (<NUM>).