Patent Description:
<CIT> discloses a TD-LTE (Time Division Long Term Evolution) cluster group calling resource release method, a base station and UE (User Equipment).

<CIT> discloses a method for SPS. The UE receives a SPS configuration and SPS activation signalling. Then a timer is communicated to signal the time moment of releasing the SPS resources for the data group. If the timer expires and data are in the relevant HARQ buffer, or HARQ information is pending transmission the release is cancelled and the release timer not resumed.

In accordance with the present invention, there are provided a method of wireless communication performed by a user equipment as recited by claim <NUM>, and a user equipment for wireless communication as recited by claim <NUM>. Preferred features are set out in the dependent claims.

In addition, the scope of the disclosure is intended to cover such an apparatus or method which is practiced using other structure, functionality, or structure and functionality in addition to or other than the various aspects of the disclosure set forth.

The transceiver may be used by a processor (e.g., controller/processor <NUM>) and memory <NUM> to perform aspects of any of the methods described herein, for example, as described with reference to Figs. <NUM>-<NUM>.

The transceiver may be used by a processor (e.g., controller/processor <NUM>) and memory <NUM> to perform aspects of any of the methods described herein, for example, as described with reference to Figs. <NUM>-<NUM>.

Controller/processor <NUM> of base station <NUM>, controller/processor <NUM> of UE <NUM>, and/or any other component(s) of <FIG> may perform one or more techniques associated with pre-configured activation or deactivation, as described in more detail elsewhere herein. For example, controller/processor <NUM> of base station <NUM>, controller/processor <NUM> of UE <NUM>, and/or any other component(s) of <FIG> may perform or direct operations of, for example, process <NUM> of <FIG>, process <NUM> of <FIG>, and/or other processes as described herein. Memories <NUM> and <NUM> may store data and program codes for base station <NUM> and UE <NUM>, respectively. In some aspects, memory <NUM> and/or memory <NUM> may include a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing one or more instructions (e.g., code and/or program code) for wireless communication. For example, the one or more instructions, when executed (e.g., directly, or after compiling, converting, and/or interpreting) by one or more processors of the base station <NUM> and/or the UE <NUM>, may cause the one or more processors, the UE <NUM>, and/or the base station <NUM> to perform or direct operations of, for example, process <NUM> of <FIG>, process <NUM> of <FIG>, and/or other processes as described herein. In some aspects, executing instructions may include running the instructions, converting the instructions, compiling the instructions, and/or interpreting the instructions, among other examples.

In some aspects, UE <NUM> may include means for receiving (e.g., using antenna <NUM>, DEMOD <NUM>, MIMO detector <NUM>, receive processor <NUM>, controller/processor <NUM>, memory <NUM>, and/or the like) activation signaling for a configuration of a semi-persistent transmission procedure, means for activating (e.g., using controller/processor <NUM>) the semi-persistent transmission procedure based at least in part on receiving the activation signaling, means for deactivating (e.g., using controller/processor <NUM>) the semi-persistent transmission procedure based at least in part on a deactivation time, and/or the like. In some aspects, UE <NUM> may include means for transmitting (e.g., using controller/processor <NUM>, transmit processor <NUM>, TX MIMO processor <NUM>, MOD <NUM>, antenna <NUM>, and/or the like) uplink feedback responsive to an attempt to receive a downlink transmission, means for activating (e.g., using controller/processor <NUM>) a semi-persistent scheduling occasion or a pre-configured resource for a retransmission based at least in part on transmitting the uplink feedback, means for communicating (e.g., using controller/processor <NUM>, transmit processor <NUM>, TX MIMO processor <NUM>, MOD <NUM>, antenna <NUM>, and/or the like) in the semi-persistent scheduling occasion or using the pre-configured resource for the retransmission, and/or the like. In some aspects, such means may include one or more components of UE <NUM> described in connection with <FIG>, such as controller/processor <NUM>, transmit processor <NUM>, TX MIMO processor <NUM>, MOD <NUM>, antenna <NUM>, DEMOD <NUM>, MIMO detector <NUM>, receive processor <NUM>, and/or the like.

In some communications systems, semi-persistent transmission procedures may be used to enable UEs to communicate using semi-persistent resources. For example, a BS may configure a UE with a semi-persistent scheduling (SPS)/configured grant (CG) state in which the UE may periodically transmit on an uplink. Additionally, or alternatively, a BS may configure a UE with states associated with semi-persistent channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS), semi-persistent sounding reference signal (SRS), discontinuous reception (DRX) mode communication, and/or the like. A semi-persistent resource is a resource indicated to the UE by such a configuration, which may recur over a time period. The BS may transmit a first downlink control information (DCI) to activate the, for example, SPS/CG state and the UE may operate in the SPS/CG state (e.g., using semi-persistent resources) until the BS transmits a second DCI to deactivate the SPS/CG state. The SPS/CG or other state may be referred to herein as an SPS/CG procedure, a semi-persistent transmission procedure, or the like. However, in some cases, a duration in which the UE is to operate using a semi-persistent transmission procedure may be determinable before the UE starts the semi-persistent transmission procedure. For example, a BS may determine to switch the UE from a first component carrier to a second component carrier and use an SPS/CG state on the second component carrier to avoid interference on the first component carrier during a pre-configured period of time when another communication is to occur on the first component carrier. Additionally or alternatively, the BS may determine to switch the UE from the first component carrier to the second component carrier and use the SPS /CG state on the second component carrier because some higher priority traffic will use a resource on the first component carrier (e.g., a higher priority SPS or CG for another UE). As such, whether due to interference, higher priority traffic, or other reason, a known or expected interference or interruption having a known time duration can be mitigated by the BS transmitting activation signaling for a configuration of a semi-persistent transmission procedure having a deactivation time after which the semi-persistent transmission procedure can be deactivated (without explicit deactivation signaling).

Some aspects described herein may obviate a need for DCI signaling in activating or deactivating a semi-persistent transmission procedure. For example, a BS may transmit a DCI to activate the semi-persistent transmission procedure and may include information identifying a deactivation time for the semi-persistent transmission procedure. In this case, after expiration of the deactivation time, the UE may automatically deactivate the semi-persistent transmission procedure without receiving a DCI. In this way, the BS and the UE reduce signaling associated with using, for example, an SPS/CG state. Additionally, or alternatively, a semi-persistent transmission procedure (e.g., an SPS/CG state) may be automatically activated based at least in part on transmission of uplink feedback. For example, rather than waiting for a DCI to activate resources for retransmission of a failed communication, a UE may transmit, to a BS, uplink feedback indicating the failed communication, which may automatically activate a retransmission using SPS resources or pre-configured retransmission resources (e.g., CG resources). In this way, the UE and the BS obviate a need for DCI based activation of transmission resources, thereby reducing a utilization of network resources.

<FIG> is a diagram <NUM>, illustrating a pre-configured deactivation, in accordance with the present disclosure. As shown in <FIG>, method <NUM> includes a BS <NUM> and a UE <NUM>.

As further shown in <FIG>, and by reference number <NUM>, BS <NUM> transmits activation signaling for a semi-persistent transmission procedure to UE <NUM>. Activation signaling is signaling to cause a UE <NUM> to activate a semi-persistent transmission procedure or an SPS transmission occasion associated with an SPS transmission procedure. For example, BS <NUM> may transmit a DCI to activate SPS/CG transmission (e.g., an SPS/CG state). Additionally, BS <NUM> transmits signaling to activate semi-persistent SRS signaling.

In some aspects, UE <NUM> may identify a deactivation time based at least in part on the DCI. For example, UE <NUM> may parse the DCI to identify an included identifier of the deactivation time (e.g., a time for which SPS/CG transmission is to be active). Additionally, or alternatively, UE <NUM> may receive information identifying the deactivation time via a separate signal. For example, UE <NUM> may receive radio resource control (RRC) signaling configuring a deactivation time for one or more subsequent SPS/CG transmission activations. Additionally, or alternatively, UE <NUM> may receive a medium access control (MAC) control element (CE) identifying a deactivation time for one or more SPS/CG transmission activations.

In some aspects, BS <NUM> may provide a deactivation time indicator for a particular group of SPS/CG configuration identifiers. For example, BS <NUM> may provide the deactivation time indicator in connection with one or more SPS/CG configuration identifiers to cause the deactivation time to be applicable to SPS/CG activations associated with the one or more SPS/CG configuration identifiers. In some aspects, BS <NUM> may provide the deactivation time indicator to a particular group of UEs <NUM>. For example, BS <NUM> may transmit a broadcast message, a multicast message, and/or the like to UE <NUM> and/or one or more other UEs <NUM> to identify the deactivation time for UE <NUM> and/or the one or more other UEs <NUM>. Additionally, or alternatively, BS <NUM> may transmit a group-common DCI to UE <NUM> (and/or one or more other UEs <NUM>) to identify the deactivation time. In this way, BS <NUM> reduces a utilization of network resources relative to transmitting separate signaling to each UE <NUM> in a network.

As further shown in <FIG>, and by reference number <NUM>, UE <NUM> activates a semi-persistent transmission procedure. For example, UE <NUM> may activate SPS/CG transmission and/or an SPS/CG state. In some aspects, UE <NUM> may activate the SPS/CG transmission immediately based at least in part on receiving the DCI. Additionally, or alternatively, UE <NUM> may activate the SPS/CG transmission a threshold time after receiving the DCI to maintain synchronization with BS <NUM>.

As further shown in <FIG>, and by reference number <NUM>, UE <NUM> detects expiration of a deactivation time and deactivate the semi-persistent transmission procedure. For example, UE <NUM> may deactivate SPS/CG transmission based at least in part on expiration of a deactivation time. In some aspects, UE <NUM> may delay the deactivation of the SPS/CG transmission. When UE <NUM> detects that there is still remaining data for transmission using SPS/CG resources, UE <NUM> extends the SPS/CG transmission to accommodate the remaining data and deactivates the SPS/CG transmission after an end of the extension of the SPS/CG transmission. In some aspects, UE <NUM> may enter a default configuration after deactivating the SPS/CG transmission. For example, UE <NUM> may be configured (e.g., by BS <NUM>) with a default SPS/CG configuration and may return to the default SPS/CG configuration after deactivation. Additionally, or alternatively, UE <NUM> may switch component carriers after deactivation. For example, when UE <NUM> switches from a first carrier to a second carrier to activate SPS/CG transmission on the second carrier, UE <NUM> may return to the first carrier after deactivating SPS/CG transmission on the second carrier.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example <NUM> of uplink feedback-based activation, in accordance with the present disclosure. As shown in <FIG>, example <NUM> includes a BS <NUM> and a UE <NUM>.

As further shown in <FIG>, and by reference number <NUM>, UE <NUM> may transmit, to BS <NUM>, uplink feedback. For example, UE <NUM> may transmit uplink feedback, such as hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) feedback, that includes one or more bits to indicate one or more acknowledgements (ACKs) or negative acknowledgements (NACKs) for one or more communications. In some aspects, UE <NUM> may transmit uplink feedback that includes one or more ACKs, one or more NACKs, a combination of one or more ACKs and one or more NACKs, and/or the like. In some aspects, UE <NUM> may transmit uplink feedback including an activation indicator. For example, UE <NUM> may transmit uplink feedback with an explicit indicator to request activation of an identified SPS configuration associated with a particular SPS configuration identifier. In this case, UE <NUM> may use a single bit configured to correspond to a single SPS configuration identifier to request an activation of an SPS occasion (also referred to herein as an SPS procedure) and/or utilization of pre-configured retransmission resources (e.g., time resources and/or frequency resources). Additionally, or alternatively, UE <NUM> may use a plurality of bits to explicitly identify an SPS configuration identifier. In some aspects, UE <NUM> may transmit the explicit indicator separate from the uplink feedback.

In some aspects, UE <NUM> may include scheduling information in the uplink feedback. For example, UE <NUM> may identify scheduling information for a retransmission resource to enable activation of use of the retransmission resource. In some aspects, the scheduling information may conflict with previously configured scheduling information. In this case, UE <NUM> and/or BS <NUM> may overwrite the previously configured scheduling information with the UE-signaled scheduling information.

As further shown in <FIG>, and by reference number <NUM>, UE <NUM> may activate an SPS occasion and/or utilization of pre-configured retransmission resources. For example, based at least in part on transmitting uplink feedback with at least one NACK, UE <NUM> may activate the SPS occasion. In this way, UE <NUM> obviates a need to receive a DCI from BS <NUM>, thereby reducing a utilization of network resources. In some aspects, UE <NUM> may activate the SPS occasion based at least in part on the at least one NACK corresponding to a particular hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) identifier.

Additionally, or alternatively, UE <NUM> may activate SPS/CG transmission based at least in part on the at least one NACK relating to a particular physical layer (PHY) priority. For example, when UE <NUM> detects a failure of a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) with a relatively high priority (e.g., as indicated in a scheduling DCI including a priority indicator for the PDSCH), UE <NUM> may transmit a NACK to indicate the failure of the PDSCH and may automatically activate SPS/CG transmission. In some aspects, UE <NUM> may activate an SPS occasion or utilization of pre-configured retransmission resources based at least in part on the uplink feedback including only NACKs. For example, UE <NUM> may determine that the uplink feedback includes one or more NACKs and no ACKs and may determine to activate the SPS occasion and/or the pre-configured retransmission resources to enable retransmission of a failed communication.

In some aspects, UE <NUM> may activate the SPS occasion with a particular SPS configuration. For example, UE <NUM> may use a pre-configured SPS configuration that identifies a set of time resources, a set of frequency resources, a modulation and coding scheme (MCS), a beam, a periodicity, an offset for a start time, and/or the like for an SPS communication. In this case, UE <NUM> may start SPS communication at a particular time after transmitting the uplink feedback, such as at a first scheduled SPS after transmitting the uplink feedback, a first scheduled SPS that is a minimum or threshold time period (e.g., a UE and/or BS processing time) after transmitting the uplink feedback, and/or the like.

Additionally, or alternatively, UE <NUM> may activate the SPS occasion with an UL feedback indicated SPS configuration. For example, UE <NUM> may explicitly identify a configuration for the SPS occasion that UE <NUM> is to use when transmitting the UL feedback. Additionally, or alternatively, UE <NUM> may transmit UL feedback that enables BS <NUM> to implicitly identify the SPS configuration. For example, a timing of the UL feedback may correspond to a particular SPS configuration of a plurality of possible SPS configurations.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example process <NUM> performed, for example, by a UE, in accordance with the present disclosure. Example process <NUM> is an example where the UE (e.g., UE <NUM> and/or the like) performs operations associated with pre-configured deactivation.

As shown in <FIG>, in some aspects, process <NUM> may include receiving activation signaling for a configuration of a semi-persistent transmission procedure (block <NUM>). For example, the UE (e.g., using receive processor <NUM>, transmit processor <NUM>, controller/processor <NUM>, memory <NUM>, and/or the like) may receive activation signaling for a configuration of a semi-persistent transmission procedure, as described above with reference to <FIG>. In some aspects, the activation signaling may relate to an SPS transmission procedure occasion. For example, the activation signaling may activate the configuration for one or more SPS transmission procedure occasions (e.g., one or more SPS occasions).

As further shown in <FIG>, in some aspects, process <NUM> may include activating the semi-persistent transmission procedure based at least in part on receiving the activation signaling (block <NUM>). For example, the UE (e.g., using receive processor <NUM>, transmit processor <NUM>, controller/processor <NUM>, memory <NUM>, and/or the like) may activate the semi-persistent transmission procedure based at least in part on receiving the activation signaling, as described above with reference to <FIG>.

As further shown in <FIG>, in some aspects, process <NUM> may include deactivating the semi-persistent transmission procedure based at least in part on a deactivation time (block <NUM>). For example, the UE (e.g., using receive processor <NUM>, transmit processor <NUM>, controller/processor <NUM>, memory <NUM>, and/or the like) may deactivate the semi-persistent transmission procedure based at least in part on a deactivation time, as described above with reference to <FIG>.

In a first aspect, process <NUM> includes receiving signaling identifying the deactivation time.

In a second aspect, alone or in combination with the first aspect, the signaling is at least one of: radio resource control signaling, medium access control signaling, or downlink control information signaling.

In a third aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first and second aspects, the deactivation time is indicated for a single SPS/CG configuration identifier.

In a fourth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through third aspects, the deactivation time is indicated for a plurality of SPS/CG configuration identifiers.

In a fifth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through fourth aspects, the signaling is conveyed via at least one of: a broadcast message, a multicast message, or group-common downlink control information.

In a sixth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through fifth aspects, the semi-persistent transmission procedure is a semi-persistent scheduling (SPS)/configured grant (CG) transmission procedure.

In a seventh aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through sixth aspects, the semi-persistent transmission procedure is at least one of a semi-persistent channel state information reference signal transmission procedure, a semi-persistent sounding reference signal transmission procedure, or a discontinuous reception transmission procedure.

In an eighth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through seventh aspects, process <NUM> includes detecting further transmission activity during the semi-persistent transmission procedure and extending the semi-persistent transmission procedure based at least in part on detecting the further transmission activity, and deactivating the semi-persistent transmission procedure includes deactivating the semi-persistent transmission procedure based at least in part on extending the semi-persistent transmission procedure.

In a ninth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through eighth aspects, process <NUM> includes detecting a lack of transmission activity during the semi-persistent transmission procedure, and deactivating the semi-persistent transmission procedure includes preemptively deactivating the semi-persistent transmission procedure, before the deactivation time, based at least in part on detecting the lack of transmission activity.

In a tenth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through ninth aspects, process <NUM> includes resuming a default semi-persistent transmission procedure configuration based at least in part on deactivating the semi-persistent transmission procedure.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example process <NUM> performed, for example, by a UE, in accordance with the present disclosure. Example process <NUM> is an example where the UE (e.g., UE <NUM> and/or the like) performs operations associated with uplink feedback-based activation.

As shown in <FIG>, in some aspects, process <NUM> may include transmitting uplink feedback responsive to an attempt to receive a downlink transmission (block <NUM>). For example, the UE (e.g., using receive processor <NUM>, transmit processor <NUM>, controller/processor <NUM>, memory <NUM>, and/or the like) may transmit uplink feedback responsive to an attempt to receive a downlink transmission, as described above with reference to <FIG>.

As further shown in <FIG>, in some aspects, process <NUM> may include activating a semi-persistent scheduling occasion or a pre-configured resource for a retransmission based at least in part on transmitting the uplink feedback (block <NUM>). For example, the UE (e.g., using receive processor <NUM>, transmit processor <NUM>, controller/processor <NUM>, memory <NUM>, and/or the like) may activate a semi-persistent scheduling occasion or a pre-configured resource for a retransmission based at least in part on transmitting the uplink feedback, as described above with reference to <FIG>.

As further shown in <FIG>, in some aspects, process <NUM> may include communicating in the semi-persistent scheduling occasion or using the pre-configured resource for the retransmission (block <NUM>). For example, the UE (e.g., using receive processor <NUM>, transmit processor <NUM>, controller/processor <NUM>, memory <NUM>, and/or the like) may communicate in the semi-persistent scheduling occasion or using the pre-configured resource for the retransmission, as described above with reference to <FIG>.

Process <NUM> may include additional aspects, such as any single aspect or any combination of aspects described in connection with one or more other processes described elsewhere herein.

Claim 1:
A method (<NUM>) of wireless communication performed by a user equipment, UE, comprising:
receiving (<NUM>) activation signaling for a configuration of a semi-persistent transmission procedure;
activating (<NUM>) the semi-persistent transmission procedure based at least in part on receiving the activation signaling; and
deactivating (<NUM>) the semi-persistent transmission procedure based at least in part on a deactivation time;
detecting further transmission activity during the semi-persistent transmission procedure; and
extending the semi-persistent transmission procedure based at least in part on detecting the further transmission activity; and characterised
wherein deactivating the semi-persistent transmission procedure comprises deactivating the semi-persistent transmission procedure based at least in part on extending the semi-persistent transmission procedure.